“POLE POLE”
[POH-lay POH-lay]
Swahili Adverb
slowly or carefully;
a concept towards achieving acclimatization
“Pole Pole” begins as a high-altitude adventure as an ambitious trek to the summit of one of the world’s tallest mountains. But as the air thins and the days wear on, the film reveals its true heart: a raw, intimate exploration of the emotional burdens we carry. Led by a group of women, joined by men on the same path, this journey becomes a mirror for mental health struggles; the struggle to start, burnout, anxiety, and the quiet fear that even after doing something monumental, the journey continues.
Set against breathtaking landscapes, Pole Pole captures not just the physical climb, but the internal one: the slow, steady work of healing, of choosing to keep going when it would be easier to turn back or give up. With universal themes and a deeply human core, the film speaks to audiences hungry for authenticity. Climbing the mountain is just the beginning. What comes after is where the story truly lies.
make an impact
BEHIND THE LENS
-
Director
Calling Reno, NV home now, Shelby Carol Cude spent many of her childhood years living in the small mountain town of Ruidoso, NM, where four teenagers committed suicide within two months in 2009.
Picking up a camera shortly thereafter as a form of therapy, she started her career as a photographer and has maintained a portfolio with Vogue Italia since 2012.
Moving into video in 2017, she jumped into touring as a live multi-camera director for Linkin Park at the age of 22 and has directed for live audiences around the world across 40 countries, for a variety of artists and musicians since.
Her accolades include being a 2x Pinnacle Award winner for Video Director of the Year (2019 & 2022), nominated twice for Video Visionary at the TPI Awards (2023 & 2025), and receiving a nomination for a Parnelli Award for Video Director of the Year (2023), for her live directing abilities.
-
DP - Denver
Jasmine Lord (www.jasminelord.com) is a Los Angeles-based camera woman who shoots runway and backstage for fashion weeks in North America as well as working on documentaries, commercials and live events. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Australia, majoring in Screen and Stage, then continued her film education through camera assistant internship programs at the Australian Film Television & Radio School & with ARRI Australia respectively.
Jasmine has shot two books for the Eat Naked nutrition brand and has had her work shown at a juried exhibit at the 2011 Filter Photo Festival in Chicago. She has also photographed for AFI (American Film Institute Festival), for high end restaurants, food catering services, locals artists and designers in LA.
Jasmine is an associate member of the SOC (Society of Camera Operators) and an active member of the ACS (Australian Cinematographers Society). Jasmine has been teaching film and digital based teen summer classes with LACP for almost five years & always looks forward to taking time out of her busy schedule to share her knowledge with young people who have a keen interest in photography.
-
Executive Producer
EMMY-WINNING PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, AND STORYTELLER KYLE OLSON HAS CONTRIBUTED TO NUMEROUS HIGH-PROFILE PROJECTS, INCLUDING RECENT PRODUCTIONS LIKE "THE BARBIE MOVIE," "HOUSE OF THE DRAGON," AND "MEGALOPOLIS." HE SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION AT LUX MACHINA AND CONTINUES TO BE A LEADER IN THE VIRTUAL PRODUCTION FIELD.
HIS GLOBAL PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE SPANS OVER 20 COUNTRIES AND INCLUDES LEADERSHIP ROLES THAT BLEND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE WITH CREATIVE INNOVATION ACROSS FILM, TELEVISION, AND LIVE PRODUCTIONS, BEGINNING WITH LAUNCHING HIS OWN VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY AT AGE 14.
BEYOND TRADITIONAL & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION, OLSON HAS EARNED CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR HIS EMMY-WINNING DOCUMENTARY "THE LAST SIGNAL" AND HIS TRUE CRIME PODCAST "LOVE & JUSTICE," WHICH REACHED GLOBAL TOP 25 STATUS, WAS NOMINATED FOR A WEBBY, AND WAS NAMED ONE OF BIOGRAPHY'S TOP 15 BEST TRUE CRIME PODCASTS OF ALL TIME.
Pole pole was shot on the following cameras:
Sony FX6 (Denver)
Nikon Z8
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Leica Q2
Insta360 X5
