Film Competition Awards in the following categories:
BEST FILM OVERALL (Festival Grand Prix)
Special mentions in the categories: ROCK, EARTH, WATER, AIR and JURY AWARD
Our Slovak Nepali woman. She lived in Nepal for 5 years and keeps returning there. A Nepal veteran who, after a series of illnesses, is now more CITY than MOUNTAINS. She will tell us about the oddities and beauties of her frequent life in Nepal over the past 20 years.
In the summer 2024, Liv Sansoz and Zeb Roche set out to summit K2, 8611m, without oxygen with a crazy dream: to fly off the summit together on a paraglider. With spectacular unseen images, the film is much more than a summit attempt, it is an ode to the wild and raw beauty of K2.
In June 2024, an adventure seeking couple set out to hike the entire length of the European Alps, on a route called ‘Via Alpina’ - a distance of 2000 kilometers across 145,000 meters in elevation. That’s the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest…17 times!
With no real mountain experience and little training, this is as much a story of failure as it is of success! Of a life-changing adventure that tested their will and their relationship and which serves as a personal commentary on how we define success in the world we live in.
Peripheral follows Lucy as she navigates a pivotal stage in her life, balancing the gradual loss of her sight with her love for the outdoors. Through adventure and exploration, the film traces her journey of self-discovery, testing her capabilities and connection to the natural world.
A short documentary exploring the fascinating world of backwards (retro) walking, running and mountaineering.
The more than 300-kilometer long hiking trail of three friends through 9 mountain ranges in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina along the Via Dinarica White Trail will introduce us to steep and out-of-the-way limestone mountains, medieval tombstones „stećci“ and take us through minefields from the times of the civil war. It will end at the border with Montenegro, on the highest peak in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Maglić.
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In his talk, Róbert Gálfy shares what inspires him most today – winter tours and ski-mountaineering linkups in the High Tatras. Blending his experience as a mountain guide, climber and former ski-mountaineering racer, he sees each tour as a carefully composed puzzle combining uphill skiing, climbing sections and a rewarding descent.
Gálfy is one of Slovakia’s leading mountaineers and ski alpinists, with over 700 ascents to his name. He has completed first ascents on peaks such as Jannu and Fitz Roy, climbed Gasherbrum I alpine style, and competed among Europe’s elite in ski mountaineering. Since 1993, he has also been dedicated to training mountain guides and helping integrate Slovakia into the international guiding community.
Mountaineer, ski alpinist, and mountain guide Róbert Gálfy is one of the last “Mohicans” of the golden age of alpinism. His rich and layered life story intertwines with major international successes of Slovak ski mountaineering as well as with several pioneering ascents of Czechoslovak climbers in the 1980s. From passion and athletic performance, his path leads through a battle with serious health issues to a sincere reflection on his relationship with the mountains — and with life itself.
A film about the first edition of the climbing festival in the Spanish climbing area of Chulilla.
Watching Solenne Piret climb is almost like witnessing magic. You wonder how she will get through, and then, with a fluid, effortless motion, she progresses up the wall. Born without a right hand, Solenne has always found her own path on the wall. A four-time world champion, she now takes on a new challenge: leading the legendary Grand Capucin—one of Mont Blanc’s most iconic spires—while placing her own traditional protections. But despite intense training, doubts linger: this time, did she aim too high?
After 'Fond of Font' and their 100 x 7A bouldering feat, Seb Berthe and Hugo Parmentier have a new dream: taking up a new endurance climbing challenge with 5 major long routes in the Verdon Gorge, in less than 24h. More than just big numbers (after all, it's 1500m of 8th grade clilmbing!), this is a story about the power of friendship and climbing ethics.
Join local climber and developer Faisal Al Rifai on an intimate bouldering journey through the heart of Jordan. From the dessert of Wadi Rum to the valleys of the Dead Sea, Faisal unveils a side of the country few have seen. One shaped by adventure, discovery and deep connection. Along the way, he shares not only new climbing areas but also the journey and experiences of developing. Through his eyes, we explore the rich culture, ancient history, and breathtaking landscapes that make climbing in Jordan a truly unique experience.
Nestled in the middle of a secluded valley and surrounded by green meadows and rivers, an imposing mass of snow and rock rises abruptly.
The adventurous Lord Cliffrider hopes to be the first to achieve the summit of his longed-for mountain, but as time passes, this dream vanishes like the smoke from his pipe.
Between theater and a remote mountain valley in the Carpathian mountains, a former Romanian stage actor turns to photography to preserve the fragile presence of an archaic world.
European wildlife is threatened like never before... its last refuge... the Carpathians. Of all the mountain ranges in Europe, the Carpathians host the most primeval forests, the largest populations of bears, wolves and lynx, along with an amazing diversity of other creatures.
