Using the Shipping Forecast as its map, Attention All Shipping follows Britain’s island edges by paddleboard and on foot. Searching for signals of environmental change, Lisa Drewe and filmmaker Max Burton meet people connected to these places - exploring what their relationships with nature might reveal about how we could all live well with a changing natural world.

"We’re absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to pitch at Kendal. Attention All Shipping has already taken us to some extraordinary places and introduced us to people who are seeing Britain’s changing natural world from perspectives we hadn’t expected. The chance to pitch that story at Kendal, and hopefully turn those encounters into a film, is incredibly special." – Lisa Drewe

High above the Trient Plateau in the Mont Blanc massif, British alpinists Fay Manners and Ella Wright set out to open a new mixed route. The line they imagined from afar simply doesn't exist. Two climbers supporting each other, and the doubt that follows.

"Being picked as a finalist means a lot. Fay and Ella trusted me with their story, what happens in your head when the line you imagined turns out not to exist, and two friends getting each other through it. A film about doubt rather than chasing summits, and Kendal is exactly the room to tell it in." – Jan Virt

Mere is an intimate portrait of Windermere, England’s largest lake, unfolding over a single day tracing water from mountain streams to lakebed. Moving between quiet human encounters and immersive landscapes, the film reveals the connections between ecology, community, memory and place, weaving together the colliding stories of its daily visitors.

"It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to pitch Mere live at Kendal Mountain Festival and share the story with the panel. I’ve previously screened films and exhibited work with KMF, so it feels particularly special to now be on this side of the Festival!" – Juliet Klottrup

Connor and Charlotte’s lives were both transformed by sudden, traumatic injuries. Today, they find themselves drawn back to the sea at different stages of their respective journeys returning to surfing. Their friendship sparks conversations on recovery, identity, measuring joy, and what it means to return to something you love when life has permanently changed.

"We couldn’t be prouder to be selected for the Kendal Pitch. It means so much to us as a team to have this opportunity to share Connor and Charlotte's stories. It’s through their journeys that we're exploring how we view recovery and challenge expectations. With an estimated 80% of disability being non-visible, these experiences speak to realities that often go unseen. We’re excited to bring this conversation to a community that shares our love of the outdoors and caring for the natural world, as well as each other." –  Abbie Merritt

Woolly Jumpers is a film about the Herdwick sheep who, when out on the beautiful Lake District fells, become crag-fast...stuck. This is when two very different cultures join together; the sheep farmers and climbers take it on themselves to tackle time, logistics, and the elements, to save these sheep.

"Being picked as one of the final five is a really exciting moment for me. I’ve always loved telling stories and capturing the world around me, and this feels like a chance to push that further and see things through new eyes. It’s an opportunity to take an idea that’s been in my head and turn it into something people can actually watch. The one thing we never get back is time, so I’m really excited to make the most of this opportunity and see where it takes me." – Will Birkett

The Prize

Five selected filmmakers will be invited to present their projects live in Kendal during the Festival before an international jury and Festival audience. The winning project will receive a £10,000 film grant to support the development and production of the film. The award is generously sponsored by Beyond Boundaries Films, in recognition of their commitment to supporting emerging filmmaking talent.

The winning project will also receive mentorship sessions from the Beyond Boundaries Films team.

Important Dates

Submissions Open: June 1, 2026Submission Deadline: August 1, 2026Filmmaker Notifications: September 30, 2026Live Pitch Showcase in Kendal: November 21, 2026

Project Assessment

Projects will be evaluated on originality, storytelling strength, artistic vision, and overall creative potential. The Festival team and jury will also assess the viability of the project, the filmmaker’s ability to clearly communicate their idea, and relevant filmmaking experience.