Adventure stars agree - ShAFF 2012 biggest & best (& not a just film fest)
28th Feb 2012
This year’s Sheffield Adventure Film Festival is set to be the most successful ever. The film trailer - a montage of film highlights produced by award-winning film-maker Alastair Lee with soundtrack by Sheffield band Hey Sholay - has had nearly 100,000 hits on You Tube. Our pre-festival expert night Q&A sessions have all been sell-outs. And with the Showroom Cinema box office selling tickets faster than ever, Festival Director Matt Heason is predicting this year’s event will be the biggest and best yet. (Click here to download a pdf version of this press release)
Don’t forget, ShAFF’s about so much more than just films - there are lectures by world class runners, cyclists and climbers, as well as live music, exhibitions, and a charity auction and second hand kit sale.
Matt Heason says: “This year feels like a real tipping point for the festival. We’ve come such a long way since our humble beginnings 7 years ago showing a handful of climbing films. This year our pre-festival Q&A nights on off-road running, climbing and mountain-biking have all sold out."
“Over the main festival weekend we’re showing more than 75 films - not to mention we’ve got the cream of the crop of adventure sports athletes coming along to give lectures: English marathon record holder Charlie Spedding, mountain runners Angela Mudge and Jethro Lennox; mountain biker Chris Akrigg recovering from an horrendous 40ft cliff top fall; ‘Touching the Void’ climber Simon Yates launching his new book; top sport climber Steve McClure on competing against the world’s best; Andy Turner on the world’s hardest mixed routes and John Porter’s homage to the late alpinist Alex McIntyre.” (Click here for full speaker line-up details)
But don’t just take our word for it...this is what some of the UK’s best known adventurers have to say about ShAFF.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes - The World's Greatest Living Explorer:
"Unless you are on top of Everest there are few better places to be on a March weekend."
Julia Bradbury, broadcaster, whose love of the countryside & travelling was inspired by walking on Peak District hills as a young girl with her Tideswell-born Dad, said:
"I grew up in Sheffield and my passion for the countryside and love of travelling comes from walking the Derbyshire hills with my Dad. The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival has it all - exhilarating action, awe-inspiring stories and stunning landscapes. Right on the doorstep of the Peak District, a weekend at ShAFF will inspire you to get up, get out and go for it."
On Young Adventurers screenings, new Mum Julia said:
"ShAFF's a chance to show kids the amazing adventures to be had in the great outdoors. Whether it's biking with mates, skate-boarding in the back-yard or learning to climb, the only limit is their imagination! Now I'm a Mum, I can't wait 'til my little boy's old enough to go out walking in the hills, like I used to with my Dad."
picture credit: Skyworks
Brian Blessed, Yorkshire-born actor and mountaineer:
"Having attempted Everest three times, climbed Aconcagua, trekked to the magnetic North Pole and reached the summit of Roraima in The Lost World of Venezuala, I can heartily recommend enjoying an armchair adventure at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. ShAFF showcases the finest independent adventure film-making in some of the toughest conditions and most remote environments in the world. Experience the drama for yourself as the adrenaline junkies live out their dreams and push themselves to the limits breaking records (and bones!)."
"I climbed my first mountain, Mont Blanc, at the age of 17 and held the record for climbing higher than any other man of my age. ShAFF's marvelous selection of films is proof that there's no age limit on having an adventure."
Ben Fogle, adventurer, writer, broadcaster and author of 'The Accidental Adventurer':
"The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival is proof there's no blueprint in life saying go to school, go to university, get a sensible job and a mortgage. Be inspired to follow your heart and your instincts."
On Young Adventurers screenings:
"For kids, ShAFF's a chance to explore the world, discover heroes and be inspired to get outdoors and have adventures of their own. You never know - the next Shackleton or Hillary could be in the audience!"
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- DOWNLOAD PRESS IMAGES HERE or cut and paste: http://www.shaff.co.uk/press-filmakers-volunteers/press-images/2012-images/
- ShAFF is the weekend of 9-11 March 2012 (www.shaff.co.uk) at the art deco Sheffield Showroom cinema - the UK’s biggest independent cinema outside London. (15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX / tel 0114 275 7727 or book online at www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/)
- Film screenings are mixed in with talks and lectures on epic climbs, runs and rides by world-class adventurers. - It’s great value - one ticket buys you a multi-film screening so you can see several films in one hit. Passionate about your sport? Then try our specialist selections. Want a high energy hit? Then book our Adrenaline showing. Fancy inspiration and escapism? Try the Adventure Medley.
- For a family friendly weekend try our morning Young Adventurer showings were both sell outs last year so this year we’ll also have afternoon matinees with urban orienteering afterwards.
- Chill out in the bar/cafe between screenings with live music, comfy-seating and free wifi. During the day grab a light lunch and coffee with friends and in the evenings, book dinner made by experienced chefs with fresh, local produce. Why not try the great selection of on tap or bottled beers, wines and ciders - not forgetting the awesome cake cabinet! - Getting there’s easy
- We’re just across the road from the mainline train station with regular services to the Peak District, Manchester and the UK, there are also local buses, trams and a plenty of nearby car- parks.
- We’re growing in the face of a global recession. Now in its 7th year, for the past six years 100% of the audience said they’d come back again and recommend it to a friend. ShAFF 2011 was our best ever year with a 77% increase in ticket sales, an amazing film programme and a packed series of lectures including the legendary Steve Peat.
Contacts:
Festival Director, Matt Heason, Heason Events - matt@heason.net or 1433 639378 / 07966 529219
Lissa Cook, PR & Media consultant, Heason Events - lissa@heason.net / or 01663 751 126 / 07818 411 791
Follow us on facebook and twitter at @Heason_Lissa and @HeasonEvents
