SALT LAKE CITY - Filmmakers, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts will gather at Westminster University for the 10th annual Wasatch Mountain Film Festival. The 4 day event will take place September 19 to 22, 2024, on Westminster's campus in Salt Lake City. Attendees will enjoy inspiring and thought-provoking films, workshops and panel discussions.
The Wasatch Mountain Film Festival is renowned for curating and showcasing top outdoor documentary films that expand perspectives and tell impactful stories through the lens of adventure. Attendees are invited to experience the transformative power of storytelling, as this year's selection of films promises to engage and challenge audiences to see the world in new ways.
“We’re thrilled to be screening such a fantastic lineup for our 10th edition of Wasatch Mountain Film Festival. Our response from the adventure film world this year was moving, and I’m excited by what we’ll be able to offer patrons this year," said Stuart Derman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Wasatch Mountain Film Festival.
In a special offer by Wasatch Film Festival organizers, Westminster University students will be given a code to claim tickets to matinee screenings prior to the festival. For those wanting to participate beyond being just a spectator, organizers are offering students an opportunity to volunteer and gain hands-on-experience.
"We’re happy to provide our students with the opportunity to engage with these powerful stories and connect with a community that values adventure and the outdoors," said Westminster University Provost Debbie Tahmassebi. "This festival aligns perfectly with our commitment to experiential learning, as well as expanding our students' horizons beyond the classroom."
Festival organizers are preparing a diverse lineup of films that highlight the beauty, challenges, and triumphs of the outdoor world, including three films produced and directed by Westminster alumni:
- Danny Giovale (Physics ’94) - “Designed by Disaster”
- Philip Hessler (Economics ’16) - “The Crux”
- Tim Jones (Photography ’09) – “The Last Gunners”
- Zeppelin Zeerip (International Business ’15) – "Taras"
Learn more about their films below.
Designed By Disaster
Designed by Disaster, is a deeply personal and inspiring story about Danny Giovale, a Westminster alum. In the 28-minute film Danny shows his passion as a climber while
facing a life-changing ordeal in the Dolomites. Danny is propelled to invent a revolutionary
type of crampon, addressing a critical safety gap in mountain travel. This invention
not only transforms the outdoor industry, but also marks Danny’s journey of self-discovery
and resilience. His return to the Dolomites, decades later, symbolizes his full-circle
journey by bringing the product he invented to the place where he almost lost his
life. The film is directed by James Q’ Martin.
The Crux
The Crux is a film produced and directed by Westminster alum Philip Hessler, Cole Sax, and Nonuk Walter. The Crux is a heart-pounding, eight-part docu-series
that thrusts you into the Climbing World Cup circuit – the ultimate battleground for
the world’s elite climbers. Every year, they traverse the globe, competing in a relentless
series of events, all leading to the grand finale: the World Championship. In this
high-octane arena, rivalries ignite, legacies are forged, and only one can be crowned
the world’s best climber.
The Last Gunners
Directed by Westminster alum Tim Jones, the silent hours of deep, snowy mornings at Alta Ski Area are ruptured by the reverberation
of heavy artillery echoing off the surrounding granite crags. Since 1949, weapons
of World War II have been an invaluable tool in combating the ever-looming threat
of deadly avalanches that descend upon the town and around the ski area’s steep slopes.
Amid Alta’s record-breaking 903-inch season in 2022-23, the gunners of Alta’s Ski Patrol fired their 105mm Howitzer for the final time. It’s the end of a 75-year era where weapons of war have reliably protected Alta from destructive avalanches. Dip into the story of Alta’s avalanche artillery program from infancy to its end. These massive artillery pieces, recruited for a peaceful purpose, now face retirement as Alta presses ahead into the forefront of the latest technological advancements in avalanche mitigation.
Taras
Directed by Westminster alum, Zeppelin Zeerip, the film is about a Ukrainian snowboarder turned soldier who grapples with the trauma
of war and the uncertainty of being called back, seeking solace in nature as he tries
to reintegrate into society.
Tickets and passes for the Wasatch Mountain Film Festival are now available for purchase at wasatchfilmfestival.org. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant community that
celebrates the intersection of art, adventure, and the great outdoors.
