14 Peaks premiers at prestigious DOC NYC Film Festival

The film, which was shot by Nimsdai and his Sherpa team across 100 hours, follows Nimsdai’s 2019 mission to summit all 14 of the world’s peaks over 8,000m in just 7 months. The previous world record was just shy of 8 years. Named the 14/7 Project Possible challenge, it was a feat most thought impossible, likening the undertaking to ‘swimming to the moon,’ in its difficulty.

The story follows Nimsdai and his team as they battle the elements, as they traverse Mount Everest, K2, and other iconic peaks through extreme weather, life-or-death decisions, and the emotional weight of Nimsdai’s mother’s illness back home. You can read more here.

The world premier was followed by Q&A with Nimsdai and director Torquil Jones, who crafted Nimsdai’s story over 18 months, to bring it to life in dramatic style. Fans were able to ask questions and hear first-hand the reasons behind the challenge.

Nimsdai says: “I don’t think anyone thought I was serious when I announced I was going to summit all 14 peaks over 8,000m in 7 months. People said it’s like ‘swimming to the moon’, because it just seemed so impossible. The previous record was just shy of 8 years and even that was a huge undertaking. How could I, this guy who started climbing in 2012, be serious about pulling it off in 7 months? And they were partly right, no-one had done it before like that, so why believe I could do it? But for me, I knew it was possible, I knew I could do it and do it in style.

“I’m so humble and happy to be able to share this story with you. Through it all, I never gave up – as I say, giving up is not in the blood. I hope it inspires you, and whether you have been to the Big Mountains or not yet, it gives you a real look into life on the 14 Peaks at the top of the world. 

“More than that, I hope it inspires everyone that watches it, to know that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your new possible. I didn’t come from money, but I had a dream and goal and I believed in myself. I hope it inspires everyone to believe in themselves too.”

Following New York, there was a special screening of 14 Peaks at Soho Hotel in London on November 15th attended by special guests, BAFTA members and sponsors. The European premiere of 14 Peaks will be held at Kendal Mountain Festival on November 19th. Then Nimsdai returns to his homeland to host the Nepal premier in Kathmandu on November 26th.

14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible will be released in UK cinemas from November 26th and will be out on Netflix on November 29th. 14 Peaks is set to quickly establish Nimsdai as a mountaineering legend and force to be reckoned with in the high-altitude world.

14 Peaks was directed, and produced by Torquil Jones. It was executively produced by Nimsdai, together with Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (Free Solo, The Rescue.) Produced by Noah Media Group and Little Monster Films.

Out on Netflix November 29th.