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| Week 50 |
| Monday. 08 December, 2025 | ||
| 12:00 |
Euskalduna Bilbao 8 dic 12:00 ALDABIDE, ALONE ACROSS GOLA, OUT OF THE BLUE, ETERNAL SOLOALDABIDE2025, Spain, 12min Director: Jon Mendizabal Roa INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Cavers Oskar Etxebarria (ADES) and Carlos Arranz (Takomano) venture into the bowels of the Itxina Massif, in the heart of the Gorbea mountain range in Bizkaia, Basque Country. It is an underground world that can only be accessed by diving through a narrow siphon. Witnessing what they experience, the film explores the darkness of this hollow mountain, capturing the passion, obsession and deep feeling for nature that drives these cave divers. ALONE ACROSS GOLA2024, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Liberia, 20min Director: Jude Kriwald NATIONAL PREMIERE Jude Kriwald's extraordinary solo journey through the dense and unchartered Liberian rainforest of Gola, in a landscape without roads or paths, where every step meant pushing through thick undergrowth with nothing but a bicycle and a tent. Jude carried his 53 kg bicycle over fallen trees, crossed ravines with collapsed bridges and faced life-threatening situations. It is an adventure that tests the limits of endurance, self-sufficiency and the human spirit, and often makes Jude wonder, “Is this route even possible?” OUT OF THE BLUE2020, France, 43min Director: Davina Beyloos Montaz-Rosset & Sébastien Montaz-Rosset An enigmatic character recruits street artists and mountaineers for a hilarious project on the summits of Oberland in Switzerland. Talented young acrobats from Bern have doubts about hurling themselves into this bizarre vertical odyssey full to the brim with ingredients such as highline, acroyoga, ‘spacenet,’ vertical acrobatic cloth, wingsuit flights… ETERNAL SOLO2025, Italy, Pakistan, 31min Director: Andrea Cossu NATIONAL PREMIERE Stefano Ragazzo wasn’t born among the mountains; his passion came later, like a bolt from the blue, with climbing drawing him far up from the plains. Inspired by the Dolomite tradition, he became captivated by solo climbing—a way to push beyond his own limits. His challenge? The Eternal Flame route, a legendary rock face in the heart of Pakistan’s Karakoram range. An exhilarating journey into the world of mountaineering, where passion, courage, and a love for the mountains come together in an adventure that seems impossible. |
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Euskalduna Bilbao 8 dic 16:00 JAVIER Y LA MONTAÑAJAVIER Y LA MONTAÑA2024, Spain, 78min Director: Rodolfo Montero de Palacio / Mario de Benito Javier López Pagazaurtundua leads the Basque Country's efforts to raise awareness about people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. As the winner of one of the Urbegi Foundation's ‘Lo Impossible/The impossible Awards’, his only prize was to make one of his impossible dreams come true. His challenge was to hike to the Everest base camp, where he could enjoy, suffer, and experience something he had dreamed of his whole life: to feel the highest mountains on the planet and, through them, raise awareness for those who suffer from cerebral palsy. |
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Euskalduna Bilbao 8 dic 17:00 MARÉE NOIRE, BÂTISSEURS DE RÊVES ATHOMIQUES !, EPHEMERALMARÉE NOIRE2024, Canada, 11min Director: Chantal Caron NATIONAL PREMIERE A cry from the Earth’s species startled into surviving against the onslaught of threatening elements. One last breath before being trampled by Earth or to the contrary enter battle to wage against winds and tides clutching onto life before extinction. BÂTISSEURS DE RÊVES ATHOMIQUES !2024, France, 45min Director: Antoine Le Menestrel NATIONAL PREMIERE The adventure of ATHOM, the extraordinary climbers & dancers' troupe, led by Antoine Le Ménestrel, in a poetic and fraternal project that transcends disciplines and origins, connecting dance and climbing. A documentary about the Cultural Olympiad project, winner of the ‘Inspiration, Creation and Disability’ organised by Paris 2024 and the French Ministry of Culture. EPHEMERAL2024, United States, 32min Director: Josiah Jones EUSKADI PREMIERE As the ice climbing season is shortened year after year, ice and mixed climber, Jeff Mercier is driven into Iceland’s unforgiving glacial landscape. Faced with an ever-shifting medium and treacherous terrain, Jeff pushes his own limits as well as the boundaries of his sport. |
