A Journey to Banff: Why I Attended
As filmmakers, we blend our passion with a sense of purpose. We're not just out to capture beautiful visuals; we aim to tell stories that can inspire, challenge, and bring about change. Each project is a journey; along the way, we discover there's always more to learn.
So, when the chance to attend the Adventure Filmmakers Workshop at the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival came up, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. This wasn't Cumbre Studio's first foray into Banff. Back in 2018, my husband and co-founder, José Mario, attended the same workshop and came back with unforgettable stories and valuable insights. He learned about the power of collaboration and how storytelling can transform when you step outside your comfort zone. Naturally, I was eager to continue the journey he'd embarked on.
Many peers wondered why I chose to join a workshop despite my background in filmmaking. The answer is straightforward: in film school, you often learn from professors who might know the theory but haven't necessarily worked in the trenches. Michael Brown (5 times filming on Mt. Everest) and Keith Partridge (EMMY for cinematography in the Planet Earth series), in contrast, have spent years capturing footage in some of the most demanding environments on Earth. Their hands-on approach and real-world experience were precisely what I needed.
At Cumbre Studio, we focus on adventure-driven documentaries, environmental stories, and commercials. This workshop allowed me to hone my storytelling, improve my pitching skills, and refine my creative process. More importantly, it connected me with a diverse group of filmmakers who share a common passion for adventure and storytelling.
"Each project is a journey; along the way, we discover there's always more to learn."
The Diversity of the Workshop
One of the workshop's most significant strengths is its diversity. It welcomes participants from all corners of the globe, bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds and levels of production experience. This mix fosters a rich and engaging environment for discussion, enabling participants to share a wide range of insights, questions, and curiosities.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the strong representation of women in the group. Initially, I felt anxious about how many women would attend, but I was thrilled to see that half the participants were talented, creative, and fearless women. The pitching session showcased this spirit; everyone had just one night to prepare their projects before presenting them, and it was inspiring to witness so many women take the lead.
The Workshop Experience: Immersive, Collaborative, and Challenging
The workshop was intense, immersive, and highly collaborative. Each day was packed with creative exercises, technical sessions, and thought-provoking discussions that challenged my approach to filmmaking—the conversational class format made for a dynamic and enriching experience. Participants hailed from diverse backgrounds, contributing a wealth of perspectives and insights.
The collaborative team exercises added another layer of excitement. We split into groups to produce short films under intense time constraints—just one day to shoot and less than a day to edit. This challenge pushed us to our limits and allowed us to learn and grow as a team, embodying the essence of filmmaking in high-pressure situations.
The pitching session deserves special mention as well. After learning the essentials of pitching, we had just one night to prepare our ideas before presenting them to the group. The feedback was invaluable, and it was eye-opening to see 18 different ways to present a project. The constructive criticism I received challenged my approach and pushed me to rethink my creative process.
A standout lesson involved sound. Recording audio in harsh mountain environments is notoriously difficult, but Keith and Michael shared transformative tips that proved invaluable. They highlighted the importance of protecting microphones from the wind and using high-quality equipment. Their insights into managing risks and making technical decisions in harsh conditions have fundamentally changed the way I approach similar challenges.
Building Connections and Finding Inspiration: The Heart of the workshop and the Banff festival
The most meaningful takeaway from the workshop wasn't merely the filmmaking lessons—it was the connections I made. The course structure encouraged openness and vulnerability, allowing us to be authentic. We were prompted to embrace our mistakes, acknowledge our insecurities, and support one another. This genuine connection fostered bonds that enriched the entire experience.
In addition to the workshop, we had the chance to attend the Banff Festival, which showcases some of the best adventure films from around the world. We watched movies like For Winter, Champions of the Golden Valley, The Giants, Into the (Un)Known, and Via Sedna, which pushed the limits of modern exploration and highlighted incredible conservation stories. We met remarkable athletes and filmmakers such as Beth Rodden, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll, Caro North, and Leo Horn.
The Connection to Cumbre Studio
Attending Banff was a powerful reminder of why I'm so passionate about what we do at Cumbre Studio. Our work is driven by curiosity and a love for adventure, and the workshop reinforced the importance of constantly pushing ourselves and staying open to new ideas. Experiencing this journey with José Mario—comparing our experiences six years apart—showed how much we've grown as filmmakers and as a studio.
Beyond the workshop, we spent time discovering the charm of Banff, a town that breathes mountain culture. The close-knit community there left a lasting impression on us, reinforcing the importance of fostering that same sense of belonging in the local communities we engage with in Monterrey and Baja.
What's Next: Bringing New Energy to Our Work
Banff has left an indelible mark on me—the lessons learned, the films I watched, and the people I met have all inspired me to push forward in new ways. I'm already thinking of how to bring these insights into our projects at Cumbre Studio, whether it's refining our workflows, taking our storytelling further, pushing our creative boundaries, or collaborating with new like-minded filmmakers.
I'm excited to bring this new energy to our upcoming projects at Cumbre Studio. Having experienced Banff through José Mario's lens six years ago and now my own, I feel that our shared journey as filmmakers is evolving, and I'm eager to see where it takes us next.
The journey continues, and I can't wait to see where it leads us next.
