Films, mountains, adventures and the international competition for the “Grand Prix Graz“
Every year in November, Mountainfilm Graz brings the latest outdoor film productions from all over the world to the Styrian capital Graz. For the audience, this is the opportunity to see the best mountain and adventure films and to talk about them in a festive atmosphere. With an exciting cinema programme, live presentations by the filmmakers and multi-vision talks as well as the “Long Night of Mountain Film”, the festival days fly by. Relaxation at the festival bar and informative talks in the exhibition area for outdoor sporting goods must not be neglected, of course.
The first phase of the competition begins in spring with the call for entries to all filmmakers. From the usually around 300 submissions, only the best are included in the programme – and are thus in the running for the festival prizes. Only shortly before the festival does the jury of international experts from the festival genres meet to determine the final winners of the international film competition and the “Long Night of Mountain Film”.
Mountainfilm Graz over the course of time
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Thierry Renault beim Showklettern in Peggau, © Archiv Robert Schauer Graz as a meeting point for film, mountain, and nature enthusiasts
In 1986, mountaineer Robert Schauer founded the “Internationales Grazer Bergfilmfestival”, which received 64 film submissions from 11 countries in its first year.
In addition to a special jury prize, the “Kamera Alpin in Gold” prize was awarded in two categories at this first festival: Mountaineering Documentaries and Topics about Climbing on Rock and Ice.
In those days, the festival took place in Congress Graz’s Steiermarksaal. The film screenings were already framed by a supporting programme, with special events including the spectacular climbing show under the motorway bridge in Peggau.
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Claude Remy, Alun Hughes und Kurt Diemberger bei der Siegerehrung 1990, © Archiv Robert Schauer THE FIRST TIME AT SCHUBERTKINO
The third edition of the festival was already held at two venues: the Schubertkino was added to the existing venue, Congress Graz. In 1990, the historic cinema located in the heart of Graz’s old town hosted a pre-program for the first time.
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Fassadenkletterer Hannes Arch, © Archiv Robert Schauer MORE FREQUENTLY: MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
Back in 1992, the then top climber and later famous Red Bull Air Race pilot Hannes Arch drew attention to the festival with a spectacular stunt: he first climbed a 4-meter-high pyramid shaped like the trophy, and then scaled the entire facade of the Steiermärkische Sparkasse.
Initially, the international film festival was held every two years – since 1992, Graz has hosted the grand mountain cinema annually.
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Die Trophäe für den „Grand Prix Graz", © Archiv Robert Schauer THE “GRAND PRIX GRAZ” IS ESTABLISHED
In 1995, the “Grand Prix Graz” was awarded for the first time as the festival’s main prize. By this time, there were already four festival categories: “Alpine Documentaries,” “Climbing on Rock and Ice,” “Adventure Films,” and “Environmental and Nature Films.”
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Das Jubiläumsjahr im Dom im Berg, © Archiv Robert Schauer PREMIERE AT THE DOM IM BERG
In its 20th year, the festival was also held at the “Dom im Berg,” a part of the tunnel system inside the Graz Schloßberg.
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Plakat des ersten „Outdoor Film Tags“ OUTDOOR FILM DAY
In the spring of 2008, the “Outdoor Film Day” of the international mountain film festival was held for the first time. In collaboration with the Helmut List Hall, film treasures from the festival’s archive were brought to the screen.
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Dean Potter in der Helmut-List-Halle, © Matthias Aberer SLACKLINING IN THE HEART OF GRAZ
The American Dean Potter, known for his daring solo ascents in high alpine terrain, was also an avid slackliner. As such, he surprised the visitors of the “Outdoor Film Day 2011” by balancing on a slackline above their heads in the Helmut List Hall.
Dean Potter in the Helmut List Hall, © Matthias Aberer
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Die Trophäe im neuen Design, © achromaticphotography ALL NEW
Founded under the name “Internationales Grazer Bergfilmfestival,” the festival was known for many years as the “International Mountain and Adventure Festival Graz.” In 2014, it was finally given its current name, “Mountainfilm Graz.” At the same time, the trophy was redesigned, and since then, its new round shape has delighted the winners of the international film competition.
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Mountainfilm Graz am Schloßberg, © RIPIX FESTIVAL DOUBLE FEATURE
The pandemic was a challenge for Mountainfilm Graz as well. The autumn 2020 event had to be postponed to spring 2021 due to the lockdown. This spring festival was the first and only one held both online and with an audience. Thanks to the mild temperatures in June, it was also possible to hold parts of the festival program as an open-air cinema in the Kasematten on the Schloßberg.
The following festival was able to take place again as usual in the autumn. As a result, there were even two editions of Mountainfilm Graz in 2021.
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Publikum im Stefaniensaal, © RIPIX DIVERSE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Nowadays, approximately 300 films from up to 50 countries are submitted annually in the four festival categories: “Alpinism and Expeditions,” “Sports in Mountain and Natural Spaces,” “Nature and Environment,” and “People and Cultures.” The best of these are shown in the Schubert Cinema and the halls of Congress Graz as part of the festival program. With a varied supporting program and exciting lectures, Mountainfilm Graz becomes a unique experience for everyone.
a part of Green Events Styria
Mountains and nature are our motto – in our films, but also at the festival itself. Mountainfilm Graz is committed to protecting and preserving our environment in the best possible way. That’s why sustainability is a top priority for us as well as for our partners and sponsors.
Mountainfilm Graz is orientated according to the criteria of “Green Events”.
Team
The small but fine core team of Mountainfilm Graz is supported by dedicated staff during the festival period.
