‘Capsized’ - A Conversation With Film Director Roxanna Barry

Two people at on a red canoe on very clear water where you can see their reflection

One of our favourite things at All The Elements, is when community members meet through our network and then go on to work together and collaborate. The award winning film ‘Capsized’ is one of those projects that has grown from the passion and commitment of our community.

Film-maker Roxanna Barry first connected with Emily Williams and Steph Wetherell - Co-Founders of Every Body Outdoors - online through All The Elements. Fast forward 3 years and they have just released a film ‘Capsized’, which premiered at Kendal Mountain Festival in November 2024 and has since won 3 awards at adventure festivals around the world.

The film follows Emily and her friend Lisa’s journey exploring the lochs of the Isle of Lewis by canoe, with their adventure beginning at home as they face the challenge of finding appropriate gear, posing the question “with outdoor shops stocking clothing only up to size 16, how can 45% of UK women, who wear larger sizes, access adventure?”

We caught up with Director Roxanna Barry, to find out what it was like producing the film Capsized and releasing it into the world.

How was the film 'Capsized' born?

Emily, Steph and I met at Kendal Mountain Festival, back in 2022. We already knew of each other through the All the Elements online community and from online rantings about clothing sizing and patronising store interactions. We spoke about a concept for an Every Body Outdoors film and a specific film grant that they were interested in applying for. We soon realised that the grant wasn't suitable for what we wanted to achieve, however, during our conversation Emily mentioned a ridiculous canoe trip that she wanted to go on and her idea really stuck in my mind…

In Spring 2023, I began an internship at Coldhouse and had the opportunity to create my own film. I wanted to create a film about Emily's canoe trip and her journey finding the correct kit for it. I wanted to showcase the difficulties people face finding outdoor or technical clothing above a size 18, linking in with the work of Every Body Outdoors.

Two women pull a canoe through knee length water. With purple heather along the banks.

A drone shot of a river winding through green boggy landscape. In the bottom corner there is a tiny canoe which makes it look like they have a long way to go!

What did you learn through this project?

As a filmmaker, my biggest takeaway was seeing what I could achieve given the time, resources, and help that was available to me through my internship. Being able to commit proper time to editing, have help with sound and grading and have friends & community to help pay for music licenses, showed me what's possible when you have a team of amazing, friendly and ridiculously talented people working together. It may have spoiled me a little!

On a personal level, I got a lot from this project. Interviewing Emily was so wonderful; she's so eloquent and precise, and has so many hilarious and insightful things to say about her work with Every Body Outdoors. There were a lot of gems that ended up on the cutting room floor, but I got to listen to them. Emily's words and affirmations were hammered home into me, into my own belonging, into my body and the outdoors. This began some healing in me, in acceptance of my body and acceptance of how I engage with adventure sports.

A camera operator stands in a bod filming two women on a bright red canoe

The bright red canoe fills the foreground as two women pull it away from the camera

A team selfie! Rox holds the camera and the team crowd round. They all look hot and tired but proud.

What feels like the biggest achievement or celebration for you?

Hearing feedback from people in the Every Body Outdoors community has been incredibly heartwarming. People have told me that this is the first time they've seen people like them going on an adventure expedition and that they now feel like they could try something ridiculous too! This has shone a light on the power of representation and hearing the impact this has had on people has been so moving. Seeing how people relate to different parts of Emily's story, much like I did, has highlighted the importance of making these films for the community.

It's also been incredibly hopeful hearing from more 'mainstream' outdoor folks - who have never thought about these things before - who have told me their eyes have been opened to the issues that people face in terms of access to clothing and also the internal prejudices we are all instilled with growing up in a fatphobic society. This was a huge motivation for making the film; to open discussions, to open minds, and to start to change the fatphobic culture of outdoor adventure sports (which, surprise surprise, actually benefits everyone in the long run!).

Finally, Capsized has now won three awards at adventure festivals across the world! The fact that a film that highlights such a sensitive and quite controversial topic has won awards is absolutely incredible. It also means that the film will reach more people and so Emily's infectious laugh and hilarity will soften the edges of more and more people's prejudices.

Where can someone watch Capsized?

Capsized is next being shown at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival on Friday 21st March and Sunday 23rd March! Information regarding future viewings will be shared by Roxanna on their Instagram and website.

To find out more about Every Body Outdoors, check out their website and follow them on Instagram
To find out more about Roxanna, check out their website and follow them on Instagram

About Roxanna Barry

Roxanna (they/she) is a freelance photographer, director and video editor based in Sheffield; their projects showcase the diverse faces and voices that make up our outdoor community, championing social or environmental justice through the lens of adventure sports. At the heart of their work is events centred on accessibility and diversity.