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Mendi talk FOLAMBULE Euskalduna Bilbao 8 Dic 19:00FOLAMBULE. Les confessions d'un grimpeur étoileANTOINE LE MÉNESTREL Monday December 8 – 19:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Antoine Le Ménestrel was one of the prodigies who invented free climbing in the 1980s. He took climbing to new heights, combining the search for challenge with creativity. He is the living memory of a movement that inspires millions of young people to take up climbing today. In ‘Folambule’, he recounts with moving sincerity how his exploration of movement on the cliffs went hand in hand with his inner torments. His unique vertical trajectory led him to artistic creation. Today, he is a choreographer and dancer with the Lézards Bleus company, which creates dance-climbing shows.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 8 dic 19:45 WILD AERIAL, NATURA FUGIT, OLD MAN LIGHTNINGWILD AERIAL2024, Canada, 16min Director: Trixie Pacis NATIONAL PREMIERE The film follows adventure aerialist Sasha Galitzki to remote icescapes to document the most ambitious routine she has ever performed outdoors. Overcoming extreme cold and dizzying heights, she draws attention to the beauty and fragility of our rapidly changing landscapes. NATURA FUGIT2025, Spain, 22min Director: Jesus Mari Lazkano The landscape of Mer de Glace, in the Mont Blanc massif, is transformed over time, a “geological timeline” that we cannot understand from our current perspective and which shows us the progressive degradation of which we are an active part. It is the most studied, painted and referenced glacier in Europe, recreated by artists such as Friedrich, Ruskin, Turner and Violet le Duc. Through thousands of original drawings by Jesús Mari Lazkano, this short film reflects the successive evolution of the increase and disappearance of ice, the filling and emptying, like the breathing of the landscape, which ends in the ultimate landscape catastrophe and the collapse of all life. OLD MAN LIGHTNING2025, United States, 60min Director: Dawn Kish NATIONAL PREMIERE Cranky and yet witty, the bouldering legend John “Verm” Sherman has lost his drive or mojo and is struggling or jonesing to regain it. What better way than to climb the world’s most famous boulder problem, Yosemite’s iconic Midnight Lightning? He climbed it 25 years ago, but since then the climb has gotten harder and Verm’s gotten softer due to Beer lust and a third-degree burning passion for bird photography. Standing in his way is his age (57), weight (200 lbs), dozens of injuries, and myriad health issues. Nevertheless, he’s stubborn and determined, and after a specific 6-month preparation to get in shape, he is ready for leading to a final confrontation with bouldering’s “Problem of Problems”. |
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| Tuesday. 09 December, 2025 | ||
| 17:30 |
Euskalduna Bilbao 9 dic 17:30 TALKING TRANSITION, TRAS LA HUELLA NORUEGATALKING TRANSITION2025, Austria, 8min Director: Marco Tribelhorn NATIONAL PREMIERE Arianna Tricomi, professional skier and 3 times Free Ride World Champion, closes the competition chapter of her career and reflects on her constantly evolving relationship with the mountains. Talking Transition shares insights into the mind of an athlete at a turning point, exploring new alpine challenges while celebrating the beauty of free skiing in Canada, Japan, and the Alps. TRAS LA HUELLA NORUEGA2025, Spain, 78min Director: Unai Jaureguibeitia Arias INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE It was the summer of 1906, when the arrival of Norwegian Hafdan Magnus Mustad in Tolosa changed not only the life of this town in Gipuzkoa, but also the history of sport. Mustad decided to locate his factory there, and the Norwegian workers brought wooden skis with them in their luggage. When Tolosa residents such as Isaac López Mendizábal saw the Norwegians skiing for the first time, they decided that they too should be part of that experience. Thus, Norwegians and Basques joined forces and founded Spain's first ski club, the Ski Club Tolosano, the seed of a journey marked by milestones that continue to this day. |
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See What I Saw: Karakoram (15min)SEE WHAT I SAW: KARAKORAM2024, Pakistan / Netherlands, 16min Director: Boris Peters NATIONAL PREMIERE Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Karakoram Mountain range in Pakistan, the film reveals the stark contrasts between the overwhelming beauty of nature and human vulnerability. An 18-day glacier expedition through the Karakoram (Pakistan) forms the backdrop for a physically and mentally demanding journey. Boris Peters creates visual contrasts by placing two perspectives side by side - mirroring the sensory overload the landscape evoked.