PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest tells the story of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, who on 22 April 1993 became the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest. Directed by Nancy Svendsen, the award-winning documentary draws on archival footage, personal testimonies and family stories to follow her fight against gender discrimination, racial prejudice and deep-rooted social barriers in the male-dominated world of mountaineering.
Though she tragically lost her life on the descent, her achievement transformed Nepal’s mountaineering history and left a lasting legacy of courage, equality and possibility. Her story invites us to look beyond the summit and reflect on the barriers women and Indigenous communities still face.
The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in March 2022 and has since earned more than 20 international awards at festivals including the Banff Mountain Film Festival, Mountainfilm, the Trento Film Festival, the Kendal Mountain Festival and Torelló Mountain Film Festival.
Meet our speakers
Dawa Futi Sherpa is a Nepali leader, diplomat and advocate for the Sherpa community. She is the daughter of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest, and serves as President of the Pasang Lhamu Foundation, continuing her mother's legacy. From 2019 to 2021, she served as Nepal's Ambassador to Spain. With a background in international education, development and public diplomacy, Dawa is also an executive producer of the documentary Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest, which celebrates her mother's extraordinary life and pioneering achievements.
Rebecca Stephens MBE is a British mountaineer, journalist and author, best known for becoming the first British woman to climb Mount Everest on 17 May 1993. The following year, she became the first British woman to climb the Seven Summits – the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents. Drawing on her extraordinary expeditions, Rebecca is also an accomplished speaker and leadership coach, sharing insights into resilience, teamwork, ambition and the power of human endeavour. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and former Chair of the Mount Everest Foundation.
View the trailer
Booking information
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Venue information
This event will be held at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR.
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Accessibility at our events
We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. Key accessibility features of this event include:
- Step-free access to the event
- Accessible toilets
- Assistance dogs are welcome
- Hearing loop
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