2023 – Mountain Film Tegernsee 20th Internat. Festival, 18 – 22 October – Press Release/Award Ceremony
Press Release/Award Ceremony
Tegernsee Mountain Film, 20th International Festival from 18 – 22 October 2023
“Kumari” receives the Great Prize by the City of Tegernsee
The winner of the 20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival has been announced: This year’s Great Prize by the City of Tegernsee, endowed with 3,000 euros, goes to Sean O’Connor’s film “Kumari – A Father’s Dream”. The German Alpine Club (DAV) Prize for the Best Alpine Film in the category Mountain Experience goes to Alessandro Beltrame for his documentary “Pionieri” (Pioneers). In the categories Mountain Nature, Mountain Life and the Otto Guggenbichler Young Talent Award, “Down to the Last Drop”, “Weather Cam Recordings” and “The Last Skiers” each won 1,000 euros.
Sean O’Connor wins the 20th Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival. His film “Kumari – A Father’s Dream” (USA, Nepal) prevailed against around 65 international productions and won the Great Prize by the City of Tegernsee, endowed with 3,000 euros. “Kumari” is set in a remote mountain village in Nepal: Jagat Lama promises his dying father that he will bring medical care to their home of Kumari. Thanks to his ability and willpower he becomes a high-altitude mountain guide and founder of a cooperative agency of Himalayan guides. Jagat doesn’t forget his promise and leads a group of friends to channel their resources and energies into the development of Kumari’s basic needs: first electricity, then a women’s skill centre, a school, a community farm and a medical hospital. But in 2015, a strong earthquake hits Nepal and destroys the accomplished work. According to the jury, “this is a moving story about the strength and resilience of the human spirit in confrontation with the power of nature. The director and the crew return to the filming locations and complete the immense reconstruction work with their images.”
A journey to the roots of mountaineering
On August 10, 2021, mountain guide Peter Moser dares a bold tour: he means to traverse six main peaks of the Pale di San Martino in a single day. Inspired by the pioneers of mountaineering, Peter undertakes this solo-traverse along historical routes. The jury is impressed by the approach of Alessandro Beltrame’s documentary “Pionieri” (Pioneers): the protagonist wants to “meet the mountain at eye level, quickly but without haste, on an intimate journey to the roots of his own mountain being.” He is looking for the same enthusiasm that once drove the first explorers. The film receives the German Alpine Club (DAV) Prize for the Best Alpine Film in the category Mountain Experience.
A quiet and unagitated film that highlights alternatives
“Down to the Last Drop” shows in simple and precisely because of that impressive images what is at stake when we blindly destroy highly sensitive, ecologically valuable habitats for the sake of electricity from hydropower. “A quiet and unagitated film that highlights alternatives,” runs the jury’s verdict. “It vividly illustrates just how diversified the search for the best possible solution could be. Harry Putz from Austria has succeeded in making a very thoughtful film that does not release us from our responsibility.” “Down to the Last Drop” receives this year’s Prize for the Best Film in the category Mountain Nature.
Quirky and all-too-human stories
We are all familiar with footage from a weather camera. In this German-Austrian co-production, Bernhard Wenger and Alexandra Brodski discover “curious and all-too-human stories within the banal camera pans. A witty and original film that surprises,” is the verdict of the jury, who awarded “Weather Cam Recordings” the Prize for the Best Film in the category Mountain Life.
Young Talent Award, Best Cinematography, Special Film and Honourable Mentions
The Otto Guggenbichler Young Talent Award 2023 goes to the young Italian director Veronica Ciceri. Her documentary short film “The Last Skiers” shows what we all know: climate change in the Alps. “But it does so in poetic fashion, in a way in which we hardly ever get to see the subject framed,” explains the jury. “The film is a small masterpiece. Within eleven minutes it demonstrates what documentary film can do.” The Prize for the Most Outstanding Camera Work goes to Anil Budha Magar from Nepal for “The Iron Digger”. This year’s Prize for the Special Film goes to “Märzengrund” (Beyond the Alp) by Austrian director Adrian Goiginger. In addition, three films received an Honourable Jury Mention: “Avenâl” (Avenâl – Crossroads of Nations and Peoples at the Predil Pass) by Anna Sandrini from Italy, “Legenda o Zlatorogu” (The Legend of Goldenhorn) by Lea Vučko and Damir Grbanovic from Slovenia as well as “The Way Home” by Joe Lee from Taiwan.
