Renowned skier, artist, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler has announced Mountains of the Moon, a new action-art film and immersive experience set to the music of the Grateful Dead.
Following his 2019 project Fire On The Mountain—the acclaimed Grateful Dead-themed action sports film narrated by Bill Walton—Benchetler returns with an even more ambitious vision. Captured almost entirely at night using cutting-edge cinematography, lasers, animation, and projection mapping, Mountains of the Moon explores the unseen connections between sport, life, music, and the living Earth.
Narrated by renowned mycologist and author Paul Stamets, the film features an all-star cast of athletes and artists, including freeskiier Michelle Parker, surfer Rob Machado, and mountain biker Carson Storch, with an original performance by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, who appears drumming atop a snow sculpture on California’s Mammoth Mountain.
“Mountains of the Moon is an artistic journey where light became my paintbrush and the Earth our canvas,” Benchetler said. “By breaking free of the sun’s constraints, we were able to sculpt emotion, energy, and movement—layering sport, art, music, and nature to create something that speaks beyond words and into feeling.”
At its core, Mountains of the Moon reflects on what makes us human. Glowing skeletons represent our shared energy beneath the surface. Through dreamlike sequences across ocean, river, and mountain landscapes, the film contemplates life, death, and the resilience of nature.
A week-long immersive gallery installation and premiere event will take place in L.A. from November 15th to 23rd, presented in partnership with Arc’teryx, followed by a global theatrical rollout and digital release in early 2026. The L.A. exhibition will bring the film’s creative process to life with behind-the-scenes archives, light-based installations, and a recreation of Benchetler’s personal studio.
“The music of the Grateful Dead has always been about exploration—of sound, spirit, and the unknown,” Mickey Hart said. “Mountains of the Moon taps into that same energy, illuminating the deep connection between art, nature, and human expression.”
The official trailer dropped October 30th, with a theatrical release on November 14th. Below, watch the Mountains of the Moon teaser and find a screening near you here.
Mountains Of The Moon – A Chris Benchetler Film Experience | Trailer