SYDNEY, Australia: Last week at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Apple Original Films and the Australian Himalayan Foundation hosted the Sydney premiere of “Tenzing,” the new feature film 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 and advanced screening of “Tenzing” on Wednesday 14 October at a special event attended by Director/Producer, Jennifer Peedom, Chief Executive of The Australian Himalayan Foundation, Andrew Judge, along with members of Tenzing Norgay’s family and local members of the Tibetan Community.
Joining the Sydney premiere was Tenzing Norgay’s great-granddaughter, Dechen Tenzing (granddaughter of Pem Pem, who is featured in the film). Captivating a full-house 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.
“I hope this film not only honours my great-grandfather’s extraordinary legacy, but also shines a light on the incredible Sherpa people. Their strength, resilience, culture and the vital role they have played in the history of the Himalayas.”
– Dechen Tenzing
“In many ways “Tenzing” is my love letter to the Himalayas.”
– Jennifer Peedom
History remembers the summit, but not always the man who made it possible.
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.
Jen’s path to “Tenzing” began with Sherpa, her breakthrough feature documentary which became one of Australia’s most successful theatrical documentaries of all time.
The Apple Original Film “Tenzing” is written by Luke Davies, with story by Peedom and Davies, produced by Peedom, Davies, Desray Armstrong, and Liz Watts, Iain Canning and Emile Sherman under their See-Saw Films banner, with Norbu Tenzing, Simon Gillis and David Michôd serving as executive producers.
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.
Peedom’s first narrative feature was filmed across 12 locations from Nepal to New Zealand, including remote settlements in lower Mustang close to the Tibetan border, and New Zealand’s South Island known in Māori as “Te Waipounamu.”
Brave Media warmly congratulates Jen Peedom, the cast and crew of “Tenzing” and all involved in this magnificent film production and cinematic masterpiece. 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 theatres 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.
#Tenzing – Sydney Premiere & Advanced Screening highlights
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace – 14 October 2026
Director/Producer, Jen Peedom at the the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” (Photo: AHF)
Tenzing Norgay’s great-granddaughter, Dechen Tenzing at the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” (Photo: AHF)
Members of the Australian Tibetan Community in NSW, Kunchok Gyaltsen, Dr (Menpa) Pema Gyaltsen and family with Geshe Ngawang Samten at the the Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” (Photo: AHF)
Katoomba-based photographer, Kunchok Gyaltsen of the Tibetan Community in NSW offers a traditional Tibetan ‘Khata’ scarf to Director/Producer, Jen Peedom at the Sydney premiere screening of “Tenzing” (Photo: Brave Media)
Members of the Australian Tibetan Community (NSW): Geshe Ngawang Samten, Dr (Menpa) Pema Gyaltsen and family, Director/Producer Jen Peedom and Kunchok Gyaltsen, Sydney premiere screening of Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing” (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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