Alpin Film Festival 2024: Mountain Cinematography Values Awarded in Brașov

The 9th edition of the Alpin Film Festival, an internationally renowned cultural event ended successfully, receiving high acclaim from the audience drawn to the heart of Brașov by the film selection in the programme and the variety of cultural, educational, and sporting activities aimed at nature, film, and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.

On 21st September, during the festival’s closing ceremony, cinematic productions that encapsulate the essence and values of the Alpin Film Festival were awarded. These films illustrate the beauty and challenges of mountain life through frames captured with authenticity and artistic sensitivity. Equally, the films were selected for highlighting important aspects of environmental responsibility, promoting sustainable tourism and respect for nature.

Over 50 guests – directors, photographers, internationally renowned artists, and athletes with remarkable achievements in mountaineering and extreme climbing – enjoyed discovering the landscapes of Transylvania, local culture, and traditions. Alongside a wonderful audience, they participated in a wide range of related events – photography and painting exhibitions, sports activities, debates, and workshops focused on topics such as sustainability, mountain infrastructure, or specialised literature – and were thrilled by the 41 spectacular international screenings hosted at the Reduta Cultural Centre, Cinema One, and Cinema Modern in Brașov.

“It was an edition with a record number of films. There were laughs, there were tears. The guests left Romania in love, and their words in posts are a different kind of awards for all of us. The audience is gradually growing, and we hope to have full houses for all screenings next year. The conferences were also highly successful, offering participants the opportunity to develop joint programmes going forward. I’m delighted that a joint programme with Georgia has been established, and partnerships between the Svaneti Region and Brașov.” – said Dan Burlac, director and founder of the Alpin Film Festival.

This year, the festival jury consisted of Khatuna Khundadze (Georgia), Roberto Zazzara (Italy), and Cosmin Dumitrache (Romania), three remarkable personalities of international cinema, each with an impressive track record and diverse background, who harmoniously synchronised in evaluating the productions.

• The Grand Trophy of the Alpin Film Festival 2024 was awarded to the film directed by Hamid Sardar – “MONGOLIA – The Valley of Bears | MONGOLIA, VALEA URȘILOR”, and the prize was offered by the Brașov County Council.

“A film that successfully captures the efforts of an entire community to establish a new relationship with nature. The protagonist, a ranger, and all the other characters seem to step right out of a novel. Epic and at times amusing, like a classic western, Mongolia –  Valley of Bears is a captivating and well-balanced  frontier story.” – said Roberto Zazzara.

• The Alpin Film Festival 2024 Jury Prize in the International Film Competition was awarded to the film “MAURICE BAQUET L’ACCORDÉ”, directed by Gilles Chappaz.

“An immersive and enjoyable journey through the history of French alpine mountaineering and skiing, accompanied by the sound of the cello of an amazing character and artist. The pure passion and love of Maurice and his artistic roles as a musician, skier, or actor, are truly contagious and authentic. What a luck and pleasure it must have been for those who have met him, listened to him, and watched his live performances.” – Cosmin Dumitrache.

• The Special Mention in the International Film Competition @Alpin Film Festival 2024 was awarded to the documentary “SOPHIE LAVAUD – The Final Summit”, directed by François Damilano.

“We have to describe Sophie Lavaud as the special woman and the film about her as an extremely interesting film. It’s a shame that there are only 14 eight-thousand metres mountains, otherwise we would have seen much more films about her audacious life.” – Khatuna Khundadze.

The list of special awards was completed by the winners of the category-designated trophies:

• Best Romanian Film @ International Film Competition Alpin Film Festival 2024:
  “APĂ ȘI TALPĂ” – a profound and evocative story about the fragile balance between nature and civilisation, co-directed by Mircea Gherase and Lucian Mircu. The prize is offered by the Brașov County Council.
• The Carpathian Trophy @ National Film Competition Alpin Film Festival 2024: “WILD TRANSYLVANIA”. The prize awarded to the Irish production for the best promotion of Romania through cinematography is offered by RAP Group. The film is directed by John Murray & Jamie Fitzpatrick, with Jeremy Irons as the narrating voice.
• The Enchanted Mountain Trophy @ International Film Competition Alpin Film Festival 2024: “WHERE WE USED TO SLEEP”, directed by Matthäus Wörle – a film that describes the experiences of displacement, long separations from one’s homeland, and the silent pain of those forced to leave their homes.
• The Zsolt Torok Trophy – the winner of the 2024 edition of the Alpin Film Festival in the Best Short Climbing Movie category: “POGO – The Hidden Faces of Romania” – a production directed by Loïc Isliker and Paul de Groot, a mountain exploration initiated and narrated by Paul “Pogo” Popescu. The prize is offered by Viva Credit.

At the Alpin Film Festival, the jury is always an active partner in promoting the values of nature conservation and social responsibility through cinematographic art.

With a versatile professional career and extensive involvement on the international artistic production and events scene, Khatuna Khundadze has established herself as a promoter of Georgian culture abroad, as well as through her work in institutions in her homeland, becoming the first female director of the Georgian Film Studio.

Roberto Zazzara is an Italian director known for his versatility in creating feature films, series, interactive short films, documentaries, as well as for his numerous international collaborations. In 2023, Roberto won the Jury Prize at the Alpin Film Festival with his film “Carne et Ossa”.

Director and producer Cosmin Dumitrache, recognised for his production “România Sălbatică” – the most complex nature documentary made in Romania, broadcast in over 40 countries and awarded numerous prizes – brings an authentic vision of the relationship between man and nature, shaped by his projects over the past 15 years, and complements the Alpin Film Festival 2024 jury’s perspective.

Among the fascinating personalities who delighted us with their passionate, natural testimonies and a remarkable modesty in relation to their achievements, we can list Romanian climbers Vlad Căpușan, Maria Dănilă and Adrian Ahrițculesei, Vlad Teofil, Romica Popa, Marius Gane, Coco Galescu, Silviu Balan, and the renowned Alex Txikon, who joined us without hesitation at the 9th edition of the festival.

With an impressive track record, Basque climber Alex Txikon has so far participated in over 35 expeditions, reaching the peaks of 12 of the world’s 14 highest mountains. He is known for leading difficult winter expeditions, his numerous fascinating mountain projects, and his interest in discovering the people and cultures of the areas where the peaks he ascends are located. Alex Txikon’s dialogue with Vlad Căpușan about winter expeditions will remain in the festival’s golden archive.

Even after the festival has ended, visual art continues to tell the story of Alpin Film Festival 2024 through the exhibitions in the programme, which can be visited until 16th October in Brașov, as follows:

• The photo exhibition “The Climbers” by the famous American photographer Jim Herrington – Piața Sfatului, in front of the History Museum.
• The graphic and painting exhibition “The Mountain/ MUNTELE” by Dorin Crețu – Apollonia Cultural Bank (1st floor).
• The photo exhibition “Fauna” organised in partnership with FORONA and RAP Group, located in the pedestrian area in front of ARO PALACE Hotel (Nicolae Titulescu Park).
• The photo exhibition “Best of Forona” (organised in partnership with Forona) hosted in the lobby of ARO PALACE Hotel.

The diversity and scale of the Alpin Film Festival 2024 have reaffirmed its special status as a member of the International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF), connecting Brașov with 27 other festivals on five continents. From 16th to 22nd September 2024, the festival transformed the medieval citadel at the gates of Transylvania into a convergence point between art, adventure, and sustainability, promoting a valuable multicultural dialogue in front of an enthusiastic audience passionate about the themes proposed.

Alpin Film Festival 2024 is a project funded by the Brașov County Council and co-funded by the Brașov City Hall.