Over the past twenty years or so we have been too many of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Irelands, i.e. the UK’s best mountain film festivals. These events are usually held over a weekend and are a great way to support up-and-coming as well as established athletes, film-makers and brands, as they put it all on the line to showcase and inspire adventure on film. The UK’s mountain films are relatively small in comparison to the big players like the Banff Mountain Film Festival, and Telluride Mountain Film Festival, well apart from Kendal. Kendal Mountain Film Festival is the largest and best in Europe and probably no2 in the world. The UK as a whole has some of the best and most inspiring mountain film makers and each festival will have unique films as well as a number that are doing the circuit that year. However, you have more chance of seeing local, original content if you go to a smaller mountain festival than you will if you go to Kendal. And if you are a small filmmaker, filming and shooting on a shoestring, festivals like Dundee, SHAFF etc are brilliant places to submit your film too.
So clear some dates in your calendar for 2026 and get down to your local mounts film event, sit back, look up at the screen and let the inspiration in.
Quick List TLDR
- Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour (various dates throughout 2026)
- Fort William Mountain Festival (February 12th – 15th, 2026)
- London Mountain Film Festival (March 7th – 12th, 2026)
- Braemar Mountain Festival (NO Film In 2026)
- Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (March 20th – 22nd, 2026)
- Keswick Mountain Festival (May 15th – 17th, 2026)
- Alpkit Big Shakeout (September 25th – 27th, 2026)
- Kendal Mountain Festival (November 19th – 22rd, 2026)
- Dundee Mountain Film Festival (December TBC, 2026)
Best Mountain Film Festivals in the UK: Your 2026 Guide
Mountain film festivals and adventure festivals generally have films and speakers, as well as stalls and some even have workshops. Films cover everything from kayaking, mountaineering, climbing, snowboarding, cliff jumping, sky diving, rafting, extreme ironing, mountain biking, and more.
BANFF Mountain Film Festival UK Tour
Since 1976, the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in Canada has been making waves and is widely recognised as one of the top festivals globally. The event occurs in Oct/Nov in Canada and then BANFF hosts a world tour, making film collections available in various UK venues throughout the year. The 2026 dates have already been scheduled and can be easily accessed by region on the website (Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland). Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of the adventure!
Dates: Various throughout 2026 – see link for full details
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
The EMFF has decided to take a break and cancel their 2024/2025/2026 dates as they consider the future of the festival. With the last event having been held in 2020, the team (via their website and Twitter) say they are taking time off to plan for an even better festival in the future. Stay tuned to their website for updates on when they plan to return, as they hope to bring the festival back to life in the coming years. Hopefully, they will bring this one back to life as it was Scotland’s largest mountain film festival!
Dates: Last time this festival ran was in 2020
Fort William Mountain Festival
2026 is Fort Willaim’s 22nd year!
Fort William Mountain Festival also has a fabulous line-up of guided outdoor events and adventure inspired workshops. Set in the highlands of Lochaber, one not to be missed.
Dates: Fort William Mountain Festival (February 12th – 15th, 2026)
Braemar Mountain Festival
Braemar will take a break in 2026. The next Braemar Mountain Festival will be in 2027. They will be back with an exciting programme bursting with mountains of events including hill and skill workshops, talks, speakers, films and ceilidh
Dates: Braemar Mountain Festival 2027
London Mountain Film Festival
LMFF IS PROUD to be able to bridge the gap between the adventure filmmaking world and communities who could not otherwise attend a festival of this kind, spreading creativity and inspiration around the world.
Various venues throughout the UK
Dates: London Mountain Film Festival (7 – 22 March, 2026)
https://www.londonmountainfestival.com/community-events
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF)
ShAFF 2026 will take place in Sheffield from 20th to 22nd March 2026! Celebrating 20 years of SHAFF. Love adventure? Love films? Love the outdoors? Then get along.
ShAFF currently has some of the 2024/2025 films showing online.
Dates: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (March 20th – 22nd, 2026)
Keswick Mountain Festival
Keswick Mountain Festival claims to be the No. 1 mountain festival in the UK. It includes outdoor sports, activities, live music, inspirational speakers, and outdoor brands. However, sadly, no dedicated mountain or adventure film or theatre.
Dates: Keswick Mountain Festival (May 15th – 17th, 2026)
Alpkit Big Shakeout (Peak District)
The Alpkit Big Shakeout is packed with on and off-site activities. Similar to the Keswick festival but with the inclusion of film, so if you like and active weekend this could be the one for you.
Dates: (September 25th -27th, 2026 – Great Longstone, Derbyshire)
Kendal Mountain Festival
Founded in 1980, Kendal Mountain Festival takes place every November. This is arguably the biggest and best Mountain film festival in the UK, Europe and maybe even the world! Some of the best adventure film-makers from around the world premiere their films at Kendal. They claim to be THE UK’S BIGGEST ADVENTURE FESTIVAL, great location (Lake District), a great event.
Dates: Kendal Mountain Festival (November 19th – 22rd, 2026)
Dundee Mountain Film Festival
Dundee Mountain Film Festival takes place in November and has been Inspiring outdoor adventure since 1983. A real gem of a festival, that showcases films that a rarely seen in other larger festivals. A must!
Dates: Not annouced yet, but will be in December 2026, Abertay University, Dundee.
Our Favourite Festivals:
- Kendal Mountain Festival
- Fort William Mountain Festival
- Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
- Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
- Llanberis Mountain Film Festival
Our Favourite Sport Films:
- Climbing films
- Skiing films
- Snowboarding films
- Mountaineering films
- Adventure films
Things To Expect:
- Outdoor cinema
- Adventure travel
- Film premieres
- Q&A sessions
- Workshops
Beyond Film:
- Behind the Scenes: Interviews with filmmakers, discussions about the making of the films.
- Environmental Impact: Films focusing on conservation efforts, climate change, and sustainability in the mountains.
- Female Filmmakers: Highlighting women in the adventure film industry.
- Local Talent: Showcasing films made by UK filmmakers or films set in the UK.
- Accessibility: Discussing ways to make mountain sports and film festivals more inclusive.
So, why not immerse yourself in the UK’s thriving mountain film festival scene? Check out our comprehensive guide to find the perfect festival for you, and get ready to be inspired, entertained, and awestruck by the power and beauty of the mountains.
Don’t miss out on these incredible celebrations of adventure and filmmaking. Grab your tickets, pack your bags, and get ready to experience the thrill of the mountains on the big screen.
