Cinema at the edge of the rocky abyss
In 2020, the Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival had to be cancelled due to Covid, yet it showed some “signs of life”. Last year saw a courageous restart under pandemic conditions. The “proper” festival finally returns in 2022. The number of submitted films shows that film makers made good use of difficult times: 178 productions from 28 countries. The pandemic – and how it affects people and nature – persists as one of the most exciting topics. It is moreover evident that the mountain film genre continues to encompass a multifaceted spectrum and that its film makers hit on inspiring topics and tell strong stories. Unfortunately, due to the large number of submissions, not all productions can make it onto the event screens. The films currently scheduled to run in 40 showings were selected during an initial screening process. After all, the prizes conferred during the award ceremony by the international jury are not intended to recognise top mountaineering achievements but rather reflect cinematic criteria such as: What is the film’s overall message? Is it telling an exciting, logically sound story? Is the location well chosen, the camera work adequate? Do we meet engaging and authentic characters? This year, the audience can choose from around 85 films – including unusual topics, new perspectives, documentaries, reportages and portraits. At the end, the jury selects the winners from a shortlist, which currently comprises 31 films.
The most convincing submission across all the categories receives the “Grand Prize of the City of Tegernsee”
Further awards:
- Award by the German Alpine Club
- Award for the best nature documentary
- Award for the best cultural documentary
- Otto Guggenbichler Award for the best film by a junior filmmaker (funded by the Guggenbichler family and by AmbulantesBeinCentrum München)
- Bayern-2 Audience Award
- Special Prizes awarded by the Rotary Club Tegernsee: Award for the most outstanding camera work and Award for the Exceptional Film