Sparked by Zivia Berkowitz’s ambitious vision and self-filmed footage, ROOTING SOULS explores three emerging alpinists, organizers, & educators preparing to summit Mt. Kenya. Intricate portraits of access, representation & healing within the Black diaspora & outdoor adventure worlds emerge in this feature documentary, inviting audiences to re-envision community and success.
SYNOPSIS
Despite growing up far from high peaks, in suburban New Jersey, Zivia's buoyant energy and tenacity for pushing limits led them from gymnastics competitions to the enigmatic world of mountaineering. Today, Zivia strives to expand the scarce collective of Black womxn alpinists seeking to explore the depths of their abilities in the mountains. As Black womxn, acquiring the resources and support to pursue alpinism is challenging. The mentorship and skills required for technical mountain ascents remains largely inaccessible beyond Eurocentric, male-dominated spaces. This determination toward change takes root as Zivia invites a team of fellow outdoor educators, and mentors turned friends, Rosemary Saal and Sof Petros to pursue an unprecedented summit on Mt. Kenya. By climbing independently through the most complex elements of the ascent, Zivia, Sof, and Rosemary are redefining “why” and “who” attempts expeditions at this caliber.
On this journey, team members will explore place and belonging within the African diaspora. As a Kenyan-American, this expedition is an opportunity for Zivia to immerse, celebrate, and share her cultures across continents.
The momentum of ROOTING SOULS is embedded in the pursuit of the summit of Mt. Kenya, yet, the story is character-driven. Rare access and self-filmed footage from the storytellers, offers intimate perspectives into the lives of Zivia, Sof, and Rosemary. ROOTING SOULS is an opportunity to encounter the intersections of mountaineering and the experiences of Black womxn. Documenting this team challenges the burdens of misogynoir, while simultaneously expanding and preserving these critical perspectives for future generations.
Director Statement
Documentaries I’ve helped produce over the past decade have explored joy, liberation, healing, our relationship to nature—and Rooting Souls is uniquely personal. Zivia and I developed a friendship after meeting in the climbing community— their dream of bringing together a collective of explorers who intentionally and actively reshape the stories we share is my dream come true.
Bringing this project to fruition and preparing for this expedition is an opportunity to deepen friendships, an opportunity for mentorship and growing in leadership together, and ultimately an opportunity for us to explore what keeps us rooted.
I hope viewers gain a desire to explore their roots and identities, reacquaint themselves with the places that make them feel at home, and ultimately, walk away knowing the true power in collective dreaming and action.
Supporter Statement
"At a time when divisiveness seems to rule the news cycles and even the outdoor industry at times, we could not be more thrilled to support a film project that brings people together through shared stories. Our team feels confident that [ROOTING SOULS] work will further un-define femininity in these outdoor spaces and be an important addition to the No Man's Land Film Festival lineup." - Kathy Karlo No Man's Land Festival Executive Director
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Jasmine Szympruch
Jasmine is a queer artist-activist & communal storyteller based in Brooklyn, NY on unceded Lenape land, devoted to unearthing varied perspectives of what it is to be human and strives to center joy, liberation, healing, and a reclamation of our relationship to the land in their pursuits.
Documentaries Jasmine helped produce have been distributed by Netflix, Apple TV, HBO, Disney+, and PBS; and featured at Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, DocNYC, and others. They have contributed to numerous panels organizing around social and environmental justice work and they are a founding member of the independent media group, The Irregulars Collective. Jasmine is currently pursuing their Single Pitch Instructor Certification and was a 2024 recipient of AMGA & Black Diamond’s SPI Affinity Scholarship.
Zivia Berkowitz is a professional rock climbing guide and outdoor educator working with the National Outdoor Leadership School and other community organizations. Currently based in central Wyoming, Zivia has been climbing, working, and traveling in the western parts of the US over the past four years. Zivia comes from a multiracial and multicultural background, Zivia’s mother immigrated from Kenya to the U.S. and Zivia’s father is Jewish American. As an undergraduate student at Colorado College, Zivia was transformed by critiques of power, nuanced discussions of identity, and feminist thinkers calls for collective liberation in the Feminist and Gender Studies department. Zivia is passionate about building community and storytelling amongst folks who hold identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry.
Cheyenne Smith is an emerging producer and industry creative, as well as an outdoor educator and AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide. Born, raised, and living in Colorado, Cheyenne found a deep connection to the outdoors and has spent the past several years working in outdoor education and guiding.
Now, she is returning to her roots in art, film, and design, blending her passion for storytelling, creativity, and the outdoors. With a degree in Strategic Design, Cheyenne brings years of experience in graphic and web design, branding, and communication. She’s worked with outdoor industry brands to offer creative direction, media production, and design services that bring bold ideas to life. Recently, her focus has shifted toward film production, where she uses her skills in project management, storytelling, and creative problem-solving to craft work that feels both authentic and impactful.
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ABOUT YOUR DONATION
Women Make Movies (WMM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit media arts organization registered with the New York Charities Bureau of New York State and accepts charitable donations on behalf of this project. Your donation will be spent by the filmmaker(s) toward the production and completion of this media project. No services or goods are provided by Women Make Movies, the filmmaker(s) or anyone else associated with this project in exchange for your charitable donation.
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