She Adventures Film Tour Comes to Santa Cruz for One Night Only
Inspiring Films Celebrating Women in Adventure!
The She Adventures Film Tour returns for its annual celebration of women pushing boundaries in the outdoors, making a special one-night-only stop at the historic Rio Theatre on Friday, January 24, 2026. This unmissable event brings over two hours of the most inspirational and entertaining adventure films from independent filmmakers around the globe.
From legendary cave diver Jill Heinerth exploring uncharted depths to ten-year-old skateboarder Mia Kretzer mastering her biggest trick, the 2026 program showcases the fearless spirit of women and girls pursuing their passions across mountains, rivers and skate parks.
Program Highlights Include:
Roots Run Deep follows Robin Goomes, who made history as the first woman to win the legendary Red Bull Rampage downhill mountain bike race in 2024. The film chronicles her bold decision to leave a stable military career to chase an uncertain dream of becoming a professional mountain biker.
Diving into the Darkness takes audiences on an awe-inspiring odyssey with renowned cave diver Jill Heinerth as she ventures into the planet's most uncharted depths and explores the farthest reaches of her own resilience.
And Then Comes The Body captures the powerful journey of young ballet dancers in Lagos, Nigeria, who train barefoot on cracked concrete and become a global phenomenon after a video of them dancing in the rain goes viral.
The Beginning profiles 24-year-old Alenka Mali as she aims to become the first documented woman to complete a snowboard BASE jump off Goat Ridge and the Chief in Squamish, BC.
Additional films include META, honoring pioneering 19th-century alpinist Meta Brevoort; Dear Superhero, following professional skier Janina Kuzma's journey into motherhood; MIA, celebrating the determined spirit of a young skateboarder; and Mother River, a meditation on grief and healing along Australia's Murray River.
"Our aim at the She Adventure Film Tour is to connect like-minded women and build a community who support adventurous women," say Jemima Robinson, the tour Founder. "By showcasing and celebrating the female adventurous spirit, we hope to make women in the outdoors more visible."
While centered on women's stories, She Adventures screenings welcome all audiences to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the remarkable achievements of women in adventure sports and outdoor pursuits.
Roots Run Deep: Robin Gomes
16 mins : USA
Filmmaker: Craig Grant
Robin Goomes made history in 2024 as the first woman to win the legendary Red Bull Rampage downhill mountain bike race. She then backed that up by winning again in 2205. After five years in the New Zealand Army at a pivotal crossroads, she faced a tough choice: continue her stable career as a heavy machinery operator or risk it all to chase the uncertain dream of becoming a professional mountain biker. With no international experience and the possible threat of injury hanging over her, the odds weren’t in her favor. But Robin has never been one to play it safe. Backed by grit, passion, and pure determination, she decides to roll the dice—and ride full throttle into the unknown.
Dear Superhero
10 mins: USA/NZDear Superhero follows New Zealand professional skier and The North Face athlete Janina Kuzma as she faces a life-altering shift — pregnancy. The mountains have always been her freedom, her truth. But now, Janina must decide: can she stay bold and true to herself while stepping into motherhood? Set against stunning alpine backdrops, this empowering film explores Janina’s journey to redefine what strength looks like — not just for herself, but for her unborn daughter and for women everywhere. A celebration of friendship, female resilience, and the courage to rewrite the rules.
META
20 mins : Germany
Filmmaker: Annette Wahl
One of the earliest women to pursue alpinism seriously, Meta Brevoort spent much of her life in Europe, climbing extensively throughout the Alps alongside her nephew and her loyal dog, Tschingel. A true pioneer, she shattered gender expectations in a field dominated by men and carved out a place—often unrecognised—in mountaineering history.
On 28 June 1870, Brevoort embarked on one of her most daring missions: to become the first to summit La Meije in the Dauphiné Alps.
In this gripping tribute, modern-day climber Maria Granberg retraces Brevoort’s footsteps, scaling La Meije and uncovering the story of a remarkable woman whose legacy deserves to be remembered. This film is a celebration of grit, passion, and the relentless pursuit of dreams—no matter the obstacles. Join Maria as she honours one of alpinism’s greatest pioneers.
MIA
6 mins : Australia
Filmmaker: Chico Kretzer, Marco Noé, Inae Maree
Ten-year-old Mia Kretzer isn’t just learning to skate — she’s learning to fall, get back up, and give it another go. Set against the concrete backdrop of her local skatepark, this short film taps into the kind of determination every outdoor adventurer will recognise. Mia’s on a mission to land her biggest trick yet — not once, but over and over — driven by the thrill of progress, not perfection. For Mia, practice isn’t just part of the journey — it is the adventure. A celebration of persistence, passion, and the fearless spirit of youth.
Diving into the Darkness (tour edit)
30 mins : USA
Filmmaker: Nays Baghai
An awe-inspiring odyssey with legendary cave diver Jill Heinerth, as she ventures into the planet’s most uncharted depths—and the farthest reaches of her own resilience and courage. Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest living cave divers, Jill’s journey is as much about inner exploration as it is about pushing the boundaries of the known world.
The Beginning
18 mins : USA
Filmmaker: Cris Ruiz
At just 24 years old, Alenka Mali aims to become the first documented woman to complete a snowboard BASE jump off Goat Ridge and the Chief in Squamish, BC—a bold feat that pushes the boundaries of possibility. The Beginning weaves together memories of Alenka’s mountain-filled childhood, the quiet strength and inspiration of her mother, and the pivotal moments that have shaped her path. A powerful portrait of courage, legacy, and the drive to defy gravity.
Then Comes The Body
15 mins: Africa
In the rough outskirts of Lagos, where ballet is almost unheard of, a group of young girls dares to dance. At Leap of Dance Academy, they train barefoot on cracked concrete, guided by a self-taught teacher and fueled by sheer willpower.
When a video of them dancing in the rain goes viral, their world cracks open. What began as an impossible dream—ballet without studios, costumes, or cultural support—suddenly becomes a global phenomenon.
This documentary follows the girls’ powerful journey, focusing on dancers like Precious Duru and Olamide Olawale, who push past poverty, doubt, and expectation to pursue grace on their own terms. With each pirouette, they reclaim space, confidence, and possibility.
And Then Comes The Body is a stirring portrait of girlhood, grit, and the beauty that can rise from the most unlikely places.
Mother River
6 mins: Australia
Filmmaker: Laura WatersWhat begins as a bold solo adventure down Australia’s mighty Murray River becomes something far deeper for Laura—a journey through grief, healing, and transformation. This short documentary follows one woman’s quest to paddle the entire length of the river, driven first by wanderlust, then by the quiet ache of loss. As the river winds through vast landscapes, so too does Laura’s path shift—from motion to meaning, from solitude to self-discovery. With stunning cinematography, a moving original poem written by a close friend, and a stirring musical score, this film is a meditation on love, memory, and the quiet power of nature to carry us forward. A story of mourning turned into momentum, Mother River is a tribute to resilience—and to the river that helped her find her way back to herself.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $22
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
