Andscape has announced “Memphis to the Mountain,” a transformative three-part documentary series that follows a group of young climbers from South Memphis on a journey from the protected walls of their local climbing gym to the exposed and challenging slopes of Mount Kenya – the second tallest peak in Africa.
The series will premiere on Hulu and Disney+ this Friday September 5th.
The project was inspired by and born from Memphis Rox, a nonprofit climbing gym and community center founded by Tom Shadyac in close collaboration with local community leader, Chris Dean, which has served as a beacon of hope and opportunity in South Memphis.
Memphis to the Mountain follows a determined group of young climbers from one of South Memphis‘s most overlooked and hard-edged neighborhoods, where climbing is virtually unknown, as they set out to conquer a 16,000-foot rock tower on Mt. Kenya.
Over the course of a year, they endure grueling preparation, training alongside some of the sport’s most renowned figures, including famed free-soloist, Alex Honnold, and iconic adventurer, Philip Henderson. Battling thin air, raw fear, and the limits of their own endurance, they come to realize that the hardest climb isn’t the mountain – it’s transforming who you believe you can be.
A story of grit, growth, and the unshakable power of reaching beyond what you thought possible.
“Memphis to the Mountain” captures a bold, cinematic expedition in which a handful of young climbers from Memphis Rox embark on a life-changing journey, leaving behind daily adversity to scale new literal and metaphorical heights in the world of elite mountaineering.
As this story of triumph and possibility is shared with audiences, we also honor the memory of Jarmond Johnson, one of the climbers featured in the documentary, who was tragically shot and killed after filming concluded, and all those whose lives have been affected by the scourge of gun violence that all too often impacts underserved communities. Jarmond’s spirit lives on in the work of Memphis Rox and in the young climbers who continue to be inspired by his limitless generosity and profound humility.
“Memphis to the Mountain is a celebration of what happens when you pour into a community and then watch it rise,” said Jason Aidoo, VP and Head of Andscape. “This story reminds us that greatness is already within these neighborhoods, waiting to be unleashed. Andscape is honored to share this deeply moving journey with audiences, and hopes it inspires others to tackle the challenges in front of them.”
“When we founded Memphis Rox, it wasn’t just about climbing – it was about standing with, and learning from, a community that is all-too often looked over, yet pulsing with promise. Memphis to the Mountain is proof of the transformative process that occurs when young people are able to reach beyond their circumstances, immerse themselves in nature’s beauty and brutality, and thereby discover the infinite potential that lies within,” says Tom Shadyac, the Founder of Memphis Rox and Executive Producer of Memphis to the Mountain.
Chris Dean, who helped found the gym alongside Shadyac and was a producer on the film, added, “It isn’t just about conquering a mountain outside – it’s about scaling the walls inside each of us, and finding the strength to grow into a fuller version of yourself. It’s literally Memphis Rox’s mission come to life.”
As the climbers push past physical and mental limits to ascend Mount Kenya, the series offers an intimate look at their resilience, their roots, and the sense of purpose that connects them all. The documentary is not only a meditation on movement and mountains – it’s a testament to the power of community, visibility, and investing in untold potential.
Directed by Zachary Barr, and executive produced by Kelley L. Carter, Tom Shadyac, Jason Aidoo, Zachary Barr, Peter Mortimer, the series combines a performative documentary style with breathtaking natural landscapes and unfiltered personal narratives.
Check Out The New Trailer!
