Esteemed filmmaker and anthropologist Chris Terrill (Al. 1965-70) has added a new accolade to his remarkable list of awards, with his film The Last Mountain earning its tenth international award—this time at the Warsaw Festival Filmowy in Poland.
Chris, who began his professional life as an anthropologist before turning to documentary filmmaking, is known for his immersive approach—living and working within the communities he films, whether aboard naval ships, in prisons, or among mountain climbers. His most recent project, The Last Mountain (Universal/BBC), stands as one of his most personal and enduring works.
Spanning twenty-five years of filming, the documentary follows the extraordinary lives of siblings Tom and Kate Ballard—children of renowned climber Alison Hargreaves—and their family’s remarkable connection to the mountains. The film has been widely praised for its emotional depth, narrative honesty, and human insight.
Reflecting on this latest honour, Chris described The Last Mountain as “a labour of love… the most emotionally demanding and personally fulfilling film I have ever made.” While he notes that he did not set out to seek awards, he regards this latest recognition as a tribute to the Ballard family and to his dedicated filmmaking team.
Watch The Last Mountain here on BBC iPlayer