Proud of what has been achieved: event hosts satisfied with outcome
Jury members Caroline Fink (Switzerland), Josef “Sepp” Wörmann (Germany), Dr Thomas Gayda (Austria), Julia Poplawska (Poland) and Linda Cottino (Italy), spent many hours in the dark screening room and in video calls to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the 65 films from around 30 nations. Numerous winners travelled to Tegernsee to accept their prize in person at the final award ceremony on Saturday, where the winners of the competition were honoured and excerpts of the winning films screened. Others sent a video message. The award ceremony is always an occasion to celebrate all involved – filmmakers, jury, supporters and organisers. “Personally, I have been particularly impressed by the many wonderful encounters with the loyal mountain film community over the past few days,” says festival director Michael Pause. Johannes Hagn, mayor of the City of Tegernsee, is also satisfied: “We can be extremely pleased with what we have achieved in the anniversary year with our small organizing team and the many volunteers. We filled the venues, were celebrated by the media and received a lot of praise and encouragement from our visitors. For that reason alone, the big effort would have been worth it.” Please note: The award ceremony will be screened online on Sunday from 5 pm at the following link: www.ardmediathek.de/br/berge-und-wandern.
Further information: Sonderbüro Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, phone +49(0)8022-1801 – 37; bergfilm@tegernsee.de, online: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
2023 – 20th Tegernsee Internat. Mountain Film Festival, 18-22 October – Winning Films
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival Winning Films 2023
Great Prize by the City of Tegernsee (3,000 euros)
Kumari – A Father’s Dream
Sean O’Connor | Story Gorge | USA, Nepal
German Alpine Club (DAV) Prize for the Best Alpine Film (Category Mountain Experience – 1,000 euros)
Pionieri (Pioneers)
Alessandro Beltrame | AGB studio video | Italy
Best Film in the Category Mountain Life (1,000 euros)
Aufnahmen einer Wetterkamera (Weather Cam Recordings)
Bernhard Wenger, Alexandra Brodski | Filmakademie Wien | Austria, Germany
Best Film in the Category Mountain Nature (1,000 euros)
Bis zum letzten Tropfen (Down to the last Drop)
Harry Putz | Open-air documentary, Verein Wildwasser erhalten Tirol | Austria
Otto Guggenbichler Young Talent Award (€ 1,000)
The Last Skiers
Veronica Ciceri | Italy
Prize for the Most Outstanding Camera Work (1,000 euros)
The Iron Digger
Anil Budha Magar | ABM Cinema Production | Nepal
Prize for the Special Film (1,000 euros)
Märzengrund (Beyond the Alp)
Adrian Goiginger | Metafilm | Austria
Honourable Mentions (500 euros respectively)
Avenâl (Avenâl – Crossroads of Nations and Peoples at the Predil Pass)
Anna Sandrini | Paolo Muran | Italy
The Way Home
Joe Lee | Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation | Taiwan
Legenda o Zlatorogu (The Legend of Goldenhorn)
Lea Vučko, Damir Grbanovic | OCTOPIC’S | Slovenia
Bayern 2 – Audience Award (1,000 euros)
Todesfalle Haute Route (Death Trap Haute Route
Frank Senn | SRF, SRG SSR, Servus TV, arte | Switzerland
2023 – Mountain Film Tegernsee, 20th International Festival from 18 – 22 October 2023
Press Release/Opening – October 19, 2023
Mountain Film Tegernsee, 20th International Festival from 18 – 22 October 2023
Roped Parties and Cinematic Border Crossings
The Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival has been inaugurated, and its 20th edition is capturing the zeitgeist: The festive opening at Tegernsee Castle’s baroque ballroom shows that we cannot escape major human issues in the mountains. On stage and with his film, extreme mountaineer and ice climber Robert Jasper impressively depicts the consequences of glacial melting in the Patagonian Andes. With “Chronoception” from France and “Queen” from Switzerland, the festival hosts highlight the broad spectrum of modern mountain film.
The festival doesn’t start off with a film, but with a dare. Lukas Irmler, multiple slackline record holder from Miesbach, Bavaria, whose film “7 Summits of the Alps” will be shown at this year’s Mountain Film Festival, climbs the Tegernsee stage to demonstrate his skills. Since his slackline cannot be anchored in the ground, he faces a “human-powered” one, i.e. four to five people on each side hold the rope and Irmler walks across it. The rope holders are none other than Tegernsee mayor Johannes Hagn, former mayor Peter Janssen, Bayern 2 programme director Stefan Maier and Birgit Halmbacher, the festival’s office manager. “A mountain film festival can only work as a team effort. We rely on rope holders such as these,” states festival director Michael Pause. Irmler agrees: “All need to pull together, even while everyone has a different role.” Tonight, many of the “rope holders” are sitting in the crowded baroque ballroom. Michael Pause is visibly pleased. “20 years – it’s hard to believe! I’m truly thrilled that the mountain film scene has come together.” Some of the people in the ballroom already joined the roped party as early as 2003.
