Visitors from across the country flocked to Sheffield over the weekend to celebrate one of the UK’s leading platforms for adventure, environment and outdoor storytelling.

Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) celebrated its 20th anniversary at Showroom Cinema on Paternoster Row across three jam-packed, adventure-filled days over the weekend.

Matt Heason, co-founder of the festival, spoke about founding the event and how it has developed and grown over the years.

He said: “It’s a celebration of the outdoors in Sheffield.”

Held annually in Sheffield, a city known for its access to wild landscapes and rich creative scene, the festival brings together world class climbing, running, biking, skiing, kayaking and environmental films from across the globe.

This year, 104 adventure films graced attendees, with topics ranging from running and climbing, to conservation and sustainability.

The films feature both elite athletes and grassroots voices, partnering with major outdoor brands like Rab.

Across two decades, the festival has built a strong reputation for thoughtful programming, a commitment to sustainability and a deep connection to community, sitting at the heart of Sheffield’s cultural calendar.

Mr Heason emphasised the vast appeal of ShAFF, saying there has been enquiries from as far as Alaska to bring films to Sheffield, highlighting the impact of the event worldwide.

Winner of Best Film was Champions of the Golden Valley, directed by Ben Sturgulewski.

The film tells the story of how: “In the high peaks of Afghanistan, young villagers from rival ethnic groups ​build makeshift wooden skis and convene for a race.”

The festival also featured many activities, including a temporary ski slope, installed by Revive Sheffield Ski Village, who are campaigning for funding around the reinstallation of facilities at a derelict site in Parkwood, since the Ski Village’s closure in 2012.