Director: Dana Romanoff

Producers: Sarah Stewart, Bre Kelly

Cast: Cindell DaleKey

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCERS

A boatman's tale about the women who the iconic row dories in the Grand Canyon, their struggles to break into the current, and the passing of the oars to the next generation.

Director: Matthew Williams

Producer: Kami Bratten

Director of Photography: Matthew Williams 

FEMALE PRODUCER

Beyond the Finish Line follows the journey of Marisa Pasnick as she prepares for the grueling Bigfoot 200 race while facing the challenges of an eating disorder. Marisa's story is a testament to resilience and strength as she navigates the dual paths of training and recovery. This film aims to destigmatize eating disorders, highlighting that recovery is ongoing and that support from the community is crucial. Join us as we witness Marisa's journey and advocate for greater awareness and understanding of eating disorders.

Director: Rachel Ross

Cast: Kim Hall

FEMALE DIRECTOR

Ceramicist Kim Hall draws similarities between her craft and her favorite hobby - desert rock climbing.

Director: Iz La Motte

Producer, Writer + Cast: Sierra Aya Schlag

Photographer: Bianca Germain

Editor: Ian McMullen

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCERS

NISEI (nee-say) is a creative exploration of the biracial experience of skier, Sierra Schlag. While in Japan, she is seen as white and while in America, she is seen as Japanese and never accepted as her full self. Through the lens of skiing, Schlag finds herself on a journey to self-discovery within the two cultures she has ties to.

Nisei: a person born in North America whose parent(s) were immigrants from Japan.

(For Kendal: 1:42-2:36)

Director: Jordyn Romero

Producers: Sarah Stewart, Scott Mellin, Nick Martini, Meredith Rodriguez, Jason Israel, Davey Spens

Editor: Shannon Griffin

Director of Photography: Florence Gross

Cast: Dimple Shah, Lainie McBride, Jennifer Nguyen, Ashley Garza, Nzingha White

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCERS

The story of five women who boldly embark on a ten day trek with total strangers to conquer the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc. Their goal? To heal their past traumas, together. An uplifting tale of reliance, female friendship and the incredible power of using nature and community to heal and forge a brighter future.

Director: Hannah Bailey

Producer: Rupert Shanks

Cast: Lesley McKenna, Lauren MacCallum, Willie McKenna

Videographers: Rupert Shanks, Rachel Sarah, Brodie Hood

FEMALE DIRECTOR

In the Scottish Highlands, the word “thrawn” means “stubborn" but for a good reason —a virtuous struggle to make the most of what’s available. Professional snowboarder Lesley McKenna was raised on this innate tenacity, and has spent her life pushing the boundaries of her sport and advocating for the people and place that shaped her.

Director: Rachel Trudeau

Producers: Rachel Trudeau, Charlène Brochu, Nilda Guerra

Writers: Rachel Trudeau, Marie-Élise Faucher

Cinematographers: Yannick Nolin, Nicolas Desaulniers Lamoureux

Editors: Rachel Trudeau, Thomas Bourget

Sound: Mathieu Huard

Music: Jean-Samuel Morais, William Morais, Héctor Quintana, Ernesto Robles

Photograph courtesy of Jorge Lui Pimentel

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCERS

Yelda embarks on a quest that drives her to achieve much more than her climbing dreams. She aspires to make a mark in history by becoming the first Cuban to conquer three legendary ascents.

Director: Casey Dubois

Executive Producer: Gordie Rogers

Producers: Zac Hoffman, Casey Dubois

Cinematographers: Casey Dubois, Zac Hoffman, Gordie Rogers, Scott Secco

Editor: Casey Dubois

Cast: Tori Wood

After traumatic experiences in competitive gymnastics sparked a decade-long downward spiral, Tori Wood seeks to reconcile and build from her past through her 2023 season of mountain bike racing. Traumatic experiences as a young gymnast left Tori struggling heavily with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder into adulthood. Years later, after working through the darkest moments of her life, Tori decided to confront her past by re-entering the world of competition, this time in enduro mountain bike racing.

After winning the overall women’s pro category in her first season, Tori is setting her expectations high to follow up her breakout year. As her second season begins without the same level of success, the trauma she’s been trying to confront creeps back into her life. Tori needs to change her perspective as an elite athlete to reflect newfound priorities. ‘Reflection’ tells more than just a story about a woman and her bike. Tori opens the door to her life as she shares openly about her ongoing battle with mental health.

Director: Loren Waters

Producers: Loren Waters, Rebecca Jim

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCERS

Cherokee elders like Rebecca Jim believe that what happens to the water happens to us. Without it, we cannot move culture forward or exist. U.S. government officials have designated Tar Creek in Miami, Oklahoma as “irreversibly damaged,” but Jim refuses to accept that. ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek) tells a story of interconnectedness through the lifelong fight of a Cherokee Nation citizen and Waterkeeper Warrior as she leads the effort to restore the creek.

