Sender Films integrates action with story-telling to create climbing/mountaineering and adventure sports documentary films. Sender Films goes inside the sport of hard-core climbing, focusing on climbers driven to obscure accomplishments. According to Outside Magazine, Sender Films has "focused on character-driven narratives..". Over the past three years, Sender Films has produced the six-part series First Ascent with National Geographic International. They have also been producing adventure film segments for US TV networks such as NBC, The Weather Channel, and Outside TV. Their shows have been financial successes, proving that audiences are interested in the emerging genre of climbing and adventure-sports.
On April 25, 2015, the feature documentary Valley Uprising had its television premiere headlining Discovery Channel's Elevation Weekend.
During Ueli Steck and Simone Moro's attempted ascent of Mount Everest in April 2013, a conflict between climbers and sherpas derailed the expedition and put the climbers in the national spotlight. Sender Films was there to document the altercation, and later that year released their retelling of the events as "High Tension: Ueli Steck and the Clash on Everest" along with the REEL ROCK 8 Film Tour.
Sender Films filmed 26-year-old Alex Honnold complete the Triple Solo in Yosemite Valley, CA for one of their Reel Rock Film Tour 2012 short films. According to the New York Times, Honnold accomplished "...something no one had done before: climb the three biggest rock faces in the California park in succession, alone, and in less than 24 hours. Dubbed the triple, the task would mean scaling the sheer walls of Mount Watkins, El Capitan and Half Dome for a total of about 7,000 vertical feet of rock.[5]" The film is set to premiere in late 2012 alongside the Reel Rock Film Tour.
Reel Rock Film Tour 2011, part of an annual compilation of adventure film shorts that is co-produced by Sender Films and Big UP Productions, featured a short film called Sketchy Andy. Andy Lewis, or Sketchy Andy, is a professional slackliner, highliner, and BASE jumper. He was recently featured in the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show alongside Madonna. His appearance created media attention not only towards himself and his Reel Rock film, but also to the obscure sport of slacklining.
Sender Films was recently hired to shoot a Citibank television commercial that aired in the United States. The ad was featured in a CNN video segment due to its popularity. The commercial features professional climbers Alex Honnold and Katie Brown climbing the Fisher Towers. Alex is featured in multiple Sender Films productions including Alone on the Wall from the First Ascent series.
Free solo climber Alex Honnold was also featured in a 60 Minutes special detailing his impressive feats as a climber. Sender Films shot the 60 minutes piece on location in Eldorado Springs, CO and Yosemite, CA with 60 Minutes crew members including Laura Logan. Jeff Newton, a producer for the segment, considered the camera crew for the shoot a dream team of photographers and riggers in order to properly film the climb.
YOUNG GUNS follows the climbing skills of young climbers Ashima Shiraishi (15) and Kai Lightner (16). In Norway, Kai takes on one of the largest caves in Europe with 260ft of overhang whilst in Japan, Ashima attempts a massive granite boulder called "Horizons" (V15) in her attempt to be the first woman and youngest person to ever climb it.
REEL ROCK cranks it up to 11 with a collection of electrifying climbing films showcasing the sport's biggest stories and athletes. The five films deliver edge-of-your-seat action, globe-trotting exploration, big laughs and true inspiration.
The 2015 REEL ROCK Film Tour consisted of five films: A Line Across the Sky, Dean Potter Tribute, High and Mighty, 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell and a Dawn Wall Exclusive. Athletes in these films include Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Webb, Daniel Woods, Nik Berry, Mason Earle, Kevin Jorgeson, and Dean Potter.
In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service. And up on the walls, generation after generation has pushed the limits of climbing, vying amongst each other for supremacy on Yosemite's cliffs. "Valley Uprising" is the riveting, unforgettable tale of this bold rock climbing tradition in Yosemite National Park: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity—and the laws of the land.
The latest collection of films from the REEL ROCK 8 Film Tour, featuring "The Sensei" starring Yuji Hirayama and Daniel Woods, "Spice Girl" starring Hazel Findlay and Emily Harrington, and "High Tension" with Ueli Steck, Simone Moro and Melissa Arnot––a film chronicling the 2013 conflict on Mount Everest between European climbers and a group of sherpas.
The four films in this collection chronicle Alex Honnold's Triple Solo climb in Yosemite Valley, Chris Sharma and Adam Ondra's battle to establish the world's first 5.15c, and never before seen ascents of some of the most brutal routes in the world. Also featuring Conrad Anker, Sasha DiGiulian, Daila Ojeda, Jimmy Chin, Renan Ozturk, Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall.
A collection of short films focusing on everything from rock climbing and BASE jumping to slacklining. The films feature renowned climbers Tommy Caldwell, Dean Potter, "Sketchy" Andy Lewis, Ashima Shiraishi, Will Gadd, Kevin Jorgeson, Corey Richards, Obe Carrion, Sean Leary, Tim Emmett, Simone Moro, Denis Urubko, Hans Florine, and The Huber Brothers.
