Experiencing Interruptions?

Half Life

After delaying a routine screening, athlete and artist Kirk Keeler is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Refusing to retreat, he partners with pro climber Kevin Jorgeson to scale Yosemite’s Half Dome and raise awareness so others don’t repeat his mistake.

  • Kaare Iverson
    Director
    Punchline, Golden, Equal Footing
  • Jen Miramontes
    Producer
  • Kirk Keeler
    Key Cast
  • Kevin Jorgeson
    Key Cast
  • Jen Miramontes
    Key Cast
  • Anna Keeler
    Key Cast
  • Michelle Olivera
    Editor
    A Plastic Sea
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    adventure, activism
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 30, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    21,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Wild & Scenic Film Festival
    Nevada City
    United States
    February 22, 2025
    US Premiere
    Official Selection
  • UC Davis Health
    UC Davis
    United States
    July 16, 2025
  • Jackson Doc Fest
    Jackson, Tennessee
    United States
    October 18, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Lookout Wild Film Festival
    Chatanooga
    United States
    January 18, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Hollywood Shortfest
    Hollywood
    United States
    January 14, 2026
    BEST SHORT - Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Kaare Iverson

Kaare Iverson is a Canadian-born director + photographer with a focus on outdoor and environmental storytelling. His films have been selected and won awards with festivals throughout the world and been distributed by Redbull, and REI. He lives in northern California with his wife, daughter, and chiweenie dog.

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Director Statement

Half Life is a documentary film about the inspiring and tragic story of athlete & artist, Kirk Keeler.

Kirk brought his story to me not long after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer - he wanted to climb Half Dome as both an homage to his life and as a feat to raise awareness about early colon cancer screening - a process which, had he submitted to it in time, could have changed his prognosis.

Kirk's vision was clear, but his journey to the top of Half Dome was not. Months of ups and downs on chemotherapy promised and subsequently derailed his attempts to train for the climb.

Following Kirk's story and becoming increasingly closer to Kirk as a friend has been a mix of joy and misery for me. As with directing any personal story, the deeper you get as a storyteller the more clear and compelling the narrative becomes - but so too does the emotional weight. As we bring this film into the world all of us who have participated in this process are caught between a sense of pride in delivering on Kirk's vision, and a deep sense of loss for a friendship that is at once blossoming and wilting in every moment.

Working on this sotry has brought me into the orbit of some truly inspiring people, all of whom, inspired by Kirk, have put down their own burdens to help pick up this project and carry it to the screen. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to shoulder my part as well.