Fort William Mountain Festival

21/01/2025

MONTANE SESSIONS: PLANNING FOR WINTER MOUNTAINS

With Anna Danby

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This indoor session is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and resources needed for planning for mountain days through snowy and icy terrain. From understanding avalanche safety and interpreting weather forecasts to winter gear essentials, this workshop will give you the confidence to embrace winter’s challenges and pursue your alpine ambitions.

No experience? No problem—this workshop is perfect for all skill levels!

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This course is run by Anna Danby from Wild Roots Guiding / Run The Highlands – Anna is a Winter Mountain Leader with almost two decades of experience working and playing in the winter mountains both in Scotland and abroad.



📅 Saturday 15th February 2025. 10:00am
📍 Ellis Brigham, Fort William
🎟️ Head over to our website!

20/01/2025

INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITION

Over the weekend we announced the winners of the Fort William Mountain Festival International Film Competitions!

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FWMF International Film Night brings together the very best entrants to the Fort William Mountain Festival film competition.

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Come along and see a great selection of outdoor adventure films, with presentations to award winners and introductions from some of the film makers themselves.

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At the end of the evening, cast your vote for the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD!

📅 Friday 14th February 2025 or Saturday 15th February 2025 (redux)
📍 The Highland Cinema
🎟️ head over to our website!

.miller.photography .fff

19/01/2025

Exclusive Preview: The Great Mixed Climbs of Scotland at Fort William Mountain Festival - Saturday 15 February, 4.00pm

More exciting stuff at this year's Fort William Mountain Fest - a sneak preview of The Great Mixed Climbs of Scotland, compiled by Guy Robertson and Hamish Frost! This much-anticipated celebration of the modern history, the routes and the personalities of Scottish winter climbing will be published later this year.

Find out more and book at Fort William Mountain Festival

19/01/2025

THE JOHN MUIR TRUST WILD PLACES FILM PRIZE

Our 2025 winner…

Finding Bo directed by Rachel Sarah

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Finding Bo is a short documentary film exploring the relationship between human and wildlife, through the photography lens of Scottish photographer Karen Miller. We explore Karen’s reasons for photography, how she found herself in the Scottish Highlands, and her love for all animals, particularly mountain hares.

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Rachel Sarah is a shooting producer-director, thriving on narrative-lead documentary work, and commercial campaigns centred on stories with real meaning – focusing in on our connections with nature, landscapes and wildlife.

You will be able to watch this film at our International Film Awards.

Head over to our website now to get your tickets!

18/01/2025

BEST EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE FILM

Our 2025 winner…

Capsized directed by Roxanna Barry

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Some people dream of summiting the highest peaks, of visiting a remote island, of being the fastest to navigate a route. But not Emily. Emily dreams of esoteric adventure, and of dragging a canoe across a bog. Enlisting her friend Lisa to join her, the pair set off to the Isle of Lewis, to navigate its intricate system of lochs. But before any trip comes the prep, and part of that means finding the right kit. For Emily, this can be a tough adventure in and of itself. When outdoor shops only stock technical clothing up to a size 16, how is adventure possible for the 45% of women in the UK who wear larger sizes?

Roxanna Barry is a freelance director, filmmaker, and photographer based in the UK, whose work typically focuses on social or environmental justice, the power of community, or our drive for creativity, through the lens of outdoor adventure sports.

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You will be able to watch this film at our International Film Awards.

Head over to our website now to get your tickets!

17/01/2025

BEST MOUNTAIN SPORTS FILM

Our 2025 winner…

Big Water Theory directed by Emile DOMINE

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Documenting Nouria’s attempt at completing the first integral descent of the Rondu Gorge by a woman, “Big Water Theory” is a compelling exploration of human spirit and the relentless pursuit of adventure. It offers a powerful and inspiring, yet highly detailed and informative look at the world of extreme kayaking.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Karakoram mountains, the film highlights the irreversible nature of the sport, with heart-pounding descents that test the kayakers’ psychological and physical limits.
An independent, 90% self-funded documentary film by Emile DOMINE, featuring Nouria Newman, Jules DOMINE, and Maël NGUYEN.

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You will be able to watch this film at our International Film Awards.

Head over to our website now to get your tickets!

16/01/2025

16/01/2025

BEST SHORT FILM

Our 2025 winner…

Dolore directed by Carlos Blanchard

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In a departure from the world of competitive racing and structured training, a pair of professional snowboard athletes embark on a quest driven by curiosity and a longing for new challenges—their very first high-alpine split board tour. Documented through photography and film, their extraordinary adventure unfolds against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and unexpected obstacles, showcasing their resilience and determination. What sets this journey apart is the fact that both protagonists, equipped with prosthetic legs, redefine the limits of adventure and inspire by conquering not only nature’s challenges but also their own

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Carlos Blanchard is a well-known photographer who has made his way from the big snowboarding days of the 2000s and 2010s with images around the globe. He then paved his way in photography with mountain biking, skiing, music and automobiles. He met Chris and Lisa on a shoot for Burton Snowboards and managed to make a book about their lives as professional athletes. His desire to go one step further with the two of them led to the creation of this film.

You will be able to watch this film at our International Film Awards.

Head over to our website now to get your tickets!

14/01/2025

GO BEYOND EVENING WITH ELLIS BRIGHAM AT FWMF

The Ellis Brigham Go Beyond evening is about celebrating those whose passion & dedication to the outdoors has enabled them to step out of their comfort zones, defy the status quo ,challenge the stereotype and Go Beyond what some would think is possible.
 
