In 2018, Richard Hartfield set off alone into Russia's North Caucasus Mountains. His plan was to follow a 1200km backpacking route that he'd made on his phone. It led through tightly-controlled border areas in Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. But this self-shot, solo hiking adventure soon evolved into something else: A celebration of human kindness, set within regions more often perceived as divided and volatile.

Crossing The Caucasus premiered as part of the Kendal Mountain Film Festival in 2021.