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.

On 1 September 1824, chamois hunters Augustin Biscuolm from Disentis and Placi Curschellas from Trun completed the first ascent of Mount Tödi in eastern Switzerland. The Benedictine priest Placi a Spescha, an early pioneer of alpinism, had identified the promising route, but at 72, the climb to his beloved mountain proved too demanding. From Val Russein, he witnessed the moment of triumph through his telescope. Thirteen years later, Glarus climbers reached the Tödi from their side, marking not only the start of an alpinist exchange of routes and perspectives, but also the beginning of a new chapter in the exploration of the high mountains—defined by courage, curiosity, and a profound connection to the alpine world.

The film showcases the lakes of the Alps and of the northern Alpine foothills, plunging into their mysterious underwater worlds: Lake Frillensee, Germany’s coldest bathing lake in eastern Upper Bavaria; the 190-metre-deep Lake Walchensee, with its dramatic steep walls and a bottom that holds both treasures and car wrecks; and vast Lake Constance, with its unfathomable depths. Using modern underwater cameras and a new type of underwater drone, director Jan Haft and his team of diving cameramen unveil never-before-seen images from the depths of these local lakes. Aquatic animal life, hidden for millennia, and the occasional sunken relic of human civilization are revealed for the very first time.

French kayaker Nouria Newman, along with two childhood friends, takes on one of the most formidable whitewater stretches in the world: the Rondu Gorge of the Indus River in Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains. The film documents the first full descent of this river section by a woman, offering a striking glimpse into the realm of extreme kayaking. It skilfully explores the anatomy of a sport where even the slightest error can have fatal consequences—portraying kayaking as an art form that demands extraordinary precision and bravery, and kayakers as artists who boldly confront the power of nature.

“Sound of the Deep” follows a team of young cave explorers on an expedition into a previously uncharted cave system in Austria’s Dead Mountains. After months of meticulous preparation, the equipment, ropes, food, and bivouac supplies are flown by helicopter to the cave’s remote entrance. The mission: to descend roughly 600 meters into a newly discovered cave branch. But during the three-day research tour, a sudden flash flood triggered by a storm throws the team into crisis. The perilous ascent back to the surface—through surging streams and cascading waterfalls—becomes a gruelling test of both physical and mental endurance.

The Huber boys—Thomas and Alexander Huber—are world-renowned mountaineers and climbers based in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria. Their father, Thomas Huber senior, shares their deep passion for the mountains without missing a beat. Now 85, he keeps going with remarkable vitality and joy. To mark his birthday, he and his son Alex embark on a special tour through the Watzmann massif. In his documentary, Georg Bayerle follows this emotional father-son adventure, offering a tender portrait of a family whose life is inseparably bound to the majesty and trials of the alpine world.

Trail running is freedom: dancing along narrow ridges, powering up steep climbs, and nearly taking flight on the downhill. But what happens when the body suddenly refuses to play along? For David, sport has always been purely about performance—faster, farther, stronger. That mindset is challenged after a transformative experience at the Alpine Trailrun Festival in Innsbruck. No longer chasing podiums, he begins to seek presence over pace, to feel the mountains rather than conquering them. His journey follows the breathtaking Goethe Trail through the Karwendel range. This film explores borderline experiences, the lessons hidden in setbacks, and a renewed perspective on trail running.

Arsène was born in 2000. From the start, his parents sense something unusual—he is noticeably bigger than other newborns. The diagnosis: Sotos syndrome, a rare genetic aberration that causes, among other things, accelerated physical growth. Specialists anticipate that Arsène will have learning potential but be challenged in terms of motor skills and academic demands. For his family, the diagnosis still brings relief—the uncertainty is finally over. And soon, it no longer defines him. To his loved ones, Arsène is simply one of them. The documentary accompanies the siblings on a skiing expedition to the Pyrenees, which becomes a veritable adventure.

Do you always have to reach the top to feel summit happiness? With this question in mind, the film follows Philipp Hans on the first ascent, done in redpoint style, of a demanding new route, which scales the majestic north face of Mt Wetterhorn in the Bernese Alps. The journey began with “The Wallride”—a project that combined an Alpine traverse via mountain bike with pioneering climbs. After a failed attempt in 2021, the line was successfully opened in 2022. A year later follows the attempt to free climb it, together with Florian Böbel. The film captures not only athletic achievement, but also Philipp’s realization that some goals may remain out of reach—and that the pursuit itself holds its own reward.