We dive into the stories of James Rudge, Jessie Dufton and Joanna Newton and how they have overcome many barriers in their quest to do what they do, we discover what drives them on in a world which is not always designed with their needs in mind, but how that doesn’t stop them.
 
Head over to our website now for more information about this headline event!

📅 Saturday 15th February
📍 Nevis Centre
🎟️ Head over to our website now!

12/01/2025

🪓 🌈 GOLDEN AXE AWARD 🌈🪓

There are 4 simple rules to entering your film:
🕰️2 minutes long
🌈Bright colours
🏔️Adventure
🍔 Food!

We would love filmmakers of all kinds to enter. You don’t need to be a professional!

🌈 Please email entries to [email protected] as a video file, or via www.wetransfer.com. Please don’t hesitate to send us a message for some advice on how to send it over if having issues.

We can’t wait to see your videos, so send them over our way for your chance to win some exciting prizes
🪓🌈🏔️🤩

📅 deadline is 31/01/25 for entries

11/01/2025

FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

Coming to the festival and wanting to go to multiple events? Going as a group of 5? We have good news for you!

FWMF are offering a deal, when you buy 5 or more festival tickets you will get 20% off! *

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Head over to our website now to view our full programme and to get your tickets now!

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* offer excludes any events at the Highland Cinema, Explore Events and free events)

10/01/2025

FWMF BOTHY SESSIONS 🛖

At Three Wise Monkeys

You won’t know who the speaker is going to be until you meet them, but one thing is for sure, they will have some fascinating stories to tell. And with only 20 tickets available per session this is your opportunity to get up close and personal with your mystery guest. Come with an open mind, be prepared to be inspired, and ask all the questions you can think of. Each session will have a different guest so take your pick!

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Delicious, healthy food provided by the wonderful Three Wise Monkeys is included in the ticket price.

📅 Friday 14th February 2025
&/or Saturday 15th February 2025
📍 3 Wise Monkeys
🎟️ Head over to our website!

09/01/2025

EXPLORE EVENT: PAINTING THE MOUNTAINS

with Phoebe Sleath
hosted by the Scottish Mountaineering Press.

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Join geologist and artist Phoebe Sleath on a morning walk through Glen Nevis to learn about the fundamentals of geological interpretation through sketchbook painting.

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To start Phoebe will show you what’s in her field kit and demonstrate how you can work confidently and colourfully in your sketchbooks to document geological features and learn more about the rocks and landscape in the process. Together we will then use a variety of art materials like watercolour, pastels and pens to add different colours and textures to our paintings.

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📅 15th February 2025
📍 Steall Falls Car Park
🎟️ head over to our website for more information! & to get your tickets now!

08/01/2025

MOUNTAIN QUIZ AND PIZZA

Hosted with Trek & Mountain Magazine



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Come along for our annual quiz and pizza event! As our opening night to the festival weekend you don’t want to miss out! This year it’s perfectly timed for you to come off the hill, straight in to the Cinema for pizza, chips and a pint!

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Lots of amazing prizes and goodies to be won so get yourself along!

08/01/2025

FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL…
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

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With a little over 5 weeks to go until the festival, all of our committee members are busy getting everything ready for

Did you know our programme is live? Head over to our website now to check it out and to get your tickets - you don’t want to miss out! 🎟️

The committee is run by a group of volunteers who enjoy being in the outdoors as much as we enjoy celebrating them at the festival. Here are some of the adventures our festival team got up to in the first week of 2025…

See you all very soon!

07/01/2025

PATAGONIA WORN WEAR AT FWMF 🏔️

We are delighted to say that the worn wear team will be back in Fort William for our festival!

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Fixing the stuff you already own and using it for many seasons reduces overall consumption, which is good for your wallet, and even better for the planet.

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Got some snow gear that’s seen one too many powder days? Bring us your most loved piece of clothing and we’ll repair it for free, whatever the brand.

06/01/2025

EXPLORE EVENT: BLUE MINDS SWIM

Delivered by Off Beat Bikes and Mountain Yoga Kinlochleven

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Off Beat Bikes and Mountain Yoga Kinlochleven are hosting a special Mountain Festival Blue Mind Open Water Swim and you’re invited.

Our Blue Mind swims are FREE community events and we’d love festival visitors to come and join in the fun. Meet up with new friends and old and get into the water together.

Blue Mind is the idea that being on, in or near the water is good for our wellbeing – both physically and mentally. So, whether you’re a champion swimmer or a newbie or just fancy coming along for the craic you’re welcome. Bring a hot drink with you, plenty of warm layers and we’ll bring cake.

📅 Saturday 15th of February 2025
📍 West End Car Park, Fort William.
🎟️ free!

05/01/2025

EXPLORE EVENT: STEALL FALLS WILD STRAVAIG

Delivered by Wild Yoga Glencoe

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Join Wild Yoga Yoga for this very special Winter stravaig. the afternoon combines a sociable guided walk with mindful practices and a wild yoga class in the meadows at the foot of the waterfall.

Our afternoon combines a sociable guided walk to Steall Falls with wild mindful practices including yoga and chi gong. Our session finishes with hot drinks and tasty seasonal treats. Leave with body and mind energised and restored, your spirits lifted and a smile on your face!



📅 Sunday 16th February 2025
📍 Steall Falls Car Park
🎟️ Head over to our website to get yourself tickets!