The Trail Running Film Festival 2023 (2023)

Return

RETURN tells the story of a retired Green Beret who embarks on a healing journey from Montana to Vietnam. There he retraces his steps, shares his wartime experiences with his son, treats his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and seeks out the mountain tribespeople he once lived with and fought alongside as a Special Forces officer.

Life of a Mutt

Through seven scenes, the film follows the life and destinies of stray dogs from the margins of our society, leading us to reconsider our attitude towards them. Through the seven “wandering” characters that we follow at different ages, from birth to old age, we witness their dignified struggle for survival. At the cemetery, in an abandoned factory, in an asylum, in a landfill, in places full of sorrow, our heroes search for love and togetherness. By combining documentary material, animation and acting interpretation of the thoughts of our heroes, we get to know lives between disappointment and hope, quite similar to ours.

Six Reasons Why

In a desolate place called the Badlands, four men stand off with guns drawn, their fingers ready at the trigger. Among them are a fugitive seeking redemption, a son out to avenge his father's murder, a loyal servant with a secret and a murderous criminal hired to kill with a vengeance. This is their story...in a place where revenge, deception and cruelty are a way of life.

Drained

Truck driver Teddy's late night stop at a gas station takes a dark turn when he meets the mysterious hooker Katerina, leading to unexpected consequences.

Rest in Pieces

This short machinima horror movie tells the escape story of Chris Edwards, inner voice dubbed by Aaron Landon Jackson, who wakes up in the middle of the night, at the cemetery, by a nameless grave that reads "Rest In Pieces."

Travelling Hawkers in Frankfurt am Main

A documentary about unemployed people who bought fruit and vegetables at moderate prices at the wholesale market and sold these in the streets of Frankfurt. Since they had no permits they were constantly with their bulky carts on the run from the police. One part of the film was shot at the fairgrounds in front of the wholesale market. Newspaper and lottery ticket vendors, propagandists offering their ware for a few pfennigs, all convey the mood of a time when need made people inventive.

Leave Your Hands on My Hips

Odile is 42 years old actress and single mother. One day her 18 year old daughter decided to leave her and start living with the boyfriend. All of a sudden alone in her empty house, the anguish takes over...

Liberation: Direction of the Main Blow

This five part epic war drama gives a dramatized detailed account of Soviet Union's war against Nazi Germany during world war two. Each of the five parts represents a separate major eastern front campaign.

Treacherous

A former race car driver who has retired and is the owner of a Mexican resort hotel gets mixed up in a robbery involving $2 million by one of his former girl friends.

Jennifer Lopez: The Reel Me

As the entertainment industry's biggest tabloid draw, Jennifer Lopez has had successful careers in multiple fields. Here, Lopez showcases her career as a pop singer with every one of her music videos to date -- from her debut, "If You Had My Love," to her latest release, "Baby I Love You." J. Lo also enhances the collection by providing personal commentary to each video, including how the ideas came to light and which videos she likes best.

Sientje

A simplistically rendered girl screams and cries, and her environment changes to reflect her thoughts and mood.

The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young

In its first 25 years only 10 people have finished The Barkley Marathons. Based on a historic prison escape, this cult like race tempts people from around the world to test their limits of physical and mental endurance in this documentary that contemplates the value of pain.

Unbreakable: The Western States 100

In 2010, four of the greatest undefeated mountain runners on earth toed the starting line at the Western States 100-mile endurance run, the oldest and most prestigious 100-mile foot race in the world. 'Unbreakable: The Western States 100' follows the four lead men on this amazing journey. Hal Koerner, two time defending Western States champion, and running store entrepreneur from Ashland, Oregon. Geoff Roes, undefeated at the 100-mile distance, an organic chef from Juneau, Alaska. Anton Krupicka, undefeated in every ultramarathon he has ever started, a graduate student living in Boulder, Colorado. Kilian Jornet, the young mountain runner and two time Ultra-trail du Mont-Blanc champion, from Spain.

Walmsley the Film

WALMSLEY is a feature-length documentary that follows Jim Walmsley’s journey from the depths of a US Air Force Missile Silo to becoming the first American man to win UTMB by running 100 miles faster than anyone else in the world.

Solace

On | Solace – Running the Alps in 30 days – Karel Sabbe's Via Alpina FKT In the summer of 2021, ultrarunner Karel Sabbe ran the Via Alpina trail in just 30 days. Averaging two marathons on a daily basis, he navigated the route 14 days faster than anybody else. As well as the Alps, Karel overcame sleep deprivation, illness and extreme weather. And he did it all with a camera crew in tow, documenting every step.

Once is Enough

After losing his mother to obesity, a thirty-two year old chubby ginger comedian and vegan son-of-a-pig-farmer sets out to avoid the same fate by running one hundred miles through the mountains of Colorado in one of the world's most difficult ultra trail marathons...and lives to tell jokes about it.

