Winter always seems to slow everything down. For most, their bikes stay tucked away more than we would like, the days feel shorter, and ride plans turn into daydreams. That is why having something genuinely exciting to look forward to makes such a difference. At the end of February, two friends and I will be heading north to Kendal for the Adventure Motorcycle Film Festival.
A film festival dedicated to adventure motorcycling
The Adventure Motorcycle Film Festival is a one-of-a-kind event in the UK devoted solely to films about adventure riding and the stories that grow from life on two wheels. It is organised by the teams behind The Trail and Adventure Motorbike Podcast and The Reel Riders podcast, both of which are firm favourites in my own motorcycle podcast queue and widely recognised for bringing their guests stories to life within the adventure riding community.
The 2026 event takes place on Saturday 28th February, running from 2pm until 11pm at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. Over the course of the afternoon and evening, a selection of adventure motorcycle films from around the world will be shown, bringing together stories of travel, exploration and life on two wheels.
The location is a great choice too, Kendal sits just outside the Lake District, an area famous for its dramatic scenery and outstanding riding roads. The journey there already feels like the start of a mini adventure, which makes it an ideal place to host an event centred on travel and exploration.
The power of real travel stories
What makes adventure motorcycling films so compelling is their authenticity. These stories are not about polished perfection; they are about real riders navigating unfamiliar roads, unpredictable weather, mechanical challenges and the unexpected moments that shape every journey.
Watching others take on distant landscapes often sparks the same thought in the audience: perhaps the next adventure could be our own. Events like this have a way of turning vague travel ideas into real plans.
The atmosphere beyond the screen
This will be my first film festival and I’m sure it’s not going to be just about the films. It is about the people who gather to watch them. Spending time with fellow riders, sharing experiences and talking about future journeys is a huge part of the appeal.
There is something special about being surrounded by people who understand the excitement of planning routes, packing bikes and heading into the unknown. Going with friends makes it even better, as the conversations start on the journey up and continue long after the final screening ends.
A winter highlight worth the wait
As the date approaches, the anticipation continues to build. A trip to the edge of the Lake District, a plethora of inspiring films, and an evening spent in Kendal with friends feels like the perfect mid-winter escape.
Chances are I will return home with fresh inspiration for my own motorcycle film making journey, new travel ideas and a renewed urge to get back out on the next adventure.
If you are also visiting the Adventure Motorcycle Film Festival, then do say hello – I’ll be the one in the KILN MOTO Hoodie.
ABOUT: The Trail and Adventure Motorcycle Podcast (TAM Podcast) – Created created by Clive Barber and Noel Thom – This is a must-listen for trail and adventure riders, with a wide range on interesting guests coupled with host only episodes discussion all things trail and adventure from bikes and kit to the realities of riding off-road in the UK and beyond.
ABOUT: Reel Riders Podcast – Offering a creative take on motorcycling, blending riding experiences and storytelling with the podcast’s core focus on motorcycle film making.
Hosted by the likeable Simon Josey, the Reel Riders Podcast episodes feature interviews with a wide range of engaging and interesting film-making motorcyclist or motorcycling filmmakers from around the world.
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