The No Man’s Land film festival (NMLFF) which took place in the Education Auditorium Thursday showcased diverse stories of women and other underrepresented people in the outdoors.
The film festival, based out of Denver, Colorado, has been taking place for the last 7 years. The festival is currently on tour throughout the U.S. and internationally.
The screening featured five short films as well as a longer film titled “Expedition Reclamation.” The film explored the stories of 12 black, indigenous, and women of color and their experiences in the outdoors, as well as finding a sense of belonging in outdoor recreation.
“For six years prior, NMLFF has celebrated the full scope of female athletes and adventurers, looking to un-define what it means to be a woman in adventure, sport and film,” the festival said in a press release.
This year, the festival is featuring over 50 different films during its tour.
“As we continue to become an international voice for women across the globe, we are instilling a deeply confirmed and unbound sense of hope, bold ambition, and inexhaustible determination in all of our allies.” NMLFF founder Aisha Weinhold said to the press.
NMLFF Executive Director Kathy Karlo said that one of the goals of the festival is to be inclusive and make sure that everyone can see themselves in the stories being told.
“In ten years, we hope that No Man’s Land won’t need to exist and an all-woman and gender-nonconforming film festival will be an apologetic glance back at a stagnant and troubled past,” Karlo said.
“When you don’t see yourself in the media, it starts to feel like you’re not a part of the culture – and film has the power of changing that,” Karlo said. “Storytelling has the power to share these personal stories of impact and allow us to connect through vulnerability by standing in our truth.”
When the No Man’s Land Film Festival began, it was the only all-women’s film festival, Karlo mentioned.
“We know that change can feel slow and listless, however, the fact that we are no longer the only all-woman adventure film festival indicates not only that we have grown by leaps and bounds, but that the outdoor industry is finally leaning into these hard conversations and demanding change,” Karlo said.
“Most importantly, we want our audiences to take what they see on the big screen out into the real world and keep pushing for complex conversations about gender dynamics,” Karlo said. “Our hope is that these films will spark new conversations and platforms for change. Beyond the big screen is where the magic truly happens.”
