Archive for the ‘awards’ Category

World Media Awards Nomination

Very excitingly, Justine has been nominated for an award at the prestigious “World Paddle Awards”  in the ‘Media Professional’ Category.

The winner is decided partly by a committee and partly by a public vote. If you appreciate the many inspiring films that Cackle TV has brought to you over the last 12 years, or have enjoyed a presentation or magazine article by Justine then we’d really love you to vote for her. It only takes a few seconds.  Just click here – or on the photo above – and click ‘like’ or the big black thumb at the bottom of the page.

Check out some of the other nominees in all the categories.

Thanks very much!

“Kayaking the Aleutians” picked up it’s 5th award last weekend at the French Adventure film festival LES ÉCRANS DE L’AVENTURE.

It won the Jean-Marc Boivin Prize, which is the price for the authenticity of the adventure.

The organisers sent me an email saying

“Congratulations!!! We are very happy for you. Your adventure has been very appreciated and also the film !”

“Kayaking the Aleutians” winning a prize in France

Unfortunately I couldn’t attend the festival this time as I had a wonderful time there 2 years ago with my ‘Tierra del Fuego” film. Instead I was at the Irish Sea kayaking Symposium, which was another great event.

I am giving a few more presentations of the Aleutians film in the next few weeks so you might get a chance to see the film or hear me talk about it if you are nearby.

Sunday 25th October:  St Helier Yacht Club, Jersey, Channel Islands.  £5 on the door.

Wednesday 28th October: World Extreme Medicine Expo, London. I’m presenting the Aleutians film to the delegates.

(Other speakers include Sir Ranulph Fiennes , Jon Snow and various medical experts)

Sunday 1st November:  The Doodle Bar, Battersea, London. I’m presenting the Aleutians film and taking questions.

Sunday 2/3rd Nov: I’ll be joining Sarah Outen to paddle back to Tower Bridge, London to end her ‘Round the world human-powered loop’. Paddlers are invited to join Sarah on the Thames. See her website for details.

7th/ 8th November: “Kayaking the Aleutians” is a finalist at Banff Mountain Film Festival, Canada

(Unfortunately I won’t be there)

14th/ 15th November: “Kayaking the Aleutians” is a finalist at Graz Mountain Film Festival, Austria

(Unfortunately I won’t be there)

21-22nd November: I’m waiting to hear if “Kayaking the Aleutians” is playing at Kendal Mountain Festival.

If it’s playing, I’ll be there.

Alternatively, you can stream the film on Reelhouse or download it or buy the DVD.
Click here for PAL DVDs – UK/ Europe/ Australisia
Click here for NTSC DVDs – North and South America / Japanwww

There are two versions of the film for sale – The 55 minute Festival Cut and the 72 minutes Directors Cut. You can stream or download either (or both) of these – or buy the DVD which contains both versions and 4 extra bonus films.

I’m delighted that “Kayaking the Aleutians” won “Best Film” at the 2015 German Kayak Film Festival last night. 

About 300 people watched the selection of films, including the world premiere of our Alaskan adventure. Afterwards the organiser, Olaf Obsommer, called me to the stage for a short interview. Next the judges stood up to talk about the films and announce the winner. They were talking in German of course so I couldn’t understand what they were saying. It was only when there was a pause (perhaps when I should have been coming back to the stage) and Olaf beckoned to me that I realised I had won.

It was a fantastic 4 month adventure in such a beautiful part of the world with a tough, funny woman, generous locals, amazing wildlife and more than our fair share of challenges. I knew I had the ingredients of a great film, so I’m glad I didn’t mess it & I’m grateful for all the help from people on the trip, and friends back home who watched the developing film with me and suggested changes.

All DVD orders are now shipping and the downloads are  being downloaded!

The first reviews have all been really positive. Simon Willis said “Quite simply, it is the best yet from Justine Curgenven….  There’s nothing false about the jeopardy here….This film has content.  In bucketfuls” – read his full review here.

Meanwhile, a tour is shaping up nicely for “Kayaking the Aleutians” in America & Canada visiting Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland,  Chicago, Detroit, Kitchener, Rochester (NY), Maine, Connecticut, New York, San Diego, Canoecopia, Jersey Paddler, the U.S Storm Gathering in Trinidad, California & the Bajakayak fest. Click here for more details.

As I write this, I’m taking the rough with the smooth! I’m spending the day in Munich airport after a flight mix up! But on the positive side, they have free wi-fi and I’ve just seen people walking past with a delicious looking ice-cream which I think merits further investigation!

At the end of this week – 14th-17th November – is the Kendal Mountain Festival – the annual showcase for the best of this years outdoor and adventure films. I’m delighted that the 40 minute film I made about Sarah Outen kayaking from London to France and from Russia to Japan is showing as part of the ‘Wild Water’ film session. This can be seen on Friday from 1-4pm, on Saturday between 9-12am and 1-4pm, and 4.30-7.30pm on Sunday. There are of course, lots of other climbing, mountaineering, biking, skiing and adventure films showing, plus some great speakers. You can buy a film pass for 1 day or for the whole weekend.

In addition, on Saturday from 3.30 – 6pm is the KEEN wildwater session, which is a mixture of films and talks held in the Town Hall. I’m excited that Eric Boomer is the main speaker – an adventurer who has done amazing whitewater trips and waterfall descents and also completed the first circumnavigation of Ellesmere island with Jon Turk on skis and by kayak. He’s talking about his recent gruelling 65-day expedition across Baffin Island, covering over a 1000km by kayak, ski and foot. He and his friends used traditional Inuit-style kayaks that they built themselves. One of the other team members Canadian polar adventurer Sarah McNair-Landry is also presenting with Boomer.

Both Sarah and I will be at the festival. We’ll be at the KEEN session on Saturday where they are also showing a shorter version of the film about Sarah. We’ll be able to answer questions in the interval if there are any. Tickets for this session are £12.50 but if you are a member of the BCU then they are £10 – you need to find out the code to give at the box office.  We’ll try to get to the other sessions where the film is showing and introduce it.

If you can’t make Kendal, then you can buy the film on “This is the Sea 5″ DVD, or as a download.

Talking of Sarah, she’s just been in Wales for almost a week doing some kayak training for our next big kayaking adventure. As part of her round the world loop, we’ll kayak about 1400 nautical miles along the Aleutian island chain from Adak  to Homer next Spring/ Summer. It will be really challenging 2-4 month trip so we are preparing mind, body, kit and logistics as much as possible. We are in touch with locals and people who have been to the area but any help/ information is welcome!