Known for its exciting topics and curated blocks of films, the festival starts into its 20th edition with a cinematic representation of climate change. After the slackline demonstration, the 28-minute film “Abenteuer Patagonien – Klimaforschung in der Eiswüste” (Adventure Patagonia – Climate Research in the Ice Desert) presents a topic that has in fact already been current for 50 years. German TV broadcaster ZDF has sent scientist Tobias Sauter and mountain guides Robert Jasper and Jörn Heller as well as editor Andreas Ewels to the ice fields of Patagonia. Three of them as well as director and cinematographer Jochen Schmoll will be on stage on Wednesday evening. For many years, Robert Jasper has been one of the most distinguished German mountaineers and top climbers, yet this is his first visit to Tegernsee. Jasper claims to have been on more than 15 expeditions to Patagonia to date and hopes his film will “draw attention to truly global problems”. Like many others, he experiences how mountaineering and climate change are becoming unwillingly enmeshed.
Festival director Michael Pause also feels the pulse of our times with his further selection of elements for the night. Guillaume Broust is a pleasing discovery. In 2019, the French filmmaker received the German Alpine Club (DAV) award for the Best Film in the category Mountain Experience for “The Pathan Project”. This year, he presents “Chronoception”. The film impressively illustrates how by the end of a mountain tour to the most remote corners of Kyrgyzstan, it is not the athletic performance that counts, but the experience itself as well as perceiving the flow of time. “The theme is patience and waiting,” says Léa Klaué, one of the film’s leading actors. The snowboarder and social anthropologist has come to the Tegernsee stage after a ten-hour journey from Valais and tells the audience about at times extremely difficult filming conditions. And she raves about the director’s achievement: “I see Guillaume as a magician. Tone, cut, style: all unique.” The third, last and shortest film of the evening is about the wolf in the mountains and tells a fascinating fictional story. The other leading actress – beside the she-wolf – is Liliane Amuat from Switzerland, who has joined the ensemble of Munich’s Residenztheater.
In its anniversary year, the Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival once again hosts plenty of guests. Well over 70 guests of honour attended the opening alone, including Barbara Guggenbichler, the daughter of the festival’s founder. Also present were numerous filmmakers and mountaineers, politicians and socialites, sponsors, supporters and mountain enthusiasts. Because “the 20-year-mark is a great opportunity to look back”, as festival director Pause explains in his address, and as a gift to all who want to know more about the beginnings of the festival, the Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival is now available between book covers in the form of a commemorative publication. This was officially presented on the opening night by festival director Pause. The first copy was presented to Upper Bavarian district president Dr. Konrad Schober. The commemorative publication is available for purchase in a limited edition for 15 euros in the town hall’s forum. The proceeds will go to the German Alpine Club’s Tegernsee youth division.
At the end of the evening, district administrator Olaf von Löwis spontaneously donates an additional 1,000 euros towards the jury prize. And Tegernsee Mayor Johannes Hagn, who was able to open the mountain film festival for the tenth time, happily states in his welcoming speech that this year, the Honourable Mention by the Jury will be endowed for the first time with 500 euros. Will one of the opening films receive a coveted prize by the end of the festival? This is currently being decided by an international jury. There are a lot of films to choose from. A total of 65 different films will be screened in four venues (Barocksaal, Schalthaus, Ludwig-Thoma-Saal and Medius) as well as in the marquee at the Point, which has been set up especially for the anniversary year. The festival ends with the festive award ceremony on Saturday evening (from 7 pm in the Tegernsee Barocksaal or on BR livestream). Remaining tickets are available for almost all screenings.
Further information: Sonderbüro Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, phone +49(0)8022-1801 – 37; bergfilm@tegernsee.de, online: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de. All films and the fringe programme are described in detail in the print programme and online.
Advance ticket sales at the Tegernsee Tourist Information, phone +49(0)8022-92738 – 62; tegernsee@tegernsee.com; online: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de or www.muenchenticket.de.
