Film festival calls for adventurous rebellion: ShAFF to screen over 100 outdoor adventure films

A unique film festival returns to Sheffield this March with a call for people who love the outdoors to "seek out acts of adventurous rebellion."

The fifteenth edition of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (SHaFF) takes place over three days at The Showroom from 20-22 March. The full programme is available now.

"I believe that if we love the wild places we adventure in, we also have a duty to protect them," said festival director Matt Heason.

"Adventurers often push the limits and challenge the norm, and this year we want ShAFF to inspire everyone to use their adventurous skills and spirit to come together to shape the world for the better. That's why we're asking you what your act of rebellion will be."

The festival, which received hundreds of submissions from around the world, has strands focusing on climbing, running, mountain sports, water, snow and cycling.

Highlights include a film capturing a 31-day research expedition by five University of Sheffield students to the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where they collected data on and around glaciers.

On the Saturday, Piano to Zanskar captures 65-year-old Desmond O'Keeffe's mission to transport an 80-kilo piano from leafy north London to a remote primary school in the Indian Himalayas.

Other events focus on the festival theme of rebellion, including a session by Sheffield artist Laura Page on reclaiming public space through wild swimming and guerilla playgrounds.

Three pioneers of the wild swimming world, including Sarah Gerrish of Wonderful Wild Women, will also share their experiences alongside a screening of the short film Floe State.

This year's ShAFF is presented in association with the British Mountaineering Council and is a highlight of the city-wide Festival of the Outdoors.

Other events over the month-long festival include runs, walks and stand-up paddleboarding taster sessions.

Find out more about ShAFF and the Festival of the Outdoors.