“It seems to me that there is a subtle suggestion that climbing a mountain is the reserve of the gym junkie and smaller bodied individuals,” says one of the women at the center of upcoming documentary “Kili Big” in a new trailer for the film. From director Ida Rodriguez Joglar, the doc follows 20 plus-sized women on their epic quest to climb to the summit of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

The women, who call themselves the Curvy Kili Crew, share their experiences of judgement, and the lessons of self-acceptance they have learned along the way, as they embark on their journey together. They’re used to being looked at, receiving comments on what they’re eating, and other people having limited expectations of what they can achieve. But while they’re from different backgrounds, and have different motivations for wanting to climb the mountain, together they all work towards their shared goal.

“I think that I just learned so much about being worthy,” one of them shares when reflecting on the adventure.

Joglar was awarded the Athena Breakthrough Award for “Kili Big,” her feature debut, earlier this year at the 2022 edition of Athena Film Festival. “This being my first feature film, I don’t think I dared dream of receiving this sort of recognition,” she said upon receipt. “I have learned so much about breaking through the barriers of judgment, of stereotypes and self-doubt, from the women in this film. I am forever grateful and honored that they trusted me to tell their story.”

Joglar previously wrote and directed the short “Evaporar.”

“Kili Big” will stream for free August 18 exclusively on Chicken Soup For The Soul and will be available on Crackle later this year.

https://youtu.be/nIaFTkPuscU