About The Parkinsons Project

The Parkinsons Project began as a documentary following climber Chris Hamper, exploring how he lives with Parkinson’s disease and uses climbing to manage its challenges. What started as a single story has grown into a global movement.

Since its release in September 2024, the film has been screened in over 25 countries, featured in international festivals, connected with audiences in community settings, and been used in public engagement by researchers and experts in Parkinson’s. More importantly, it has deeply resonated with people affected by the condition - sparking conversation, raising awareness, and giving a voice to the lived experiences of people with Parkinson’s disease.

Building on this momentum, we are now creating a second documentary, following Petra, a 43-year-old singer and mother of three, as she navigates life with early-onset Parkinson’s.

The Parkinsons Project

Our first film, The Parkinsons Project, follows climber and teacher, Chris Hamper, as he navigates his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

His Parkinson's diagnosis has forced him to redefine his passion for climbing. His tremor makes tying knots and clipping gear difficult; his lack of dopamine reduces the reward and motivation process, forcing Chris to find new ways to stay inspired. And yet, once he is on the rock, climbing appears to be one of the very few activities that minimise his symptoms…

Find out more

Unshaken Voices

Our second film follows Petra - age 43 - a singer, stage performer, and graphic designer, raising three children under five when Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease began reshaping her world. As the disease stripped away her ability to keep pace with her kids and forced her to step back from work, her priorities shifted - but so did her purpose.

Now three years after her official diagnoses the film follows as she builds towards a full stage show that she has written, produced, and will perform in. Whilst navigating the showed of medical appointments, medication and progressing symptoms. this is a raw, intimate journey. This is a story of resilience, advocacy, adaption, and motherhood: turning loss into legacy.

Find out more

Organise a local screening

Contact the team

A lot of our screenings are organised by members of the community. If you would like to put one on yourself in your local community or country, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Find a screening near you

Screenings

We are always adding new screenings organised in collaboration with our growing community.

Testimonials

  • 'There's more to climbing than climbing rocks' and 'as soon as you've conceived that it's possible, you've kind of won anyway' - two quotes that will stay with me from the film. A beautiful film that shows the reality and optimism of living a climbing life with progressive Parkinson's disease, with a storytelling finesse that meant I didn't take my eyes off the screen once whilst watching.

    Frit Tam, SHAFF judge

  • If ever the search for resilience should end, it is here. Any diagnosis can make us feel the future might stop. This film taught me that out of what we have left, by looking at it and responding to it, with modesty, through the body and the mind, we have some control. What emerges is what we are still full of - friendship and boulders - not a broken body. This was the most psychologically inspiring film and a poetic reflection on being human, on all levels, not just our vulnerabilities.

    Dr Saima Masud, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

  • Wow. What a film. I was captivated through out. It is beautifully filmed and truly captures the essence of a character that is universally inspiring. Amazing.

    Ben Cannon, Kendal Mountain Festival

  • One of the best climbing films in years. I'm finding it hard to rationalise how it can be so incredibly sad, but so incredibly life affirming at the same time. A very powerful film.

    CrowdFunder Screening

  • Inspiring, beautiful film about a great climber still tryng while while suffering from Parkinsons.

    Paul Hodgson, Music Judge, SHAFF

  • More than a film about Parkinson’s, it’s a reflection on how to live: choosing joy over obligation, finding strength in determination, and remembering that time is limited—so spend it where it matters most, with the people you love.

    Richard, climber with Parkinson’s disease