Kendal Mountain Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the world. For filmmakers to have one piece of work included in the programme is an honour; to get six is unheard of.
Kendal producer Dom Bush is still coming to terms that all his submissions this year have got the nod for a screening, no mean feat given the consistently high standard of films featured at the festival.
“I’ve produced films that have been shown at KMF every year for the last 13 years,” Dom says.
“I didn’t think I’d got more than a couple selected so get all six included feels like an achievement.”
The news comes after a busy year for the Cumbrian. The 40-year-old father of three works from home and juggling family life with work can be a challenge.
Partner Helen Lawrie who helps run Land and Sky, the couple’s production company, is studying for a master’s in psychology.
Born and bred in the north lakes, Dom studied adventure media at the University of Cumbria before starting out on his own.
A keen skier, climber and mountain biker, his dream had been to ski competitively for his country and he’s a former member of the British schools and development squad.
It was, he says, a ‘crushing realisation’ that he was unable to match leading skiers that he looked to combine his love of the outdoors with skills as a photographer and film maker.
“I left school at 16 and moved to the Alps to train hard but it wasn’t to be,” Dom says. “But it means I can creatively and legitimately capture the spirit of outdoor adventures.”
Setting up Land and Sky in 2011 marked the start of an ever-increasing library of films.
While he’s travelled extensively, he says 90% of his work can be found within an hour of his Kendal home.
The films accepted by the festival will serve to showcase his work to a wider audience although visitors to Kendal may have already enjoyed some of it already as he has made the festival’s promotional trailer for the last five years.
“All festivals help when it comes to building profile, but Kendal in particular has played a big part in helping my career and reputation,” Dom says.
His films and enthusiasm for his work may well inspire others to follow in his footsteps. A Cumbrian film-maker for whom the sky really is the limit.