Karishma, co-founder of the Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League in northern Pakistan, boldly advocates for girls’ rights in a deeply patriarchal society. As Wakhi women—an ethnic group with Persian roots—she and her sister have found a path to freedom through football. But their journey is met with fierce resistance. Harassed from a young age, the sisters now face online attacks on their fight for equality. Karishma’s greatest supporter is her wise and loving grandmother. Amid towering mountain peaks, a football tournament held under tight security brings rival teams together—united by the shared vision of a more just and inclusive world.

Four friends from Savoy embark on an extraordinary adventure: 50 days in complete isolation around Denali (6,190 m), the highest peak in North America. Their journey unfolds as a cinematic diary: trekking to the mountain’s base, climbing to the summit, navigating a demanding ski descent, and returning via packraft. In the solitude of wilderness, time and orientation begin to blur. Friendships deepen – and are also put to the test. Confronted by loneliness and the raw power of nature, “Les Jours Sauvages” becomes a celebration of freedom and exploration. It is an intimate reflection on living by nature’s rhythm—raw, honest, and profoundly moving.

After years of demanding big wall expeditions, Canadian climber Bronwyn Hodgins finds herself teetering on the edge of burnout. Seeking a fresh spark, the 32-year-old shifts her focus to sport climbing—hoping for a reprieve from the mental toll. With the opposite result. The film centers on her intense preparation for the La Rubia route (8c+) in southern Spain, a climb that pushes her skills and psyche to the limit. Shot with sensitivity by her friend Julia Cassou, the documentary captures Bronwyn’s struggle to balance ambition, self-doubt, and the risk of burning out yet again. It’s a story of obsession and resilience, of confronting inner demons—and of the strength found in true friendship.

In the quiet village of Cumbira Segundo in central Angola, brothers Francisco (10) and Mateo (14) set out to climb Cunduvile, the region’s highest peak. Their mission carries deep meaning for the local community: not only do they hope to become the first children from their village to scale a six-pitch route, but they also dream of planting the Angolan flag at the summit. What begins as a youthful ambition transforms into a powerful symbol of hope. This unexpected adventure interrupts the quiet rhythm of daily life in Cumbira—offering the possibility of lasting change and a new chapter in the region’s story.

“Reflection” is a visually breathtaking snowboard film set against pristine powder landscapes—but it ventures far beyond adrenaline-fuelled action. The filmmakers follow devoted backcountry riders into remote alpine terrain, where silence and solitude evoke a raw sense of freedom, shadowed by real danger. The film captures the emotional highs and lows of this intense pursuit: the euphoria of carving untouched slopes, and the inner battles of fear, doubt, and hardship beyond the snow. Amid vast wilderness, introspection and camaraderie, a layered portrait unfolds—not just of a sport, but of the deeper forces that drive us.

Stefano Ragazzo wasn’t born in the mountains. His passion for climbing struck like a bolt from the blue, pulling him from the Italian plains to some of the most spectacular mountain regions on Earth. Inspired by the rich tradition of climbing in the Dolomites, Stefano is especially drawn to solo ascents—they offer him a chance to test his limits. In search of a new challenge, the mountain guide sets off for the Karakoram Mountains, where the Nameless Tower—a striking granite spire—rises dramatically into the sky. Its summit is reached via the legendary Eternal Flame route, first climbed in 1990 by Kurt Albert and Wolfgang Güllich. Over days and weeks, Stefano battles harsh weather, icy cracks, and dizzying heights to achieve his goal: the first solo ascent, and a place in the history of adventure mountaineering.

Christoph Betschart, 35, has spent over a decade as a professional “strahler”—a crystal hunter in the high Alps. Every summer, he heads into the mountains around Andermatt, in the heart of Switzerland. Sometimes he goes alone, sometimes with his brother or fellow hobby strahlers, always in search of hidden crystals. From July onward, he’s drawn to the Galenstock, climbing above 3,000 meters in the hope of rare finds. Together with his wife, Christoph runs a small mineral shop in Andermatt. But the search for the mountains’ buried treasures is perilous: three years ago, he lost a close friend who had a fatal fall while strahling. Despite the risks, Christoph’s passion for crystal hunting remains undiminished—fuelled by experience, reverence for nature, and a deep fascination with the secrets the rock holds.

Our food is losing its value, the soil its fertility, and the climate its balance. In search of the future of agriculture, a designer with farming roots and a trained chef embark on a quest for the future of farming that leads beyond the tilled field. In the film “Tian”—meaning “to do” in South Tyrol—they encounter people who are reimagining agriculture amid living traditions, economic pressures, and the boldness to forge new paths. Their stories reveal a profound connection to the Earth and a deep sense of hope in sustainable transformation. What binds them is a shared belief: that a different kind of agriculture is not only possible, but essential. For “Am Steilhang”, the directors received an Honourable Mention in 2024.

