EOFT Kicks Off Spanish Tour in La Laguna

The European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT), Europe's top mountain sports film festival, is kicking off its Spanish tour in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. This event marks the start of a journey that will take the festival from the Canary Islands to about a dozen cities across Spain.

On Sunday, January 18, the EOFT will premiere its latest edition at the Auditorium of the University of La Laguna. It will feature six new short films from the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom.

For nearly 26 years, the festival has been dedicated to a single mission: protecting and defending our wild and beautiful mountains. These mountains are vital habitats and lifelines, but they are now at risk.

The EOFT uses film to highlight this important issue. They believe that by sharing these stories, we can all better understand and work together to preserve our natural environment, which is essential for all life on Earth. This commitment has been central to the EOFT's identity from the very beginning, creating a ripple effect in every program and event for over two decades.

This new edition brings inspiring stories of overcoming challenges, personal journeys, clever ideas, and humor. These tales unfold in some of the planet's highest and most extreme environments.

The Tenerife premiere on January 18 sets the stage for a season that will visit 27 countries worldwide, with over 550 events. In its almost 26-year history, the EOFT has reached 350,000 viewers. The festival aims to inspire adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts with thrilling stories, stunning landscapes, and a focus on risk, adrenaline, and emotion. It is also committed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

This year, the festival doesn't focus on a single person, but on four friends in the film ‘Wild Days.’ This 44-minute French short film follows Aurel, Chris, Hélias, and Alex on a 50-day, self-sufficient journey through Alaska. Their ambitious goal is to traverse the Denali massif, far from civilization, and reach the ocean using skis, expedition sleds, and inflatable rafts.

Another film, ‘Gipfeli of Switzerland,’ offers 30 minutes of high-altitude adventure. It tells the story of student Tobias Renggli, who embarks on a challenging and sweet journey. He cycles and hikes to the highest points of all 26 Swiss cantons. This isn't just about going higher, faster, or further; it's also about surviving ups and downs, with many gipfelis (Swiss pastries) serving as rewards on his quest to conquer the icy mountains.

“I can do that.” This simple yet powerful phrase kicks off Sheri Tingey’s personal challenge in ‘Sheri,’ an American short film. It's a first-person account of life, perseverance, and brilliance. Sheri Tingey has spent her life shaping the world and her clothing to her liking, a mindset that helped her create a unique space in the outdoor industry.

Professional skater Elladj Baldé shares his personal journey in a six-minute short film. He moves from an Olympic dream to skating on untouched ice in Canada's wildest and most beautiful landscapes. This Black skater breaks away from his original plans to reconnect with nature, both personally and professionally.

‘Freja’s back’ is an English production whose title hints at its theme. It follows versatile climber Freja Shannon as she returns to the mountains after a serious fall on the north face of Les Droites in the French Alps, which resulted in a broken back.

For pure adrenaline, breathtaking landscapes, and three minutes of fearless flight, ‘Drop the Line’ tells the story of Anthony Dutruy. He has found a new challenge in speed riding, taking viewers on a flight down slopes that many ski enthusiasts can only dream of.

The European Outdoor Film Tour, presented in its original language with Spanish subtitles and sign language translation, uses cinema to touch hearts, raise awareness, and promote the protection and conservation of natural spaces. It aligns with the United Nations' 2030 Circular Economy Agenda and the Spanish Government's initiatives for "Awareness, Training, Participation, and Dissemination."

This German-originated festival, produced by Moving Adventures GmbH, is promoted and distributed in Spain and Portugal by Kinema Producciones SL. It collaborates with various organizations, including the Autonomous Sports Organization of the La Laguna City Council, the Island Council for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Kissthemountain magazine, Top Time Eventos, Running Project Canarias, the Culture Area of the University of La Laguna, the Canarian Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing FECAMON, and the rural guesthouse Refugio Entrebrumas. The festival is also a proud supporter of social projects like ‘Montañas de vida’ (Mountains of Life), ‘Montaña para Todos’ (Mountain for All), and AFES Salud Mental.