Screening Program 본문
Screening Program / International Competition
International Competition
In this year’s International Competition, 20 films were selected from 996 submissions across 71 countries. These films portray humans confronting limits in extreme natural environments, experiencing coexistence and conflict with nature, undertaking challenges and survival, exploring identity and self-discovery, and highlighting the archival value of these stories.
Fantastically realistic films set against majestic natural backdrops–Cielo, SHAMBHALA, and Axie and the Wunder Dachsies –portray human stories through unique directorial visions, guiding audiences along the boundary between reality and fantasy.
Stories that will captivate mountaineers include The Headless Horseman, about two climbers pioneering a 7,000-meter alpine route; Minus 103 Degrees, documenting an extreme solo winter ascent; The Last Expedition, tracing the disappearance of a legendary Polish female climber; and Everest Dark, revealing the self-sacrifice of Sherpas who recover bodies on Everest’s grueling slopes.
Some films invite reflection on the essence of climbing, including Riders on the Storm, following an attempt on a legendary climbing route; Climbing Blind II, the story of overcoming blindness to climb again; and The Future of Climbing and Inner Walls, which explore the present and future of climbing.
The lineup also includes a variety of exploration and climbing films such as Wild Days, featuring Hélias Millerioux – star of last year’s opening film Nuptse: Touching the Intangible – on an expedition in Alaska; Beyond, which revisits Alex Bellini’s 2017 journey through Greenland; and Voices from the Abyss, which portrays the lives of Mexican diving communities.
Films exploring the human spirit living in harmony with nature offer profound emotional resonance and deep reflection. They include Savanna and the Mountain, depicting the quiet resistance of villagers; Only on Earth, showing life alongside wildfires in Galicia, Spain; The American Southwest, a lyrical report on life in the Colorado River; and At the Door of the House Who Will Come Knocking and Placekeepers, both capturing people holding their ground despite harsh environments.
― Jinna Lee, Programmer
