Bilbao Mendi Film Festival sets a new record and over 12,000 people attended all screenings
Bilbao, 17th December 2018. Mendi Film Festival closes its 11th edition with a historic increase. The mountaineering film festival gathers the most recent productions of this genre and its attendance has reached 12,008 people.
'Becoming who I was' Gran Prize of the 11th Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
The Korean film Becoming who I was directed by Moon Chang-Yong and Jin Jeon, has been awarded with the Grand Prize of the Mendi Film Festival, the main prize of the 11 prize winners of the 11th edition. On Sunday,16th, day of Non Stop sessions composed of award-winning films, will be announced the last one, the Audience Award, an audience that has enjoyed an edition that continues to attract more and more followers.
Read more: 'Becoming who I was' Gran Prize of the 11th Bilbao Mendi Film Festival
Juanjo San Sebastián WOP Foundation Award 2018
The mountaineer and writer Juanjo San Sebastián has been the guest of honour of this 11th edition of the Bilbao Mendi Film Festival. He has received the WOP ‒The Walk On Project Foundation Award‒ for his defense and transmission of the social values of mountaineering.
This has been the fifth edition in which the Award is given by the The Walk On Project Foundation, and Juanjo San Sebastián will join the exclusive group of great mountaineering personalities that have already been awarded: Josep Manuel Anglada, Sir Chris Bonington and Peter Habeler, along with the film Drawn by Jeremy Collins.
The IAMF Grand Prize was for Kurt Diemberger
Ever since the founding of the International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF) in February 2000, its members have been interested in celebrating those who, through their talent, have changed the world of mountain film. IAMF members wish to express their gratitude to the filmmakers, directors and producers who have contributed throughout their careers – through loyalty and dedication, and with little regard for personal profit — to the evolution of mountain film into the prominent genre that it is today.
Meeting of the International Alliance for Mountain Film in Bilbao
The directors of the most relevant mountain film festivals on the international stage are celebrating their AGM in Bilbao this year, in order to examine the mountain film industry's present and near future. The Director of the Bilbao Mendi Film Festival, Jabier Baraiazarra, is the current President of the IAMF-International Alliance for Mountain Film.
The meeting was held this morning in the Palace of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, in which the international representation of the IAMF was received by the General Deputy of Bizkaia Unai Rementeria, and the Deputy of Euskera and Culture Lorea Bilbao.
Read more: Meeting of the International Alliance for Mountain Film in Bilbao
Great Festival start to Sold Out rhythm
Mountain culture is all over Bilbao these days. The 11th edition kicked off last Friday at the Euskalduna Palace with 1,600 spectators, and all tickets were sold out. At the Opening Ceremony, the movie The Dawn Wall was screened, and we welcomed its main character Tommy Caldwell and director Peter Mortimer.
