SXSW is preparing to showcase a fantastic selection of new movies, including both fictional stories and powerful documentaries. Keep an eye out for The Ascent, a particularly moving documentary that will premiere on March 15th as part of the Documentary Feature Competition.
The Ascent follows Mandy Horvath, a climber from Colorado Springs who was born without both legs, as she attempts the incredible feat of summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro using only her hands. After losing her legs at age 21, Mandy battled the expected shock and sadness, but ultimately chose to challenge herself with this extraordinary journey in pursuit of personal meaning.
In addition to Horvath, the documentary includes interviews with Julius John White, Carel Verhoef, and Sally Grierson. Edward Drake, Scott Veltri, and Francis Cronin directed The Ascent, and Scott Veltri offers background information on the featured clip, which is available on YouTube.
During Mandy Horvath’s climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, a bilateral amputee, her hands started to fail about halfway up, causing her team to wonder if they should keep going. The suspense of the final push is heightened by a memorable musical theme created by Adam Peters, the composer who worked on the Oscar-winning documentary Icarus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYG1z6-iin4
Mandy is having a tough time, but she’s resolved to push through, remembering all the people who’ve questioned her or thought her ideas were unrealistic. She reaches her goal right before nightfall, but knows she’ll have to endure pain later as a consequence of her efforts.
The exclusive clip doesn’t reveal what caused Mandy to lose her legs. The documentary, The Ascent, explores the events of a night out with friends years ago when Mandy suddenly blacked out during an argument at a bar. She woke up in an ambulance, unsure of what happened. As she attempts her challenging climb, the film also shows Mandy confronting the unanswered questions surrounding that night, and hoping to find the peace and trust she needs to move forward.
Other SXSW screenings include:
- March 16 at 11:30am in Alamo Lamar 6
- March 17 at 3:15pm in Alamo Lamar 7
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2026-03-10 22:18