Beginning on April 21 and running through April 26, 5Point Flagship Festival will kick off in Carbondale with a myriad of new adventure films, including a lineup of more than 30 short films and three features, filmmaker panels, live music and free community programming.
The festival returns at a lower cost this year, including a $100 discount on festival passes, cheaper nightly tickets and free drinks and merch included with purchases — an effort to expand accessibility to the community as prices everywhere have risen.
“With this, we’re still providing the same 5Point experience,” 5Point Executive Director Aisha Weinhold said. “The world has been so crazy, and I think it’s been a challenging few years for people. We wanted to ensure we gave back to our community in a meaningful way. So this was a change we felt was a meaningful giveback to our community.”
With an emphasis on community, attendees can anticipate films local to the Roaring Fork Valley. On Thursday night of the programming, “Buckwild” — a film by Los Angeles filmmaker Cameron Doherty, who grew up in Carbondale and credits 5Point as an inspiration — follows the story of local rancher and bronco-
rider Nate Nieslanik as he details how he overcame legal and personal struggles
in order to continue the legacy of his family’s ranch.
“I think this film is beautifully done, and it’s exciting to see this side of Carbondale be shown,” Weinhold said. “Oftentimes, it’s easy to get hung up on the biking, skiing, and the recreational part of the Valley and the recreational part of adventure. But then you look at ranching and these families who have dedicated themselves to the land for hundreds of years, and there are a lot of parallels and stories that aren’t necessarily told and get left out of the adventure arena, when in reality, we’re operating within the same set of values.”
Other films with a local focus include “That One Friend” by Sara and Grant Robbins, which follows professional backcountry skier Sierra Schlag and Waverly “Waves” Chin as they share how their friendship has fueled their passion for the sport. There will also be a film on Thursday night about Aspen’s Kelly Hilleke and his success at the Kings & Queens of Corbet’s freeride competition on Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
In discussing what attendees can
anticipate this year, 5Point Director of Programming Charlie Turnbull said that this year’s lineup perfectly balances adrenaline and human-focused storytelling, which is sure to captivate and inspire those who attend.
“There are intense climbing films, stoke pieces from Japan and deeply personal stories set against a backdrop of adventure,” Turnbull said. “We always want the audience to be entertained and enjoy the experience. We put a lot of effort into the film program, and the emcees and guests we bring into town to make the evening as unique as possible. Ideally, people are walking out of there with a renewed sense of inspiration and empathy.”
For more information, a schedule of events, to purchase tickets or get involved, visit 5pointfilm.org