The 5point Adventure Film Festival is coming to Jackson on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Co-presented by the local outdoor retailer Stio, the one-night event will take place at The Center for the Arts from 6 to 10 p.m. Now in its 16th year, the festival tours mountain towns around the country, inspiring audiences with daring outdoor feats and stories of human connection.
Tickets for the evening include a pre-film happy hour and a raffle for gear that benefits Teton County Search and Rescue.
5point Film’s executive director, Luis Yllanes, said what sets this festival apart from adventure film festivals like Banff and Mountain Film is the organization’s effort to diversify voices seen on the silver screen
“For a long time the outdoor adventure film industry was criticized because it was predominately white male,” Yllanes said. “And we’ve been able to really change that in a lot of ways with the filmmakers we feature. This is also an important part of making the outside for everyone.”
Based out of Carbondale, Colo., the festival is just one part of the organization’s programming. In addition to curating and screening adventure films, 5Point also supports up-and-coming young filmmakers through a scholarship program for Colorado high school students, grants for BIPOC filmmakers, pitch events and a curriculum for teachers.
Featured films include “After You’ve Gone” which explores grief through the eyes of a fly fishing guide and the power of nature to heal. “Let Me Live” is about British big wave surfer Tom Lowe finding meaning in pushing himself to the limit and “The Blackcountry Journal” recasts the standard ski stoke edit to a black and white visual set to a jazz soundtrack.
Two of the films shine light on two beloved Jackson institutions Teton County Search and Rescue and longtime local ski bum band Tram Jam.
One of Yllanes’ personal favorites is “4DWN” about an 11-year-old skateboarder struggling at home and finding a connection in an urban skate park in Dallas.
Yllanes hopes that the festival’s program can remind people of good things happening in the world and inspire positive change.
“If we can commit to doing whatever we can in our own lives, in our own communities, I hope that they can take that away from our program because I think if we can commit to that to be an inspiration and to live that, then I think [these films] can help,” Yllanes said.
More information and tickets at 5pointfilm.org and jhcenterforthearts.org.
Listen above for KHOL’s full conversation with 5Point Film’s Executive Director Luis Yllanes.
