Author: James Edward Mills

Adventure Media Review, Climbing, Diversity, Environmental Journalism, Environmental Justice, Expedition Denali / 04.06.2014

Just about anyone who writes for a living will be compelled eventually to write a book. Personally, I tried to put it off as long as possible. I simply didn’t have anything truly relevant to say or share on the scale of a 50,000-word manuscript. As it happens though that all changed in the fall of 2011 when I was invited by the National Outdoor Leadership School to take part in the first African-American team ascent of Denali, the highest peak in North America. Although I was not on...

5Point, Adventure Media Review, Art, Breaking News, Climbing, Cool on Kickstarter, Film Festival / 05.05.2014

Three years after it’s premiere in 2011 the groundbreaking film “The Wolf & The Medallion” will premiere online at the web site It’s A Short on May 12, 2014. A new distribution platform dedicated to sharing short films over the Internet, the subscription service which launched in March aims to help talented filmmakers earn money for their work as artists while creating an audience of committed viewers who love great movies of less than 30 minutes in length. When climber and artist Jeremy Collins first presented his ambitious multi-media...

5Point, Adventure Media Review, Climbing, Diversity, Film Review, Life Out Loud, mountainfilm / 02.05.2014

The new climbing film 14.c introduces a unique perspective on the sport that demonstrates the critical importance of family in the development of natural talent. Directed by George Knowles, the short film follows a few days in the life of Kai Lightner, a talented young man who at the age of 14 climbs with incredible skill and ability. As Kai ascends to the top of the most difficult routes, rated 5.14c, he relies upon the support and encouragement of his mother, Connie. With infinite patience and enthusiasm, this...

5Point, Adventure Media Review, Film Festival, Special Events / 28.04.2014

  The 7th annual 5Point Film Festival concluded Sunday evening to the roaring applause of an exuberant audience. After the long week of inspiring films those hardy enough to stick it out to the end were rewarded to an exciting finish with awards going to the most outstanding entries. Prizes went to filmmakers in 6 categories to affirm their hard work and dedication to the noble task of creating remarkable stories that joyfully encourage the audience not to just watch but participate. The Spirit of Adventure award recognizes those who...

5Point, Adventure Media Review, Film Festival, Interview, National Geographic, Special Events / 21.04.2014

  This week the tribe of adventure artists, athletes, and activists is gathering in Carbondale Colorado for the 7th annual 5Point Film Festival. The ever-evolving four-day event welcomes a broad and eclectic array of films and presenters to not only share their stories of exploration but inspire all those who attend to actively participate in the protection and preservation of the places close to home or around the world they love most. In her second year as executive director of the festival Sarah Wood is excited about this most ambitious...

Adventure Media Review, Environmental Protection, Film Review, Life Out Loud / 20.04.2014

  Few people likely realize that habitat preservation requires more than protecting the areas where different animal species live. Equally important are the paths they take to get there. Habitat corridors are the routes that individual members of a given population - grizzly bears, wolverines, moose, etc - take to move from one place to another. And as they travel they spread their genes as part of a strong and diverse ecosystem. The film Connecting the Gems follows filmmakers Deia Schlosberg and Gregg Treinish as they walk along the 500-mile...