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 9 dic 19:30 RETRO, SEE THOSE FLOWERS?, THE ROAD WE NEVER RODE, MON PRINTEMPS AU MONT BLANCRETRO2025, United Kingdom, 12min Director: Brain Hall NATIONAL PREMIERE The history of retro walking stretches back to 1817, but became headline news in 1931 when Texan, Plennie Wingo, attempted to walk around the world backwards. He still holds the walking backwards record of 8.000 miles. In 1976, British Lindsay Dodd, set off from Leeds and walked backwards to Kendal, completing a record distance of 80 miles in 24 hours. In 2024, british, too, Ben Stewart climbed backwards Kilimanjaro in a record-breaking eight-day time. As the sport gains popularity, may we see more amazing records and attempts on prominent Himalayan peaks? SEE THOSE FLOWERS?2025, France, 17min Director: Julien Caldarone NATIONAL PREMIERE On Réunion Island, during the extreme trail Diagonale des Fous, Martin Kern moves through the landscapes with speed and determination, as if dancing. The emotions he experiences during that extraordinary effort, are shaped by hours of training and an ideal rooted in exploration and the discovery of an environment that fascinates him. THE ROAD WE NEVER RODE2024, Spain, 35min Director: Inigo Lamana INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE An elderly man dreams of a long-imagined cycling journey across New Zealand that he and a friend never took. In his dream, they traverse breath-taking landscapes -gleaming glaciers, endless steppes, wild rivers and majestic mountains-, while reflecting on the people they meet and the moments they share. The film explores themes of memory, missed opportunities, and the emotional weight of regret. It’s a poetic meditation on the importance of pursuing dreams before they fade into “what could have been.” MON PRINTEMPS AU MONT BLANC2025, France, 38min Director: Bertrand Delapierre EUSKADI PREMIERE Benjamin Védrines takes his skis to Chamonix in spring, a time to enjoy a full season of skiing on vertical slopes. Both his and his friend Nicolas Jean’s experience and talent, allow him to imagine and conceive new challenges at altitude: the complete traverse of Mont Blanc in 3 days, with 11 powerful and breathtaking descents. |
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| Wednesday. 10 December, 2025 | ||
| 16:00 |
Mendi talk MAPPING THE MOUNTAINS Euskalduna Bilbao 10 Dic 16:00MAPPING THE MOUNTAINSANDREW DAVIES Wednesday December 10 – 16:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Science, adventure, subterfuge, rivalry, perseverance, heroism and sometimes tragedy: just a few of the ingredients that go together to make ‘Mapping the Mountains’. From territorial conquests, armed uprisings and covert assignments to scientific endeavour and mountaineering firsts, in ‘Mapping the Mountains’, author, geographer and map-lover, Andrew Davies has pieced together a timeline which traces the history and development of mountain cartography.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 10 dic 17:30 BILLY, THE SAMI SONG OF SURVIVALBILLY2024, Argentina, 33min Director: Pablo Schiel NATIONAL PREMIERE A 70-year-old man deals with the fears that he goes through when ski touring. Death, desire and time constitute the internal conflict of this adventure, which may be the last. THE SAMI SONG OF SURVIVAL2025, United States, 50min Director: Iara Lee EUSKADI PREMIERE The Sami people, based primarily in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, continue their struggles against oppression and colonialism, old and new. For centuries, they have been fighting institutionalized racism, marginalization, and the repression of their culture and language. Although they have won recognition and respect, their work has not ended. Through artistic means and cultural resilience, the Sami are asserting their rights to exist and thrive in their native lands. |
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| 19:10 |
See What I Saw: Karakoram (15min)SEE WHAT I SAW: KARAKORAM2024, Pakistan / Netherlands, 16min Director: Boris Peters NATIONAL PREMIERE Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Karakoram Mountain range in Pakistan, the film reveals the stark contrasts between the overwhelming beauty of nature and human vulnerability. An 18-day glacier expedition through the Karakoram (Pakistan) forms the backdrop for a physically and mentally demanding journey. Boris Peters creates visual contrasts by placing two perspectives side by side - mirroring the sensory overload the landscape evoked.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 10 dic 19:30 INTO ALTAI, 2000 JOURS AU PARADISINTO ALTAI2025, France, 37min Director: Yannick Boissenot EUSKADI PREMIERE This film takes us deep into the Tavan Bogd massif, nestled in the Mongolian Altai Mountains. Camille Armand, Pierre Hourticq and Victor Daviet share a common passion, not only for the mountains, but also for exploring remote and unfamiliar lands. Tavan Bogd -literally ‘The Five Sacred Mountains’-, refers to a group of peaks steeped in symbolism and legend. For two weeks, a yurt will serve as their base camp, allowing them to explore this little-known massif on skis and snowboards. But what are they really looking for in these mountains? 2000 JOURS AU PARADIS2025, France, 69min Director: Véronique Anne y Erik Lapied EUSKADI PREMIERE Véronique, Anne and Erik Lapied have been tracking the wildlife of The Gran Paradiso massif for 18 years. They stray away from the beaten trails on their patient approaches in their attempt to understand the traces and customs of the inhabitants of the place. Amidst exceptional scenes of animals, the relationship between man and nature becomes pure poetry in motion, that showcases the profession of wildlife filmmaking in the mountains. |
