Arc'teryx Winter Film Tour
I'm always up for a trip to the cinema or the mountains
One thing not many people around me know is that not only are snow and winter my favorite seasons, but snowboarding is also one of my absolute favorite things in life. There’s no better feeling than cruising down a mountain with the perfect soundtrack in my ear (just one side—safety first!), hitting every curve perfectly in sync with the beat. I started to learn how to ski about the same time I learned how to walk and have been in love with it ever since. Growing up close to the mountains, I begged my parents to take me to my favorite Skigebiet several times a week. Those trips were the highlight of my childhood.
Now, living in a city with no ski areas in sight (the nearest one is in another country) my snowboard sits safely stored, waiting for the day we’ll hit the slopes again, hopefully sooner rather than later.
So when I had the opportunity to go to the Arc’teryx Winter Film Tour about a month ago, I was intrigued. As someone deeply passionate about winter sports but admittedly lacking expertise in some of its more competitive niches, I wasn’t sure what to expect. On top of that, I suspected it might just be another brand activation. But as it involved a trip to the cinema, which I can never resist, I decided to give it a shot.
So, off I went, and found myself sat to in the beautiful Zoo Palast cinema in Berlin, branded Arc’teryx popcorn in hand. Arc’teryx, a renowned name among outdoor enthusiasts (and a low-key status symbol for non-outerwear-wearers too), put together a lineup of four films. Each one brought its own unique perspective on the outdoors, sports through the lens of the Arc’teryx Athletes, and humanity’s relationship with nature.
One film told the emotional story of a climber overcoming challenges of transitioning and how it affected her connection with the sport—it almost brought me to tears. Another followed a train journey to various ski destinations in eastern europe, evoking nostalgia for my interrailing days as a teenager. Both of these films touched on familiar tropes we know from classic sports narratives: personal growth, passion for nature, and finding meaning through movement.
But then came Every Island Has a Name, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Directed by Achille Mauri with cinematography by Willem Jones, and featuring riders Elena Hight, Severin Van der Meer, and Jared Elston, this film was unlike anything I’ve seen before—not just in snowboarding films but in short film generally. It stuck with me because it portrayed the sport I love in a way that felt deeply personal, stripped of any performative elements or obsession with endurance. Instead, it celebrated the sport as a personal collaboration with nature, where snow dictates movement and mountains set the course.
The visuals were poetic, blending stunning mountain footage and the riders’ skillful maneuvers with moody shots of flowers frozen in blocks of ice. It wasn’t just about shredding terrain; it was about the emotional experience, the freedom, and the fleeting beauty of snowboarding. The film felt like an athletic flow of consciousness—an ode to snowboarding as art.
Adding to this emotional depth was the incredible music. It wasn’t a pre-existing soundtrack but original compositions created specifically for the film. The audience loved it so much that, after the screening, several people asked for the track IDs—only to learn that the music was a one-time experience. A rare occurrence these days. The director explained during the Q&A that they had initially tried using AI for the text and voiceover but quickly realized it didn’t align with their vision. Instead, they sought human collaborators to infuse the film with the depth and emotion it demanded, and the results were stunning. The voiceover voice was so perfect, it gave the whole film an additional depth and mystic feel.
Unfortunately, Every Island Has a Name isn’t available for streaming yet, but I felt compelled to share my experience. When it becomes available, I hope you’ll remember this and take the time to watch it—it’s not one to miss.
I’m so thankful to Arc’teryx for hosting this event. It far exceeded my expectations for a brand activation. The synergy between the brand and the talent they support was seamless, making for an unforgettable experience.
Here’s hoping they return next year with another round of inspiring short films.
Until then I’m on my way back too the swiss mountains to take a break in the snow for the first half of my Christmas Vacation.
Cheers,
Kimberly
Welcome to BLUE MIND—where art direction meets storytelling. At its core, this publication dives into the stories within our moodboards, the layers of meaning behind visual research, and the intersection of design, culture, and creativity. Here, I explore how art direction shapes narratives, decodes trends, and connects us to the world visually. Whether you’re an aspiring creative or simply curious about the craft, expect thoughtful insights, curated inspiration, and a deeper look into the ideas that fuel the creative process.