What does it take to keep pushing forward when you’ve already changed your sport forever?
Rogatkin, screening as part of the 2026 Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour of Australia, is an intimate and electrifying portrait of one of mountain biking’s most fearless innovators — Nicholi Rogatkin — told through the lens of filmmaker Keenan DesPlanques. Hitting cinemas around Australia this May, the film goes beyond podiums and world-first tricks, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset of an athlete who refuses to stand still.
A Rider Who Breaks the Mould
Nicholi Rogatkin isn’t just one of the most decorated riders in freeride and slopestyle mountain biking — he’s one of the sport’s great disruptors. Known for landing world-first tricks like the 1080 and 1440, Rogatkin has repeatedly reset expectations of what’s physically possible on a mountain bike. His competitive resume includes multiple FMB World Tour victories and consistent podium finishes at the sport’s most demanding events, including Crankworx and other Diamond Series stops.
But Rogatkin isn’t a highlight reel of medals and slow-motion landings. Instead, it explores the tension between progression and pressure, innovation and injury, ambition and longevity. As the sport evolves at breakneck speed, Rogatkin continues to search for new lines — not just on course, but in how he approaches risk, creativity and purpose.
Filmmaking in Motion
Behind the camera is Keenan DesPlanques, a Colorado-born documentary filmmaker now based in Zurich, whose work sits at the intersection of adventure, endurance and storytelling. With over a decade of filmmaking experience, DesPlanques has built a reputation for crafting visually striking, character-driven films that feel as kinetic as the sports they portray.
His films have earned multiple Vimeo Staff Picks and audience awards at festivals including Banff, and his client list spans brands such as The North Face, Trek and Coachella.
A passionate bikepacker himself, DesPlanques brings an insider’s understanding of cycling culture — the quiet moments between rides, the obsession with progression, and the mental load that comes with chasing the next breakthrough. That sensibility is felt throughout Rogatkin, where the camera moves fluidly between competition, training, travel and reflection.
More Than Tricks and Titles
What makes Rogatkin compelling isn’t just the scale of the riding — though there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping moments — it’s the humanity behind them. The film captures Rogatkin as a competitor, a mentor, and a figure navigating the expectations placed on athletes who become synonymous with innovation.
Away from competition, Rogatkin is deeply involved in shaping the future of the sport. He mentors younger riders, collaborates with bike brands to push design and performance forward, and maintains a strong connection with the mountain bike community through media and social platforms. The film reflects this broader influence, positioning Rogatkin not just as an athlete, but as a cultural force within slopestyle MTB.
Why This Film Belongs at Banff
At its heart, Rogatkin is a film about progress — the relentless drive to move forward, even when the cost is high and the path uncertain. It’s a theme that resonates far beyond mountain biking and sits squarely within the ethos of the Banff Mountain Film Festival: stories of people who challenge limits, redefine boundaries and find meaning through movement.
For audiences, the film offers both adrenaline and introspection. It asks what happens after you’ve already achieved what others once thought impossible — and what it takes to keep showing up, again and again, when the stakes only get higher.
See It on the Big Screen This May
Rogatkin is screening as part of the 2026 Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour of Australia, rolling through cinemas nationwide this May. Whether you’re a mountain bike tragic, an adventure film lover, or simply someone drawn to stories of human potential, this is a film best experienced on the big screen.
Grab your tickets, find a screening near you, and join us in theatres this May to experience Rogatkin — a powerful reminder that progression is never finished.
Get your tickets HERE
All images are stills taken from the film Rogatkin, credit goes to the filmmaker Keenan DesPlanques