This series shows how they survive over a year in this last stronghold of nature.
Through their individual stories, we can better understand the connection between animal life and the whole ecosystem of the Carpathian Mountains.
Together, they’ve created an ecosystem that holds life-giving water, draws carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and protects the diversity of life.
A team of evolutionary biologists from the University of Idaho travels to the Galápagos Islands to solve the Earth's biodiversity crisis. The twist? They aren't studying the iconic tortoises or blue footed boobies on this storied archipelago—they are Snail Hunters, studying a more unlikely subject in the crucible of evolution. By understanding the unique traits that make snails a champion of coexistence, the multi-disciplinary scientists hope to unlock a brighter future for humanity and the planet.
Georgia Astle, Casey Brown, Carson Storch, and Tom van Steenbergen battle the elements.
The story of a traditional climbing race in the heart of Podpoľanie.
A DOGumentary about a snow loving border collie Shiya on a mission to conquer alpine peaks and run through powder fields with her humans.
First person or better "first paw view" on adventures with your beloved pet, the do's & don't's of mountain touring with a canine and witty humor fit for everyone!
Winter Kooks is Alberta’s first-ever river surfing film, diving into the lives of two land locked surfers battling winter depression through the raw intensity of cold-water surfing. Set on the frigid glacier fed rivers of Alberta, the film follows their journey as they seek solace, adrenaline, and connection in one of the most unlikely surf spots on Earth. As the temperatures drop, their bond grows stronger, proving that friendship, resilience, and a shared love for the wave can carry you through even the coldest seasons. Winter Kooks is a powerful story of mental health, extreme sport, and finding warmth in unexpected places.
Airtime explores the intersection of winter sports, flight and freedom in the mountains. Through a unique combination of skiing, snowboarding, speedflying and paragliding, this film captures the beauty of Whistler and the surrounding mountains and the spirit of athletes pushing boundaries both physically and creatively.
Nestled in the middle of a secluded valley and surrounded by green meadows and rivers, an imposing mass of snow and rock rises abruptly.
The adventurous Lord Cliffrider hopes to be the first to achieve the summit of his longed-for mountain, but as time passes, this dream vanishes like the smoke from his pipe.
A poetic short MTB documentary exploring the endless cycle of longing, struggle, freedom, and return that high mountains imprint on those who ride them. Shot across iconic mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Himalayas, it blends raw nature with the intimate silence of a rider’s inner world.
Join us for a journey into the mysterious wilderness with lecturer Jerguš Tesák, who will show you—through an interactive presentation—what happens in the wild when humans are not around.
Georgia Astle, Casey Brown, Carson Storch, and Tom van Steenbergen battle the elements.
The story of a traditional climbing race in the heart of Podpoľanie.
A DOGumentary about a snow loving border collie Shiya on a mission to conquer alpine peaks and run through powder fields with her humans.
First person or better "first paw view" on adventures with your beloved pet, the do's & don't's of mountain touring with a canine and witty humor fit for everyone!
Winter Kooks is Alberta’s first-ever river surfing film, diving into the lives of two land locked surfers battling winter depression through the raw intensity of cold-water surfing. Set on the frigid glacier fed rivers of Alberta, the film follows their journey as they seek solace, adrenaline, and connection in one of the most unlikely surf spots on Earth. As the temperatures drop, their bond grows stronger, proving that friendship, resilience, and a shared love for the wave can carry you through even the coldest seasons. Winter Kooks is a powerful story of mental health, extreme sport, and finding warmth in unexpected places.
Airtime explores the intersection of winter sports, flight and freedom in the mountains. Through a unique combination of skiing, snowboarding, speedflying and paragliding, this film captures the beauty of Whistler and the surrounding mountains and the spirit of athletes pushing boundaries both physically and creatively.
Nestled in the middle of a secluded valley and surrounded by green meadows and rivers, an imposing mass of snow and rock rises abruptly.
The adventurous Lord Cliffrider hopes to be the first to achieve the summit of his longed-for mountain, but as time passes, this dream vanishes like the smoke from his pipe.
A poetic short MTB documentary exploring the endless cycle of longing, struggle, freedom, and return that high mountains imprint on those who ride them. Shot across iconic mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Himalayas, it blends raw nature with the intimate silence of a rider’s inner world.
Join us for a journey into the mysterious wilderness with lecturer Jerguš Tesák, who will show you—through an interactive presentation—what happens in the wild when humans are not around.