2023 – 20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, 18 – 22 October – Programme is available
Press Release – 2023-09-07 – Programme is available
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival – 18 – 22 October 2023
Summit Meeting at Lake Tegernsee
From 18 to 22 October, a total of 65 films from 28 countries will be screened at the International Mountain Film Festival in Tegernsee, which is going into its 20th edition. Sometimes loud and spectacular, sometimes quiet and gentle: these explorations of the mountain theme are diverse and always unique. What exactly the viewer can expect in terms of documentaries, portraits and reports during this anniversary year is revealed in the recently published print and online programmes. Advance ticket sales start on 15 September. In addition to numerous filmmakers and protagonists, the exceptional German mountaineers Robert Jasper and David Göttler as well as mountain film legend Gerhard Baur will attend the festival.
Hardly any other backdrop could be more suited to a film festival that revolves around the mountains than pre-Alpine Lake Tegernsee. From 18 to 22 October, the International Mountain Film Festival will take place for the 20th time here, in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Apart from the screens beckons a varied fringe programme with hikes in the Tegernsee Valley and special exhibitions. More than 30 films are screened every day, including productions from all over the world. Festival Director Michael Pause promises a high-class programme: “Once again, we are proud to run many outstanding films as well as several surprises in our competition.” In addition, prominent guests from the German mountaineering scene such as Robert Jasper and David Göttler will be present. David Göttler is currently one of the best German high-altitude mountaineers (he climbed Everest without oxygen in 2022). Also attending is filmmaker Gerhard Baur, Germany’s most important mountain filmmaker of the last 50 years, who was awarded the Great Prize in Tegernsee in 2005. The Nanga Parbat expert will show his winning film, participate in discussions with the audience and thus contribute to the special festival atmosphere.
With a number of strong films, the Opening Night on Wednesday will attract guests to the four indoor screening venues as well as to the novel Festival Tent set up especially for the anniversary year. This year’s Bayern2 Night on Thursday will focus on the theme “Big Ego, Big Achievement?” Rita Christen, President of the Swiss Mountain Guide Association, and Katharina Kestler from the Bavarian public podcast Bergfreundinnen discuss why people risk so much just to be at the top. Whether turning back can also trigger happiness. And whether the greatest achievement of all might not be the overcoming of big ego. Also on the agenda is a mountain film retrospective, including a portrait of Dr Arnold Fanck, who founded the genre more than 100 years ago. The Ludwig-Thomas-Saal venue equally focuses on superlative mountain sports achievements, celebrating the 70th anniversaries of Mounts Everest and Nanga Parbat – both eight-thousanders were ascended for the first time in 1953. David Göttler had to abandon an attempt on Nanga Parbat last spring and has announced his presence at the screening. Special cinematic highlights can always be expected at the German Alpine Club (DAV) Night on Friday, which this year takes place at the Festival Tent. On Saturday, the final section of the mountain film marathon begins at 10 a.m. at the Schalthaus venue in Tegernsee with high-quality repeats for all who could not attend during the first three days. Generally speaking, the Medius venue is the focal point for those who appreciate young and action-packed films. By the way: The Children’s Cinema at the Festival Tent offers a great programme for very young viewers, from Wednesday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. onwards.
Anyone who studies the short synopses of the approximately 65 films from almost 30 countries in the print or online programmes immediately gets drawn into the diverse and fantastic world of the mountains. Thrilling topics and protagonists make it extra-hard to decide which films to watch at the Tegernsee venues. To make sure nobody misses out, numerous films are screened several times.
One of this year’s competition favourites is the film Märzengrund (Beyond the Alp) – an adaptation of the play by famous Tyrolean author and playwright Felix Mitterer. The film is about a farmer’s son who flees from social constraints to an alpine pasture and does not return for 40 years. Mitterer considers this piece possibly his most important work. The feature film is part of the festival category “Mountain Life”. Also impressive: Todesfalle Haute Route (Death Trap Haute Route), a meticulous reconstruction of a tragic accident that occurred in the Valais Alps in 2018. Back then, seven people died in a snowstorm just 1,800 ft (550 m) from shelter. A first-class docudrama: exciting, authentic, perfect storytelling. Definitely worth seeing is Chronoception. A film about an expedition which takes a group of freeriders and snowboarders to a remote corner of Kyrgyzstan. Each episode is told differently, conveying to viewers how the athletic goal of first descents on untouched slopes gradually becomes eclipsed by the overall experience. Wonderfully bizarre is the film Aufnahmen einer Wetterkamera (Weather Cam Recordings). While the image boundaries of a webcam robotically pan back and forth, interpersonal stories evolve in the foreground and social boundaries are casually transgressed.
As exciting as the films is the question which productions will snatch an award at the festive closing ceremony hosted at Tegernsee Castle. As always, the international jury will scrutinise each film carefully in order to award prizes to the best. Attending the award ceremony on Saturday puts you at the heart of the festival: There, guests will meet some of the award-winning filmmakers in person and watch excerpts from all winning films. Simultaneously, the Festival Tent venue will screen a winning film from the past 20 years, followed by a complete screening of this year’s recipient of the Great Prize by the City of Tegernsee. And on Sunday there will be a unique opportunity to watch all the award-winning films again at full length.