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| Thursday. 11 December, 2025 | ||
| 16:00 |
Euskalduna Bilbao 11 dic 16:00 LADY EVEREST, Mendi talk TROVADOR DE LAS CUMBRESLADY EVEREST2025, Spain, 59min Director: Mª Isabel Díaz Novo INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Fifty years ago, on 16 May 1975, Japanese climber Junko Tabei achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. It is unfortunate, but not unexpected, that the celebrations were confined to Asia. However, her story is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring in sport. Tabei transcended social norms and Japanese cultural traditions by adopting masculine and culturally different or westernised methods to lead high-altitude mountain expeditions for women only. Tabei helped establish the Joshi-Tohan Japanese Ladies Climbing Club, founded on the slogan: “Let’s go on an overseas expedition by ourselves”. TROVADOR DE LAS CUMBRESJEAN-MICHEL JORDÁ Thursday December 11 – 16:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Jean-Michel Jordá is a mountaineer and filmmaker. His film ‘Everest Green’ received the Award for Best Mountaineering Film in 2018 in the Mendi Film festival. In 2023, he premiered ‘Everest Invaders: asalto a la papelera más alta del mundo’, in Bilbao. "I could have been a vagabond. Cinema, beauty, art, the mountains, the wind, the sea, reflection, some wonderful encounters, and Phi, made me a troubadour".
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Euskalduna Bilbao 11 dic 17:30 STREAMERS, STEAMERS & STRUGGLES ON THE KRKA; DEAR SUPERHERO; ERRIOSTREAMERS, STEAMERS & STRUGGLES ON THE KRKA2025, Slovenia, 8min Director: Rožle Bregar y Rok Rozman NATIONAL PREMIERE Four kayakers (ab)use rafting as a means to catch fish on Slovenia's chalk stream called Krka. Casting flies amongst castles and cattails, this became the arena for a gruelling competition that applied pressure of all kinds. DEAR SUPERHERO2025, New Zealand, 14min Director: Corinna Halloran NATIONAL PREMIERE For nearly two years, professional skier Janina Kuzma struggled to get pregnant. Then, in early 2024, the moment arrived: a positive pregnancy test, but with it came a new question: how would pregnancy change her life in the mountains? Wrestling with the fear of losing her job as a pregnant mountain guide or being judged as a professional athlete, Janina still finds peace in the mountains. Joined by professional snowboarder Leanne Pelosi and skier Evelina Nilsson, Janina ventures deep into New Zealand’s Southern Alps to discover the superhuman powers of motherhood. ERRIO2024, Spain, 63min Director: Ibon Gaztañazpi Nagore Urdapilleta, a rower from the historic Orio rowing club, has rowed the waters of the Oria estuary thousands of times, but has never stopped to discover the secrets hidden beyond the surface. Intrigued by the hidden history of the river and so, she sets out on an incredible journey upriver. She is guided by historians, citizens, and the weavers of legends, who reveal the soul of the estuary to her. The ancient beaches and caves, whaling, shipbuilding and shipyards, ironworks, salmon fisheries, traditional forestry... The treasure of the estuary lies in its history, and we are proud to share it with you! |
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| 19:10 |
See What I Saw: Karakoram (15min)SEE WHAT I SAW: KARAKORAM2024, Pakistan / Netherlands, 16min Director: Boris Peters NATIONAL PREMIERE Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Karakoram Mountain range in Pakistan, the film reveals the stark contrasts between the overwhelming beauty of nature and human vulnerability. An 18-day glacier expedition through the Karakoram (Pakistan) forms the backdrop for a physically and mentally demanding journey. Boris Peters creates visual contrasts by placing two perspectives side by side - mirroring the sensory overload the landscape evoked.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 11 dic 19:30 HARRI, ORRI, ARKATZ; K2 MON AMOURHARRI, ORRI, ARKATZ2025, Spain, 55min Director: Jon Herranz INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Through the eyes of climbers and artists, this documentary celebrates the tension between utility and creativity found in climbing topos. Vertical maps that not only trace impossible routes but also dreams and adventures. From the first rudimentary sketches to elaborate contemporary drawings, we discover the evolution of these unique documents and their impact on the exploration of the unknown K2 MON AMOUR2025, France, 40min Director: Mathieu Rivoire EUSKADI PREMIERE In summer 2024, Liv Sansoz and Zeb Roche set out to climb K2 (8,611 m) without oxygen and with a crazy: to fly off the summit together on a paraglider. Their story is so much more than just an attempt to reach the summit; it’s an ode to the wild and raw beauty of K2. |