First Ascent is Sender Films' 6-part series that has aired on the Travel Channel and the National Geographic Adventure Channel. Produced over two years on five continents, First Ascent follows nine climbers to locations around the globe on their quests to redefine what is possible in the mountains. The series features the first rope free climb of Yosemite’s sheer 2,000 foot wall of Half Dome; the longest BASE jump achieved, from the Eiger Nordwand; and a tragic expedition to the lost peaks of Western China.
A collection of short films including, The Hulk, First Round First Minute, Fly Or Die, Down and Out and Under, The Hardest Moves, and the award-winning The Swiss Machine. Athletes featured in this edition include Ueli Steck, Chris Sharma, Daniel Woods, Paul Robinson, Peter Croft, Lisa Rands, Cedar Wright, Matt Segal.
A film documenting the worlds' best climbers, including Alex Honnold, Dean Potter, Steph Davis, Lisa Rands, Chris McNamara, Ammon McNeely, Renan Ozturk, Cedar Wright and others, as they free solo, high-ball boulder, hard trad climb, extreme big-wall aid, wingsuit BASE fly, high line and tower jump in various locations on earth. The Sharp End has won multiple awards including Best Adventure Film at the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival.
A film chronicling Chris Sharma's global quest to climb difficult routes, or lines, including his first ascent of Es Pontàs, the still-unrepeated Mediterranean deep-sea arch. The film was hailed for its cinematography, with one critic calling it "the best camera work in a climbing film".
The film that preceded the similarly titled National Geographic Series. This documentary focuses on climbers in pursuit of a first ascent. Featuring Dean Potter, Timmy O'Neill, and Sonnie Trotter; also featuring Didier Berthod on his quest for the first ascent of the Cobra Crack.
A compilation of short climbing films featuring Timmy O'Neill and others. Rock and Ice Magazine called it "...one of the best climbing films ever made..."
A short film detailing many of Colorado's Front Range climbers tackling Front Range routes. Front Range Freaks was produced by Axolotl Productions before Sender Films was founded.
Peter Mortimer: President/Partner
Peter Mortimer is a filmmaker who lives in Boulder, Colorado, and is the founder of the adventure film company Sender Films. Peter is also co-founder, along with Josh Lowell of Big UP Productions, of the REEL ROCK Film Tour, coming up on in its 9th year and showing in over 265 locations across the world.
Nick Rosen: Partner
Nick Rosen is a partner, writer, and producer at Sender Films. He is co-creator of the Emmy-nominated National Geographic Television Series, First Ascent, and co-director of The Sharp End.
Brette (2016)
Best Climbing Film: Ladek Mountain Film Festival
Boys in the Bugs (2016)
Best Climbing Film: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Krakow Mountain Festival
Dodo's Delight (2016)
Charlie Fowler Award: Telluride Mountain Film Festival
People's Choice Award: Ladek Mountain Film Festival
Grand Jury Winner: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
Best Adventure Film: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
People's Choice Award: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
The McConkey Award: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
Jury Special Prize: Danish Adventure Film Festival
Best Sport & Action Film: Bovec Outdoor Film Festival
Best Adventure Film: Lookout Wild Film Festival
Audience Award: Lookout Wild Film Festival
Student's Choice Award for Best Short Documentary: Frozen River Film Festival
Donald Tiso Best Film Award: Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
People's Choice Award: Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
Honorary Mention of the Jury in the Mountains, Sports, and Adventure Category: Domžale Mountain Film
Best Short: Flagstaff Mountain Film
Best Documentary Short: Boulder International Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Audience Choice Award: Aviemore Adventure Festival
Young Guns (2016)
People's Choice Award for Radical Reels: BANFF Film Festival
A Line Across the Sky (2015)
Best Climbing Film: BANFF Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Ladek Mountain Film
Best Climbing Film: Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
Jury Honorable Mention for Climbing Film: Festival Gorniškega Filma Domžale
Audience Award: Chamonix Adventure Festival
Best Film - Silver: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Best Women in Adventure Film - Silver: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Best Climbing Film - Bronze: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
People's Choice Award - Silver: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
High and Mighty (2015)
Best Short Film: Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
Best Short Mountaineering Film: Festival Gorniškega Filma Domžale
Judges Special Mention: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Best Soundtrack - Silver: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Showdown at Horseshoe Hell (2015)
People's Choice Award at Radical Reels: BANFF Film Festival
Valley Uprising (2014)
News and Documentary Emmy: Outstanding Graphic Design and Art Direction
Grand Prize: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: TORELLO Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: BILBAO MENDI Film Festival
Grand Prize: DANISH Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: KENDAL Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: KRAKOW Mountain Festival
Grand Prize: LADEK Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: DOMZALE Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: BCN Sports Film
Alpine Camera in Gold: Mountainfilm Graz
Savage Cinema Prize: SAN SEBASTIAN Film Festival
Audience Award: BILBAO MENDI Film Festival
Audience Award: Nuovi Mondi Film Festival
Public Choice: Horsky Film
Best Documentary in Climbing Culture: Horsky Film
Prix Du Jury: CHAMONIX Adventure Film Festival
Special Mention of the Jury for Main Award: AUTRANS Mountain Film Festival
Most Inspiring Adventure Film: Wild & Scenic
