“Mountain” section features films by legendary figures whose very names evoke the history of mountaineering. Among them is Still Alive - The Drama on Mount Kenya, the directorial debut of the living legend Reinhold Messner, recipient of the Ulsan Ulju Mountain Culture Award. The film tells the moving true story of a collaborative mountain rescue team from Austria and Kenya. Mount Everest – The Last Step, another work co-directed by Messner, offers a raw portrayal of high-altitude climbing, human suffering, and moments of critical decision-making. Both films will be followed by Q&A sessions, offering audiences a deeper experience. Climbing for Life tells the story of Tabei Junko, the first woman to summit Everest in 1975. Directed by the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Sakamoto Junji, the film follows Tabei’s journey of challenge, conviction, and growth as a mountaineer. A Gift from Kei Taniguchi, based on an expedition with the late climber Taniguchi Kei, follows Oishi Akihiro and Suzuki Hiroki as they attempt Mount Hunter in Alaska in her memory. Those two films are shedding light on Japan’s mountaineering scene. Dom / Home, featuring renowned Polish explorers and alpinists, offers a profound reflection on the relationship between humans and nature.

The lineup also includes films that capture the spirit of young climbers. Patagonia: Summit Reached follows a Kazakh mountaineering team’s attempt on Cerro Torre in Patagonia. Far Enough tells the story of 22-year-old Jean Rouaux, who crosses the continent by bicycle before attempting Ama Dablam in the Himalayas. Son of Mountains features a young Iranian climber who challenges physical limitations on the rock face, while Death of Villains portrays climbing prodigy Kai Lightner overcoming an eating disorder as he tackles increasingly difficult routes. Also noteworthy is Girls Move Mountains, a story about a girls’ soccer team confronting social prejudice in a remote village in the Karakoram.

Also included are works that cross genre boundaries with unique perspectives. Out of the Blue, by IAMF Grand Prize recipient Sébastien Montaz-Rosset, follows a diverse group of individuals challenging themselves on slacklines in the valleys of Switzerland. Artist Hong Lee Hyun-sook’s debut film, What You are Touching Now – Insubong Peak, interweaves her affection for the mountain with the process of preparing for an exhibition. Welcome to the Pit is also a notable portrayal of a Canadian community transforming sports in the bitter cold of Yellowknife.

― Jinna Lee, Programmer​