No back up, no film crew - just proper balls out adventure films. A talk from the pioneer of self-filmed adventures Benedict Allen. An exclusive screening of our new Nat Geo TV show Wild Rides, which follows the Rickshaw Run and Mongol Rally. Plus of course the winning film itself and prizegiving followed by the wrap party for the TV show at a nearby pub.
A veritable smorgasbord of adventuring goodness and entertainment. It starts at midday on Saturday and finishes at six - you're free to come along to one session, all the sessions or a selection.
Book your ticket for the festival here.
The Adventurists Film Festival
For six glorious mayhem-filled years The Adventurists' teams have been filming their mischievous, daring and often downright shocking exploits.
The first ever Film Festival will be a showcase of the very finest of these films made while thundering across continents in ridiculously unsuitable vehicles. There'll be talks from adventurers and film makers and an exclusive screening of a documentary about the Rickshaw Run and Mongol Rally. Plus of course the winning film will be announced by the judging panel and the prizes awarded and backs slapped heartily.
The mac daddy of adventure films Benedict Allen is giving a talk at 2.45. As the pioneer of filming authentic journeys for television he has made 6 TV series for the BBC, written 10 books and been described as “part of television history” by the Director General of the BBC. A proper legend of adventure.
There will also be an exclusive screening of two episodes from Wild Rides; a documentary about the Mongol Rally and Rickshaw Run that has been commissioned by Nat Geo International. The production company Cox & Jones, presenter Buddy and Adventurists founder Tom Morgan will be at the festival to talk about the series and answer questions.
The Festival will also be a splendid opportunity to hob nob with film makers and adventurers, talk about all things adventurey and see who wins the Film Festival. The best film maker is awarded a day out with a top film maker to learn from one of the best in the industry.
Running Order
You are welcome to come along to the whole festival for the full experience, or a selection of your choosing from the mighty fine filmic menu below. There will be certain times once each film or talk has started where you might not be able to get into the cinema so arrive on time!
11.30: Festival doors swing open
Come along to the Coronet Cinema in Notting Hill Gate and get front row seats for the adventuring bonanza...
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12 pm - 2pm: The Festival's Finest - Top 5 Entries
The cream of the adventurous crop selected by the panel for your viewing pleasure, including an introduction to the films from the judging panel and a Q & A with the makers.
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2pm – 2.45pm: Lunch Break
There are two bars open inside the cinema and loads of places within a few steps to grab some food before the festival continues.
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2.45pm – 3.45pm: Benedict Allen: Adventure Filming Pioneer
A talk and Q & A from the man who pioneered the splendid art of disappearing into the jungle for months with nothing but a camera and a pen knife and coming out nearly dead with an incredible television series in the can. Hear the adventure legend's advice and thoughts on how it's all done and his incredible experiences during 25 years of exploration and filming.
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3.45pm - Interval
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4pm: Wild Rides: Exclusive Screening
A special one off screening of ne'er before seen episodes of a TV series called Wild Rides. Commissioned by National Geographic International and already on millions of small screens across Europe and Asia, it follows Buddy and his adventures on the Rickshaw Run and Mongol Rally. Rhys Thwaite-Jones from production company Cox & Jones, the presenter Buddy, and founder of The Adventurists Tom Morgan will be at the screening for a talk and Q & A.
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5pm: The Winning Film and Prizegiving
The Film Festival Panel announces the winning film and explain why it was chosen. There will be a doff of the hat to the runners up and the finest adventure film of them all will be screened, serving as a fitting climax to the first ever Adventurists Film Festival.
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6pm: Nat Geo TV show Wrap Party
After the Film Festival you are all cordially invited to the wrap party for the TV show that is going out on National Geographic International - Wild Rides.
Featuring Buddy taking on the Mongol Rally and Rickshaw Run and getting into all sorts of pickles, this will be a chance for everyone involved, and anyone interested to join us for a couple of celebratory G & Ts. A good chance to hob nob and talk adventuring stuff and for any TV or media types we're pretty sure the pub can muster up a caramel mocha or latte if you really must. For everyone else they have ales and Gin
Time Out magazine describes this pub as "something akin to a gentlemen's club for elves. But if that's all a bit too much, there's a large backroom with sofas, banquettes and two open fireplaces." So we'll probably be out the back.
Where: Earl of Lonsdale Pub, Notting Hill, W11 2QA
Nearest tube: Probably Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove
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