It’s a small salve in the grand scheme of things, but as movie theaters and film festivals hit pause for the coronavirus, many areÌýoffering special online accessÌýto films we’d otherwise have to wait to see. (Some of these options are free, while others require a fee.)ÌýIt’s a great time to watch a soothing nature documentary—or perhaps a French Canadian thriller about would-be preppers caught in an unexpected fight for their lives in the wilderness, if that’s more your thing. Here are our favorite outdoorsyÌýoptions from film festivals andÌýfeature film distributors, plus some great options onÌýregular streaming services,Ìýthat are stepping up to fill our sociallyÌýdistancedÌýfree time.
D.C. Environmental FilmÌýFestival
This annual mid-March showcase has been around since 1933, and not even a global pandemic can stop it. Organizers madeÌýmore than 60 of this year’s films . Even better,Ìýthey addedÌýabout 300 filmsÌýfrom past years, including critically acclaimed favorites like The Weight of Water. We recommend , , , and . Keep an eye on the page throughout spring, as organizers plan to release even more films.
South by SouthwestÌý
The mammoth March festival was one of the first to cancel due to the coronavirus, but Mailchimp and Oscilloscope Laboratories made a handy showcasing 54 short films that were meant to be screened at SXSW. Most are no longerÌýthan 15 minutes, and there’s even a shuffle button if you want to pretend that a hip festival organizer has created a custom cinematic lineup just for you and your dog. We recommend ,Ìýin which two gruff men at a bar turn fighting words into a lovely buddy romp through the wilderness. If your dog, like mine, is such a snob and only watches documentaries, try ,Ìýthe true story of a man who built the world’s only successful artificial bat cave.Ìý
Netflix
We all have different ways of coping right now—and if you’re the kind of literalist who’s somehow soothed by watching , maybe you’ll also like . It’s about a group of peopleÌýwho go to a prepper camp hosted by a prominent YouTuber in the Canadian wildernessÌýand then find themselves in a real survival scenario. It may help to know that an actual apocalypse isn’t involved—it’s more about the horror of group dynamics.ÌýIt may further help to know that the movie was filmed in French, but you can either dub or add English subtitles.Ìý
OnÌýDemand
Ah, remember when you could walk into a theater to watch movies and someone made the popcorn for you? Don’t dwell on it. At home, you can eat socially unacceptable foods that you’d never be able to smuggle into the theater, and you can yell at the screen! Plus, two outdoorsy movies have hit on-demand early since, well, no one’s going to be seeing them in theaters anytime soon. We endorse The Call of the Wild, Harrison Ford’s wilderness adventureÌýwith a CGI dog,Ìýand (only somewhat reluctantly)ÌýDownhill, a remake ofÌýa cult-classicÌýski comedy about a family who is slowly torn apart by one moment of cowardice andÌýstars Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Reel Rock 14Ìý
In a case of excellent timing,Ìýthe climbing film eventÌýhas Ìýfrom last year’s traveling tour for those who missed the in-person events—or those who just want to see the films again.ÌýAs always, there’s a good mix of goofy and serious adrenaline in the three shorts: a preview of Red Bull’s forthcoming (and now delayed) Marc-André LeclercÌýfeature The Alpinist,Ìýa terrifying but lighthearted highball attempt with Nina Williams inÌýThe High Road,Ìýand a tale of a community where dirtbags and cowboys coexist inÌýUnited States of Joe’s.ÌýA feature-length film, The Nose Speed Record, shows Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell battling for said record, with underdogs Brad Gobright and Jim Reynolds also in the mix. The climbers’ endearing antics and meditations on risk have taken on a bittersweet significanceÌýsince Gobright died in a climbing accidentÌýafter the movie was filmed.
Banff Mountain FilmÌý
Banff Mountain Film Festival happens late every October, so it remains unclear if and how that will be affected, though some ofÌýitsÌýongoing world tour screenings have now been canceled. In the meantime, the festival has heeded our calls for more indoor adventure. OrganizersÌýhaveÌýput together a of selected films from the 2018 and 2019 festivals, featuring climbers, cold-water swimmers, skiers, skijorers, and one 97-year-old runner.
Mountainfilm
Mountainfilm, usually a prime gathering spot for outdoor enthusiasts and activists in Telluride, Colorado, has made the decision to Ìýthis year.ÌýFilms and presentations willÌýstream May 15ÌýtoÌýMayÌý25. You can purchase an all-access pass for $75 or per-film passes for $10 each. (Anyone who already bought a more expensiveÌýticket to the in-person festival gets aÌýrefund, either for the full ticketÌýor for aÌýdifference in price if they choose to peruse the online options.)Ìý A full pass gives you access to more than 100 films on a secure streaming platform; for additional fees, you canÌýviewÌýtalks and other events.ÌýPlus, a good number of talks and films from past years are already available to stream on the festival’sÌýwebsite. ,Ìý,Ìýand Ìýwould make excellent stress reducers. See also: at last year’s festival, which, honestly, was so popular you probably didn’t get to see it even if you were there.
No Man’s Land Film FestivalÌý
No Man’s Land is, in normal times, a touring showcase of work by and about adventurous people who identify as women. This year, the organizers managed to host their flagship event in the first week of MarchÌýbut pivoted to a virtual world tour as the pandemic restricted travel and large crowds. It’ll run from April 9 to April 12, and you can to access streaming on some or all of those days. (There is a free ticket option for Saturday screenings for those who are struggling financially.) include a film by Pattie Gonia, a feature about cyclist Ayesha McGowan, and film called Deer 139, about three women who follow a pregnant mule deer’s migration path by foot.