We have good news to share in this month’s newsletter! First up, we’d like to confirm that the 2022 NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival is going ahead. Celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, the festival is scheduled to run in Wānaka from 24 to 29 June, in Queenstown June 30 to July 2, and online from June 24 to July 24. Yes that is one day longer in Wanaka, allowing for a special evening screening the best films in our 20 year history.
We are working hard to ensure we can operate a high-quality event whilst keeping everyone safe. We will be following Ministry of Health guidelines and can split the venues in to separate zones to ensure we remain within capacity limits. Our popular online festival is another way to enjoy the festival sessions even if you are unable to join us in person.
So, the show will go on! And on that note, we are excited to share that entries for our film and book competitions have been flooding in. Book competition entries have already exceeded last year’s total and there’s still a month left to submit yours!
WE’RE ON THE HUNT FOR NZ-MADE FILMS!
New Zealand filmmakers, don’t be shy! We are on the hunt for more NZ-made films! Remember – the winner of the of the Best New Zealand made Film will receive the Hiddleston/MacQueen Award and prize money of NZD2,500!
Our adventure filmmakers’ competition is an internationally recognised competition bringing the best adventure films on the world’s remote places, extreme sports and their spirit of adventure from around the world. All films selected as finalists will be screened at our festival in 2022.
The subject matter criteria are extremely broad. As long as there is a link with adventurous sports or people and is set in the world’s mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans or skies, the film will meet the theme. For example, mountain climbing, rock or ice climbing, caving, canyoning, kayaking, white water rafting, base jumping, paragliding, etc are all included as are films which portray wild environments or cultures of the people living within them.
BOOK COMPETITION PRIZE MONEY INCREASED!
Even more exciting news – thanks to a very generous donation, the winner of the Nankervis and Bamford NZ Mountain Book of the Year will now receive a $2000 prize!
Established in 2020, the prize is only awarded for a book of the very highest quality and that brings the mountain experience – in whatever form – into the hearts and minds of the readers. The prize has increased from $1000 in 2020 – 2021 to $2,000.
The Mountain Book of the Year award was founded by Dave Bamford and John Nankervis, both well-known and highly respected members of the alpine community, prolific exploratory mountaineers (throughout New Zealand as well as internationally), and aficionados of mountain literature. Published authors themselves, Dave and John, (or Nank as he was better known) have been passionate about supporting other writers of mountain-themed books.
“Our thought was that competitions like this help to give some recognition to those people doing the hard work to produce these books and to encourage them to keep up the mahi,” says Dave.
Sadly, Nank passed away just a few weeks ago and, after a 50-year climbing career, will be remembered for the fabulous contribution he made within the mountaineering community worldwide. We are honoured to offer one of the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival’s most prestigious prizes in Nank’s joint name.
