Full Circle: The First All-Black Everest Ascent Premieres at the 2026 Tribeca Festival

Full Circle Expeditions celebrates the world premiere of a landmark documentary honoring representation, access, and collective achievement in the mountains.

Cortez, CO — June 8, 2026 — Full Circle Expeditions is proud to announce that Full Circle: The First All-Black Everest Ascent will make its World Premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival as part of the festival’s Spotlight Documentary program.

The feature documentary follows the historic 2022 Full Circle Everest Expedition, the first all-Black team to attempt Mount Everest. Led by mountaineer Phil Henderson, the expedition was never only about reaching the summit. It was about expanding the idea of who belongs in the mountains, challenging long-standing narratives in outdoor culture, and showing what collective support, preparation, and representation can make possible.

Tribeca describes the film as the story of “an all-Black team” setting out to summit Everest “not just to make history, but to redefine what it means to climb and who belongs in the mountains.” Directed by Justice A. Whitaker and Rolake Bamgbose, the film captures both the physical demands of Everest and the deeper cultural weight carried by the team.

The film is also featured in Tribeca’s 2026 watch guide, “Expressions of Black Freedom,” under the theme “Moving Beyond Expectations.” This recognition places Full Circle among a powerful group of films, talks, and cultural works centering Black storytellers and stories that refuse narrow expectations.

Variety also included Full Circle: The First All-Black Everest Ascent in its coverage of the 2026 Tribeca Festival film lineup, further highlighting the film’s place in one of the country’s most visible film festivals.

The 2026 Tribeca Festival runs June 3–14, 2026 in New York City.

Learn More

Tribeca Festival Watch Guide — “Expressions of Black Freedom”https://tribecafilm.com/news/2026-watch-guide-expression-of-black-freedom

Official Tribeca Film Page — Full Circle: The First All-Black Everest Ascenthttps://tribecafilm.com/films/full-circle-the-first-all-black-everest-ascent-2026

Variety Coverage — 2026 Tribeca Festival Film Lineuphttps://variety.com/2026/film/news/tribeca-festival-film-lineup-1236722988/

About Full Circle Expeditions

Full Circle Expeditions is dedicated to expanding representation in exploration and outdoor adventure through expeditions, storytelling, mentorship, and community-centered leadership. The organization is committed to creating pathways for people who have historically been underrepresented in high-altitude mountaineering, polar exploration, and outdoor leadership.

Through landmark expeditions and public engagement, Full Circle Expeditions works to challenge narrow narratives of who belongs in the outdoors and to build a more inclusive future for exploration.