Great Prize by the City of Tegernsee
Mongolia – Valley of the Bears
“In ‘Mongolia – Valley of the Bears’ Hamid Sardar unites all the hallmarks of a truly excellent film: high-quality imagery, a strong and poignant story, rhythm and emotion. This beautiful, authentic documentary raises a universal environmental question: How can we envision coexistence between humans and wildlife in an era marked by climate change? Its underlying message – that change is still possible and that the actions of individuals can make a huge difference – provides a ray of hope for the future.”
Best Film in the Category Mountain Experience – Prize by the German Alpine Club (DAV)
Nuptse: l’inaccessible absolu (Nuptse: Absolutely Inaccessible)
“Completing a multi-year project as ambitious as this expedition to the South Face of Nuptse – one of the highest and most difficult faces on the planet – requires extraordinary determination. This film directed by Hugo Clouzeau contains rare footage of high-end climbing, masterfully interwoven with humour and artistic touches. It grants authentic insights into the world of today’s extreme high-altitude-alpinism with all its highs and lows.”
Best Film in the Category Mountain Nature
Sauvage – le chamois, l’aigle et le loup (Wild – Chamois, Eagle and Wolf)
“Throughout the seasons, the camera explores with finesse the lives of chamois, eagle and wolf. Incredibly precise framing and the unfathomable dedication of Véronique, Anne and Erik Lapied at tracking these animals’ movements in even the harshest of environments offer a convincing, vibrant spectacle of the circle of life.”
Best Film in the Category Mountain Life – Prize by Tegernseer Energiegesellschaft – TEG
Un pasteur (A Shepherd)
“With simple images, Louis Hanquet reveals the careful and empathetic work of the lonely mountain shepherd. He cannot protect his herd from all threats, but accepts the losses he suffers as part of this life. His tasks change with the rhythm of the seasons. The film is an impressive homage to transhumance as an ancient way of life, one that is well adapted to the harshness of the mountains.”
Otto Guggenbichler Prize for a Junior Film Maker
Shouhare Iran Khanoum (Mrs Iran’s Husband)
“An extraordinary Iranian film marked by stunning image quality, which portrays the complex relationships of a man with his two wives and the prospect of a third wife. No commentary is given, just a raw and poignant testimony in the beautiful cinematic style of Marjan Khosravi.”
Prize for the Most Outstanding Camera Work
Painting the Mountains
“In Painting the Mountains, Pierre Cadot, Thomas Guerrin and Matthew Tufts show off their playful command over the art of image composition. This applies close up to the protagonists as well as in the magnificent Patagonian landscape. A mixture of still images, drone and action camera allows viewers an intimate experience of at times almost unbearable exposure.”
Prize for the Special Film
Via Sedna
“A 100% female team successfully completes a massive challenge: They sail from France to Greenland, climb a big wall and bring back stunning images. This is a reportage filled with joy, good humour and team spirit, illustrated by Ramona Waldner’s beautiful shots. ‘Via Sedna’ presents a refreshing mix of well-planned and spontaneously improvised action in the impressive wilderness of rough oceans and big lonely mountains. An inspiration for all women to follow their dreams.”
Honourable Mentions by the Jury
Resistance Climbing
“This is a courageous film by Nick Rosen and Zachary Barr. Its authentic storytelling includes scenes that are sensitive to film and displays a warm community in a vulnerable position. Despite all the difficulties which the local climbers face, the positive impact climbing has on their lives is enormous and gives a greater meaning to this sport.”
Dartaş / The Carpenter
“Few words and extremely powerful details make this a masterpiece of storytelling. Repeated elements, such as the squirrel, create different perspectives on an intense story. The minimalistic approach chosen by Xelîl Sehragerd is convincing, and the audience becomes both an observer and an integral part as the plot slowly evolves.”
Am Steilhang (On the Steep Slope)
“Thomas Schäfer presents footage that is unhurried – and impresses because it is. It allows us
to share in Farmer Valentin’s understanding of truly natural agriculture – by confidently rejecting industrial food production. The refined narrative style and camera work that is close-up, yet respectful, make the film feel complete.“