More information: Sonderbüro Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, phone +49(0)8022-1 801 – 37; bergfilm@tegernsee.de
Advance ticket sales (starting in mid-September) and programme available at the Tegernsee Tourist Information, phone +49(0)8022-92738 – 62; tegernsee@tegernsee.com; online: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de or www.muenchenticket.de. In the (German) print and (German, English) online programmes, all films as well as the fringe program are described in detail.
2023 – 20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival – 18 to 22 October 2023 – Interview with Main Sponsor LOWA
Press Release: Interview with Main Sponsor LOWA – August 14, 2023
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, 18 to 22 October 2023
“We honestly can’t wait!”
This year, the well-known Upper Bavarian manufacturer of hiking and mountaineering footwear LOWA celebrates 100 years of tradition. Also this year, in autumn, the Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival celebrates its 20th edition. Michael Frank, Head of Marketing at LOWA since 2016, talks about the mountain boot manufacturer’s involvement in this year’s Mountain Film Festival, about promoting culture in times of crisis and the hoped-for brand image benefits.
Michael Frank, in 2023 LOWA teams up for the first time with the Mountain Film Festival as its main sponsor. How did this new cooperation come about?
The Mountain Film Festival was already on our radar, many LOWA employees visit it regularly. Our shoes have also been present in festival films for a long time. Our long-time employee Sepp Krimmer has been attending the event for years and facilitated the initial contact. After that, we all quickly agreed that a cooperation would be a good fit.
Have you supported other festivals or cultural events in the past?
Yes, we have supported smaller local events as a sponsor, including the short film festival in Schrobenhausen, among others.
When one of your customers asks you why you invest in culture, how do you respond?
Cultural work and education are essential pillars of our society. The fact that something is missing without a cultural life was demonstrated painfully by the pandemic. It transpired very clearly when theatres and museums were closed. As a business, we are aware of our responsibility to give something back to society, possibly to even help shape it.
Is sponsorship generally at risk due to the current crisis?
It is not at risk; a good sponsoring relationship still offers great benefits for both sides. Due to the current situation, budgets are still somewhat uncertain, so potential sponsors will be more hesitant and fewer sponsoring deals tend to come through.
For small boutique festivals like the one in Tegernsee, financial support is an indispensable part of the budget. What returns do you expect from your involvement in the Mountain Film Festival? And how do you, as an outdoor gear manufacturer, benefit from the Mountain Film Festival’s image?
First and foremost, like every visitor, we are looking forward to great films and adventures. Our products are always a part of the experience, the right footwear is critical. Many festival guests will feel inspired to spend more active outdoor time.
And that’s why we hope that our presence on site will enhance our brand image and promote our amazing products.
Will LOWA present any activities at the Mountain Film Festival?
Yes, we are planning for an active presence at the festival. But no spoilers just yet!
What birthday wisdom can the seasoned senior LOWA impart to the merely coming-of-age festival in Tegernsee? From celebrant to celebrant, so to speak.
Firstly, that you absolutely have to celebrate birthdays. A 20th birthday might get a bit rowdier than a 100th, of course. Over the past 100 years, our LOWA history has resembled a mountain tour, with highs and lows. When things don’t go your way, don’t let it get you down.
Will you attend the anniversary celebrations this autumn in person and catch some films?
Absolutely, we will be there. We honestly can’t wait!
Do you enjoy mountain films?
If I didn’t like mountain films, my job at LOWA would be very tough. For us, almost everything revolves around the great outdoors and the mountains.
What is your favourite mountain film?
My favourite film is Manaslu – Mountain of Souls by Hans Kammerlander.
Thank you very much for the interview.
OUR 2023 SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS:
Our heartfelt thanks for support to the Mountain Festival goes to:
LOWA, E-Werk Tegernsee, Der Westerhof, Das Werk, Kreissparkasse Miesbach-Tegernsee, Wallbergbahn, Herzogliches Brauhaus Tegernsee, Hopf Weißbierbrauerei Miesbach, Das Tegernsee, Monte Mare Seesauna, ShowTec München, Markmiller & Partner, Kirinus Alpenpark Klinik, REO Regionalentwicklung Oberland, Rotary Club Tegernsee.