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| Friday. 12 December, 2025 | ||
| 10:00 |
MENDI PRO Euskalduna 12 dic 10:00MENDI PROFriday December 12 – 10:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Tickets: Free admission until full capacity. Tickets must be obtained on the Euskalduna Bilbao website
3rd edition of the conference aimed at promoting and bringing together the mountain film industry within the framework of BBK Mendi Film Bilbao Bizkaia.
The Mendi Film Official Selection film ‘Champions of the Golden Valley’ is aiming for an Oscar nomination. Its director, American Ben Sturgulewski, is one of the most prolific filmmakers at Mendi Film, having submitted 12 works to the contest. He made his debut in 2011, winning the Audience Award with ‘Solitaire’, and in 2022 he received the Best Soundtrack Award for ‘Creation Theory’ in recognition of the work of Griff Netanyahu Burn and Goth Babe. Katie Stjernholm and both work at the production company Sturgefilm. Panel Talk: "Desperately looking for funds"
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Mendi talk GEURE(R)A Euskalduna Bilbao 12 Dic 16:00GEURE(R)AJANIRE ETXABE, TOTI MARTÍNEZ DE LEZEA, ELI AZURMENDI, JUANTXO ZEBERIO Friday December 12 – 16:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Geure(R)a is a book that transforms vertical dance into sound, images & words. Originating in Janire Etxabe's stage work with Harrobi Dantza Bertikala, it pays tribute to the women burned at the stake during the witch hunts, rooted in Basque memory and culture. It is Illustrated by Eli Azurmendi and accompanied by poetic prose crafted by Toti Martínez de Lezea, with music by Juantxo Zeberio. This combined work offers a dynamic, evocative, powerful and poetic artistic experience that celebrates the resilience and transformative power of women.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 12 dic 17:30 BHAGIRATHI III, ODYSSEA BOREALIS - L'IGNOTO ESISTE ANCORABHAGIRATHI III2025, Spain, 40min Director: Rubén Pérez Blázquez EUSKADI PREMIERE Four veteran mountaineers, Mikel Sáez de Urabain, José María Andrés de la Torre “Chemari”, Rubén Pérez “Ino” and Alex Kammerlander, strangers to each other, travel to the Indian Himalayas to climb the south-western pillar of Bhagirathi III (6,454 m). Seven days hanging on the wall, in both storms and extreme cold, will test their limits. The greatest achievement will be returning together as friends more than reaching the summit. ODYSSEA BOREALIS - L'IGNOTO ESISTE ANCORA2024, Italy, 44min Director: Alessandro Beltrame EUSKADI PREMIERE Mateo della Bordella, Alex Gammeter, Silvan Schüpbagh and Symon Welfringer, challenge the icy waters of eastern Greenland in an epic 300-kilometer odyssey. Their goal: to scale the untouched northwest face of Drøneren, standing 1,200 meters high, navigating in kayaks to approach there. Driven by the primal instinct of exploration, these modern Ulysses are not seeking conquest, but the pure essence of adventure. With ingenuity and determination, they dive into a world where curiosity is the only compass. |
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| 19:10 |
See What I Saw: Karakoram (15min)SEE WHAT I SAW: KARAKORAM2024, Pakistan / Netherlands, 16min Director: Boris Peters NATIONAL PREMIERE Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Karakoram Mountain range in Pakistan, the film reveals the stark contrasts between the overwhelming beauty of nature and human vulnerability. An 18-day glacier expedition through the Karakoram (Pakistan) forms the backdrop for a physically and mentally demanding journey. Boris Peters creates visual contrasts by placing two perspectives side by side - mirroring the sensory overload the landscape evoked.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 12 dic 19:45 PREMIO WOP MENDI FILM 2025, CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEYWOP MENDI FILM AWARD 2025CATHERINE DESTIVELLE Friday december 8 – 19:45 Euskalduna Bilbao Climber, mountaineer, writer, editor and conference speaker. Catherine Destivelle probably never imagined where her first steps climbing the boulders of Fontainebleau, where her parents took her to play as a child, would lead her. At 16, she was already climbing in the Verdon. Her victory in the first world climbing championship in Bardonechia (1985) propelled her into the professional world. Then came the leap into mountaineering: the first solo female winter ascent of the north face of the Eiger, the first absolute repeat of the Bonatti route on the north face of the Matterhorn, the Trango Tower, the ascent of the south-west face of Shisha Pangma... all of which forged her path. In 2020 she was awarded the Piolet d'Or for her career.
