Women in MTB Films: Why Representation Matters
Words by Beka Stephan
-Updated Jan 30, 2025: Correction: It was stated below that Return to Earth (2019) was the first full-length MTB film to feature a woman rider (Casey Brown). In fact, Anthill Films featured Casey in Not2Bad (2016) and their Death Grip short film series, based on her 2013 DH World Cup season. Thanks to @anthillfilms for the update and for continuing to push women’s MTB forward!
I’ve been watching mountain bike films since 2012 when, like so many women, I was first introduced to the sport by my boyfriend. The first one I ever watched was Life Cycles (Stance Films, 2010 – watch here–and I was mesmerized. Absolutely transfixed. The breathtaking videography of riders ripping down epic trails, paired with an amazing soundtrack, captivated me through every minute.
It goes without saying that the riders, all pros—including then-19-year-old Brandon Semenuk (my first time learning who he was)—were clearly leaps and bounds ahead of me in terms of skills. I’d just barely started riding and probably couldn’t have told you which lever controlled my front or rear brake. And yet, the film still resonated with me on a deep and identifiable level—because it tapped into what it felt like to ride.
To this day, I still listen to that soundtrack, and it gives me the same stoke and excitement as when I first watched the film.
As I continued to navigate being a new mountain biker and figure out exactly how to operate my drivetrain, I kept watching more of my boyfriend’s mountain bike films. Each one featured skilled riders doing badass things on mountain bikes, all set to an epic soundtrack. I loved watching them—always excited and inspired by how connected to MTB they made me feel.
But I started to wonder: why were there no women in these films?
I knew mountain biking was male-dominated, but there had to be other women out there wondering the same thing.
As time progressed, my MTB skills grew: I learned how to control my rear brake and figured out when to shift while pedaling. At the same time, new MTB films kept coming out, and every time, I was stoked to watch them. Yet, after watching every single one, I was still left disappointed.
I had yet to see a single female rider in any of these films, despite how well they captured what it felt like to ride. I knew these riders were out there—so why weren’t they in these movies?
It’s now 2019, and it’s been seven years since I started riding. I’m crushing PRs and landing on Strava leaderboards. I’m fully, 100% embracing being a mountain biker as part of my identity and loving every minute of it.
And then—Anthill Films launches their newest full-length mountain bike film, Return to Earth.
Films to watch:
Return to Earth by Anthill Films, 2019
Official synopsis: A journey into the simple act of living completely in the moment by riding bikes. Featuring Casey Brown.
Beka’s take: As the first full-length MTB film to feature a woman rider, it’s amazing to see Casey Brown included in a dedicated segment in this movie. Alternating between clips of shredding in South America with her own commentary and narrative is an excellent highlight of her skill, insight and value as a true trailblazer for advancing women’s mountain biking. Plus: she f*cking rips.
Where to watch:
Watch for free on YouTube. Also streaming on Amazon
Anytime by Anthill Films, 2024
Official synopsis: Anytime follows the collective ambitions of the world’s best freeride mountain bikers across forests, deserts, curries and high-alpine peaks, as they attempt to redefine the frontiers of their sport. Featuring Patricia Druwen, Lucy Van Eesteren, Vinny Armstrong, Harriet Burbridge-Smith, Hannah Begemann, Robin Goomes, Vaea Verbeeck, Cami Nogueira and Casey Brown.
Beka’s take: SO. MANY. LADY SHREDDERS! Fun fact: there’re actually more women riders featured in this movie than there are men! Made by the same company that created “Return to Earth,” the film does an amazing job highlighting the epic range and skill set of women riders. So many women in this film are part of recent history by breaking ground with their inclusion at Red Bull Rampage and Crankworx, so it feels especially validating to see them highlighted in an amazing and inspiring full-length movie.
Where to watch:
Watch for free on Redbull.com
Starring: Patricia Druwen, Lucy Van Eesteren, Vinny Armstrong, Harriet Burbidge-Smith, Brage Vestavik, Kade Edwards, Brett Rheeder, Thomas Genon, Hannah Bergemann, Robin Goomes, Vaea Verbeeck, Cami Nogueira, Emil Johansson, Carson Storch, and Casey Brown.
Death Grip 2 from Brendan Fairclough, 2024
Official synopsis: Featuring the world’s best professional downhill racers and free riders, Death Grip 2 merges cutting edge production technology and stunning global locations into an hour-long cinematic experience. Featuring Valentina Höll and Marine Cabirou.
Beka’s take: This film offers a really unique approach, as it features pro riders from the World Cup downhill circuit, which operates very differently from the world of freeride – and we don’t often see an overlap between the two. Featuring Valentina Holl and Marine Cabirou (overall DH World Cup winners of 2023 and 2020, respectively), their segment shows them absolutely ripping through epic loam, highlighting their skills in a totally unique and unseen way. And man, they’re so dang FAST.
Where to watch:
Available to rent or buy on Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube, and Google & Microsoft stores.