As the anniversary approaches of the devastating flooding and heavy rainfall that hit Cumbria in December 2015, a new film, commissioned by landscape conservation charity Friends of the Lake District and produced by award-winning film makers Dom Bush and Simon Sylvester, will premiere at the international Kendal Mountain Festival this week.

Focusing on members of the communities of badly hit Glenridding and Patterdale, “Rising” looks through the lens, with an intimate, personal perspective, at the impact of this flooding event on their lives, their livelihoods and their landscape. 

Ruth Kirk, Friends of the Lake District said, 

“Many people were shocked and devastated by the damage wrought by Storm Desmond. We wanted to make the film to allow the voices of communities, on whom weather events like this most impact, to be heard by the wider world. 

“It forces us to ponder the larger questions of our own response and responsibility and ultimately, to ask how communities and collective action can rise to the challenge of finding solutions for the future.” 

After a private premiere on Thursday night, the film can be seen throughout the weekend of the Festival as part of the “Flow” film category. Timings of showings can be found at www.mountainfest.co.uk. 

A panel of judges will select the award-winning films across a number of categories but the public will have the chance to vote for their favourite film in the Peoples’ Choice Award.

Watch a 'sneak preview' of the film here: