A world-renowned Cumbrian mountain film festival is releasing a collection of films to raise funds and awareness of the plight of Ukrainians following the Russian invasion.
The six films released by Kendal Mountain Festival all centre on the mountains in Ukraine, with subjects spanning biking, hiking, climbing, the environment and even the luge.
They can be accessed until the end of June on the Kendal Mountain Player by donating at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kendalmountainukrainefundraiser
All the money donated will go to British-Ukrainian Aid which supports people suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis. Kendal Mountain Festival will match donate up to £1000.
The films are:
In Winter:
Andrii Lutsyk hikes the Carpathian Mountains, the highest mountain range in Ukraine, spending four days and nights alone and appreciating the solo experience in these majestic landscapes.
The Carpathian Traverse:
Gaëlle Bojko traverses the Carpathian Mountains as part of a 25,000km bicycle odyssey, traversing rough dirt roads, every kind of weather, and dodging hungry brown bears. Gaelle, whose grandad is Ukrainian, gives a special introduction to the film.
Wooden Luge Track
Follows Ukrainian luge athletes at the old wooden track at Kremenets, the only place in the country they can train without snow.
Guards of Nature (15 mins)
One of the oldest nature reserves in Ukraine the Kaniv Nature Reserve is home to dozens of rare species of birds and animals. Scientists Vitalii Hryshchenko and Yevheniia Yablonovska-Hryshchenko study the local flora and fauna and the influence of the Kaniv Reservoir on the ecosystem.
5 Seconds Man
Danyl Boldyrev is a former world record holder in speed climbing and a national hero. In this film Boldyrev, from Donetsk, faces the fact that he has to change his skills and climbing techniques in order to participate in the 2020 Olympics.
Black Soil
From mountain bike filmmakers Ukraine Gravity, an ode to the MTB opportunities and landscapes within Ukraine.
