If you're looking for a women's adventure film to get you amped up to travel, explore, snowboard, surf and push the limits, you've found it! A Land Shaped by Women is one of those films that will reignite your curiosity to explore, chase your dreams, and connect with other women pursuing their passion for the outdoors. It also has that I'm a woman hear me roar messaging that's always good to be reminded of.
Film co-creator Anne-Flore Marxer is a professional snowboarder specializing in freestyle riding, flying down steep backcountry mountains, carving powdery spines and sticking heart-dropping jumps. Hailing from Switzerland, Anne-Flore grew up in the small suburb of Preverenges where she quickly had big snowboarding dreams, learning how to ride at a young age.
Her professional snowboarding career sent her competing around the world, and kicked off with being named Rookie of the Year by TransWorld Snowboarding in 2006. Then in 2011 she claimed the ultimate feat in her discipline: Freeride World Tour championship title.
Anne-Flore continued to push the limits in freestyle snowboarding and discovered new passions too, like surfing and advocating for equality for women in snowboarding.
Making ends meet as a professional snowboarder is difficult for anyone, but especially for the women at the start of Anne-Flore's career. The prize money didn't match the men's and the opportunities for competition and sponsorship didn't align with what the women on tour had proven they had earned. Anne-Flore decided to do something about it.
Her passion for gender equality in snowboarding led her to creating the award-winning film A Land Shaped by Women, partnering with friend, German professional snowboarder, and 2010 Freeride World Snowboard Champion Aline Bock.
Set in Iceland, Anne-Flore and Aline were inspired to travel to the remote island country after learning that Icelandic women had gained respect and recognition equal to their male counterparts after organizing high-impact demonstrations that couldn't be ignored.
A Land Shaped by Women dives into the history of women in Iceland while showcasing the gorgeous snowboarding and surfing that the unique land has to offer - adventure travel at its best!
Watch as Anne-Flore and Aline takes us through a history lesson of women's rights in Iceland and inspires with incredible backcountry freestyle snowboarding, reached by split-boarding.
The film includes inspirational interviews with women pioneers in snowboarding, mountaineering and others, including NIKITA founder and Icelander Heida Birgisdottir. Heida created a women's snowboarding apparel brand after recognizing that there were limited options for women riders and major brands had no plans to expand into the women's market.
"I could soon see that there was not much for the girls," said fashion designer and NIKITA founder Heida Birgisdottir. "So we kept on asking all the brands why they didn't make more for the girls. And they just kinda felt it wasn't something that would sell. So I just decided to make it myself."
The brand arrived on the market bold and fierce, with the motto, "for girls who ride." NIKITA resonated with women snowboarders around the world who were in search for snowboarding jackets, pants and other apparel that suited their style. Starting off small, the women's snowboard clothing brand grew to be available in 30 countries and more than 150 retail stores.
Another admirable woman featured in the film is mountaineer and polar explorer Vilborg Arna Gissurardottir, who made a solo voyage to the South Pole. She said that whenever she felt her mind wandering away from her dreams she reminded herself of her values.
"The first one was always to stay positive," she said. "And the second one is determination, because nobody else is gonna make your dream come true, and nobody else is gonna reach the goal for you. And the third one was courage."
Hearing these women speak about how they pursued their dreams will be enough to give you a kick in the butt to rethink the restrictions that you've placed on your own aspirations, and make you believe that anything is possible with a proper amount of positive energy, grit and drive.
On a snow-covered island surrounded by water, the women gear up in thick wetsuits and paddle out to surf in Iceland. The righthand wave they explore peels in perfect form along the snowy bank, a sight to be seen and their wide-mouthed smiles say it all.
Anne-Flore and Aline explore the water by stand-up paddleboard, navigating the pathways between icebergs in a truly awe-inspiring scene that makes you rethink what your limits actually are. You also see these adventurous ladies camping in the snow, immersing themselves in the wilderness of Iceland, and braving desolate roads with nothing in sight except snow.
Whether you're a snowboarder, adventure traveler, surfer, or woman with an entrepreneurial dream, the film A Land Shaped by Women will fill your cup with inspiration and have you kicking down the doors to your dreams.
Watch the Full Film: A Land Shaped By Women
For more about the film, visit the A Land Shaped by Women website
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