Sheffield Adventure Film Festival returns to the Showroom Cinema from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2026, celebrating twenty years of adventure storytelling with sustainability and community at its heart.
Founded in 2006 by Matt Heason, ShAFF has grown alongside Sheffield’s reputation as the UK’s outdoor capital. What began as a small climbing film gathering now brings more than 100 films, talks and free events into the city centre, welcoming audiences from across the country while remaining deeply rooted in South Yorkshire.
This year’s programme feels especially timely. Alongside record breaking endurance stories are films grappling with climate, access and responsibility. A defining thread is water. From wild swims and personal pilgrimages to land defence and Indigenous rights, films including To the Sea, Undammed and Bad River ask who controls the rivers and coastlines that sustain us. These global stories connect with local and national conversations around river health and outdoor equity.
Performance also comes under the spotlight. The Finisher follows Jasmin Paris through the brutal Barkley Marathons, while Janja Garnbret Big Five and Girl Climber examine the psychological cost of elite ambition. Closer to home, A Trip to Mam Tor captures snowboarding in the Peak District, reminding us that adventure often begins just beyond our doorstep.
ShAFF has programmed a significant number of films featuring adventurers aged sixty and above. From Dear Heart to More Like Paul, these stories celebrate longevity, adaptability and a lifelong relationship with movement. A dedicated panel during the weekend will explore what it means to keep adventuring as bodies and landscapes change.
Sustainability runs beyond the screen. Sheffield outdoor brand Rab returns as headline sponsor, hosting free gear repair to extend the life of outdoor kit and reduce waste. The festival continues its partnership work to keep parts of the programme free and accessible, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion as well as environmental responsibility.
Beyond the cinema, ShAFF spills into public space with free talks and an outdoor adventure photography exhibition on Paternoster Row. Saturday night sees a twentieth anniversary celebration bringing together filmmakers, athletes and audiences to mark two decades of stories shaped by challenge, connection and care for the natural world.
Book Sheffield Adventure Film Festival films and events now at: https://showroomcinema.org.uk/festivals/shaff-sheffield-adventure-film-festival-2026
By Alex Deadman, Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX
Bike racks, nearby tram parking, tram and bus access