Moussa, a young man from Guinea, finds a new home on the farm of South Tyrolean farmer Rita. What is initially just a place of accommodation gradually becomes a place of encounter, trust and quiet intimacy. Despite their different origins, the two share a common need: the pursuit of belonging and family closeness. Amid everyday farm life, characterized by work, faith and challenges, a special relationship develops. The film sensitively tells of the power of human connection, of the merging of two worlds and the search for a new balance—between origin and arrival, foreignness and home.

Contemporary art, set against the breathtaking mountain landscape of the Dolomites—who does something like that, and why? For Michael Moling, the SMACH art project is a heartfelt tribute to his homeland. Every two years, he and his team install sculptures by contemporary artists throughout South Tyrol’s Val Badia—in forests, on alpine meadows, and in high-altitude terrain. These works are only accessible on foot, drawing nature-loving art enthusiasts to the region. But not everyone is on board. Many locals struggle to connect with modern art, viewing SMACH as unnecessary at best, and at worst, a violation of the natural landscape. The project is also beginning to strain under its own logistical demands. “Elevated Art” follows Michael Moling over several months—from the spark of an idea to its full realization. A film about an exhibition that is anything but barrier-free.

Climbing journalist Matt Groom journeys into war-torn Ukraine to uncover an extraordinary community bound by their passion for climbing and their deep love for their homeland. Despite destruction and a constant state of emergency, these climbers have carved out spaces of hope and solidarity. The film shows that although the war has changed everything—daily life, nature and sport—the spirit of the climbing community still endures. “Climbing Never Die” will be featured during the Bayern2 Night. This powerful and moving film was initiated by European and world speed climbing champion Danyil Boldyrev from Ukraine, who is expected to attend as a guest.

In November 2024, Austrian extreme climber Babsi Zangerl and her partner Jacopo Larcher set out to free climb the legendary Free Rider route (7c+) on El Capitan. Over three intense days, they battle their way across slick slabs, through punishing off-width cracks, and over complex bouldering sections. In a groundbreaking moment, Babsi becomes the first person ever to flash a route on El Capitan—climbing it free and on her very first attempt. Jacopo, her rope and life partner, falls just short. But the real story lies beyond success or failure. “Flashed” is a powerful portrait of love, partnership, and personality—capturing far more than a climbing milestone. The film will be featured as part of the Bayern2 Night.

“Ashima” is an intimate portrait of elite climber Ashima Shiraishi, who travels to South Africa in pursuit of becoming the youngest female athlete ever to conquer a V14 boulder. Accompanying her is Poppo, an eccentric, reclusive, retired avant-garde dancer—her father. What begins as a climbing road trip unfolds into a touching family story and offers a glimpse into the lives of Japanese immigrants in the United States. Ashima is a heartfelt tribute to climbing that resonates deeply—not just for its athletic dimensions, but for the thoughtful portrayal of its characters and the nuanced, multi-layered bond between father and daughter.

Otto Guggenbichler, born in Tegernsee, chose to leave behind a secure post-war position as a civil servant to pursue a career at Bayerischer Rundfunk. He became a pioneer—especially in television—producing major documentaries focused on geography, folklore, and whenever possible on the mountains. In tribute to the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival’s founder, we present the portrait “Otto Guggenbichler – A Pioneer of Bavarian Television” alongside the film “Das Matterhorn”, which carries the unmistakable imprint of this great connoisseur of human nature.

“Mario Manica – Climbing to Travel” traces the remarkable life of an alpinist from Trentino who has ventured across the globe on bold expeditions since the 1980s. In 2004, a serious accident in Venezuela brought his climbing career to an abrupt end—but not his thirst for discovery. Trading peaks for pedals, Mario turned to cycling as a new way to explore distant lands and connect with people. The documentary follows him through breathtaking landscapes and thus becomes a heartfelt tribute to the power of reinvention, to curiosity and enduring passion for being on the road.

On 20 September 2023, Jakob Schubert makes climbing history with the first ascent of B.I.G. (9c)—formerly known as Project Big—in Norway’s renowned Flatanger climbing area. The route, discovered a decade earlier by world-class Czech climber Adam Ondra, is considered one of the most difficult in the world. In 2022, Schubert and Ondra team up to tackle the challenge together. A year later, Jakob returns with a new strategy—and a film crew that streams his attempts live online. The added visibility intensifies the pressure. “B.I.G. – A World First” captures not only the extraordinary physical demands of elite climbing, but also the immense mental resilience required of today’s top athletes.