Premier all-women adventure film festival celebrates female athletes and adventurers by un-defining what it means to be a woman in adventure, sport and film
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. and MOAB, Utah – August 30, 2023 – Field Station Moab, an inspiring and inclusive hotel for everyday adventure, is proud to host the No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF) Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. As the premier adventure film festival for women and gender non-conforming athletes and storytellers, NMLFF premieres in Moab, UT, showcasing 11 compelling films as part of the Eighth Annual Flagship Film Festival 2023 World Tour.
“We are not your average film festival,” says NMLFF Executive Director Kathy Karlo. “While we hold firm to some mainstream elements, the stories we share embody a radical vision of hope and change – requiring an innovative format. Through the films presented, panel discussions, artist exhibits and musical guests, our 2023 lineup encourages a reexamination of how we manifest our personal culture within various communities. We recognize that a vital step to cultivating change is telling your story, which is a deeply vulnerable labor of love. Therefore, at all our events and across the digital landscape, we aim to facilitate a container that is both ripe with inspiration and supportive to the process.”
Founded in 2015, NMLFF is an international voice for the underrepresented global majority – shaping an inclusive space in adventure, sport and film while actively investing in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Prioritizing equitable accessibility, NMLFF offers closed-captioning on all film programming. Despite the name, No Man’s Land encourages everyone to attend.
Field Station Moab invites the community and guests to attend this complimentary event on Saturday, September 9, 2023; doors open at 7:30 p.m., with films starting at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit fieldstation.com/moab or nomanslandfilmfestival.org.
No Man’s Land Film Festival at Field Station Moab film lineup includes:
- Who Are You To Tell A Story? – An intimate view of the filmmaker’s frustrations and fears—director and producer Erica Hinck in attendance.
- Well Worn Life with Dani Reyes-Acosta – A short documentary film series by Arkansas-based outdoor company Livsn Designs reveals the recipes of outdoor-minded individuals who love life deeply – and live it to the fullest extent.
- Pass It On: Michelle LeBlanc – Pass It On celebrates three locals who spread their love of Squamish climbing into the fabric of the broader community. In this episode, they go bouldering with long-term care worker Michelle LeBlanc, who takes residents in their 80s on imaginary expeditions.
- Elevated – Effective communication is a challenge every climber faces. It’s a sport that requires intense focus, dedication, and overcoming fear. For Deaf climber Sonya Wilson, communication and community are of vital importance. Elevated is a non-verbal film sharing Sonya’s experience as a Deaf woman and outdoor advocate working to bridge the gap between the Deaf community and the outdoor industry, one crag at a time.
- Inseparable: Skye – History shows Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) climbed over mountains and scrambled rocks for trading purposes since time out of mind. Today, few Indigenous members of the islands see themselves reflected in the modern sports culture. Recognizing the need to bridge the connection, Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds founded Kanaka Climbers. Through her non-profit work, Skye and her family are calling on the climbing community to advocate for the protection of sacred spaces, including land and cultural resources, that are under the threat of development.
- Erin McGrady – Who is a Runner? – It takes the first 5-6 miles for the “bird’s nest” in Erin McGrady’s head to unravel. And then, putting one foot in front of the other, the photographer and writer work to create and celebrate safe spaces for others in the queer community. Together, with her wife Caroline Whatley, in spite of all they are up against as queer women in the South, they turn their attention toward the joy they get from traveling and creating community.
- Beyond Begbie – A short film that explores the history of the land and its shared significance to Indigenous groups and mountain sports enthusiasts. Standing tall over the Revelstoke Valley, Mount Begbie has inspired an entire community. It is iconized in the logos and names of local businesses, featured heavily in artists’ works, is photographed by every visiting tourist, and most importantly of all, is explored by the outdoor enthusiast – no matter the season. Climbing Mt Begbie is a “right of passage” for every hiker, climber, sledder, and skier who chooses to make Revelstoke their home. While this peak has created an entire contemporary culture in Revelstoke, its name and story only represent colonial history, with no reference to the Indigenous heritage of this land. Is it the outdoor community’s responsibility to help change this?
- Breathe – A short film that looks at how we sometimes wonder, “How high can we climb?”
- Daila in the Dolomites – Black Diamond athlete Daila Ojeda goes for the send on what she feels is the “perfect” sport climb–Menhir (8b) in the Dolomites.
- Miles To Go – A short film about a team of male trans runners in America. It follows them as they prepare to enter a trail-running race and explores the benefits and freedoms they feel from being outside.
- A Woman’s Place – A funny, heartwarming, and honest conversation with The Pinnacle Club – highlighting women’s long standing involvement in climbing and aiming to rebalance a narrative which has been primarily about men.
About Field Station Moab (Images available here)
Field Station Moab brings modern lodging, gear shop, rentals, guided experiences, and community all under one roof — closest to the trailhead. Home to Field Station’s first location, its Moab property is located on 2.65 acres at 889 N Main Street, just outside of both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Brands featured throughout Field Station Moab include Dometic Outdoor coolers, Black Diamond outdoor equipment and apparel, Outdoor Research clothing and gear, Slowtide bath and pool towels, Picture Organic Clothing, Snow Peak’s outdoor furniture, Wildsam storytelling and local narratives, AllTrails onsite recommendations and curated trail lists, Public Goods bath products, La Colombe Coffee, and Cliford Mervil photography.
About Field Station
Field Station, a division of AutoCamp Hospitality Group, empowers all people to get outside with greater comfort, ease, knowledge, and support. Field Station lovingly renovates and upcycles old lodges and motels in prime outdoor destinations to create supportive and sustainable basecamps for exploring nearby natural areas. Field Station will open its second location in early 2024 in Joshua Tree, Calif., followed by additional locations. Visit fieldstation.com for more information and follow along on Instagram (@field.stn), Facebook (@stayfieldstation), and Twitter (@fieldstn_) for updates.
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