Results of the 2023 Ladek Mountain Festival Film Competition!

On September 8, 2023 after watching all 28 films of the 28th Ladek Mountain Festival Film Competition, the Jurors ELIZA KUBARSKA, ZUZANA GREKSAKOVA, MICHAŁ BIELAWSKI oraz KEITH PARTRIDGE met to decide about the awards.

Here is their statement:

Firstly, we would like to offer our thanks to the festival for inviting us here to experience the fun and friendship of a terrific event.

Thinking about making a film is one thing BUT actually having the drive, passion and skill to bring stories to life through the screen is something else altogether.

So, we would like to offer our huge congratulations to every filmmaker who submitted their work. It is an honor to watch them all. But of course there are prizes to award.

GRAND PRIX

ICE MERCHANTS

Directed by João Gonzalez

Produced by Bruno Caetano, Michaël Proença

Financial prize of 2500 EURO is sponsored by NAGRODA LOKALNEGO BIZNESU

To aim for perfection is the filmmakers mantra but the results can never be so. With this thought in mind, the Jury was unanimous that this film although ‘bite-sized’ was as close to perfection as we could see. The story is touching with an unexpected twist. It’s a film that was far removed from the norm with stunning images. Everyone can interpret the film in their own way and learn from the messages held beautifully within the visual story-telling through animation.

BEST FILM ABOUT MOUNTAINEEIRING

BURNING THE FLAME – REEL ROCK 17

Directed by Peter Mortimer

Produced by Zachary Barr / Sender Films

Financial prize of 600 EURO is sponsored by DOMKI ZDROJOWE

In this film the dynamic between partners, both on and off the rope, was hard to ignore.

Two people – lost together in a sea of granite on one of the world’s most iconic mountains – allowed us to join them and share in the passion for each other and the sport they love.

Strong and well-executed cinematography, in difficult situations and conditions on a big wall in Karakoram, took us right into the heart of the action.

BEST FILM ABOUT MAN & MOUNTAINS

TO THE HILLS AND BACK

Directed by Mike Quigley

Produced by Malcolm Sangster, Gabriella Dufour-Leonard / Sherpas Cinema

Financial prize of 600 EURO is sponsored by ADVENTURE 24

The film treatment of an important subject within the mountains could have been ‘dry’ but instead were taken on a journey charged with honesty, openness and deep emotion. The imagery was sublime with the whole production package offering a standard to aim for. We got to know the protagonist’s agony through an incredibly difficult story told with great empathy.

BEST CLIMBING FILM

TRANSCENDENCE

Directed by Michelle Smith

Produced by Jim Aikman

Financial prize of 600 EURO is sponsored by POLSKI ZWIĄZEK ALPINIZMU

The award to the best film in the Climbing category is a story well-told, with powerful messages of resilience. The protagonist certainly has the power to inspire with the message that overcoming life-changing injury doesn’t have to define you. The filmmaker deals with the subject with tact and downplay in a finely-crafted and succinct way.

BEST FILM ABOUT MOUNTAIN SPORTS

WILD WATERS

Directed by David Arnaud

Financial prize of 600 EURO is sponsored by ZEGARKI.PL

Throughout this film we are swept along in a fast-flowing stream of emotions within the mountains AND within the unique character’s mind. We were taken both deeper and higher than we might think possible.

Her desire was to savor every element that led up to the main moment where time slowed for her ultimate plunge. We see that it is not about seeking the rush but about a deeper understanding of the possible.

It matters not who you are but what dreams you hold and your desire to see them through.

BEST FILM ABOUT ADVENTURE AND EXPLORATION

SUBTERRANEAN

Directed by François-Xavier “Fix” De Ruydts

Produced by Jenny Rustemeyer / Peg Leg Films

Financial prize of 600 EURO is sponsored by UNIWERSYTET DOLNOŚLĄSKI DSW

Sometimes just the act of shooting a film is challenging enough. Layer on top the differing priorities of the characters involved AND getting to grips with the story, then you have a difficulty in filmmaking that is hard to comprehend.

The art of cinematography relies upon light. Here it was in very short supply but somehow the filmmaker created art through the confines and craziness of darkness, dirt and diving.

BEST POLISH FILM

LIFE ON THE RUN. PIOTR HERCOG

Directed by Grzegorz Lipiec

Produced by Maja Pietraszewska-Koper

Financial prize of 2000 PLN is sponsored by Fundacja Himalaizmu Polskiego im. Andrzeja Zawady

We are used to focusing on those who achieve success and often we forget those who are in support – occupying the shadows but who, so often, end up shining-bright. The protagonist displays an almost superhuman degree of athleticism but we witness the conflict and struggles of family meeting passion head-on. To take running to the ultimate – we appreciate the dedication involved and thanks to this film we better understand the price we pay to follow the things we love.

BEST SHORT FILM

EGOLAND

Directed by Ignasi López Fàbregas

Produced by Ana Benigna Vega Pérez / Buenosmal

Financial prize of 600 EURO is sponsored by PONIATOWSKI TECHNIKA SCENICZNA

This film sets out to examine a serious topic. But, by presenting it as a dramedy, we are surprised by the final result. It lays bare many of the possible issues within the complex game of alpinism.

As climbers, we like to laugh. But with this short film, we are made to think again about what motivates mountaineers on those final steps to the summit and the importance we place upon their achievements.

JURY MENTION

RESISTANCE CLIMBING – REEL ROCK 17

Directed by Nick Rosen, Peter Mortimer, Zachary Barr

Produced by Sender Films

This film is about one man’s personal quest to reconnect with his cultural roots. It shows us that climbing has the power to rise above politics and give a voice to those who are oppressed and who would not normally be heard.

Cinema has the power to raise awareness and hopefully evoke change. We are shown that climbing can sometimes offer freedom over enforced reality.