WATCH 3 FILMS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 ON ADVENTURE ON DEMAND
Project Wild Women is streaming on Adventure On Demand
Kopal Goyal
Documentary Filmmaker
Kopal Goyal is a documentary filmmaker and rock climber based in India. The knowledge of outdoor skills, working in different terrains, keen observing eyes, and a curious mind brings a unique perspective of storytelling. She started with Ganesha 8b+, a film about India’s hardest sport climbing route, which was appreciated by climbing magazines around the world including Rock and Ice, Climbing, and UKC magazine. Later it won the "Best Climbing Film" award at IMF Festival, in 2018. The film was critically challenging as she was belaying and filming the athlete at the same time. Most of the scenes from the film were shot with nightmarish memories like monkeys attacking the camera setup.
Since then it’s been 5 years and she has worked on multiple documentaries: Kokankada in collaboration with adventure filmmaker Shivam Aher and which was licensed by IN10 Media and Brut India, Durga: Forging A New Trail which got screened at the prestigious No Man's Land Film Festival, Mountain Film Festival and bagged inspirational film award at Maine Outdoor Film Festival and Project Wild Women (passion project) which was the finalist at BANFF(2020); world's most prestigious mountain film festival. This documentary also won the People’s Choice Award at London Mountain Film Festival, New Talent Award at Adventure Uncovered, Premiered at Kalaghoda which is India's largest multicultural festival, and was selected at other film fests around the world including Women’s Adventure Film Tour, World of Film International Festival Glasgow, SHAFF.
Matador Network has recognized her as one of the 11 women photographers shaking up perspectives on India. Her other films are The Rakchham Affair and Free Soul which won the "Best Extreme Sports Film" award at IMF Film Festival 2020. Her story has been featured in Redbull, YourStory, BBC Hindi, The Week, India Today magazine, and various other news platforms across the country.
As part of Project Wild Women’s impact, she has founded What Culture and Inspire Crew, a supporting organization and a media platform to identify more people practicing extreme and gravity sports in India, give them an identity, encourage more participation with compassion regardless of age, gender, or social status.
She is currently working/developing on
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A Himalayan Peak climb (Unnamed)
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Cultural Film (Unnamed)
Commercial Projects
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Durga- Forging A New Trail Documentary Photographer
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Carnaama Director
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As for Us DOP
Latest Work
The FT has partnered with One World Media fellowship programme to publish the work of filmmaker Pawanjot Kaur, who tells the story of the people who live in Jharkhand, a major coal mining region of India.
Directed and Produced by Pawanjot Kaur
Executive Producer Dominique Young, Juliet Riddell,
Cinematographer Kopal Goyal,
Editing and Sound Design Sitikantha Kheti.
Supported by the Pulitzer Center.
PRESS
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Indian Express- Why Kopal Goyal made a film featuring women extreme sports athletes
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Hi Hey Hello Magazine- Emily Hopican introduces us to Kopal Goyal, whose work is inspiring a new generation of Indian girls through outdoor and action sports
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Your Story- This sport and rock climber’s unique documentary features 14 female adventure athletes
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Indian Today- Rock and Roll documentary
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Desnivel.com - Scale like a woman! Gowri Varanashi and Kopal Goyal talk about the development of climbing in India
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Live Mint- This filmmaker-climber is breaking stereotypes in extreme adventure sports
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Do what you love always- The emerging sisterhood of women in extreme sports
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First Post- In the world of extreme sports, a few women are defying stereotypes and inspiring others to join in
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The Week- Extreme Eves
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BBC Hindi- Women building a reputation with extreme sports in India
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Deccan Chronicle- Women of Pure wonder
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Matador Network- 11 female photographers shaking up our perspectives on India
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Redbull- A documentary about Indian women in extreme sports: Yes, Please
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UKC Climbing- Ganesha 8b+: Climbing India's hardest Sport Route
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Sidetracked- A film by La Cumbre Collective, featuring Durga Rawal, Photography by Kopal Goyal
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LactoCalamine- Advertisement
PRESENCE
WHAT PEOPLE SAY!
"Kopal is one hell of a dedicated, talented, and focused filmmaker. Be it getting into the elements to shoot her subjects - whether getting into the water or hanging off frozen waterfalls to get that perfect shot - this amazing photographer + filmmaker + make-shift stunt woman does it all. Her story in her passion towards chasing inspiring stories makes her just as inspiring to watch"- Anne Mathias
Kopal is one photographer I met who is as good in climbing, yoga as in clicking some really nice pictures! Looking forward to more such sessions, had an awesome time- Vaibhav Kumar
“Thank you Kopal! It's really amazing! You've done a fantastic job with this film and should be utterly proud of yourself! Sending you big congratulations”- Carla Cupido, Shesummits.org
“I really love the video. I was hoping it would be a little longer because I wanted to see more. I always wanted something like this to happen. We have so much talent in our country in different corners. No one even realizes how hard everyone is working and in the field trying to bring out everyone. You guys deserve respect”- Amit Subba, Skateboarder
" I had goosebumps through most of it. I'm actually a little short of words to say it right.
Tumne kaise kiya, pata nahi, but it really hit in the core. I don't remember watching anything that felt so personal and inspiring in a very long time."- Anveer Mehta, Skateboarder
“ Project Wild Women features an inspiring collection of adventurous athletes who refuse to let tradition get in the way of their passions. Kopal Goyal has managed to track down some characterful and fearless women to tell their stories and the message is clear - if they can do it, you can do it."- Greg Hackett, Director, London Mountain Film Festival
"You and your team did a great job shooting these movies. They were all very riveting. The best part was how you managed to bring so many passionate and inspirational people together. The story of each of them (especially those you interviewed in Project Wild Women) was unique and each had surmounted many obstacles to be on this path. It was heartening to see them continue what they love to do. Their paths show that you can achieve what you set your minds to do. Hope more youngsters follow their path so that the adventure sector in India can grow as a whole." -Vikas Nath, Canada
ENJOY BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KOPAL
GLIMPSE FROM SOME OF THE COMMERCIAL WORKS
Project Detail
Agency: La Cumbre Collective
Director and Producer: Emily Hopcian
Still Photography: Kopal Goyal
Project Detail
Agency: WheelieCreative
Brand- Polartec
Filmmaker- Kopal Goyal (One among the 10 filmmakers around the Globe)
Project Detail
Company: The Fintech Meetup
Director- Kopal Goyal, DOP- Shivam Aher
Project Detail
Film name: Embers Of Change
Director- Pawanjot Kaur, DOP- Kopal Goyal
Supported by The Pulitzer Center
Independent Projects
WHAT CULTURE ORGANISATION