She founded the publishing house Les éditions du Mont-Blanc with the aim of transforming the mountain itself into an educational tool. The books she publishes reveal incredible mountaineering stories and share a love of the mountains. “My goal is to build a bridge between cultural history, sporting heritage and the ecological and scientific concerns of the times we live in”, she says. Her publishing team is deliberately made up entirely of women.
WOP Mendi Film Award winners:
• Basque and Navarre Mountaineering Federations (2024)
• Edurne Pasaban (2023)
• Eduardo Martínez de Pisón (2022)
• Sebastián Álvaro (2021)
• Baltistán Fundazioa Foundation (2020)
• Nives Meroi and Romano Benet (2019)
• Juanjo San Sebastián (2018)
• Peter Habeler (2017)
• Sir Chris Bonington (2016)
• Josep Manuel Anglada (2015)
• Drawn film by Jeremy Collins (2014)
CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY2024, Afghanistan, Germany, United States, 81min Director: Ben Sturgulewski NATIONAL PREMIERE Up in the snow-capped mountains of Afghanistan, in the remote region of Bamyan, a homegrown ski culture is emerging. At the heart of this movement is Alishah Farhang, a former Winter Olympic hopeful whose dream of being the first to represent Afghanistan in alpine skiing, transforms into a mission to bring his passion for the sport to his homeland. Equipped with handmade wooden skis and second-hand gear, young athletes from rival villages come together to compete in a ski mountaineering race, like no other. The event becomes a powerful catalyst for unity and hope, showcasing the transformative power of sport to bridge deep divides. And when their world is suddenly upended, Alishah and the athletes must call upon those lessons learned on the slopes. |
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| Saturday. 13 December, 2025 | ||
| 09:00 |
WORKSHOP MOUNTAIN PAINTING AND TOPOS Euskalduna Bilbao 13 Dic 9:00MOUNTAIN PAINTING AND TOPOSELI AZURMENDI Y CHEMA AGUSTÍN Saturday December 13 – 9:00-11:45 Euskalduna Bilbao In this experimental watercolour workshop, we will paint mountains and sketches in watercolour, applying different techniques such as transfers, collages, etc... to finish by joining all the drawings together to create an accordion like book. We will be guided by Eli Azurmendi and Chema Agustín.
Co-author and coordinator of the Expo croquis project that includes the book 'El arte en el croquis de escalada-Art in climbing topos', the exhibition 'HARRI, ORRI, ARkatz' and the documentary of the same name.
