Mountain in the Hallway Wins “Most Inspiring” at 5Point Adventure Film Festival

May 2, 2019

5Point Film Festival Award Winners Celebrate the Human Spirit

The twelfth annual 5Point Film Festival concluded Sunday evening to the roaring applause of an exuberant audience. That’s how it goes at 5Point, which was founded in 2007 on the principles of respect, commitment, humility, purpose, and balance. The stories of adventure told here tend to strike a chord, and few hit harder in 2019 than Mountain in the Hallway. 

This film follows Tate McDowell and Brian McDonnell who were each diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. Unacquainted prior to their diagnosis, they were brought together via passion for the Tetons and for giving cancer the bird. While undergoing treatments both men were reminded of their passion for the mountains through murals in their treatment facilities. This passion and their shared struggle with cancer brought Tate and Brian to the decision to share in a lifelong goal of climbing the Grand Teton. In the summer of 2017 Tate and Brian will set out to climb the Grand Teton as a symbol of overcoming and persevering through struggle. Both Tate and Brian hope to bring awareness to the prevention of colon cancer through this project.

“I think this film offers a lot to the viewers, like life, death, struggle, adventure and love to name a few things,” says Tate McDowell. “However, I think by the end of the film, the viewer gets a new perspective on what it means to be grateful and what’s truly important in life. I hope that people will watch this film and be inspired to achieve their goals, to find happiness, to be healthy, and to enjoy every minute of this crazy thing called life!”

Mountain in the Hallway was directed by Todd Jones of Teton Gravity Research and supported by Black Diamond. 

“When I pitched this film to Todd, he was instantly onboard and it was great to work with TGR on this project. Although, if I star in another TGR film, I think i’ll try to get onto one of their ski or surf trips!” says McDowell. “But my health has been deteriorating since last summer. I’m very glad that I took the opportunity to climb The Grand when I did, because I may never get another chance.”

Watch the Mountain in the Hallway here. 

A huge thank you to Teton Gravity Research and Brian and Tate for making a beautiful film that moved our audience so deeply,” says Meredith McKee Program Director. 

“With a standing ovation and tears in our eyes, the entire Carbondale community showed so much love to Brian who joined us on stage after the film.  The power of film is real, to have 900 people in one room learning about cancer will trickle out to their friends and family and butterfly effect is getting the word out on checking for cancer early, as well as the love towards Brian and Tate’s family is overwhelming. They are in our hearts and they have truly changed the town of Carbondale and beyond.”

About Teton Gravity Research

Teton Gravity Research is ​regarded as one of the premiere lifestyle and​ action sports brands in the world. Known for original, custom and branded content. TGR’s world-class storytelling has captivated audiences for more than 21 years. With 39 award-winning films, numerous television series, and national commercial spots TGR ​delivers​ a global, multi-channel footprint. Teton Gravity Research is one of the fastest growing media brands with a thriving millennial audience, award-winning multimedia film projects, a rapidly growing experiential platform and unprecedented viral content. TGR is a proud member of the Surfrider Foundation, 1% For The Planet, BICEP, IMBA, and Protect Our Winters. For more information on TGR, visit https://www.tetongravity.com/

5POINT ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

Spirit of Adventure: 8000+ (Pakistan, 21 min) Director: Antoine Girard, Christian Schmidt

Pure Joy: LIFE OF PIE (the United States, 11 min) World Premiere. Director: Ben Knight, Travis Rummel. Producer: Travis Rummel

Creative Excellence: (PEOPLE) OF WATER, (the United States, 23 min), World Premiere. Director: Forest Woodward. Producer: Dan Riordan

Best Cinematography: CHASING MONSTERS (the United States, 5 min) Director: Krystle Wright, Toby Pike. Producer: Canon Australia

Most Inspirational: MOUNTAIN IN THE HALLWAY (the United States, 25 min) World Premiere. Director: Todd Jones. Producer: Steve Jones, Drew Holt, Stephen Dyer, Teton Gravity Research

People’s Choice: LIFE OF PIE (the United States, 11 min) World Premiere. Director: Ben Knight, Travis Rummel. Producer: Travis Rummel

The Hayden Kennedy Award: THE MYSTERY OF NOW (the United States, 17 min) Director: Audrey Buchanan. Producer: Kaylee Cole, Douglas Miles, Dream Hampton, Archana Chattha, Vijay Chattha

Best of Festival: THE WEIGHT OF WATER (the United States, 1 Hour 18 min), Director and Producer: Michael Brown

5Point Honors: Erik Weihenmayer