By Neil Halligan

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Oscars 2019: Abu Dhabi-backed film ‘Free Solo’ wins Academy Award

Image Nation co-produced the film which follows Alex Honnold as he becomes the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite’s 3,000ft high El Capitan Wall

By Neil Halligan
(L-R) Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin accept the Documentary (Feature) award for 'Free Solo' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
(L-R) Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin accept the Documentary (Feature) award for 'Free Solo' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.

‘Free Solo’ a film about the first person to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without ropes – won the Oscar for best documentary feature.

The film, which was co-produced by Abu Dhabi’s Image Nation and National Geographic, follows Alex Honnold as he becomes the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite’s 3,000ft high El Capitan Wall.

With no ropes or safety gear, he completed arguably the greatest feat in rock climbing history.

In a reaction on Instagram, Image Nation said, “What an amazing and unforgettable moment for all of us at Image Nation: FREE SOLO, produced by Parkes MacDonald/Image Nation, just won the Documentary Feature #Oscar and officially became the first documentary partly funded and supported by the #UAE to ever win an Oscar! #InAbuDhabi”

The win follows up its Bafta trophy for Best Documentary earlier this month.

(L-R) Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin accept the Documentary (Feature) award for ‘Free Solo’ onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.

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