Plastic artist, mountaineer, and climber. Co-author of the Riglos Vertical climbing guide, author of the book Riglorámico in which he plastically investigates the Mallos de Riglos, designs the international mountaineering poker deck Alpinist54, and illustrates the book Ordesa, Naturaleza y cultura popular.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 13 dic 12:00 TALA, IZARREN ZAUNKA, L'ESCALADE DU FUTURTALA2025, Spain, 14min Director: Joel Badia Vila EUSKADI PREMIERE In a breathtaking journey spanning 800 kilometers across the rugged spine of the Pyrenees, Brazilian ultrarunner Fernanda Maciel takes on the legendary GR11 trail—alone. From the Cantabric shores of Hondarribia to the Mediterranean cliffs of Cap de Creus, she runs for 12 days and 12 hours, without a support team. But this is more than a test of endurance. Without crew, comfort, or contact, Fernanda ventures into profound solitude, where silence becomes a companion and the mountain a mirror. IZARREN ZAUNKA2025, Spain, 18min Director: Nagore Eceiza Mujika INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Two friends met in the Basque town of Larraitz to climb a route recently opened by Mikel Sáez de Urabain on Mount Txindoki. Mikel is confident that the peacefulness of the location will inspire him to name the new route. Meanwhile, Iker Uranga hopes to free himself from his chronic pain and anxiety. L'ESCALADE DU FUTUR2025, France, 52min Director: Pascal Barneville EUSKADI PREMIERE With the rise of private climbing gyms and the arrival of climbing in the Olympics, this rapidly evolving sport faces a paradox: its indoor success contrasts with the threats looming over natural climbing sites. Renowned climber Cédric Lachat explores the evolution of climbing and the legacy left for future generations. |
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Panel talk LABORATORIO DONNE Euskalduna Bilbao 13 Dic 16:00LABORATORIO DONNESaturday December 13 – 16:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Laboratorio Donne is an independent and open working group dedicated to research, debate, and growth on issues of gender equality in the world of mountaineering. Founded by Riccarda de Eccher, mountaineer and artist, and Elena Goatelli, documentary film director, and with the collaboration of the Centre for Gender Studies at the University of Trento.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 13 dic 17:00 CANTOS Y FLORES; SUSTRAIAK, RAÍCES PERDIDASCANTOS Y FLORES2025, United States, 27min Director: Julen Elorza NATIONAL PREMIERE Seven years after her brother's death, Karina Carsolio resumes the dream that they shared: to climb Bolivia's most iconic mountains—Huayna Potosí, Illimani, and Sajama—in an attempt to achieve the FKT (fastest known time). And she will do so alongside experienced mountain runner Hillary Gerardi. Alongside the athletic challenge, the mountains will become a mirror of pain, closure, and spiritual reunion at the same time. SUSTRAIAK, RAÍCES PERDIDAS2025, Spain, 70min Director: Luis Arrieta Etxeberria INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE This is the story of Hiba, Bachir and Manan. Three young people who migrated from their countries as children and arrived in Navarre without any adult with them and alone. Here they have discovered climbing and the mountains, a place where they can forget their problems, a place to feel free and capable of anything. But their paths will gradually begin to diverge. |
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See What I Saw: Karakoram (15min)SEE WHAT I SAW: KARAKORAM2024, Pakistan / Netherlands, 16min Director: Boris Peters NATIONAL PREMIERE Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Karakoram Mountain range in Pakistan, the film reveals the stark contrasts between the overwhelming beauty of nature and human vulnerability. An 18-day glacier expedition through the Karakoram (Pakistan) forms the backdrop for a physically and mentally demanding journey. Boris Peters creates visual contrasts by placing two perspectives side by side - mirroring the sensory overload the landscape evoked.
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Euskalduna Bilbao 13 dic 19:45 UN DÍA AL AÑO, GIRL CLIMBERUN DÍA AL AÑO2025, Spain, 16min Director: Alfonso García INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Since 1970 in the isolated and picturesque valley of Atxarte in the mountains of the Basque Country, a group of young climbers used to meet to share their passion for the mountains as they ventured into pioneering climbs at an international level. However, everything changed when one of them suffered a serious accident and doctors told him he would never climb again. After a miraculous recovery, he devised a special tradition to celebrate his return to life. Over the years, that day became an unmissable event for the climbing community: The Atxarte Carnival. GIRL CLIMBER2025, Austria, United States, 83min Director: Jonathan Glassberg EUSKADI PREMIERE Professional climber Emily Harrington has summited Everest and Cho Oyu and dominated the competition circuit winning five times the USA lead climbing national championship and a silver medal at World Championship too. But her greatest challenge extends beyond what is merely physical, it is to cement her legacy in the male dominated world of elite rock climbing, she sets her sights on a career-defining 24-hour ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan. Amongst Yosemite’s legendary boy’s club, Emily isn’t just proving she is the best Girl Climber, she's proving she is one of the best overall, full stop! |
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| Sunday. 14 December, 2025 | ||
| 10:00 |
WORKSHOP MOUNTAINS OF COLOURS Euskalduna Bilbao 14 Dic 10:00MOUNTAINS OF COLOURSLAURA ARANEGUI GAVIRIA Sunday December 7 and Sunday December 14 – 10:00-11:45 Euskalduna Bilbao In this art workshop for, the younger Mountain Lovers or 'Mendi Zales', you will create your own mountain landscape using coloured card, cutting, sticking and drawing. We will play with shapes, colours and composition to build mountains, skies, rivers, forests and other natural elements, bringing to life scenes inspired by the world of mountains. Through collage and drawing, each participant will explore their creativity with complete freedom, experimenting with materials and creating their own work to take home.
