We Asked This Adventure Film Festival Director How She Chooses the Films

However many adventure films you’ve watched, it’s probably fewer than Jemima Robinson. For nearly two decades, she’s curated and run adventure film festivals in Australia, and this one is entirely hers.

‘I don’t watch anything in my personal life. I don’t watch any Netflix. I read and listen to podcasts. If I’m watching something, it’s an adventure film.’

It might seem obvious but that’s the life of an adventure film festival director. I’ll be honest, I thought that many of these film festivals just shipped out, pre-packaged, a one-size-fits-all film tour.

But even something as lauded as the Banff Mountain Film Festival, which screens about 80 films, only licences about 30 for the world tour. The films we see here are picked from that.

‘Do you have a pretty good home cinema setup then?’ I ask. 

‘Honestly, I usually throw the headphones on, no distractions,’ admits Jemima. She’s a frothy snowboarder at heart, of course she has to lock in.

Jemima promised not to just choose snowboard films | Mike Crane Photography

I’m curious though. Aussie adventure film festivals have a history of starting with a bang, a faded second year, and disappearing in the third. It’s tough; teams are normally running on pure passion and burn themselves out. So how has Jemima kept the Adventure Reels stable of film festivals going for so long?

‘I think it’s about making it as different as possible every single time. Like, I used to go to Warren Miller [Film Tour], I’m a massive snowboarder and I love it, but it just got to the point where I felt like it was the same format every single year.’

‘We mix up how we present and the films we choose, always throwing a bit of a wild card in there. Something that you wouldn’t necessarily choose to see yourself, but after you’ve seen it, you’re so glad that you did.’

She adds that it’s also about making it an experience and focusing on the community. You can watch films anywhere, but going with your mates, dressed in your best outdoor gear, ready to hoot and holler at the screen all night. That’s special.

‘I never have trouble identifying our audience in the foyer,’ Jemima laughs.

The crowd getting into it is half the fun!

Starting Her Own Festival

I’m curious, why now? When Banff Mountain Film Festival, Ocean Film Festival, and the Gutsy Girls and Top Dog film festivals have been delivering so well, why go out on your own and start the Adventure Reels Film Tour?

‘I like the diversity. I like the stories,’ says Jemima. ‘I like interesting films, that’s the main thing. It’s more about the film than the activity, for me.’

The problem is, adventure film tours are often programming for the entire world, not Australian audiences, and might licence films that don’t resonate here. The Adventure Reels Film Tour is also replacing the Radical Reels Film Tour, which was about ten months after Banff, but relied on the same films.

Certain films from overseas will resonate really strongly with Aussies – Jemima knows how to spot them

‘There’s a whole bunch of new films out by then, and ones that didn’t get licensed for Banff,’ Jemima says. 

As a proper adventure film buff, she’s always following directors and sliding in the DMs. You’d probably struggle to find someone more plugged into this world.

An Australian adventure film festival also creates more opportunities for Australian filmmakers. Jemima admits that they struggled to find Australian films for this first iteration (two are from New Zealand), but she points to the Ocean Film Festival 12 years ago, where they faced the same struggles.

‘Initially the films were predominantly North American, but now the majority are Australian. It’s easier to get your film funded if there’s somewhere to show it.’

‘Build it and they will come!’ laughs Jemima.

So, does she have a favourite?

I turn on the journalist screws and ask which film’s her favourite, is she even allowed to say?

‘Like, they’re all my favourites right?’ says Jemima. ‘They’re the eight best films I’ve seen, and they all bring something to the program.’

Of course, she’s media trained; I should have expected a political answer.

‘But there is one I’m really excited about… this Kiwi paddling film.’

She’s talking, of course, about 100 Days in Fiordland. It’s a proper epic that’s premiering at the Adventure Reels Film Tour this year. Three mates combine ocean paddling and whitewater to explore one of the wildest parts of the planet – South West New Zealand – for 100 days whilst living off the land.

100 Days in Fiordland

‘They eat lobster!’ Jemima says. ‘But they also starve for a few weeks. It’s got everything, it’s beautiful.’

See you there?

We Are Explorers is proud to be the media partner for the inaugural Adventure Reels Film Tour. With Jemima at the helm, I reckon the opportunities will grow and we’ll see and hear more Australian (and Kiwi) adventurers on the big screen.

Get a ticket before they’re gone! Head to our Event Calendar to find a screening near you (they’re all in October) or learn more and watch the trailer to get amped!