Best Film: Bronze Award: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Best Film on Exploration/Adventure: Trento Film Festival
Best Film on Climbing: Trento Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: NZ Mountain Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
People's Choice Award: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
Best Soundtrack: Why Not? Adventure Film Festival
News and Documentary Emmy Nomination: Outstanding Graphic Design & Art Direction
High Tension (2013)
Best Film (Mountain Culture): BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Best Mountaineering Film: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: Krakow Mountain Film Festival
Audience Award: Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
Mountaineering Film Honorable Mention: Mountain Film Festival Domzale
Best Short Film: Danish Adventure Film Festival
Jury Award: Snow Film Fest
The Sensei (2013)
Best Climbing Film: Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
People's Choice Radical Reels: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Categoria Mallku: Arica Nativa 2013
People's Choice Award: Bovec Outdoor Film Festival
Spice Girl (2013)
Climbing Film Honorable Mention: Mountain Film Festival Domzale
Audience Award: Durango Film Festival
Jury Award for Best Adventure Sport illm: Durango Film Festival
Bronze Best Climbing Film: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Wide Boyz (2012)
People’s Choice Award, Best Climbing Film: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Best Short Mountain Film: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film (Gold): Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Charlie Fowler Award: Mountain Film in Telluride
La Dura Dura (2012)
People’s Choice Radical Reels: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Honnold 3.0 (2012)
Best Climbing Film: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film (Bronze): Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Origins: Obe and Ashima (2011)
Best Climbing Film: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Best Mountaineering Film: Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
Best of Festival: 5Point Film Festival
Cold (2011)
Grand Prize, Best Climbing Film, Audio Post-Production Scholarship: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Best Adventure Film: 5Point Film Festival
Charlie Fowler Award: MountainFilm Telluride
Grand Prize: New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: Squamish Mountain Festival
Spirit of Chamonix: Chamonix Adventure Film Festival
Sketchy Andy (2011)
Best Adrenaline Film: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Best Adrenaline Film: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Race for the Nose (2011)
Best Climbing Film: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
People’s Choice Radical Reels: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
Climbing Film Category Commended: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Ice Revolution (2011)
Judges Special Prize: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Charlie Fowler Award: Mountain Film Telluride
The Swiss Machine (2010)
Best Film, People’s Choice Award: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Best Film: ShaFF Film Festival
Best Mountaineering Film: Kendal Film Festival
First Ascent: The Series (2010)
Grand Prize and Best Climbing Film: Kendal Film Festival
Grand Prize: 5-Point Film Festival
Grand Prize: Sheffield Film Festival
Most Inspiring Film: Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Best Film on Mountaineering: Trento Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Boulder Adventure Film Festival
Charlie Fowler Award: Mountainfilm in Telluride
Best Climbing Film: Squamish Mountain Festival
The Sharp End (2008)
Kamera Alpin in Gold - Best Climbing Film: Graz International Mountaineering Film Festival
Grand Prize - Tbilisi Mountain: Adventure and Extreme Film Festival
Adventura Prize - Best Mountain Film: Travel and Adventure Film Festival
Best Adventure Film: X-Dance, USA
Grand Prize: Torelló Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Squamish Mountain Festival
Best Action Sport: Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival
Best Adventure Film: International Mountain Film Festival
Best Film on Climbing: New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
Best Film: Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
King Lines (2007)
Sports Emmy: Outstanding Camera Work
Grand Prize: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Banff Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Taos Mountain Film Festival
First Ascent (2006)
Best Mountain Film: Trento Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Mountain Film in Telluride
Best Climbing Film: Australian Mountain Film Festival
Grand Prize: Squamish Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Boulder Adventure Film Festival
Grand Prize Audience Award: Alpinist Film Festival
World Tour Selection: Banff Mountain Film Festival
Return2Sender (2005)
Best Climbing Film: Taos Mountain Film Festival
Special Jury Award: Mountain Film in Telluride
Best Climbing Film: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Best Adventure Film: Boulder Adventure Film Festival
Best Climbing Film / World Tour Selection: Banff Mountain Film Festival
Front Range Freaks (2003)
Best Short Film (FRF: Urban Ape): Banff Mountain Film Festival
Best Don't Try This at Home Movie / Best of Fest - Kids Pick: Telluride Mountain Film Festival
Best Film on Rock Climbing: Vancouver Mountain Film Festival
Best Short Film (FRF: Biscuit): Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Best Climbing Film: Taos Mountain Film Festival
Scary Faces (2001)
Official Selection: Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Official Selection Taos Mountain Film Festival
Between Light and Shadow (2000)
Official Selection: Taos Mountain Film Festival
Official Selection: Telluride Film Festival
Official Selection: Napa Valley Mountain Film Festival
First Ascent (2011)
News and Documentary Emmy: Outstanding Graphic Design and Art Direction
Sports Emmy: Outstanding Camera Work
