SYDNEY, Australia: Last week at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Sydney, Apple Original Films and the Australian Himalayan Foundation hosted the Sydney premiere screening of “Tenzing,” the new feature from director Jennifer Peedom, starring Genden Phuntsok, Golden Globe winner Tom Hiddleston, Academy Award, Golden Globe and Actor Award nominee Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, Thinley Lhamo and Tenzin Dalha.
Brave Media was honoured to attend the Sydney premiere of “Tenzing” on Wednesday 14 October at a special event attended by Jennifer Peedom (Director/Producer), Chief Executive of The Australian Himalayan Foundation, Andrew Judge, along with members of Tenzing Norgay’s family and local members of the Tibetan Community in Australia.
Joining the special advanced screening was Tenzing Norgay’s great-granddaughter, Dechen Tenzing (granddaughter of Pem Pem, who is featured in the film). Captivating the audience, Dechen shared personal family stories, offering a rare glimpse into Tenzing’s life beyond the summit, while sharing her family’s deep, enduring connection to “Chomolungma” (Tibetan: Mt Everest) across generations.
Through her work, Jen Peedom has continued to shine a light on the people, cultures and landscapes of the Himalaya. By placing Tenzing Norgay firmly at the heart of the 1953 Everest summit, Tenzing offers a fresh, vital perspective and stands as a deeply moving cinematic achievement.
Based on a true story, “Tenzing” chronicles the little-known story of Tenzing Norgay (Phuntsok), a gifted Himalayan climber who, alongside New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary (Hiddleston), became the first to summit Mount Everest. Encouraged by his wife, Dawa (Lhamo), Tenzing finds an ally in expedition secretary Jill Henderson (Balfe).
Together, they persuade Colonel John Hunt (Dafoe) that Tenzing belongs on the British climbing team, rather than merely serving it. Where Western climbers see “Everest” as something to be conquered, Tenzing reveres “Chomolungma” as the sacred mother goddess.
What follows is an ascent defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself. But high above the world, empire, rank and aspiration fall away, leaving two outsiders bound by mutual respect and trust — and for Tenzing, the fulfillment of both a lifelong dream and a spiritual calling.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, “Tenzing” is a story of greatness that refuses to be diminished — and the love that makes it possible.
Brave Media extends warmest thanks to the team at Apple TV Events (Sydney), The Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF), Organic-Publicity ANZ, and Jen Peedom for an unforgettable experience and truly memorable evening.
“Tenzing” is showing now in select Australian cinemas cinemas and streaming on Apple TV from Friday 16 October.
Watch “Tenzing” on Apple TV.
Official Press Release via Apple TV Press
Listen to the “Tenzing” Original Soundtrack from the Original Apple Film by Rebekka Karijord
Starring Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, and Willem Dafoe, Tenzing follows the true story of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary’s historic first summit of Mount Everest. History remembers the summit, but not always the man who made it possible.
Advanced Special Screening highlights – “Tenzing”
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Sydney Australia, 14 October 2026
Director-Producer, Jen Peedom at the the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on 14 October, 2026 in Cremorne, Sydney. (Photo: AHF)
Tenzing Norgay’s great-granddaughter, Dechen Tenzing at the the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on 14 October, 2026 in Cremorne, Sydney (Photo: AHF)
Members of the Australian Tibetan Community, Kunchok Gyaltsen, Dr (Menpa) Pema Gyaltsen and family with Geshe Ngawang Samten at the the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on 14 October, 2026 in Cremorne, Sydney (Photo AHF)
Katoomba-based photographer, Kunchok Gyaltsen of the Tibetan Community in Australia offers a traditional Tibetan ‘Khata’ scarf to Director/producer, Jen Peedom at the Sydney premiere screening of “Tenzing” at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on 14 October, 2026 in Cremorne, Sydney (Photo Brave Media)
Members of the Australian Tibetan Community: (Left to right) Geshe Ngawang Samten, Kunchok Gyaltsen, Dr (Menpa) Pema Gyaltsen and family, at the the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on 14 October, 2026 in Cremorne, Sydney (Photo Xander Collier)
Featured photo: Genden Phuntsok and Tom Hiddleston in “Tenzing,” now streaming on Apple TV – courtesy Apple TV Press
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About the Australian Himalayan Foundation
AHF was founded by a group of mountaineers who saw firsthand that while the Himalaya is a place of breathtaking beauty, it is also a place of extreme disadvantage, poverty and hardship for many. AHF have been working for the last 22 years to deliver long-term, sustainable change to the most vulnerable communities. The Australian Himalayan Foundation works in partnership with the people of Nepal, Bhutan and the Indian Himalaya to improve living standards through better education, improved health services and environmental sustainability.
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