Bayerischer Rundfunk – Bayern 2, Deutscher Alpenverein, Tegernseer Tal Tourismus GmbH; Media Partner: Bergsteiger, Münchner Merkur
Further Information: Sonderbuero Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, Rathausplatz 1, D-83684 Tegernsee, Germany
Phone +49(0)8022-1801-37 or -53, bergfilm@tegernsee.de, www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
Encl. – 2 stills
Z62_6666_Favorit_©Kerstin Rysavy.jpg – Michael Frank – Head of Marketing – LOWA Sportschuhe GmbH
TTT_BFF_Sponsorenabend_2023-2.jpg – Meeting of the sponsors and supporters of the Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival at Galaun, Riederstein/Tegernsee (© C.Schempershofe/TTT/BFF)
2023 – 20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival – 18 to 22 October 2023 – 20th Anniversary Interview
Press Release 20th Anniversary Interview – June 19, 2023
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, 18 to 22 October 2023
Beyond the Heroics of Yesteryear
Michael Pause has signed responsible for the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival programme for the past twenty years. During this time, he has blazed a trail between tradition and cutting-edge trends. In an anniversary interview he explains what he expects from a good mountain film and looks back at the funniest, most surprising contributions – and what almost became the greatest flop.
Michael Pause, what is your favourite mountain film of all times?
Adventures in the Engadin, dating from 1932 – and at least three dozen other films.
Why?
This black-and-white ski film was scripted by Arnold Fanck, who is probably Germany’s most important mountain film pioneer. The simple story comes with a certain entertainment value and a lot of humour. But what impresses most is the fantastic footage of skiers in the winter wonderland of the Swiss Engadine.
Which of the winning films of the past 20 years would you call a favourite?
I would like to mention two special films: The Wire of Life (2003) and Olga e il tempo… (“Olga and Time” 2009). Both depict archaic life in the mountains – bereft of commentary, timeless. Once viewers commit to the experience, they sense that they are getting to see something extraordinary. True works of documentary art!
What was the funniest entry?
Snow in Marrakech – wonderfully ironic. A grotesque story that interrogates clichés and prejudices. Also, the short films Kurt and the Chairlift and Simply the Worst. Be sure to check these out!
What was the biggest flop?
Not really a flop, but nerve-wrecking: Two hours before the start of the award ceremony, the Great Prize winner from Sibiu in Romania reported that he was stuck on a Lufthansa plane due to a technical failure. I went on stage and “decelerated”: We improvised, showed longer film excerpts than planned – many spectators didn’t even notice a thing. At half past eleven the door opened and the victor marched in. It was certainly the most titillating award ceremony – for us organisers.
The biggest surprise?
Asiemut, a Canadian documentary film that witnesses 5,000 miles of cycling and philosophising from Mongolia to India, undertaken by a young Canadian couple. Surprising, because we had requested the film belatedly after a tip from Banff. We hadn’t even seen it in advance – in the end, the jury chose it as the winning film!
Which celebrities have visited the festival?
The great speaker and thinker Heiner Geißler: having him as festival patron was a stroke of luck. Despite his many commitments, he almost never missed the festival. In the mountaineering community he always felt right at home. Special festival guests included Willy Bogner, Markus Wasmeier, Kurt Diemberger, Alexander Huber, Stefan Glowacz, Gerhard Baur, David Lama, Jörg Auer, Viktoria Rebensburg, Christoph Hainz and many others.
On this 20th anniversary, you plan to revisit the beginnings of alpine film. What will be screened?
In addition to the competition entries, I would like to show films that reveal to visitors the unique characters who have taken on this genre. I find it riveting to get to know brilliant film pioneer Arnold Fanck in a portrait of his person. As part of the Retrospective, we will also be showing a film by Dr. Otto Guggenbichler, our festival’s initiator. Plus, two other big anniversaries are happening this year. 70 years ago, Mount Everest and shortly afterwards Nanga Parbat were ascended for the first time – we will recognise this in the festival programme.
Today’s mountain films no longer merely obsess with heroes, the battle against nature and breaking records. What has changed in recent years?
The great heroic pathos, which one could not escape in the mountain films of the first decades, can now be safely discarded. However, we still meet heroes and heroines, just on a completely different level. Quiet personalities achieve acts of “heroism” in the mountains while remaining authentic, not hogging the limelight. About them, great and exciting stories can be told.
The festival receives over 150 submissions. What are your criteria for inclusion and what provides filmmakers with a good chance of winning one of the coveted prizes?
The pre-selection jury reviews all submissions and soberly assesses whether the individual films comply with the Call for Submissions. In a second phase, the quality is discussed and evaluated. In this way, we select the films for festival screening and compile shortlists of the most highly rated films in the various competition categories. A time-consuming job and a big responsibility.
