Mountainfilm on Tour Returns to Pensacola
Adventure is coming to town, bringing a fresh wave of inspiration to Pensacola. Returning for its sixth season, Mountainfilm on Tour
will bring a curated selection of thoughtprovoking documentary films to Pensacola Little Theatre on January 17.
Exploring themes aligned with Mountainfilm’s mission of using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better
world, Mountainfilm on Tour showcases a selection of short films that share powerful stories of resilience, hope and transformation—
spotlighting individuals and communities who rise above adversity with courage and creativity.
Originating in Telluride, Colorado. in 1979, Mountainfilm is a nonprofit organization and documentary film festival that celebrates the stories of indomitable spirit and aims to inspire audiences through the power of film. The unique gathering blends film with art, speakers and discussions to foster connection and inspire real-world change.
While the main festival was originally only held in Telluride, Mountainfilm began touring in 1999 to share its films with larger audiences
in communities across the globe.
“The Pensacola tour showcases a collection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films from the annual Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride,” Mountainfilm on Tour – Pensacola Co-Director Jacey Cosentino said.
After experiencing the awe and beauty of the Mountainfilm Festival firsthand during a family trip to Telluride, Cosentino immediately knew it was something that needed to come to Pensacola. In 2020, she teamed up with individuals in the community, including Healthy Gulf Florida/Alabama Coastal Organizer Christian Wagley, to bring the first Mountainfilm on Tour to Pensacola.
Originally established to celebrate the mountains and outdoor adventure through short film screenings that inspire attendees to
engage with the natural world, Mountainfilm is one of America’s longest-running film festivals.
Over the years, the festival’s scope has expanded to include a wider range of films and speakers, but the core goal has remained the
same—to use the power of film and ideas to educate, inspire and motivate action for a more liveable planet.
What began as a three-day event featuring 27 films in a single theatre has grown into a four-day international gathering, showcasing
more than 100 films across eight theatres and welcoming hundreds of special guests.
Each year after the main festival in Telluride, Mountainfilm hits the road sharing a selection of the year’s most inspiring short films with audiences across the world. The Pensacola tour will include a powerful lineup of films celebrating wild places, bold exploration and stories that push the limits of human grit.
“We handpicked 12 to 13 short films from the main festival in Telluride to showcase for the Pensacola event that would not only resonate with, but also inspire the local community,” Cosentino said. “The films explore a variety of themes and topics, showcasing inspirational stories that focus on community, diversity and the connection between people and wild places.”
The Pensacola tour will kick off with a special screening of a short documentary film produced by local florist and owner of Fiore of Pensacola, Shannon Pallin. The film is called Follow The Flower, and it explores the life cycle of Alaskan peonies, highlighting the growers’ dedication and capturing how a single bloom has the ability to connect people from the farthest reaches of the earth.
With screenings at festivals worldwide—including the Anchorage International Film Festival this past December—Pallin’s inspiring story of care, cultivation and connection is resonating with audiences around the globe.
The Pensacola tour will host a collection of films that raise awareness and funding for local environmental and community causes, with all ticket sale proceeds directly benefitting two nonprofits driving change in our community—the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program and Healthy Gulf.
From daring expeditions in wild corners of the world to heartfelt journeys that tap into the core of the human spirit, Mountainfilm on Tour features breathtaking filmmaking and perspectives that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
“Through stories of resilience, exploration and community impact, the films serve to inspire audiences of all ages to explore new ideas and try new things,” Cosentino said. “The goal is for people to leave feeling inspired, and to open people’s minds and hearts to the world.”
The Pensacola tour kicks off January 17 at the Pensacola Little at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. The doors open at 5 pm, with film screenings beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are on sale for $25 each, and can be purchased online at mountainfilm.myeventscenter.com, or in-person at the event.
Mountainfilm on Tour – Pensacola is hosted by Gulf Coast Film Festival in partnership with presenting event sponsors, Edward Jones Cosentino Wealth Management Team and Reboot & Co.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a storyteller or simply someone who loves being swept up in big ideas, Mountainfilm on Tour promises to deliver an unforgettable night of short films that move hearts and sparks change.
For more information on Mountainfilm Festival, including a preview of the films selected for the Pensacola tour, visit mountainfilmpensacola.com.