Freeride Filmfestival 2023

All in - Action, Femininity, Art, Passion

The program of the Freeride Film Festival 2023 covers a wide spectrum under the motto "FOREVER RIDE": from relentless ski action and the female cycle to playful dystopia and wordless beauty to arctic adventures and a snowboard film about the magic of riding curves. As usual, there will be live on-stage moderation as well as interviews with the athletes and filmmakers. There will also be a special meet-and-greet area to talk to the protagonists of the films in person.

The films at a glance

The Blondes - How Did We Get Here?

Janelle Yip, Emily Childs (both CAN) and Tonje Kvivik (NOR) call themselves "The Blondes" and know only one gas: full throttle. But the three are no headless daredevils; instead, they deliberately conquer male domains such as big mountain skiing, wildfire fighting and helicopter flying. This sympathetic portrait of three female friends is arguably the most feminist ski action film in FFF history. Truly great freeride cinema - visually and musically - from Clay Mitchell, who has done everything from Hollywood productions and major commercials to adventure and documentary films.

Cycles

How do female athletes deal with their menstrual cycle and how does it affect their performance? With their equally experimental and action-packed production "Cycles," Johanna Brunner and Anjuna Hartmann not only want to break down a taboo topic, but also contribute to the empowerment of top female athletes: "Our film is intended to make women in freeride sports more visible and inspire them to pursue their dreams and goals in the outdoor sector."

Left Right

A snowboarding film where the focus is on making turns and no one leaves the ground. "This is a project I've been working towards for the last ten years," explains director Samuel McMahon. "I hope it provides goosebumps and a laugh or two, and shows some incredible people, styles and turns along the way." Additionally, he sprinkles in profound insights about riding turns, because one thing is clear: Whether you're riding into a jump, shredding over exposed faces, soaring through forests or taking your first snowboard lesson, the turn is the heart of the sport.

22 HØURS - Arctic Dreamlines

The Weger brothers from South Tyrol love challenges and variety: both were world-class kayakers, but are also passionate paragliders, base jumpers, freeriders - and content creators who regularly go viral with their clips on social media. The winter of 2022/23 is actually already over for the two of them in May - before they learn of an approaching storm and huge masses of fresh snow in the Norwegian Lyngen Alps. So, off they go and the adventure can begin.

Projection

With expressive imagery and minimalist commentary, director Richard Buchner succeeds in creating a macabrely beautiful picture of abandoned ski resorts. Associations with climate change, environmental pollution and capitalist machinations are just as present as a parody of the future viability of Alpine winter tourism. Because young shredders appropriate those places where this tourism has already failed - through sustainable means like ski touring, urban skiing and art. Important side-fact: the film was produced without financial support from sponsors.

Purity

Director Lukas Schäfer naturally foregrounds nature in this non-verbal yet atmospherically epic narrative. In between, Gabriel Indrist and his friends provide solid, high-class freeride action that fits beautifully into the story. A perfect film for days when you don't feel like talking or listening to others talk. Because sometimes it's enough to be enchanted by the beauty of the images and the magic of life.