Apple Studios announces “Tenzing” film about Everest ascent

Apple Studios is set to release “Tenzing,” a new film directed by Jennifer Peedom that explores the historic 1953 ascent of Mount Everest. The film aims to shift the traditional Western-centric narrative by centering the story on Tenzing Norgay, the Tibetan climber who reached the summit alongside New Zealander Edmund Hillary.

To achieve authenticity, the production involved filming in real mountain conditions, including snow, ice, and crevasses, with locations in Nepal and New Zealand. The cast includes Genden Phuntsok as Tenzing Norgay, Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary, and Willem Dafoe. The film will have its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 5, followed by a limited theatrical release on October 9, and a global release on Apple TV on October 16, 2026.