Sponsors and partners
2015
Deservedly recognised as one of the country’s leading film festivals of any genre and a major highlight of the adventure film calendar. Dave Mycroft, MyOutdoors
The event worked really well I thought. Definitely hard to top. Nik Valentine, Red Bull {in respect to the Cityscape}
Grace and I had such a brilliant time, the festival was so well set up and included so many inspiring, incredible films - we thoroughly enjoyed every minute and are looking forward to next years already. Maddy Ong, Boulder Creek International, Sponsor.
The whole thing was very inspirational if you like the outdoors - Janice Price, Rural Derbyshire School Sports Partnership, Volunteer
Just wanted to say that it was lovely to meet you both at SHAFF last weekend. Thanks for organising such a great event. I came away energized, inspired and with an incredibly sore throat!!! Thanks for making me feel so welcomed. - Natasha Brooks, Filmmaker
I too had an awesome time being involved in SHAFF. It really is a life enhancing project to be part of. Paul Hodgeson, Music Judge and DJ
2013
Dear Matt and Lissa,
Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed working with you as sponsors of the 2013 Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. It was extremely valuable having complimentary tickets which we used for a competition. It helped us gain exposure which we desperately needed as a new business. We have seen customers since the festival who all had a high quality experience over the weekend and were appreciative of the opportunity to attend. We felt we had maximum exposure regarding advertising our shop both on the cinema screen and Heasons verbally recognising our contribution before each screening to the audience. This has brought people into our shop who otherwise would not have heard of us. The exhibition space we were allocated was in a prime position outside the Creative Lounge where some of the Bike Films were showing.
We found the experience of working with you both in the period leading up to the festival very positive. We appreciated the publicity of our involvement on your website and social media sites and the quick response times to queries that we had.
Looking foward to SHAFF 2014!
Best Wishes
Jacquie and Martin
Over-Ride Cycleworks
Congratulations and many thanks to Matt and Lissa for their hospitality towards us filmmakers :) We had a great weekend immediately after we arrived from The Netherlands. ShAFF has been an exceptional inspiring experience for us. We loved the free and easy atmosphere and the fellow adventure lovers and filmmakers visiting the festival. It gave great exposure to our film about snowkiting and our film company www.tundratree.com
Everyone who loves adventure and awe inspiring stories about life itself should visit this festival. It is tremendously inspiring!
Next year we will submit another film for sure and hopefully we will be able to visit ShAFF again.”
Feedback from 300 visitors showed ShAFF visitors say being a festival sponsor:
a. Effectively gains my attention and increases my awareness of an organisation? 89%
b. Provides a more positive image of the organisation? 94%
c. Increases the premium image of the organisation? 83%
d. Encourages me to buy or use the sponsor’s main products/services? 78%
(Read more in the 2013 ShAFF Report and watch our video report)
2013
“Last year ShAFF was good, this year it was in a totally different league. You expect great films, it's in the name, but with the takeover of the Workstation and the addition of the open-air cinema it achieved the kind of feel you get at Kendal that this is something BIG, feeling as though the whole city centre is ShAFF.” Dave Mycroft, MyOutdoors (Read full review).
“For me, Saturday demonstrated what can be delivered when two parties pull whole heartedly in the same direction.” Robbie Henderson from Red Bull, host of ShAFF Cityscape Cinema.
2012
Ged Holmyard, Promotions Department, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op: "I am writing to say that I appreciate the exposure Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op gained through our sponsorship of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. We appreciate the fact that ShAFF attracts a demographic who might be very interested in our offer. The site of our banners outside The Showroom cinema on Paternoster Row made us proud. What really impressed me was your creative use of social media and the fact that you took the time to mention our support and feature our logo at every opportunity. The friendly ShaFF staff wearing T-shirts featuring our logo on was a nice touch. I would go so far as to say that you have been among the most professional and easy to work with partners I have had the pleasure to work with in my 28 years with Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op."
James MacKeddie, Brand Manager, Madison: “As a first timer to the festival [in 2012], I have to say I was truly impressed. The amount and quality of films was staggering, there was always something to do in between films, whether it be relax in the bar with live music, which I'll add always had a great atmosphere, to looking round at kit. The venue is great, easy to get to from the motorway or especially via train. Furthermore considering the unseasonal weather on the Sunday, we still had plenty of people coming in to see the films and experience.”
2011
Rob Sykes at Mammut (2011 sponsor): “We were delighted to be involved in SHAFF 2011. With an exciting programme of films, speakers, events and competitions, ShAFF has firmly established itself as a major player in the adventure festival world. Sponsorship offered Mammut both a cost effective branding opportunity but also the chance to meet and speak to visitors directly.”
Si Homfray, Creative Director, Hammer Design: "We enjoy working with ShAFF as a team, but also as a commercial exercise we enjoy the privileges of such an association. Hammer Design clients and customers share much in common with the ShAFF ethos and it is a fertile ground for building our business."
Stuart Hale & Debs - Accelerate Running Store: "Top event and proud to be associated. Top job."
B
rian MacAlinden - General Manager at The Climbinig Works: "A fantastic film festival that highlights all the reasons why Sheffield is the centre of UK outdoor adventure sports. Films and lectures to inspire and help push our own limits in our local environment."
Ellie Barker, Silva (a leading International mobile lighting specialist which pioneered the award winning light distribution technology, Silva Intelligent Light), said: "We create cutting edge designs for the most demanding outdoors pursuits. Silva are delighted to support ShaFF's Expert Night Biking Event, top experts Nick Craig and Nik Cook and our fellow bike enthusiasts."
Ben Winston, photographer and journalist: "I loved the SHAFF trailer so much that I've been through and watched the ones for the past few years. They're amazing - really get the adrenaline flowing. And I love that snowboard thing..."
