The Boulder Adventure Film Festival started in a tent during a Himalayan storm. On a handful of scratch paper Jonny Copp sketched out the initial vision of a community based, mission oriented, outdoor adventure festival that tied indie film with art and activism. Five years later, with the help of Mark Reiner, Jose Yavari and many others, this gritty "down home" event has grown into an internationally recognized arena for the best and most inspiring adventure and environmental films of each year, those productions that hit at the nerve endings of the physical, the emotional and the political. At year 5 the Boulder Adventure Film Festival has become AdventureFilm.Org, committed to the community of filmmakers, adventurers, activists and artists that present potent inspiration to a world that needs it.

Over the years, other participatory elements emerged from the fest including the Dirt Days, Outdoor Filmmakers Workshop, Mountain Bike Film Night, Films For Fourteeners, First Mondays and other events that appeal to specific outdoor recreation groups. What ties all these and other unique Adventure Film Festival events together is the community - whether they be non-profits, local businesses, "out-there" adventurers or friends. Like the activities it showcases the Festival is a hands-on affair. From the very beginning, Dirt Days was the festival's kick-off outdoor challenge and conservation fair featuring multitude activities like climbing, fly casting clinics, sampling solar oven cookies, meeting live raptors and checking out he best environmental films of the year. Throw in some food and music, make it FREE to the public and you have an instant hit among kids and adults alike. Dirt Days, as its tag line states literally, "Celebrate(s) the world at your fingertips and its dirt in your hands." Dirt Days has since become Boulder's biggest Earth Day Festival and happens April 19th, at the beginning of Earth Day week (see Special Events for more info).

Adventure Film is more than just daredevil athleticism. Its roots tap a deeper consciousness. Says Copp, “I’ve been exposed to an incredible world of adventure through years of expeditions and work in outdoor media. We created this film festival because there is powerful medicine within these stories. Our archives of award winning films tells the tales of generations of seekers, finders and believers. I feel these stories have the power to change us and change the world.”

We believe in the power of the story. We believe in Leaving No Trace and Activism through Adventure. We believe that you can Make your own Legends.