Director + Producer: Rachel Sarah

Cinematographers: Rachel Sarah, Kathryn Bennett, Jimmy Hyland, Ryan Balharry, Michael Fleming

Cast: Kirsty Pallas, Morna Baillie

Photograph courtesy of Rachel Sarah

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCER

Entangled is a short film that focuses on the bond between two Scottish winter climbers as they explore fickle conditions and joyful movement and connection through Scottish winter climbing. The film leads the viewer back and forth between the climbing and belaying, inching upwards, focusing just as much on the movement of the ropes, the placing of the screws, the concentration on our climber’s faces, as much as it does on the climbing itself.

Director + Editor: Erin McGrady

Cinematographers: Erin McGrady, Caroline Whatley

Cast: Caroline Whatley

Photograph courtesy of Authentic Asheville

Special thanks to Chronicle Cinema, Kathy Karlo, Kory Andreas LCSW-C, Deannie McGrady

FEMALE DIRECTOR

RECIPIENT OF THE NMLFF 2025 GENDERQUEER FILMMAKER GRANT

Full Spectrum centers the experiences of Caroline Whatley, (she/her) an autistic, queer runner based in Asheville, North Carolina, who was diagnosed with autism at the beginning of 2024. In this short film, Caroline opens up about what it’s like to find out you are autistic as an adult and how the diagnosis has impacted her.

Director + Producer: Dani Reyes-Acosta, AFUERA PRODUCTIONS

Cast: Nina Aragon, Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada, Dani Reyes-Acosta

Creative Advisors: Monica Medellin

Directors of Photography: Corey Robinson, Sam Davies, Daniel Mitchell, Oliver Rye, Len Necefer

Cinematographers: Charlotte Percle, Oliver Rye, Ryan Kenny, Carly Finke, Jr. Rodriguez, Guy Fattal

Drone: Taylor Pfaff, Corey Robinson, Matthew Tangeman, Oliver Rye

Post-Production: Three Peaks Media, Afuera Productions

Editors: Sam Davies, Duane Peterson III

Color Correction: Oliver Rye

Sound Design: Carlos “Charlie” Hernández

Photograph courtesy of Carly Finke

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCER

“What happens if we survive all this chaos?”

OUTLIER: Common is a documentary film that follows three Latina snow athletes as they navigate life in remote mountains alongside the unpredictable forces of Mother Nature.

Director: Brandon Lavoie

Executive Producers: Jon Brogan, Ben Osborne, Sarah Stewart, Paul Muhlbach

Editor: Brandon Lavoie

Director of Photography: Jared Levy

Cast: Courtney Krueger, Sarah Krueger

Still Photography: Brandon Lavoie

FEMALE PRODUCER

Growing up, Courtney Krueger and his daughter Sarah shared a love for Ride & Tie. A curious trail-running & horse-riding crossover, the sport invites teams comprised of two humans and one horse to compete against each other, often across huge distances. Since she moved away for college six years ago - Sarah and her dad haven’t been able to compete together. This film sees this father-daughter duo reunite at the iconic Ride & Tie World Championships, determined to strengthen their bond and to show the world (and their horse Coda) what they are made of. Filmed within the territorial lands of the Anikituwagi, Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation, Sappony, and Waccamaw-Siouan.

Director: Graeme Meiklejohn

Producer: Miranda Miller

FEMALE PRODUCER

Jesmond Peak feels as if it splits British Columbia right down the middle. On one side, the breathtaking peaks of the Chilcotin mountain range loom on the horizon, and to the other, rolling Cariboo plateau stretches long into the province interior. The Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation have been living on and caring for this land since time immemorial, and they’ve taken steps to continue to do so through recreation and tourism but with integrated valuable lessons. Lost Marbles DH was built by First Journey Trails in partnership with the Stswecem’c Xget’tem. The trail is a 765m drop down Jesmond starting in the alpine below the peak. The construction of the bike trails is just a beginning. While a few years out, there are plans for having eBike rentals and shuttles available. In addition, there will be horseback riding and cultural teachings like weaving, harvesting and fishing.

Miranda has traveled the world on her bike, and after spending time at Jesmond Peak she was left reflecting on the idea of seeking treasure all over the world only to find it in one’s own home. Often what we seek is much closer than we imagine. Travel around the globe is so easy, the world sometimes feels small, but the weekend we spent at Jesmond Peak is a reminder.

Director + Producer: Anna Hazlett

Photograph courtesy of Isaac Gillman

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCER

The feeling when finding the perfect climb in the perfect place: Peace. Tucked into the serene Tuolumne Meadows of Yosemite National Park, Anna "hazelnutt" Hazlett climbs “Peace,” a 5.13d established by Ron Kauk and described as “one of the greatest face climbs in Yosemite." Filmed by Mary Eden, edited by Anna Hazlett.

Directors: Alexis Tymon, Ben Crocker

Director of Photography: Alexis Tymon, Ben Crocker

Additional Photographer: Venture Visuals

Editors: Alexis Tymon, Ben Crocker

Edit Support: High Williams

Story Consultant: Angela Reid

Sound Design: James Hall

Colourist: Megan Lee

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCERS

In 2008, Bonnie Tu founded the world’s first and only comprehensive bike brand dedicated exclusively to women. She knew it was risky to invest in women-first research, design, and engineering. She knew it was unconventional to make bikes, gear, and opportunities that optimize a woman’s power. And she knew it could be a lot of trouble to do things differently—but that’s exactly how she made a difference in women's cycling.