Salt Lake City, UT – The Wasatch Mountain Film Festival (WMFF) is set to mark its 10th anniversary with an impressive selection of 48 films from around the globe. This year’s festival will be held at Westminster College’s Jewett Center for the Performing Arts and the Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory, offering an enhanced viewing experience for attendees.
The 2024 lineup features 45 short films and three full-length features, showcasing works from the United States, Canada, Austria, United Kingdom, France, and Bulgaria. Adventure enthusiasts and film lovers can find the complete festival schedule here.
Stuart Derman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WMFF, expressed his excitement about the 2024 schedule: “We’re thrilled to be screening such a fantastic lineup for our 10th edition of WMFF. Our response from the adventure film world this year was moving, and I’m excited by what we’ll be able to offer patrons this year.”
The new location will elevate the festival experience. Derman noted, “The move to Westminster University’s Performing Arts Center is opening up tremendous room for program expansion and a number of attendee benefits like improved parking, higher-quality projection, and more comfortable seating capacity.”
This year’s festival showcases three compelling full-length features:
“The Cigarette Surfboard,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Ben Judkins, chronicles an impassioned surfer’s creation of a functional surfboard using 10,000 littered cigarette butts found on California beaches, launching an international effort to protect our oceans.
Director Ben Sturgulewski’s “Champions of the Golden Valley” presents an inspiring tale that explores the introduction of skiing to Bamyan, Afghanistan. It follows two teenage potato farmers from rival ethnic groups as they navigate political upheaval and displacement.
From France, “Sunny Boy” directed by Morgan Le Faucheur, captures freediver Arthur Guérin-Boëri’s journey as he pushes his limits in extreme conditions, attempting world records in icy waters.
Beyond the screen, WMFF has a rich program of events. The Adventure Filmmaker Workshop gives aspiring and experienced filmmakers a chance to refine their craft. The Mountain Speaker Series features presentations from adventurers, scientists, and conservationists, covering topics from expedition stories to conservation projects. Festival-goers can also enjoy the Adventure Art Market & Beer Garden, featuring local vendors, artists, outdoor gear brands, and refreshments.
