Carbondale, CO (March 30, 2022) – After a two-year hiatus, Colorado’s leading adventure film event 5Point Adventure Film Festival returns to a live audience for its 15^th flagship festival, April 21-24, 2022, in venues throughout downtown Carbondale, bringing film to in-person audiences for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020 and shuttered many large cultural events and indoor gatherings. Today 5Point unveils a captivating program designed to celebrate the 5Point audience and filmmaker community coming together again, with panel discussions that steer the conversation around themes that have shaped the world in the last two years including social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, mental health and wellness, and the pursuit of adventure throughout the world; plus an array of outdoor recreational activities, parties and social events built around the four-days of film programming which is set to engage and inspire audiences.

5Point will host a special First Friday Trailer Drop at The Crystal Theater, 427 Main Street, Carbondale, at 6 pm, Friday, April 1, 2022, previewing the festival trailer as a community warm-up for the 2022 festival event. Admission is a $10 suggested donation. The trailer will also screen at TACAW (The Arts Campus at Willits), 400 Robinson Street, Basalt, at 6 pm, Friday, April 8, 2022, admission is free.

WORLD-CLASS FILMS & WORLD PREMIERES AT 5POINT: This year’s film programming includes some of the best adventure filmmaking and storytelling, with world premieres, and a stellar line-up of film guests to introduce their work and content themes. New for 2022, film screenings will take place at several venues across Carbondale including Steve’s Guitars and Thunder River Theatre Company. Along with three matinee feature film presentations, and a bilingual family show, 2022 film program highlights include:

Learning To Drown: directed by the highly acclaimed Felt Soul Media team (Ben Knight, Travis Rummel) Learning To Drown tells the remarkable story of snowboarder Jess Kimura.

The River Runner: The story of Scott Lindgren’s 20-year quest to be the first person to paddle the four great rivers that originate from Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash. This Saturday matinee feature film presentation will include a Q&A with special guests from the film.

TORN: In 1999, climber Alex Lowe was lost in a deadly avalanche on Mount Shishapangma. Surviving the avalanche was Alex’s best friend and climbing partner, Conrad Anker, who married Alex’s widow and help raise his sons. From filmmaker, photographer, and National Geographic Explorer Max Lowe, TORN turns the lens on his own family, as the body of his father is uncovered 17 years after his death. This Sunday matinee feature film presentation will include a Q&A with special guests from the film.

The Ballad of Pecos Hank: A lonesome musician down on his luck and in love with Mother Nature risked what he had to traverse Tornado Alley in search of the world’s most violent weather. World Premiere.

A Baffin Vacation: Erik Boomer and Sarah McNair-Landry set off on a bold multi-sport 45-day expedition traveling through the remote landscape of Baffin Island in search of stunning cliffs to climb and unexplored rivers to whitewater kayak. World Premiere.

This Is Beth: Rock climber Beth Rodden is one of the most prolific athletes in climbing history, with multiple free ascents of El Capitan and first ascents of cutting-edge lines to her name. ‘This is Beth’ takes an intimate look beneath the forward-facing success of her career, diving into Beth’s grapple with body image and cruel self-talk and celebrating how she transformed this dynamic to rediscover the love of her sport. World premiere and a 5Point Film Fund recipient.

Before I Die: Following the untimely death of their father to Early-onset Alzheimer’s, the Bussell family grapples with the life-altering decision of whether to find out if they too carry the gene. Out of the family’s five children, Tristan Bussell, 36, is the only one who decides to take the DNA test. This uplifting documentary short focuses on how those test results profoundly changed the way Tristan chooses to live his life. A 5Point Film Fund recipient.

An Accidental Life: On October 11, 2017, in Yosemite on El Capitan, while at the peak of her mountaineering prowess, Quinn Brett experienced one of the most traumatic accidents in the history of rock climbing. The lessons from such horror are only shared among those who survive and not only did Quinn astonishingly live to tell the tale but even more to endure the irreparable aftermath. Over time and with great effort she finds different ways to move in the wilderness, a worthwhile job opportunity emerges, and a spark of romance returns. To forgive herself for all that she’s lost Quinn must return to her accident, confront her ghosts, and reveal the beauty of what remains. This Friday matinee feature film presentation will include a Q&A with special guests from the film.

A Thousand Casts: Throughout the course of Oliver White’s life fly fishing has been at the root of a series of once-in-a-lifetime events. What started as physical therapy led to the financial district, a business opportunity, and a near-death situation. His pursuit of fish on the fly now takes him to the mythical, magical country of Bhutan to do what he does best – figure things out.

Attack and Release: After moving with his family to the U.S. from Sri Lanka, Ranga lost his father to an unexpected heart attack. Coping with the loss eventually led him to Montana, where he was drawn to the magic of fly fishing and the solace of the river. Through being in nature and meeting the challenges of his journey, he learned the importance of mindfulness and living life with an open heart. World Premiere.

FESTIVAL GUESTS: For 2022, some of 5Point’s closest filmmaker friends and family return to Carbondale to celebrate being together for adventure storytelling once again. 5Point Filmmaker alumni including Ben Sturges, Taylor Rees, Forrest Woodward, Conrad Anker, and Max Lowe will all feature in panelist events and conversations around the film, many of which will be screening along the weekend. New faces and voices in the 5Point conversations include New York Times bestselling author Jedidiah Jenkins, Indigenous skier Connor Ryan, an indigenous voice within the outdoor recreation industry, Dr. Len Necefer, outdoor recreation advocate Dani Reyes-Acosta, adventurer, and record-breaking athlete Quinn Brett.

