Programme - Saturday 19 October 2019 - Evening

Iceland is characterized by volcanism. Here, directly at the contact zone of two continental plates, the North American and Eurasian plates drift two centimeters apart each year. Tectonic columns are sometimes filled with colored, sometimes with crystal clear water. Lakes are cold from glacier water or boiling hot. Rivers change the direction of flow and are sometimes salty, sometimes sweet. And also in the sea there is a lot to admire.

Destroyed houses and cars, injured and dead bodies are the consequences of rockfalls and landslides. Tourists are alarmed, the population worried. What is coincidence and what is the result of global warming? How many landslides are to be expected in the Alps in the next few years? How can the risks be managed? Prevention, reliable monitoring systems and protective barriers are becoming vital for all concerned.

The St. Anton ski lift companies have plans for the Malfontal valley in Verwall. One of the largest and currently the most controversial lift development project in Austria is a ski circuit through the untouched high valley towards Paznaun and to Kappl. But what does this mean for the mountain landscape? Nobody volunteers any answers. Eventually, local people from Pettneu dared to speak up about the project and to go on tour with the Bergauf-Bergab TV team.

From time to time there are athletes who redefine their sport. Czech top-climber Adam Ondra is one of them. In Norway he becomes the first climber to send a 5.15d. He develops new training methods, completes one first ascent after another, and is the first person to complete a 5.15 route on first try. A great athlete at the peak of his capacity.
The filmmakers of Sender Films in Colorado have already won numerous awards in Tegernsee.

Jeszcze began paragliding at the age of seventy. He stands out, among all the young, trained ski-flying planes on Mount Grappa in Italy – simply because he’s the oldest. At 88, he dreams of flying from Olympus. Although it is already hard for him to climb the seat of the gods, he spreads his „wings‟ at the summit and rises to the sky. And at the age of 91, „Grandpa‟ wants to be in the Guinness Book of Records.

He always wanted to shoot a hunting movie. Well, actually an anti-hunting one. But that’s not so easy when you come from a family of hunters. Reflections mingle with memories, and the father, of course a hunter, enters into hot discussion. Mother also has a few words of wisdom to add.

Martina goes for the eighth time in May 2019 as a dairy on an alpine pasture in the Spitzinggebiet in the Bavarian Prealps. There it is surrounded by mountains – which have not only a consciousness, but also a voice. In poetic words they question the development of humanity …

Puriah Ravahi was awarded the prize of the German Alpine Association for the best alpine film in 2017 for „Last Exit‟.

In Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on the night of January 6th. If you want to experience this festival, you have to hike 23 days through the breathtaking landscape of the Simiens Mountains to the holy city of Lalibela. A moving pilgrimage to the heart of a profoundly changing nation.

The Pehuenche in Chile still speak Mapudungun, their national language. This land, its universe, is known as Wallmapu, as the land of the Mapuche. Two freeskiers explore this landscape of araucaria trees, towering volcanoes and wind-pressed snow.

The Arhuacos watch over the forest, over the peaks of rock and ice and the delicate natural balance of their environment. Colombia’s highest mountain is their sanctuary, but in the 21st century they are no longer alone in the mountains.

Alexander Hick is a native of Tegernsee and has already presented his films at several festivals.

Any mistake, even the slightest inattention can mean death: free solo climber Alex Honnold intends to solo a 3,000 ft wall on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without rope or protection. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Elisabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and her husband, cameraman and professional mountaineer Jimmy Chin, accompany Alex Honnold during the preparations and impress with sensational, dizzying footage.

In 2019 “Free Solo” was the ever first mountain film to receive an Oscar. “That’s why every mountain film fan must see this movie”, states festival director Michael Pause.