Linda Cooley, Friends in High Places (for Edale Mountain Rescue Team): "Watching the films at ShaFF is fascinating. It's great to see how folks set themselves such challenges: there are people crawling deep inside the darkness of mountains, battling up their sheer sides, and skiing down them when they're transformed into a wonderland of snow. There are even people practically somersaulting through forests on bicycles (I'd never even imagined such a sport until I saw it at ShaFF!). A wonderful event. But do spare a thought from time to time for those who are there to help when things go wrong out on those hills and mountains that we love so much."
Simon Jacques - our Music Man: "Everyone I know who went said they had a great time and I've not received anything good stuff about the music. I think we got it spot on this year."
Some feedback from Martin, our Volunteer Coordinator: The Volunteers seemed to enjoy the experience and there were some nice (unsolicited!) comments - for example:
“I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to come back next year.....I think everyone thought it was a top weekend”
“The volunteer experience was positive for me. I particularly appreciated the friendly and relaxed manner in which the festival was managed.”
“I’ve really enjoyed myself. It was great meeting all these lovely welcoming people......!
I think it’s important it is a good volunteer, as well as audience experience.
2010
Jenny Johnson - South Yorkshire Orienteers: "We really enjoyed Adventure Medley and Climbing 2 and the kids seemed to really enjoy the orienteering even if it was slightly manic!"
2009
Mick Ryan, UKClimbing: "UKClimbing.com are proud to be supporting ShAFF again as a sponsor, indeed any events that Matt Heason organises. We believe that climbing and mountaineering culture lags only just behind actually climbing in importance in the life of climbers."
"Full credit to Matt for his energy and creativity in organising ShAFF, he's stuck with it and it gets better every year. I'm particularly looking forward to Ed Douglas interviewing Ron Fawcett, one of the greatest climbers to touch rock and put on the spot by one of the UK's finest outdoor journalists. And I won't be missing the Chris Sharma lecture."
Alan James, UKClimbing: "As a Sheffield-based business, UKClimbing.com is proud to be the media sponsor for ShAFF. This event has now grown in stature to be one of the main Outdoor-oriented Film Festivals in the Country. It's diversity in including all adventure sports enables those who tend to get very single-minded about their own activities to witness the amazing achievements of others who push adventure to the limits."
Andy Bowman, Big Stone: "Number one for me, I feel Bigstone and our brands Arcteryx, Edelweiis Ropes, Smartwool and 5.10 need to support local "core" events, in essence put something back in. Number two, Shaff represents cutting edge activities and issues, we are and have to be associated with them."
Tom Briggs - Jagged Globe: "We feel that Sheffield deserves a top rate mountain festival, and are really excited to be a part of helping to grow ShAFF. This year, there's a superb line up of speakers, including some of the top names in climbing and mountaineering, We hope that the Jagged Globe Lecture Series will complement the brilliant programme of adventure films."
Steve Hodgeson - Hallamshire Physiotherapy: "ShAFF is an excellent, well organised event that we are proud to sponsor. We have sponsored ShAFF since the inaugural event and we find it helps raise our profile with our patients-many of whom partake in outdoor events and activities."
Brian McAlinden - The Climbing Works: "The Climbing Works is very happy and proud to be a supporter of ShAFF as it is hosts a selection of adventure films & events that would otherwise never been seen by the public. Sheffield is a city that is at the heart of many extreme sports in the UK and ShAFF helps improve and enhance that reputation."
David Roberts - Silverworks: "Why do I support ShAFF? I know, because of Matt's determination and passion, that ShAFF will become the ‘DEFACTO' adventure film festival for the United Kingdom, and possibly beyond. The quality of films screened at ShAFF is World-Class and there is always a fantastic atmosphere at the festival, something that makes all the difference - it's exciting!"
Ben Doung - The North Marketing Agency: "The North Marketing Agency are pleased with be able to work on the 4th ShAFF. There seems to be a excellent line-up of films and speakers this year and there's definitely a real buzz building up to the event. It's a great festival and deserves all the support it can get. And the fact that it's in Sheffield is even better!"
The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show: "The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show is delighted to support ShAFF once again in 2009. With such a fantastic line up of films and speakers, the festival is sure to inspire visitors to get outside, improve their skills and embrace a life of adventure!"
Hayley Lever - aitchelle sports development consultancy: "As a Sports Development consultant, and someone who'd been along to Shaff over the last three years, I could see great potential for inspiring young people to get into sport through this festival. The films are high quality, and really exciting. My company is supporting a promotional tour of the youth programme, as I want to see the films reaching a wide audience from all backgrounds and all ages. We are doing a small tour of schools and community venues this year, as a pilot. The response has been really positive. Hopefully next year there will be an even bigger programme, and perhaps we'll be inspiring the next generation of climbers, skiers, and extreme sports enthusiasts!"
Sarah Stirling - Sarah Stirling PR: "I am very proud to be supporting ShAFF and promoting the event within the outdoor and adventure world. And who, with an interest in that world, wouldn't want to be there? It's a top event on the mountain calendar, with a brilliant range of top quality inspiring films, speakers and fringe events and it gets bigger and better every year. I can't wait!"
Iain Whitehouse - CragX: "We're supporting SHAFF because it is an important local event for climbers and seems to generate a real buzz each year. Although local climbing competitions are popular they tend to attract a specific subset of climbers. Very few climbing-related events seem to draw enthusiastic climbers from the full spectrum of climbing activities the way SHAFF does."
2006
Shane Ohly, Director of planetFear: "As the title sponsor of ShAFF we were extremely impressed with the organisation of the event and the publicity it received. For a film festival to generate that much interest and crucially ‘bums on seats’ in its first year bodes well for the future. I’m looking forward to next year already!"