5POINT CONFLUENCE HIGHLIGHTS: 5Point curates a reflective line-up of thought-leaders and influencers to lead panel discussions on topical subjects and trends or events shaping the outdoor world, human interest subjects, and the culture around visual storytelling.

QUESTION THE SELF. New York Times bestselling author Jedidiah Jenkins for a live recording of his hit podcast, Question The Self. He’ll be joined by seasoned documentary filmmaker Taylor Rees for a two-way discussion about ego, love, friendship, and how to balance a life of creative work, adventure, and family. Stick around for a book reading and Q&A with Jedidiah after the podcast.

FINDING FLOW WITH JEREMY JENSEN co-founder of Outwild and host of the Adventurepreneur Playbook. Flow is an optimal state of consciousness, where we feel and perform our best. It’s where we feel the most alive and tend to have our most meaningful experiences. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to harness the state of flow to boost creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. The workshop will cover general flow science, identify the key flow triggers, and end with a mountain bike ride at Prince Creek.

THE ADVENTURE FILMMAKER PITCH EVENT, PRESENTED BY STIO: A central part of the mission of 5Point is nurturing and supporting the next generation of adventure filmmakers. The festival will host its first inaugural Adventure Filmmakers Pitch Event where five finalists will pitch their concepts to a jury for the chance to win a $15,000 prize. Judges include Taylor Rees, Britta Erickson, and Liz Barrett.

THE ROAD TO AN EQUITABLE OUTDOORS. Outdoor communities—and the media that reflect its values—have rallied to increase diversity, elevate equity, and honor inclusivity since 2020’s resurgence of the social justice movement. Films have been funded and programs have been launched, but we haven’t yet reached our summit. What about cyclical and sustainable justice in media for underserved and historically marginalized communities? Moderator Dani Reyes-Acosta will connect with filmmakers, athletes, brand managers, and media critics Mardi Fuller, Connor Ryan, Conor Hall, Alex Showerman, and Massimo Alpian in a community conversation taking stock of their achievements as much as the road ahead.

5POINT ADVENTURES: 5Point brings back the popular series of specially curated outdoor recreation events which gives audience members the chance for up-close engagement with filmmakers and guests while participating in a variety of activities from trail running, Plein air arts, casting for fly fishing, and film-themed events specially designed for the 5point weekend. 

5POINT FILM FUND: For the last nine years, the 5Point Film Fund has provided funding and mentoring support to more than 15 film projects, many of which have won awards and tours in festivals worldwide. During the festival weekend, there will be a formal kick-off for the 2022 5Point Film Fund with a call for submissions and details about how to apply for the funding program.

5POINT DREAM PROJECT: 5Point’s Dream Project, made possible by Alpine Bank, Coldwell Banker Mason Morse, and 2757 design + build co, is a unique program that offers outstanding high school students from Aspen to Parachute, Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, the chance to explore their boundaries and dreams. Five students who best exemplify 5Point’s five guiding principles receive a $1500 scholarship to embark on a life-changing opportunity and follow their passions. Applicants can visit the 5Point Film website, www.5pointfilm.org/dreamproject to apply for next year’s scholarship program, which launches in the fall, of 2022.

“It’s been three years since the 5Point community was last able to come together in-person to celebrate our shared values and the art of inspirational storytelling, and who could imagine how the world would change during that hiatus and how it would shape us with new resilience and perspective to forge a positive path ahead,” said 5Point Film executive director, Luis Yllanes. “We are humbled and excited to showcase some incredible filmmaking, but most importantly bring our community together after all this time for that vital connection that sparks ideas, collaboration, sharing, and inspiration.”

Festival passes are priced from $365, individual program tickets from $15 (adults, kids under 12 are free) for Saturday’s family film program, $20 for afternoon feature film programs, and $38 for Sunday morning Changemaker program and all evening programs. All passes and tickets can be purchased at www.5pointfilm.org. ​​The safety and well-being of 5Point participants and staff at the festival is the highest priority. Ticket holders are encouraged to understand the 5Point COVID-19 policy which can be viewed at www.5pointfilm.org/15th-annual-flagship-festival-covid/

Special thanks to 5Point Film sponsors and partners: 

Stio, Mazda, Garfield County, YETI, NRS, Odell Brewing, Sundae, Luna Bay Booch, FastG8, Tincup, Alchemy Concert Systems, The Post Independent and The Aspen Times, Alpine Bank, Coldwell Banker Mason Morse, Valley Ortho, Backbone Media, The Town of Carbondale, Amore Realty, Obermeyer Wood, Wheeler Arts Grants, Rowdy Mermaid, CORE, Osmia, KDNK, Comfort Inn, 2757 design & build co, Colorado Office of Film Television & Media, Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation, Colorado Mountain College, Wilderness Medicine App, Tim’s Naturals, and Steve’s Guitars.

5Point Film is also the recipient of a Colorado Arts Relief Grant, distributed by the Colorado Creative Industries, a funding initiative passed by the State of Colorado legislature to provide financial support to arts organizations affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.