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Earlier this year at Kendal Mountain Festival, we launched an exciting film grant in partnership with outdoor brand Kalias, inviting filmmakers across the globe to apply for up to £20,000 for a new film commissioning project. The team at Kalias were so impressed with the entries, that they have decided to award two films.

Jake Holland and Luke Grenfell-Shaw have been selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants with their incredible films, Above K2 and Our Best Foot Forward. 

Jake Holland, Above K2

Jake Holland's project ‘Above K2’ is an exhilarating adventure that follows three athletes, Antoine Girard, Will Sim, and Fabi Bhul, as they attempt to be the first to fly over K2, the world's second-highest peak. The film promises to showcase breathtaking scenery and the unrelenting spirit of human determination.

Jake says: "Paragliding in the Himalayas is something very special. The mountains are the biggest on the planet, offering spectacular scenery and unlimited adventures. Like birds, our paraglider's are able to climb in rising columns of air called thermals, that can take us over 8000m. Linking these, we can travel hundreds of kilometres through otherwise inaccessible terrain. In 2022 we made a very successful trip with our paragliders to the Karakoram. Our team broke the Asian Cross-Country distance record (320km) and we used our wings to access and climb the Gulmit tower - a much tried objective, where we made the first ascent. We have only scratched the surface of what is possible here! In 2023 we will go back to the Karakoram for 6 weeks. This new documentary will follow the main protagonist’s Antoine Girard, Will Sim and Fabi Bhul. Three unusual, raw and very talented characters who are at the forefront of this imaginative way to explore the Himalayas."

You can watch Jake’s latest film, New Way Up, which is joining us on Tour in Bristol at the Tobacco Factory Theatres this June. Watch the trailer here:

Luke Grenfell-Shaw, Our Best Foot Forward

Luke Grenfell-Shaw's project 'Our Best Foot Forward' is an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity. Luke was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2018, and his life took an unexpected turn as he decided to cycle across Eurasia on a tandem bike, sharing the journey with over 800 people. Now, he's embarking on a new adventure to cycle from Bristol to Beijing on a tandem bike with other canlivers. The film promises to be a touching and uplifting story of the power of human resilience and community.

Luke says: "Almost five years on from being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I left hospital in Bristol with the amazing news that my scans were still clear. It was a gloriously sunny day and I stopped to bask in its warmth. I checked my emails and saw to my delight and surprise that I had been awarded the Kailas development grant for my project, Our Best Foot Forward. It feels like the opening of a new chapter in my life. Over the past five years I have been doing my best to live with cancer, cycle from Bristol to Beijing on a tandem and inspire people around the world with cancer. Receiving this grant opens the door for me to share the stories of other people who have shown incredible fortitude and positivity in the face of profound challenges. This is something I am incredibly excited to do and I can’t wait to head out to China to get started!"

You can watch Luke's film, Bristol To Beijing: The Road To Mariupol, here: 

We can't wait to share the winning films with our audience at this year's Kendal Mountain Festival. Keep your eyes peeled on ticket sales which are due to be released on the 6th of July.