Recent Films

Thabang Madiba somehow found his way into the world of trail running and in the last few years has become everyone’s favourite in the South African trail scene. He lives in Ga-Rankuwa township, without a mountain in sight… or a physio, chiro or dietician for that matter. But through hard work, dedication and passion, he has won the South African Trail Running Championships multiple times and was the first black South African to represent the country in Trail Running. He has become a hero in his community and is hoping to inspire a new generation of youth through the sport of trail running.

[TRAILER] Full film available on Red Bull TV - https://www.redbull.com/my-en/films/AP-1XACHG37W2111

South African ultra-runners, Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel set out on the adventure of a lifetime: to run Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail in the fastest known time. Travelling light, without sleeping bags or a tent, and aiming to cover a distance of nearly 1500km in under 28 days, they will need to rely on the generosity of the local people to survive. A late winter results in brutal conditions and Ryan and Ryno are pushed right to the very limits of their endurance as they battle frost bite, injuries and exhaustion.

In the same thread of his transcontinental run across America and getting to know a very thin line of his own country, Rickey Gates decided to run every single street in San Francisco - to get to know a very small area of America, as well as its people, intimately. With over 1100 Miles of street the film documents Rickey’s journey, and the people he meets long the way, as he runs into midst of one of the most iconic and diverse cities in the world.

Directed & Edited by Dean Leslie
Produced by Hannah Slezacek & Dean Leslie
Featuring Rickey Gates
A film by the Wandering Fever

The Manitou Incline, or simply “The Incline”, is one of Colorado’s most famous hiking trails. Gaining over 2000ft of elevation in less than a mile, the trail is the remains of a decommissioned funicular railway. Famous for its sweeping views and steep grade the Incline has in recent years become a focal point for an eccentric, off-kilter community. “Inclined”, dives into this community and explores how a one-mile section of trail has managed to bring people together from all walks of life.

PĂOBÙ 跑步 [TO RUN]
Running is currently one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in China. Six years ago trail running was almost unheard of. Now there are hundreds of trail races every year. With this new found interest in outdoor sports, it seems as if trail running could serve as a bridge for a new generation of young Chinese as they reconnect with their wild spaces.

Salomon asked runners from around the world to share their #runningdreamtrip. Over 3000 people applied but only one was chosen. Katie Adams, from Idaho, USA, joined Emelie Forsberg and Ida Nilsson on her Dream Trip to Norway. The trio explored the Norwegian fjords and mountains by boat before setting off on foot and spending their days running from hut to hut.

Pack Burro Racing is a sport indigenous to the State of Colorado with origins that are steeped in legend. In a typical burro race, a runner and a burro (donkey) travel a prescribed course together, with the runner leading the burro on a rope. Riding of the burro is not allowed. In fact, the human may carry the burro, but the burro may not carry the human. Trail Runners, Max King and Ryan Sandes, decided to travel to Colorado and enter the 69th Annual Burro Days 30 Mile World Championship Pack Burro Race. After all… How hard can it be?

At the end of June 2017, shortly before the sun peeked over the mountains of Tahoe National Park in California, Ryan Sandes and 368 other runners from around the world gathered at the base of a snow-covered mountain to begin the Western States 100 Endurance Run, the oldest 100-mile (160km) ultra-marathon in the world.
This short film documents Ryan's journey to the start line and his near obsession, dedication and perseverance in chasing the illusive Western States cougar trophy.

Produced in association with Red Bull Media House
Directed by Dean Leslie
Produced by Dean Leslie and Hannah Slezacek
Edited by Matt James and Dean Leslie
Assistant Editing by Caroline Brouckaert
Cinematography by Jared Paisley and Dean Leslie

Trail runners from around the world were asked: "What is your #RunningDreamTrip? Tyler Courville's Dream Trip was to travel to Nepal with Mira Rai, and was subsequently selected from thousands of entries. Mira's story seems impossible; A Nepali village girl, turned child soldier, and now a globally recognised professional trail runner.

Mira shows Tyler her country as they travel to her village in the remote mountains of Eastern Nepal getting to know the culture, mountains and people along the way.

Raw 100 | Ryan Sandes in South Africa

Red Bull's Raw 100 video series is designed to highlight the talent and creativity of filmmakers. The rules for each video are simple: 100 seconds in length, no slow motion footage, and no music.

Produced in association with Red Bull Media House
Directed by Dean Leslie
Produced by Dean Leslie & Hannah Slezacek
Cinematography by Jared Paisley & Dean Leslie
Edited by Dean Leslie & Caroline Brouckaert

Kalen Thorien, a professional skier and adventurer, decided to spend her summer on a 270 mile, 18 day, solo high traverse in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range in the Western United States.

Your immediate question is probably “Why?”, well, Kalen probably says it best, “We spend a lot of time seeking answers, hoping for outside forces to propel us into an elevated realm of thinking, the simplicity of a walk in the woods can provide the impermanence that we so often overlook. Out there it is uncluttered and simplified.”

With no clear objective and no set goal, American Alpine Runner, Dakota Jones, journeys to Northern Patagonia to explore the culture and landscape of one of the most romanticised regions in the world. Travelling South along the famed Carretera Austral he discovers a people rich in smiles and a land littered with mountains and glaciers.

Directed by Dean Leslie
Produced by Dean Leslie & Hannah Slezacek
Written by Dean Leslie & Dakota Jones
Cinematography by Jared Paisley & Dean Leslie
Edited by Dean Leslie

Japan’s connection with the natural world has shaped its people’s lives and culture for thousands of years. In ancient times they looked on their mountains as the dwelling places of the gods. This still continues through the Japanese practice of Shugendo which is centred around the examination of our relationship with the natural world. It's practitioners are popularly known as Yamabushi, literally, "those who lie in the mountains". Mountain Runners, Rickey Gates and Anna Frost, travel to the Japanese Alps to explore this shared bond with the mountains.

One of the most exhilarating aspects of trail running is letting go and charging down a trail. It may sound crazy but running down is often harder and more challenging than running up. As with most things in life, practice makes perfect. British Fell Runners, Ricky Lightfoot and Tom Owens head to Iceland in search of the perfect downhill.

Rémi Bonnet burst onto the international trail running scene only a couple of years ago. A 2015 Salomon Running Academy young gun, Rémi went on to become the Skyrunner World Series VK champion at just 20 years old. We spent some time with him in his charming home town of Charmey. This is Rémi Bonnet.

Directed by Dean Leslie
Produced by Dean Leslie & Hannah Slezacek
Cinematography by Jared Paisley & Dean Leslie
Edited by Caroline Brouckaert & Dean Leslie
Narrated by Jared Paisley