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| 12:00 |
MENDI MAGIKOA Euskalduna 14 Dic 12:00MENDI MAGIKOA (in basque)
A session for younger Mountain Lovers or ‘Mendi Zales’ and their families, in which mountains, cinema, theatre, music and magic are combined in a unique show that will leave no one indifferent.
Eriz the wizard also lives on the Mendi Magikoa. He will give you unforgettable moments that you will cherish forever, full of magic and creativity. AXIE AND THE WUNDER DACHSIES2024, Netherlands, 6min Director: Lisette Wansink NATIONAL PREMIERE Once upon a time there was a rough-and-ready ice-climber who did not come home. Together with her two precocious dachshunds, the Wunder Dachsies, the courageous Axie goes off in search of her long-lost knight in armour. Stop-motion is inspired by Dutch ice-climbing champions, Marianne van der Steen and Dennis van Hoek… and their dachshunds.
QUÉ IL PASSA AL CEL2023, Spain, 10min Director: Irene Iborra EUSKADI PREMIERE The sun rises happily over the horizon and is welcomed by the most beautiful landscape. The humans also wake up and do what they always do: cut down trees, construct aimlessly and pollute without shame. Their ideas and actions, usually very disrespectful to the planet, are putting in jeopardy the whole environment. What they do not realize, is that whatever they do, it will affect them eventually. However, the cosmos is not that patient…
TÊTE EN L'AIR2023, Belgium, France, 11min Director: Rémi Durin EUSKADI PREMIERE Alphonse, a little squirrel, always has his head in the clouds. He loves to contemplate them, and sometimes even take photos of them. Neither his parents nor his friends really understand this passion. But contemplating clouds is no picnic. Alphonse even has to show a certain courage worthy of the greatest explorers...
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| 12:00 |
Mendi talk COMPAÑERAS DE CORDADA, BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH Euskalduna Bilbao 14 Dic 12:00COMPAÑERAS DE CORDADA. DEL PIRINEO AL KARAKORUMSunday December 14 – 12:00 Euskalduna Bilbao LLucía Guichot and Nieves Gil, rope teammates since joining the Spanish FEDM Mountaineering Team in 2018, will tell us about their careers as mountaineers and, more specifically, their latest ascent of the ‘Eternal Flame’ route in the Trango Towers, in Pakistan’s Karakorum. In August 2024, they climbed this legendary 800m 7c+ A2 M6 route, opened in 1989 by the Germans Kurt Albert, Wolfgang Güllich, Christof Stiegler and Milan Sykora. The route is rated as one of the most beautiful and difficult at high altitude in the world at its 6,250 metres and takes its name from a beautiful song by The Bangles.
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTHMIKEL ZABALZA Sunday December 14 – 12:00 Euskalduna Bilbao Mikel Zabalza has always loved winter. He started climbing in the Pyrenees, in the Cirque de Gavarnie, where he has scaled ethereal ice routes. He has skied, travelled to the Himalayas, where he has opened new routes on giant rocks far away from the beaten paths, and advanced across the ice of Antarctica, with the wind as an ally while he pulled a sledge. Through his story, we become part of his rope team and travel to the Alps and Patagonia, to the great walls of the world, where we sleep suspended at altitudes where cold, wind and snow reign supreme: Integral de Peu Terey, Trango, Piergiorgio, Kanchenjunga, Dunagiri, Queen Maud Land, Everest and K2, the Abruzzi Spur, Gasherbrum II and IV, the Broads traverse, Nuptse, South Tower of Paiju Peak, Phurbi Chyach... and, always, the Pyrenees.
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| 17:00 | ||
| 19:45 | ||
