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High Risk, High Reward: Filming in Extreme Conditions

Craft Journey into the captivating world of adventure docs including Deeper, The Rescue, Sherpa and Meru with this bold panel of creators as they explore the unique skill sets, complex challenges, significant risks and commercial opportunities that come from working within this genre.

Documentaries push boundaries, but few undertakings are as exhilarating – or perilous – as capturing stories in extreme environments. From the icy slopes of Everest to the uncharted depths of underwater caves, these films test the limits of creativity, resilience, and storytelling while placing filmmakers at the edge of physical and emotional endurance.

Join BAFTA and Emmy-nominated writer, director, and producer Jennifer Peedom (Mountain, Sherpa, Deeper), world-renowned mountaineer, cinematographer and director Renan Öztürk (Meru, Sherpa), and expert cave diver and underwater cinematographer Richard “Harry” Harris (The Rescue, Deeper), as they share firsthand insights into the unique demands of their work. These dynamic filmmakers, and sometimes collaborators, will explore the creative opportunities and challenges of capturing the seemingly impossible, tackling issues of physical risk, ethical decision-making, and balancing authenticity with audience engagement. This session promises a deep dive into the innovation, craft, and courage required to bring the world’s most extreme stories to the screen.

 

Image credit: Richard Harris (Deeper, Madman Entertainment, 2024)

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