The Mirage

Join us for a series of films which explore the highs and lows of long distance trail running. In this thrilling collection brought to you by adidas TERREX, watch the world’s best runners test the limits of resilience and endurance to live the sport they love, and be united with their families at the finish line. As well as following pro athletes Sabrina Stanley, Stephen Kersh, Ruth Croft and Pablo Villa, it’s a chance to watch the UK premiere of ‘The Mirage’ with ultra runner Timothy Olson, documenting his attempt to run 50 miles a day for 50 days to break the fastest known time on the Pacific Crest Trail. Braving record high temperatures and impending wildfires, he must outrun nature to reach the trail's end before the birth of his daughter. Being present in the moment, finding your purpose, and pushing through the pain are what all runners chase after. On the world’s longest trails, these brief moments of joy can be the only thing keeping you going.

Brian Reynolds: The Leadville Trail 100

Brian Reynolds, a double amputee below the knee athlete, has triumphed over numerous challenges throughout his life. Growing up without a role model to guide him, he has embarked on a mission to empower para athletes by demonstrating that nothing is beyond reach. Join us in this documentary as we follow Brian's journey to make history by becoming the first double amputee to conquer the legendary Leadville 100 Ultra Trail Marathon in Colorado.

Un pas après l'autre

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La Grande Traversée

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Anton Krupicka, Ultra Pur

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In the High Country

Anton Krupicka’s running has evolved from trails to mountains to free-soloing. Filmed over a season “In the High Country” thin air, river baths, and itinerant mountain living.

The Edge of Possible: A Barkley Marathons Tale

The Edge of Possible: A Barkley Marathon Tale takes you deep inside the legendary Barkley Marathons, the world’s most elusive and punishing ultramarathon. Set in the unforgiving terrain of Frozen Head State Park, this film follows elite ultrarunner Harvey Lewis as he battles the course, his limits, and time itself. Halfway through, we meet Jasmin Paris, whose grit and endurance add another layer to this epic test of human resilience. With insights from race founder Lazarus Lake, past Barkley finisher John Kelly, Gary Robbins and others, this documentary is an unprecedented look at the fine line between ambition and impossibility.

The Middle Way

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10,000 Miles

Kevin, a young, fearless runner from a rough neighborhood in Taiwan, falls in love with his tough coach Ellie. When Ellie becomes sick and distant, Kevin fights to survive and conquer the famous 10,000 Miles Silk Road Ultramarathon in order to win her heart.

Free Fall

A promising career with the police, a baby on the way... Marc's life seems to be right on track. Then he meets fellow policeman Kay and during their regular jogs Marc experiences a never-before-felt sense of ease and effortlessness – and what it means to fall in love with another man.

LIMBS

Emotionally volatile and ostracized from his home, 21-year-old JD Weymouth has picked up long distance running as a way to center himself. When an old friend returns to town, JD must confront his past and the emotional distance he’s yet to cover.

Gena Rowlands: A Life on Film

An intimate portrait of the superb actress Gena Rowlands, icon of independent cinema. Together with her husband, legendary director John Cassavetes (1929-89), she lived an unusual life beyond the dream factory, a life in which reality and fiction were so perfectly intertwined that it made possible films that still today seem incredibly real.

Maluma: What I Was, What I Am, What I Will Be

Intimate interviews, sold out concerts and archive footage that narrates the path to success of the Colombian singer and songwriter Maluma.

Les Lycéens, le Traître et les Nazis

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Barack Obama

Featuring insightful interviews with friends and family members, as well as previously unreleased footage of Obama's campaign

Terenci: la fabulación infinita

An account of the life and work of the charismatic Spanish writer Terenci Moix (1942-2003).

Token Taverns

The golden age of arcades may have been in the 80s, but decades later arcades are back and bigger than ever in the arcade bar. Arcade bars have been spreading across the globe; transporting old school gamers back to their childhood while bringing in a new generation of players. It's Cheers for nerds, a place where every body knows your game. "Token Taverns" is a documentary exploring the growth of arcade bars and what this growing trend is all about. "Token Taverns" centers on 3 arcade bars and their owners over 2 years as they try to thrive and survive through a global pandemic.

OK, Joe !

In autumn 1944, during the Liberation of Brittany, writer Louis Guilloux worked as an interpreter for the American army. He was a privileged witness to some little-known dramatic aspects of the Liberation: the rapes and murders committed by GIs on French civilians. He also discovered the racism of American military justice. This experience haunted the novelist for thirty years. In 1976, he recounted it in a short novel, "Ok, Joe", which went unnoticed. This film compares his account with the memories of the last witnesses to these forgotten crimes and their punishments.

