FILM PROGRAMME

Heidi, a spirited orphan girl, lives with her grandfather in a remote wooden hut nestled in the Swiss Alps. Alongside her loyal friend Peter and a lively herd of goats, she enjoys a carefree life. But her peaceful world is upended when her aunt Dete whisks her away to Frankfurt. There, Heidi is meant to be a companion to wheelchair-bound Klara, and to begin her formal education. Though Heidi quickly bonds with Klara and discovers a growing love for books, her heart remains tethered to the mountains and the warmth of her grandfather’s embrace.

“Of a Lifetime” accompanies the legendary De Le Rue snowboarding family, Xavier (7-time world champion), his brother Victor (3-time world champion) and Xavier’s daughter Mila, on their first expedition. Together, they sail across the stormy Drake Passage into the icy wilderness of Antarctica—a place full of danger, but also fascinating beauty. Between penguin colonies, orcas and steep ice slopes, Mila takes on the challenge of big mountain freeriding. Personal diaries give insight into her world of thoughts as she overcomes fears and grows beyond herself. A rousing journey across generations – which culminates in more than just Mila’s 18th birthday.

After weeks of highs and lows, three climbers reach the pivotal moment of their first ascent in the Garhwal Himalayas. Just below the summit, mere meters stand between triumph and defeat. The three-peaked Meru massif in the Indian Himalaya is home to legendary routes—including the iconic Shark’s Fin, first conquered in 2011. Expedition mountaineers Simon Gietl, Roger Schäli, and Mathieu Maynadier have set their sights on a new line up the southeast face of Meru South (6,660 m). But before they can attempt the crux of their chosen line, they must navigate a series of formidable challenges. In the end, the Goldfish (800 m, M6+, A1) wriggles in their net, proving to be every bit as spectacular as the Shark’s Fin.

In the male-dominated world of climbing, Emily Harrington sets her sights on a bold challenge: to free climb a route on El Capitan in California’s Yosemite Valley—within just 24 hours. Though she looks back on a remarkable, diverse career that spans elite competitions and a successful ascent of Mount Everest, this climb is different. Fuelled by personal ambition, facing societal expectations, and driven by the wish to live life to the fullest, Emily finds herself at a crossroads where everything is on the line. Girl Climber is a gripping blend of survival drama and intimate character study—a story of courage, self-determination, and the relentless pursuit not just of records, but of redefined limits.

With the rise of climbing gyms and the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games, climbing is undergoing rapid transformation—and faces a paradox: its global success indoors contrasts sharply with growing threats to outdoor climbing regions. Under the witty guidance of top climber Cédric Lachat, the film explores how climbing has evolved—from a nature-based outdoor pursuit into a global trend sport. Through striking visuals and a critical lens, it highlights what’s essential to preserve the cultural and ecological legacy of climbing for future generations. In 2019, Guillaume Broust received the Prize for the Best Film in the category Mountain Experience for his film “The Pathan Project”.

Climbing was Philipp Hrozek’s greatest passion—until a serious car accident changed his life in an instant. “On a Silk Thread” tells the moving story of his journey back to life: to speech, to movement, and ultimately, to the climbing wall. This new beginning is not only about rebuilding physical abilities, but also about embracing a second chance—one in which Philipp comes to understand the true depth of his family’s love and what life is truly about. It’s a story that inspires courage and reminds us that even in the hardest moments, possibility still exists. And that we should never give up on ourselves.

Hiba, who fled Syria, and Sabine from Lebanon pursue their passion for climbing in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, supported by the Swiss non-profit ClimbAid—despite rising tensions between the Syrians and the Lebanese. Both remain close to their traditional families while striving for self-determination. Though faced with setbacks and recurring feelings of powerlessness, the young women deepen their commitment to ClimbAid. Along their path of personal discovery, they grow into true leaders. The film reveals how climbing within a challenging social environment can foster both inner and outer peace.

Professor Luca Rossi devotes the final chapter of his academic career to studying wolves. But the deeper he ventures into their world, the more he finds himself caught in a dilemma—torn between scientific detachment and a growing emotional connection. As the wolves return, they ignite a storm of public debate, stirring both awe and anxiety, romantic idealism and existential fear. In seeking closeness to these elusive creatures, Rossi uncovers not only their behaviours but also the complex emotions of the people around them—those who welcome the wolves’ return, and those who dread it. “Lupi Nostri” explores the challenge of forging one’s own perspective amid a cacophony of impassioned voices.

Mount Everest attracts a wide spectrum of people each year—mountaineers, adventurers, dreamers, egoists, and trophy hunters. This film explores the intense and often troubling intersection of elite athletic achievement, commercial exploitation, and human hubris. While it offers breathtaking footage from the highest point on Earth, it also exposes the darker realities of mass tourism: overcrowded routes, tons of abandoned waste, lack of consideration and the perilous toll on Sherpas and climbers alike. The result is a multi-layered portrait of a mountain that has come to symbolize both the enduring allure of the summit and the excesses of ambition and greed. Director Frank Senn won the Audience Award in 2009 for “Sherpas – The True Heroes on Everest” and again in 2023 for “Death Trap Haute Route – Reconstruction of a Drama”.