Could a film that never refers to mountains ever run in your programme?
I can’t imagine (laughs), but the “mountain theme” reaches far and leaves a lot of room for interpretation. We believe that the mountains still attract fascination and provide material for extraordinary films. This we shall prove once more this coming autumn.
Further Information: Sonderbüro Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, Rathausplatz 1, 83684 Tegernsee, Germany
Phone +49(0)8022-1801-37 or -53, bergfilm@tegernsee.de, www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
2023 – Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival – 18 to 22 October 2023 – Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival on the International Stage
NL/Press Release – May 3, 2023
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, 18 to 22 October 2023
Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival on the International Stage
The 20th edition of the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival calls for a proper shout-out and a celebration. That is why festival director Michael Pause and festival office manager Birgit Halmbacher are traveling to Trento, Italy this week – to attend the world’s oldest mountain film festival and to present their anniversary programme. They will also attend an informal spring gathering of the International Alliance for Mountain Films (IAMF). Noteworthy deadline for all producers and filmmakers: The latest mountain films intended for screening at Lake Tegernsee this autumn must be submitted by 31 May, in four weeks’ time.
When asked how long he’s been attending the Trento Film Festival, Michael Pause just laughs. Then, he specifies: “For over 40 years!” Initially as a journalist for Bavarian Public Broadcasting (BR), later on as the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival’s director. After all, “the 71st Trento Film Festival presents another unmissable get-together for the mountain film festival genre. The mother of all mountain film festivals is all about networking and encounters within ‘the scene’.” Naturally, it is a thousand times better to converse with filmmakers and producers in person than merely on the phone. Moreover, it is the ideal opportunity for Michael Pause to alert international mountain film festival makers to this autumn’s anniversary edition at Lake Tegernsee. He is happy to reveal: “We want to seize this opportunity to look into the best of 20 years of Tegernsee Mountain Film. We want to rewind even further, for example by remembering the inventor of the mountain film genre. It’s fascinating to explore the very beginnings.”
The world’s largest mountain film festival was founded in 1952 and currently takes place in the Trentino region – ending on 7 May. It promises the opportunity of forging new mountain film contacts and of gaining an overview of trends in the mountain film genre. “Our end of May registration deadline for the Tegernsee festival is optimal,” Halmbacher reveals, “because in Trento we get an excellent idea of this year’s strongest productions. Most importantly, we discover films we’d otherwise have completely missed out on!” Pause recalls times when he was able to catch as many as 50 or 60 films there.
In addition, Pause and Halmbacher are attending an informal spring gathering of the International Alliance for Mountain Films (IAMF) in Trento. The IAMF brings together the 25 most important mountain film festivals worldwide, including Trento, Les Diablerets, Graz, Kathmandu, Kendal, Autrans as well as Tegernsee. This association of mountain film festivals from all over the world has become a valuable information hub for festival organisers.
Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing at Lake Tegernsee. In autumn, an international jury will award prizes to the best mountain films in the competition. The screened films demonstrate this genre’s wide range of topics and its unique charm. Traditionally, Tegernsee and its audience value narratives outside the mainstream. Up until 31 May, producers and filmmakers may submit their latest mountain films in the categories Mountain Experience, Mountain Nature and Mountain Life.
All prizes, endowments and the call for submissions can be found at: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
Information: Sonderbüro Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, Rathausplatz 1, 83684 Tegernsee, Germany
Phone +49(0)8022-1801-37 or -53, bergfilm@tegernsee.de, www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
2023 – 20th International Mountain Film Festival Tegernsee, 18-22 October – Call for Entries (Short Version)
NL/Press Release – Call for Submissions (short version)
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, 18 to 22 October 2023
Cinematic Time Travel on a Milestone Birthday
The International Mountain Film Festival turns 20 this year! The cinematic thrills on offer at Germany’s only open mountain film competition will be chosen in the coming months: From now until 31 May, filmmakers from all over the world can submit their latest productions. In addition to the most engaging films, the festival programme will include a variety of special anniversary features.
20 Mountain film festival years at Lake Tegernsee – that calls for a celebration. “Preparations for this autumn’s anniversary edition of the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival are in full swing,” states festival director Michael Pause full of anticipation. He also announces: “As a gift to our loyal guests, so to speak”, the very best films from 19 festival years will be shown at screening venues in addition to this year’s competing films. “We are looking forward to celebrating mountain film and the institution of cinema with a cinematic journey through time.” A new festival trailer is being produced. And on the occasion of the milestone anniversary, a new outdoor screening location will be added: a tent pitched on Tegernsee’s “Point” peninsula.