Alien Contact: Secret Societies

Thousands of years ago a special, genetically advanced race of beings came to Earth. They were seen as Gods by primitive man and worshipped. They set themselves apart. Some mated with humans and created a special race. When the beings departed, a hybrid species remained and taught mankind. The human race, which had existed for tens of thousands of years as hunters and gatherers, now had systematic knowledge on a startling level. They control our hearts and minds; they control this world; they control every individual from the depths of outer space. From the moment you are born, you are numbered and moved through a process to feed their machine. Nobody is truly free. We are all working for the masters. On rare occasions, they are revealed to the world and in the 18th century we had a glimpse of their massive power. We know them as the Illuminati. From huge international corporations, to hidden governments, from secret societies to medicine, the Illuminati are in control.

Billy Joel: In Black & White

Billy Joel plays Miami's Faena Theater and discusses his musical inspirations, his craft, his family, and being a guy who never set out to be a rock star.

David Bowie: Out of this World

Through his ever changing reinvention, Bowie has become a symbol for fearlessness, innovation and creativity. He has become a true icon. A Phenomena that people will always remember, as he altered music forever.

Jane is OK

A young filmmaker navigates her transition while living in an abusive household. Personal videos document several years of isolation as she says goodbye to old friends and welcomes new ones she meets online.

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things

Ella Fitzgerald was a 15-year-old street kid when she won a talent contest in 1934 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Within months she was a star. Over the next six decades, her sublime voice would transform the tragedies of her own life and the troubles of her times into joy. JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS retraces this extraordinary journey.

Seven Sins: 7 Performances during 1989 China Avant-Garde Art Exhibition

In 1989, a group of avant-garde artists who had collaborated in private for years received permission to organize their own exhibition at the National Art Museum of China. However, one of the terms was to exclude performance artists from participating. The seven artists who were left out took action. At the opening ceremony, their lives changed as the sounds of gunfire rang out.

Ice Bridge: The Impossible Journey

Is it possible that Ice Age people succeeded in crossing the frozen Atlantic Ocean to North America, thousands of years before the Vikings and Columbus? Two archaeologists believe so after discovering artifacts in Chesapeake Bay that bear an inexplicable resemblance to those from prehistoric Europe. Follow them as they combine old-fashioned excavations with exciting new DNA testing to prove their theory, answer their critics, and rewrite the history books.

A Big Gay Hairy Hit! Where the Bears Are: The Documentary

This hilarious and touching documentary tells the story of how three older, gay, "bears" working in Hollywood, tired of having their gay-themed ideas rejected by the mainstream, decided to self-produce their own web series. Against all odds, the comedy featuring three bear roommates like "The Golden Girls" solving crimes a la "Murder, She Wrote," became a sensation online and one of the most successful web shows of all time. The documentary examines ageism, body-shaming, sex-positivity, the creative process and how friendship and community can ultimately create something beloved all over the world.

Me Mataron 3 Veces

After their mother's femicide, three siblings are separated and forced to live in different places. Years later they gather to raise their voices and fight to be made visible in a country where orphans for femicide are ignored by the state and invisible to society. It's up to them to tell their story.

After Jackie

After Jackie celebrates the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s integration into Major League Baseball. Robinson opened the door for other African Americans to join the league and this documentary taps into key people and events in the aftermath.

Biden's Decision

The inside story of Biden’s rise to the presidency, and the personal and political forces that shaped him and led to his dramatic decision to step aside.

The Real! ChatGPT: Creator or Terminator?

The Real. Chat GPT: Creator or Terminator, is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the rapid advancement and potential consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Through compelling interviews with leading experts in the field of AI, the film explores the evolution of AI from its inception to its current state and beyond. The documentary highlights the incredible achievements AI has facilitated, from revolutionizing industries like healthcare and transportation to enhancing everyday conveniences. However, it also raises critical questions about the ethical dilemmas and risks associated with AI development and deployment.

Snow Leopards and Friends

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Terror at the Mall

A documentary detailing an indiscriminate terrorist attack that left 71 dead in Kenya.

Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football

Focusing on football programs in the Southeastern, Southwest and Atlantic Coast Conferences, Breaking The Huddle: The Integration of College Football chronicles the heyday of football programs at historically black colleges and universities, and explores the profound effect of the Civil Rights movement of the '60s on the racial status quo of college athletics. The story culminates with the Sept. 1970 game played in Birmingham between the University of Southern California, and the University of Alabama.

Alexandra – die Legende einer Sängerin

Germany’s rising chanson star Alexandra, known for her dark, smoky voice and haunting hits like “Mein Freund, der Baum”, died in a car crash at 27 in 1969. In just three years she’d tasted fame’s glory and its price: lost privacy, relentless pressure, and creative compromise.