Jackson, Wyoming – March 28, 2005 – Alpinist Magazine announced today that it donated $5,000-the net proceeds from The Barry Corbet Film Festival, which was held March 24-26, 2005, in Jackson, Wyoming-to the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation’s Khumbu Climbing School. The donation was made by Christian Beckwith, Festival Director, to Jenni Lowe, Alex Lowe’s widow and the ALCF’s Director, on Saturday, March 26, the final evening of the Barry Corbet Film Festival, before a capacity crowd. The previous two evenings of the Festival were similarly attended. Nine films in all were presented over the three nights, including a surprise showing of Heinz Zak’s award-winning Highliner to end the Festival. The three evenings of enthusiastic audience support left Festival sponsors, attendees and organizers ecstatic about the Festival’s success.
“For a group of volunteers to pull off standing-room-only attendance three nights in a row for a film festival that was envisioned less than three months earlier was tremendous,” said Beckwith. “The excitement in the room each night, and at the parties afterward, was made only greater by our ability to give so much money to the Khumbu Climbing School.”
Barry Corbet, who died December 18, 2004, was an American skiing and climbing legend who in 1963 helped put the first American team on Everest. His accomplishments as athlete, filmmaker and advocate for the disabled were recognized by Jackson Mayor Mark Barron, followed by Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, both of whom designated March 24 Barry Corbet Day. The donation of the net proceeds from The Barry Corbet Film Festival to the Khumbu Climbing School will increase the safety of Sherpa climbers, as well as of Westerners on expeditions supported by Sherpa climbers, resulting in safer trips for all who climb in the Himalaya.
Mayor Mark Barron kicked off the Festival on Thursday, March 24, followed by Roger Brown, Barry’s filmmaking partner, who offered a tribute that was both poignant and inspiring. Friday’s events began with filmmaker Chris Malloy, who presented his latest movie, Brokedown Melody. On Saturday, Fred Padula introduced the world premier of the digitally remastered rerelease of his award-winning film, El Capitan.
After the final film, Beckwith told the crowd, “When we started the Festival, we focused only on this first year. But now, I want to ask you a question. Was this Barry Corbet Film Festival a one-off… or was it the first annual?” The excited response of the crowd left little doubt about their feelings on the matter. For more information, please visit the Alpinist Magazine website at www.alpinist.com.