Call for new productions from around the globe
Until the end of May film makers can submit their latest productions from the mountain world. Productions can be submitted to three categories, which approach the mountains from different thematic angles. The first category, Mountain Experience, puts alpinism and sportive encounters with the mountains centre stage. The best film in this category is awarded the Prize by the German Alpine Club (DAV). Landscape portraits and investigations of environmental issues are the focus of the second category, Mountain Nature. Films in the third category, Mountain Life, take stock of ethnological and cultural aspects in the encounter between people and mountains. The best film across all categories will be awarded the festival’s main prize, the Great Prize of the City of Tegernsee (worth 3,000 euros). Furthermore, the most outstanding junior film maker (the author or director must be no older than 32 upon the film’s completion) receives the Otto Guggenbichler Prize, named after the Mountain Film Festival’s founder. Finally, there are special prizes for the Most Outstanding Camera Work, for the Exceptional Film, and of course the Bayern2 Audience Award.
Please find all further prizes and their worth as well as the Call for Submissions at: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
Information and Call for Submissions available from: Special Office Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, Rathausplatz 1, 83684 Tegernsee, Germany, phone +49(0)8022-1801-37 or -53, bergfilm@tegernsee.de,
www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
2023 – 20th Internat. Mountain Film Festival Tegernsee – 18 – 22 October – Call for Entries
NL/Press Release Call for Submissions – March 09, 2023
20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, 18 to 22 October 2023
Cinematic Time Travel on a Milestone Birthday
The International Mountain Film Festival turns 20 this year! The cinematic thrills on offer at Germany’s only open mountain film competition will be chosen in the coming months: From now until 31 May, filmmakers from all over the world can submit their latest productions. An international jury awards prizes to the best. The winners will receive nine prizes across three competition categories, endowed with a total of 10,500 euros. In addition to the most engaging films, the festival programme will include a variety of special anniversary features.
20 Mountain film festival years at Lake Tegernsee – that calls for a celebration. “Preparations for this autumn’s anniversary edition of the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival are in full swing,” states festival director Michael Pause full of anticipation. He also announces: “As a gift to our loyal guests, so to speak”, the very best films from 19 festival years will be shown at screening venues in addition to this year’s competing films. “We are looking forward to celebrating mountain film and the institution of cinema with a cinematic journey through time.” A new festival trailer is being produced. And on the occasion of the milestone anniversary, a new outdoor screening location will be added: a tent pitched on Tegernsee’s “Point” peninsula.
The festival as a stage for encounters
Great stories, captivating footage, authentic characters and an exciting competition: At the 20th Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, guests will once again be swept away by the fascination of the mountains, the creativity of filmmakers and protagonists. In the various screening venues, the entire spectrum of the “modern mountain film” genre can be admired on the big screen: the classic documentary as well as the weird short film and the gripping docudrama. Since the festival’s premiere exactly 20 years ago, the organizing team has been striving to bring the world’s best and most interesting films to Lake Tegernsee – as well as the people behind the stories. After all, festivals are always more than just the sum of their films. A festival is successful when it allows the makers and protagonists to emerge – when it gives them a stage for meaningful encounters. The many thousands of spectators who come to the mountain festival at autumnal Lake Tegernsee know and appreciate this.
Call for new productions from around the globe
Until the end of May film makers can submit their latest productions from the mountain world. Productions can be submitted to three categories, which approach the mountains from different thematic angles. The first category, Mountain Experience, puts alpinism and sportive encounters with the mountains centre stage. The best film in this category is awarded the Prize by the German Alpine Club (DAV). Landscape portraits and investigations of environmental issues are the focus of the second category, Mountain Nature. Films in the third category, Mountain Life, take stock of ethnological and cultural aspects in the encounter between people and mountains. The best film across all categories will be awarded the festival’s main prize, the Great Prize of the City of Tegernsee (worth 3,000 euros). Furthermore, the most outstanding junior film maker (the author or director must be no older than 32 upon the film’s completion) receives the Otto Guggenbichler Prize, named after the Mountain Film Festival’s founder. Finally, there are special prizes for the Most Outstanding Camera Work, for the Exceptional Film, and of course the Bayern2 Audience Award.
Please find all further prizes and their worth as well as the Call for Submissions at: www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
Information and Call for Submissions available from: Sonderbüro Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee, Rathausplatz 1, 83684 Tegernsee, Germany, phone +49(0)8022-1801-37 or -53, bergfilm@tegernsee.de,
www.bergfilm-tegernsee.de
