Josh Lowell

Directing

Josh Lowell

Josh Lowell first started climbing when he was a skinny 16-year-old in New York. A couple years later, he began taking a video camera to crags and putting together films of his friends. That was the start of a prolific career in climbing films. Lowell founded Big UP Productions in 1997, and the company produced Rampage, Pilgrimage and King Lines. In 2006, Big UP partnered with Sender Films to found the Reel Rock Film Tour, which has developed into the biggest climbing media platform in the world with over 400 live screening events each fall. With Sender Films, Lowell directed High and Mighty (Mountainfilm 2016), Young Guns and Brette (both at Mountainfilm 2017); The Dawn Wall (Mountainfilm 2018), Age of Ondra (Mountainfilm 2019), The High Road (Mountainfilm 2020), Reel Rock 15: Action Directe (Mountainfilm 2021) and Reel Rock 16: Barefoot Charles (Mountainfilm 2022).

Acting credits

Behind the camera

The Dawn Wall poster
8.0

In an unbelievable story of perseverance, free climber Tommy Caldwell and climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson attempt to scale the impossible 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan.

The Dawn Wall

2017

The Dawn Wall poster
8.0

In an unbelievable story of perseverance, free climber Tommy Caldwell and climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson attempt to scale the impossible 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan.

The Dawn Wall

2017

Dosage I poster
7.5

Eight doses of maximum-strength climbing action from the makers of Rampage. Each dose tells a story from the world of high-end sport climbing & bouldering: historic 1st ascents; profiles of rising stars; & explorations of the places, people & ideas thatshape the sport. Climbers include Chris Sharma (The Mandala & Realization 1st ascents), Dave Graham (Spectre 1st ascent), Klem Loskot, Lisa Rands, Jason Kehl

Dosage I

2002

Black Pearl poster
10.0

Chris Sharma's latest masterpiece in Mallorca, Black Pearl, could be his hardest deep water solo yet, joining his earlier routes Es Pontas, Alasha, and Big Fish in the pantheon of iconic "psicobloc" lines. Follow his journey to bring the project to life, along with side trips to rad new crags, and mega sessions with Matty Hong and Jernej Kruder vying for the second ascent of the spectacular Big Fish.

Black Pearl

2025

Black Pearl poster
10.0

Chris Sharma's latest masterpiece in Mallorca, Black Pearl, could be his hardest deep water solo yet, joining his earlier routes Es Pontas, Alasha, and Big Fish in the pantheon of iconic "psicobloc" lines. Follow his journey to bring the project to life, along with side trips to rad new crags, and mega sessions with Matty Hong and Jernej Kruder vying for the second ascent of the spectacular Big Fish.

Black Pearl

2025

Valley Uprising poster
7.7

In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service. And up on the walls, generation after generation has pushed the limits of climbing, vying amongst each other for supremacy on Yosemite's cliffs. "Valley Uprising" is the riveting, unforgettable tale of this bold rock climbing tradition in Yosemite National Park: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity -- and the laws of the land.

Valley Uprising

2014

Valley Uprising poster
7.7

In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service. And up on the walls, generation after generation has pushed the limits of climbing, vying amongst each other for supremacy on Yosemite's cliffs. "Valley Uprising" is the riveting, unforgettable tale of this bold rock climbing tradition in Yosemite National Park: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity -- and the laws of the land.

Valley Uprising

2014

DNA poster
2.0

Stunning footage of 29-year-old French phenom as he tackles what may be the world’s hardest sport climb in the Verdon Gorge of France.

DNA

2023

Progression poster
6.1

Behind every breakthrough in the progression of climbing, there's a true story of doubt and determination, perseverance in the face of failure. From boulders, to big walls, to competition podiums, the climbers at the top of the game share a commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve their vision.

Progression

2009

Pilgrimage poster
6.0

Join Chris Sharma on a bouldering pilgrimage to the sacred village of Hampi, in the south of India. Along with friends Katie Brown and Nate Gold, Sharma has come to explore the infinite possibilities of this place among ancient Hindu temples Sharma's legendary strength and natural approach to what he calls "the practice of climbing" yields difficult and beautiful new boulder problems This groundbreaking climbing movie combines world-class action with a rare and inspiring view into the mind of this extraordinary climber Special features include extra outtake footage, soundtrack information and BigUP trailers

Pilgrimage

2003

Spice Girl poster
10.0

Reel Rock S1 E10. The UK climbing scene is known for its strict traditional ethic, yielding dangerous routes and a competitive machismo among the driven young climbers risking it all to prove their boldness. It is the last place you would expect to find a nice little blonde girl putting all the lads to shame, but Hazel Findlay is doing just that. The first woman to climb the British grade of E9 (super hard, super sketchy), Hazel is a connoisseur of loose rock, dodgy gear, and big run-outs. Having mastered the scrappy sea cliffs at home she teams up with Emily Harrington to tackle the massive, untamed big walls of Taghia Gorge, Morocco.

