ShAFF: Made In Sheffield 2025 12A

Unique to ShAFF, this session screens a selection of the best new adventure films Made In Sheffield.

1. Dear Dad 11 minutes

   'Dear Dad' is Dave McLeavy’s debut short film—a heartfelt letter to his father. Through this deeply personal journey, McLeavy revisits his father, Mike’s, cherished memories of cycling as a young man and the joy of rediscovering it later in life. At its core, the film is a tribute to love, family bonds, and the inevitable experience of loss.
   With this short film, McLeavy offers a touching thank-you to his father—a son’s way of honouring the moments, lessons and love they’ve shared.

2. Sam Dale - Megavalanche 12 minutes

   Summertime in the big mountains: Load up the van, hit the highway, unload your bike, climb a mountain, hammer it back down, skid onto the patio bar, enjoy a cappuccino, camp out next to the river, get a good night's sleep under the stars, wake up, cook on the stove, throw the bike back in the van, drive to the bike park and do laps on laps. Hell, you could even rock up to the start line of the world's wildest races, the Megavalanche. That’s what Sam Dale did this July aboard his new Nomad. Sam Dale loaded up his trusty camper, crossed the English Channel and set out for the peaks of the Alps. He started with a visit to La Grave to sample the new Santa Cruz PayDirt funded trail, Les Valloins de la Meije trail. Starting at the top of the historic cable car and descending 5,000ft, it covers all manner of terrain - rocky moonscapes, rutted avalanche paths, romping singletrack and sinewy turns through pine forest nearer the bottom. As Sam says, it was a good way to get back in the groove of the fast, long and rugged trails typical of the French Alps. It was a perfect warm up for the Megavalanche race. The Megavalanche, possibly the wildest and rawest of mountain bike events. Again, starting at the top of Alp d’Huez - in the snow - and descending for 40 minutes at race pace across glacial rock slab, boulder fields, ski pistes, new school jump trails and well-worn paths. It puts any rider and their equipment to the test. Sam believes the best way to really take a big bite of the Alps is to do it while camping. This allows you to get closer to the spots, to breathe the air and get into the rhythm of the places you’re visiting. After watching this, you might agree. Sam’s approach on and off the bike is refreshingly down-to-earth and a template for anyone wanting to feel the energy of big mountains.

3. Sheffield's Missing Summat 10 minutes

   In the search for adventure, the Snow sports community of Sheffield are having to be more creative than ever ... once the home of Europe's largest artificial snow slope and a go to destination for freestyle and race, skiers and boarders alike.

   Now just a burnt out wasteland remains. Can the Phoenix rise from the Ashes ...be a part of Sheffield's Snow sports revival

   A short film that aims to capture the spirit of the steel city's snowsport community and engage with their quest to rebuild and inspire the next generation

4. Plunge 8 minutes

   Plunge tells the story of Katie who found empowerment, friendship, and healing by plunging into frigid waters of the sea. As her voice relates to us the physical and mental struggles that have plagued her for decades, her animated form darts confidently through kelp forests on the ocean floor. She tells us about her strong community and the tremendous physical benefits of cold-water swimming. Through Katie’s story this beautiful, animated film addresses themes of isolation, connection, mental health & wellbeing and empowerment.

5. The Trail Camera 3 minutes

   Bolehills BMX track, built in Bolehills park in Walkley, Sheffield, has been home to wildlife since its construction, back in 1983. Using state of the art cameras, we were able to record the flora, fauna and funga of the local area in a way that didn't disturb the delicate ecosystem. Working closely with the dig crew at the track, we gained exclusive access to the habitats and behaviours of the local animals that we haven't had the privilege of seeing before. Enjoy the findings of our research and visit the track when you can. As well as being a home to some exciting native species, its really rad to ride a bike around! Support the work at www.bolehills.com Producer: Richard Baybutt Director of Photography: Fera Baybutt Costume: Richard Baybutt Music: Slim's Return - Madlib Thanks to The Walkley Cottage

6. Ramble On 31 minutes

   Right to Roam campaigner Terry Howard journeys across the Sheffield moorlands in this gentle cinematic ramble, which tells the story of the fight to reclaim England’s stolen ground.

7. Capsized 17 minutes

   Some people dream of summiting the highest peaks, of visiting a remote island, of being the fastest to navigate a route. But not Emily. Emily dreams of esoteric adventure, and of dragging a canoe across a bog. Enlisting her friend Lisa to join her, the pair set off to the Isle of Lewis, to navigate its intricate system of lochs. But before any trip comes the prep, and part of that means finding the right kit. For Emily, this can be a tough adventure in and of itself. When outdoor shops only stock technical clothing up to a size 16, how is adventure possible for the 45% of women in the UK who wear larger sizes?