BMC Women in Adventure film competition

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is inviting professional, student and amateur film-makers to submit short films about the mountain adventures of outdoor women.

In the UK, just five per cent of sports coverage is of women. Things look a little more promising within the adventure film industry, with a fifth of the films screened at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) 2014 made by or featuring lead women. But there is still a significant gender imbalance, which the competition is designed to rectify. The competition especially welcomes films where women are behind the camera as well as in front of it.

Director of ShAFF, Matt Heason, said “ShaFF is behind this competition because we think that it's really important to see the gender imbalance of outdoor and adventure films balanced, and ultimately to see the number of participants also balanced. We have seen over the years that there is an imbalance, and that it is slowly moving in the right direction.”

WomenClimb founder Emily Pitts, said “We know that women are doing very adventurous things in the UK and round the world, but this isn’t always reflected on screen. Anyone can make a film – there is more access now than ever before to the equipment you need to create a compelling short film. Showing the world the power of adventure through the eyes of women and showcasing women’s achievements is what this competition is about.”

Heather Swift, winner of last year’s competition said:"In a world which is still dominated by men on almost every level, this competition gives women in adventure sports a chance to shine through and be heard. On a personal level it was a massive confidence boost for me to push forward my own work and get stuck in."

The overall winner of the competition will receive £500 and have their film screened at theSheffield Adventure Film Festival 2017, as well asa complimentary entry and chance to be screened at the prestigiousBanff Mountain FilmFestivalin Canada.

In addition to the best film there will also be prizes for the best micro-adventure (£300), best student film (£300), and the people’s choice (£150).

The deadline for submission ismidday on Monday9 January 2017. Entries will be streamed onBMC TVafter the closing date, and shared on the BMC's social channels.A panel of three judges consisting of top film maker Rich Heap, Kendal Mountain Festival film officer and co-director of BMC TV's multi-award winning 'Operation Moffat' Claire Carter and Emily Pitts of Womenclimb will pick their top films from each of the categories. The winners will be announced at ShAFF onSaturday 18 March.

Full details, submission guidelines and entry forms are available on the BMC website.You can watch last year's entries including the winning film Kosmos onBMC TV.