Spice Girl

2013

The Sensei poster
NR

Forty-three-year-old Yuji Hirayama is one of the great legends of modern climbing. Near retirement, he plans one big swan-song mission to complete a project, one of his hardest ever, at the spectacular summit of Mount Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo. But first he must find the right partner. Enter Daniel Woods, the young American boulderer who is one of the strongest humans in the climbing world, but lacks mountain experience. Daniel-San travels to Japan to prove himself worthy of Hirayama's mentorship, and the unlikely duo team up for the expedition of a lifetime.

The Sensei

Ice Revolution poster
NR

Two ice climbing fanatics discover the sport's holy grail, Helmcken Falls, Canada where a cave features hundreds of feet of overhanging, barely-climbable ice.

Ice Revolution

2017

High And Mighty poster
NR

High and mighty is a documentary about bouldering. It was directed by Peter Mortimer in 2015 and produced by Sender Films. It is a part of the series Reel Rock 10. It features Daniel Woods.

High And Mighty

2015

Reel Rock 10 poster
8.2

From big walls to big moves, REEL ROCK 10 features athletes Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson, Alex Honnold, Jimmy Webb, Daniel Woods and a special tribute to the late Dean Potter. This year's tour boasts an eclectic program that will get you psyched!

Reel Rock 10

2015

Reel Rock 10 poster
8.2

From big walls to big moves, REEL ROCK 10 features athletes Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson, Alex Honnold, Jimmy Webb, Daniel Woods and a special tribute to the late Dean Potter. This year's tour boasts an eclectic program that will get you psyched!

Reel Rock 10

2015

Reel Rock 6 poster
7.3

The complete 2011 REEL ROCK Film Tour: Six astounding short films covering every style of climbing on the planet. Starring Tommy Caldwell, Dean Potter, "Sketchy" Andy Lewis, Ashima Shiraishi, Will Gadd, Kevin Jorgeson, Corey Richards, Obe Carrion, Sean Leary, Tim Emmett, Simone Moro, Denis Urubko, Hans Florine, The Huber Brothers, and more.

Reel Rock 6

2011

Reel Rock 11 poster
8.3

REEL ROCK cranks it up to 11 with our latest collection of electrifying climbing films showcasing the sport's biggest stories and athletes. Featuring Ashima Shiraishi, Will Stanhope, Matt Segal, Brette Harrington, Kai Lightner, Mike Libecki and the Wild Bunch.

Reel Rock 11

2016

Reel Rock 5 poster
8.4

From death-defying speed link-ups of the wildest faces in the Alps, to Olympian displays of strength and tenacity on the hardest boulders ever climbed, Reel Rock 2010 features a breathtaking journey through the vertical realm with the heroes of rock and snow.

Reel Rock 5

2010

Riders on the Storm poster
10.0

Big wall climber Siebe Vanhee enlists Drew Smith and fellow Belgian countrymen Nico Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll to attempt the first free ascent of the elusive Riders on the Storm route on the East Face of Patagonia’s Torre Central.

Riders on the Storm

2025

Riders on the Storm poster
10.0

Big wall climber Siebe Vanhee enlists Drew Smith and fellow Belgian countrymen Nico Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll to attempt the first free ascent of the elusive Riders on the Storm route on the East Face of Patagonia’s Torre Central.

Riders on the Storm

2025

Riders on the Storm poster
10.0

Big wall climber Siebe Vanhee enlists Drew Smith and fellow Belgian countrymen Nico Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll to attempt the first free ascent of the elusive Riders on the Storm route on the East Face of Patagonia’s Torre Central.

Riders on the Storm

2025

Reel Rock 12 poster
7.1

Reel Rock Tour 12 - 2017 - brings you four new nail-biting, hair-raising, and awe-inspiring stories of real rock climbers from around the world. Chris Sharma climbs cliffs solo over deep, churning ocean waters. Margo Hayes, at the age of 19, becomes the first female rock climber to complete a 5.15 route - the top of the difficulty scale. Brad Gobright, an up-and-coming climber, attempts reckless solo routes with a care-free attitude. Maureen Beck challenges herself while defying expectations others set for her and all adaptive climbers.

Reel Rock 12

2017

Age of Ondra poster
NR

Adam Ondra is the best climber in the world, a mantle he has earned by doing the unthinkable. After he established not one, but two new grades in the world of sport climbing , feat almost unfathomable in its difficulty, where does he go from there? This feature film follows Ondra across Europe to North America, as he innovates new training methods and attempts to be the first person to send 5.15 on the first try. A rare, intimate journey with one of the greatest athletes at the peak of his powers.

Age of Ondra

2019