A Film about the power of water
Mario Leitner and Paul Aubertin set out across Norway with one shared dream: to paddle the country’s wildest and most dangerous waterfalls. From the shadowy plunge of Tunnel Drop to the relentless chaos of Åmot Gorge, the two kayakers tested not only their strength and skill, but also the trust between them. Each waterfall brought new risks and new moments of triumph — from laughter after a clean line at Nosebreaker, to quiet resolve before facing the towering Flemming Waterfall.
As they journeyed north, the rivers became more unforgiving, yet their friendship grew stronger. They learned to read each other as instinctively as they read the water — a glance before a drop was enough to know they had each other’s back. Finally, they stood before Brekkefossen, its 20-meter curtain of water roaring like a challenge. More than just a physical test, it was the ultimate symbol of their bond: two friends, side by side, ready to plunge into the unknown.
Winter Kooks is Alberta’s first-ever river surfing film, diving into the lives of two land locked surfers battling winter depression through the raw intensity of cold-water surfing. Set on the frigid glacier fed rivers of Alberta, the film follows their journey as they seek solace, adrenaline, and connection in one of the most unlikely surf spots on Earth. As the temperatures drop, their bond grows stronger, proving that friendship, resilience, and a shared love for the wave can carry you through even the coldest seasons. Winter Kooks is a powerful story of mental health, extreme sport, and finding warmth in unexpected places.
In the heart of the American Southwest, in the bowels of the legendary Grand Canyon, a sixteen-member group of paddlers embarks on a 446-kilometer expedition down the Colorado River. Twenty-one days without signal, without contact with civilization, relying only on their own strength, experience, and mutual trust.
Since 1970, a group of young rock climbers would gather in the Atxarte Valley in the mountains of the Basque Country, to share their passion for the mountains, while also venturing on pioneering ascensions internationally.
However, one of them had a serious accident and was told by doctors that he would never climb again.
After a miraculous recovery, he decided to organise a special event to celebrate his return to life. Over the years, the celebration became an essential tradition for the community of climbers.
Decades later, the tradition faces the threat of disappearing, influenced by the passing of time and social changes.
“Once a year” is much more than a story about climbing. It is a moving portrait of a community in transition, a story about friendship and the value of living a full life, facing uncertainty and the challenge of preserving that which gives us our identity. A story that celebrates the spirit of the mountain and the importance of the traditions that unite us.
Ethan Pringle is at the peak of his climbing career when he is blind-sided by his father ’s severe stroke. Torn between two realities, at home in San Francisco taking care of his dad and the pressure of being a professional athlete, he eventually has to break open emotionally to rise to the challenge in this masculine and vulnerable father-son story.
In this all-female production, 32-year-old Canadian climber Bronwyn Hodgins faces a burnout from Big Wall expeditions and decides to shift her focus to sport climbing. Little does she know that this new curiosity for training and performance will plunge her into the most intense mental undertaking of her life… as she pours herself into La Rubia, a 5.14c (8c+).
The story of a traditional climbing race in the heart of Podpoľanie.
A presentation of the book To ťa musí baviť followed by a talk by professional mountain rescuer Ján Tegelhof.
On May 30, 2023, the German mountaineer Luis Stitzinger was found dead at an altitude of 8,400 meters on Kangchenjunga, just five days after he reached the summit. It was his tenth eight-thousander. He had climbed seven of them with his wife, Alix von Melle. A little over a year later, Alix travels to Nepal again to fulfill her husband's last wish: Scatter his ashes on one of the high peaks in the land of his dreams. They chosen mountain is the 7,246-meter peak Dhaulagiri VII in the Nepalese Himalayas.
This film project dives into the importance of knowledge in the mountains, showcasing the work done behind the scenes by a young guide prior to his excursions to keep things safe. Explaining what a guide brings to the table on the day of expedition, and where that can take you. No better place to experience this than in Chamonix, the mountaineering mecca of europe, where the guides play an extremely important role in the mountain safety.
It will contrast the danger of the terrain with the preparation for any possible outcome, along with the beauty of what you can see and achieve in the high alpine.
Seven years after her brother's death, Karina Carsolio returns to their shared dream: to climb Bolivia's highest mountains in the fastest possible way. Together with Hillary Gerardi, her new partner, she will strive to break records while facing the mountain as a mirror of grief, closure, and spiritual reunion.
Monika — a girl who, just a few years ago, was afraid to leave her apartment because of severe intestinal problems. A girl who, after accidents in public, would shrink away in embarrassment. Today, she has walked 4,300 kilometers across America and stood on the summit of Mount Everest. She did not defeat the illness. She learned to live with it — and to keep moving forward.
Join us for a journey into the mysterious wilderness with lecturer Jerguš Tesák, who will show you—through an interactive presentation—what happens in the wild when humans are not around.