Kendal Mountain Festival 2008 Film Competition results

In a packed auditorium the Kendal Mountain Festival panel of judges announced this year's film competition awards. From over 300 films submitted the judges considered 85 films in competition, including 30 premieres.

Our thanks go out to all sponsors, funders and everyone involved for their help and energy in creating yet another hugely successful Festival.

Judges:
Cameron McNeish: Award winning editor and presenter of BBC wilderness walks.
Dave Birkett: Climber and all-round mountain film buff.
Jane Rosseau: Camera operator and lighting camera woman with 20 years of experience. Credits include 24 hr party people.
John Innerdale: Chairman of Mountain Heritage Trust.

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1. Adventure Film Academy Marathon Prize

Sponsored by Lake District National Park Authority

Winner: 'Bored Meeting' by Ben Barden & Steve Barber (written by Debbie McGowan)

Film Length: 2 mins

Judges comments: A well structured programme changing from the bike accompanied by clever music and an understanding of framework, colour and cinematography, all brought together with a sense of humour which made us laugh.

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2. Best Climbing Film

Sponsored by Climber Magazine

Winner: On Sight by Alastair Lee

Film Length: 52mins

Dave Birkett's Comments: Some films can inspire people to do certain things and even change the way people think. On Sight might be one of those films that will change the way you view traditional style climbing today.

Special mention to Dringo I'r Eitha by Alun Hughes and The Sharp End by Pete Mortimer.

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3. Best Mountaineering Film

Sponsored by Asolo

Winner 'Ice, Anarchy & The Pursuit Of Madness' by Steve House

House, Prezelj and Anderson in the first ascent of K7 West in Pakistan.
Film Length: 28mins

John Innerdale's Comments: An outstanding film covering the first ascent of K7 West 6858m in Pakistan's Karakoram by Marco Prezelj, Steve House & Vince Anderson in 2007. These talented climbers make an epic outing appear to be fun and accessible. We were drawn into their story and felt part of the adventure. This is a simple inexpensive hand held video that has a message for us all.

Steve's House's acceptance speech (award accepted by Zoe Hart):
It is a great thrill for me to accept this award. I'm excited because Marko, Vince and I are simply three climbers who had hoped to share the experience of being first to ascend a difficult, remote mountain in the Karakoram. We never dreamed we would win any awards with our film-making. And I speak for all three of us when I say that we are grateful to the audience and judges at KMF who appreciated our efforts. Thank you for joining us on K7-West. Steve House, Terrebonne, Oregon

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4. Best Mountain Adventure Film

Sponsored by Cumbria Tourism

Winner: 'This Is The Sea 4: New Zealand' by Justine Curgenven

A gritty, edge-of-your-seat portrayal of a couple's battle against the elements while kayaking 2,400km around the South island of New Zealand.
Film Length: 48mins

Cameron McNeish's Comments: A wonderfully sustained film of adventure that was beautifully filmed. A circumnavigation of New Zealand's South Island by sea kayak is an incredible undertaking, but to record the whole adventure in such a way was astonishing.

Justine Curgenven's acceptance speech (award accepted by Jim Kravyetski): I'm really excited and pleased to win a prize at Kendal. I think it's great that a sea kayaking film can win 'best mountain adventure film', so thank you to the judges for being open minded enough to consider all adventures. Sea kayaking around the south island of New Zealand was really challenging for me, especially finding the energy to film it when things went wrong and I was exhausted. I'm really pleased with the resulting film and am delighted that it's been honoured with such a great prize! Thank you.

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5. Best Mountain Culture Film

Sponsored by K Village

Winner: 'Journey Of A Red Fridge' by Lucian Muntean and Natasa Stankovic

A humbling and interesting film following a 17 yr old porter as he carries a Coca Cola fridge to Pokara for repair.<
Film Length: 52mins

Jane Rosseau's Comments: A wonderful story – understated in every element, but saying all the more for that. Great editing and great entertainment.

