Festival to screen never-before-seen footage of Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson’s historic free climb of El Capitan’s Dawn Wall in Yosemite

The 12^th annual Vail Film Festival takes place March 26 – 29, 2015, in one of the United States’ premier ski destinations, Vail, Colorado, and is pleased to announce that climber Kevin Jorgeson will be in attendance to screen never-before-seen footage of his recent epic climb of El Capitan’s Dawn Wall with Tommy Caldwell, from the new documentary by Big Up Productions and Sender Films. The screening takes place Saturday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m. at Cascade Theater in Vail, Colorado.

Considered by many, “The hardest route ever climbed,” and “The Climb of the Century,” the climb garnered worldwide media attention and was featured on the front page of the New York Times. Climber Kevin Jorgeson will be at the screening to answer questions and talk about his experience.

In 2009, Kevin Jorgeson asked Tommy Caldwell if he needed a partner for his new project on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Over the next six years, Tommy and Kevin spent hundreds of days working out the pieces, failing constantly, but keeping the dream alive that one day they might free climb the Dawn Wall. On December 27, 2014, Kevin and Tommy started their “push” to leave the ground and not return until they either succeeded or were stormed off. Nineteen days later, their dream became a reality when they stood on the top of El Capitan.

“We are thrilled to have Kevin Jorgeson as our guest at the Vail Film Festival and to share incredible footage from the Dawn Wall climb, a monumental achievement that showcases the triumph of the human spirit and that anything is possible,” said Festival Co-Director Sean Cross. 

For more information about the Vail Film Festival, or to purchase Festival passes, please visit: www.vailfilmfestival.com.

About Vail

Coveted as one of the largest ski resorts in the world with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. For more information on a Vail vacation, please visit www.vail.com.

About Vail Film Festival

The 12^th Annual Vail Film Festival, co-founded by Scott Cross and Sean Cross, will take place March 26 – March 29, 2015 in Vail, Colorado. Festival activities include film screenings, panel discussions, live music, nightly galas, and the filmmaker reception. The Colorado Film Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization dedicated to fostering independent cinema. The Colorado Film Institute’s primary initiatives are to promote the art of film by providing a screening platform for aspiring filmmakers and by providing a gathering place for film enthusiasts. Additionally, the Colorado Film Institute fosters new filmmakers by providing education, industry expertise, and industry access. The Colorado Film Institute is proud to stage the Vail Film Festival, a four-day event that enlightens and entertains thousands of film festival attendees and offers a creative outlet to the film world’s newest storytellers and innovators.