SHAFF 2022: the winners

Judges have announced the winners of the prestigious Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (SHAFF), with inspiring adventure documentaries and environmental short films beating off competition from hundreds of submissions to take home some of the top awards.

The annual event, which took place in the South Yorkshire city from 18-20 March this year, featured films ranging from highadrenaline and big trick extravaganzas to quieter moments of contemplation and revelation in the outdoors. “From environmentalists climbing strangler fig trees in Costa Rica, Peruvian housewives tackling South America’s highest peak, and a solo photographer on a mission to capture elusive mountain goats in the depths of a Yukon winter, this year’s films reflect the diversity of the outdoor experience around the world,” said the festival organisers.

The festival’s big winner was Learning to

Drown, a film following the life and career of professional snowboarder Jess Kimura as she deals with the tragic death of her partner and spirals into a cycle of self destruction, grief and despair. The film picked up a trio of top awards, including the Grand Prize for Best Film, the Best Ski & Board Film, and the Best Women In Adventure film. Other gold award winners included Climbing Giants in the Best Activism Film

category, Wanderlust Way for Best Bike Film, Fall Theory as Best Climbing Film, Going

The Extra Yard as Best Running Film, Singlehanded as Best Short Film, and Farewell To Adventure as Best Spirit of Adventure Film. Touching The Water won Best Soundtrack and Totally Alone received the Judges’ Special Mention gong.

Days Off, a short meditation on getting outside and cultivating a calm head in the countryside beyond your front door, won the Best Made In Sheffield Film prize. Judge Paul Hodgson commented: “Excellent soundtrack, amazing footage of the Peak District, and a fantastic paean to cycling.” For more info visit shaff.co.uk