Natasa's Email Acceptance: Hi, thank you for the great news!!! We are in Spain at the moment and. I'm writing from my iPod so forgive me the short message. We cannot attend your festival because we don't have the uk visa! That's always a problem for us. I will get back to you shortly... Best, Natasa

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6. Best Mountain Environment Film

Sponsored by Granger's

Winner: 'Red Gold' by Travis Rummel & Ben Knight

At the headwaters of the Kvichak and Nushagak rivers in Bristol Bay, Alaska — the two largest remaining sockeye salmon runs on the planet — mining companies have proposed to extract what may be the richest deposit of gold and copper in the world. This film documents the growing unrest among native, commercial, and sport fishermen who oppose the proposed Pebble Mine, as well as giving mine officials a chance to argue their case. Red Gold is a portrait of a unique way of life that would not exist if the salmon didn't return with Bristol Bay's tide.
Film Length: 54mins

Cameron McNeish's Comments: We liked this film because it wasn't just a pretty wildlife film, but a magnificently shot, hard nosed campaign. There were some great wildlife shots, superb landscapes shots, but also a strong environmental message as a strong Alaskan community stood firm against a giant mining corporation.

Acceptance Speech (award accepted by Carole Jardine): We are thrilled at the project and thank everyone at the festival...this is a deep and special honour, given the special nature of the film – it encompasses and portrays a very real and ever present threat to wild places and noble communities – and to think that the firm behind this rape of the landscape is British: that in itself brings an immediacy to the issue. Greed before decency, sustainability and nobility. Horrible.

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7. Best Short Film

Sponsored by North West Vision & Media

Winner: 'Trial & Error' by Bjorn Inger

The most impressive bit of mountain biking skill of all time? Ryan Leech is given a challenge: to create the most progressive and challenging mountain bike line possible through an old-growth forest and then ride it. A short expose of a top biking talent who pushes his skills in a new environment, one that is slated to be destroyed.
Film Length: 8mins

Dave Birkett's Comments: Of all the categories judged this was the closest category. A perfect balance of beautiful photography, action, sound and narrative, what turned it for the judges was the lad's charm, with a simple energy full of reward.
Special Mention: Climber by Carlos Villareal

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8. Judges' Special Prize

Sponsored by North West Development Agency

Winner: 'Andy Parkin: A Life In Adaptation' by Dom Green & Pip Piper

Profile of mountaineer and artist Andy Parkin.
Film Length: 30mins

John Innerdale's Comments: Andy is regarded as one of the finest alpine climbers and in 1984 he suffered a disabling climbing accident. His decision to live in Chamonix enabled him to rehabilitate through his love and talent for painting and sculpture. This film explains his recovery and celebrates his return to the climbing world and the basis for his artist inspiration in a sensitive and telling way.

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9. People's Choice Award

Sponsored by Patagonia

Winner: Au Dela Des Cimes (Beyond The Summits) by Remy Tezier

Profile of Catherine Destivelle, her climbing and her life.
Film Length: 80mins

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10. Judges Special Mention

'Hand Cut' by Nick Waggoner

Film Length: 27mins
A ski film that connects modern North American backcountry ethics to their mountain-man past.

Jane Rosseau's Comments: The sound element of most of the films shone out as the forgotten discipline. This film we thought deserved a special mention for the marriage of the sound and the image and prove that a fast paced action sport doesn't have to be shown at a high tempo.

Nick Waggoner's acceptance speech:
Hello good friends, Right off, I want to say thanks to my ex-girlfriend Lena for lending me her computer for the summer to edit this film. Ultimately, there wasn't room in my head for her and the film, and she was quite the diplomat when it came time to part. More importantly, I want to say thanks to the fine folks at Kendal. I made this film as a 22-year-old college student with no clear blueprint of how it would work financially or artistically. It was my first. I toiled with Hand Cut from 17 hour Greyhound buses in January while filming to the 120 hour editing weeks in August. All I knew is that I had to keep trying. To even be accepted into a festival like Kendal is a big warm hug, and looking back on all the work, it makes me tear up. There, I said it.
I can't say goodbye without thanking John-Alex Mason for his original deep-country blues music and taking me under his wing. Thanks for watching you all, and hope to see you soon.

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11. Grand Prize

Sponsored by Berghaus

Winner: 'On Sight' by Alastair Lee

Film Length: 52mins

Cameron McNeish's Comments: A vitally important film at a time when rock climbing has become incredibly diverse. 'On Sight' takes us back to the basics of rock climbing with its challenge of adventure, skill, a good eye for a route, and overcoming fear.
Special Mention: Journey Of A Red Fridge.

Kendal Mountain Festival took place 20-23 November. Event details at www.mountainfest.co.uk

KMF is presented by Northwest Regional Development Agency and Berghaus