Apple TV Acquires Global Rights to 'The Last First: Winter K2' Documentary

Fresh off its Apple TV press day announcements, the company just confirmed the acquisition of the global rights to "The Last First: Winter K2," a Sundance Film Festival selection documentary. Here's what to expect.

'A Complex, Harrowing and Moving Story'

According to Apple, "The Last First: Winter K2" just had a very successful premiere at Sundance, where it "was hailed as a 'gripping,' 'engrossing,' 'absolutely stunning' and 'perfect, surprisingly complicated documentary.'"

Directed by Amir Bar-Lev (Long Strange Trip, The Tillman Story), the movie will add to Apple TV's ever-growing catalogue of documentaries, which also includes STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie, Boys State, Come See Me in the Good Light, and The Pigeon Tunnel.

Here's Apple on what to expect:

In "The Last First: Winter K2," Bar-Lev tells a complex, harrowing and moving story that unpacks the industry of extreme mountain climbing and its changing culture. Focusing on a 2021 expedition, mountaineers John Snorri Sigurjónsson, an Icelander, and Pakistani father-son team Ali and Sajid Sadpara set out to be the first to summit K2 in the winter, when the mountain's conditions are the cruelest. The men soon find themselves sharing the treacherous ascent with influencer climbers and their film crews, commercial expedition clients, and Nims, a Nepalese celebrity mountaineer, and his team of Sherpas.

Apple's Sundance Acquisition Strategy

Apple has a good track record with Sundance acquisitions. In 2021, the company granted worldwide rights to CODA for more than $25 million after its Sundance premiere, a movie which would go on to win 3 Oscars in 2022, including Best Motion Picture of the Year.

As of yet, there's no information as to when "The Last First: Winter K2" is expected to premiere. Apple TV is available for $12.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like F1 The Movie, Pluribus, Severance, The Studio, The Morning Show, Shrinking and Silo.

Apple continues to build its documentary portfolio with critically acclaimed acquisitions, positioning itself as a major player in the documentary film space alongside its scripted content offerings.