Worldwide entrants for New Zealand mountain film festival

Entries from around the world have been flooding in for this year’s New Zealand Mountain Film Festival as judging gets underway in the alpine resort of Lake Wanaka.

Films produced in Europe, North America and even the Middle East have been submitted to the competition, with double the number of entries on last year already received from New Zealand film makers.

The film competition, a key component of the festival, has attracted over 40 entries with festival organisers optimistic this number will double before the closing date June 4. The competition provides a platform for filmmakers to exhibit their work, receive merit and win cash prizes.

There has been a notable increase in the number of environmental films, with the content focusing on protection of the world’s natural resources as well as linking in the topical sustainability theme. The traditional high charged adrenalin extreme sports movies and adventure lifestyles will also be well featured in the festival programme.

Mark Sedon, festival director, is delighted with the submissions to date, “Receiving films from around the globe offers different perspectives, environments and adventures to discover, giving festival goers the opportunity to encounter an experience they might not undertake during their life time but can enjoy the journey from their seat,” he said.

The majority of submissions have been received from amateur film makers with a small selection from professionals. Many winning entries from the prestigious Banff Film Festival have also been submitted. The finalists will be announced at the beginning of June. All films selected as finalists will be screened at the festival.

The film competition offers a prize pool of $2,000 with a Grand Prize of $1,000 and another $1,000 for the best New Zealand made film. Entry is free and all films should be sent accompanied by an official entry form available from www.mountainfilm.net.nz  by June 4.

The festival also features speaker platforms with adventurers such as Timmy O’Neill and Graham Dingle sharing their stories and experiences, an ice sculpting competition, a book auction to raise funds for the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund and film workshops.

Wanaka Mountain Film Festival runs from 4th to 8th July. Tickets go on sale at the beginning of June. For more information on the festival see www.mountainfilm.net.nz