The film "Hillary - Ocean to Sky" is the Grad Prize of the 13th edition of the BBK Mendi Film Bilbao-Bizkaia mountain film festival. The film directed by Michael Dillon is about Sir Edmund Hillary's last grand expedition Ocean to Sky, where he embarks on a journey from the ocean, ascending the sacred waters of the Ganges in motorboats, to reach the virgin peak of Akash Parbat in the Himalaya.
The Jury composed of the filmmaker Asier Altuna, the composer of soundtracks Paula Olaz, the film producer Itziar García, the coordinator in Madrid of the Polish Institute of Culture Iwona Zielińska-Sąsiada and the audiovisual student Jon San Sebastián, has issued the following justifications for each of the 13 awards:
GRAND PRIZE / GRAN PREMIO / SARI NAGUSIA
Eguzkilore trophy & 6.000 €
For its epic character, photography and narrative. Being a faithful portrait of an adventure with a 1970s perspective. For how it takes you in an emotional story to meet a mountain legend in a moment of reconciliation with life.
BEST DIRECTOR / MEJOR DIRECTOR / ZUZENDARI ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 3.000 €
MARCIN POLAR Harda – The Tough
For being an exhibition of cinema in its purest form, in a contemplative rhythm, at a leisurely pace. For its ability to transmit sensations with a simple and sordid approach. Direction so that it helps you to enter that cave, feel part of it and touch the darkness.
BEST SCRIPT / MEJOR GUION / GIDOI ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 2.000 €
For bringing us a story full of poetry, music and experience that is thought-provoking. The portrait of a person, well-fashioned using different narrative tools.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY / MEJOR FOTOGRAFÍA / ARGAZKILARITZA ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 2.000 €
VAELTAJAT – WANDERING IN THE WHITE
For being able to take you to a past experience, almost understanding the emotions that the main characters lived. With a subtle and delicate approach, the cinematography reinforces this fragile world of emotions.
JURY AWARD / PREMIO DEL JURADO / EPAIMAHAIAREN SARIA
Eguzkilore trophy & 2.000 €
For bringing us a philosophical reflection, with a surrealistic approach at times. For opening in many ways: opening up routes for other people, opening our eyes to the landscape and discovering the enjoyment of the process, and not so much the result.
BEST MOUNTAINEERING FILM / MEJOR PELÍCULA DE ALPINISMO / MENDIKO FILM ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.500 €
BYĆ KOBIETĄ W HIMALAJACH (TO BE A WOMAN IN THE HIMALAYAS)
For being inspiring, warm and inclusive. For giving a historical reading from an unusual point of view: putting women in the spotlight and recognizing them as the main characters.
BEST CLIMBING FILM / MEJOR PELÍCULA DE ESCALADA / ESKALADAKO FILM ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.500 €
For allowing us to feel the difficulties of climbing up close, with a camera stuck to two distant generations. For showing us the value and capacity of accepting our own limitations.
BEST MOUNTAIN CULTURE & NATURE FILM / MEJOR PELÍCULA DE CULTURA Y NATURALEZA / KULTURA ETA NATURA FILM ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.500 €
For taking us to one of the most special natural spaces on the planet, travelling through it in all its extension. For posing, with an undertone of vindication, the eternal debate about where the limit is between adventure and one's own experience, and the intervention of the human being in the enclaves where that experience takes place.
BEST SPORT & ADVENTURE FILM / MEJOR PELÍCULA DE DEPORTE Y AVENTURA / KIROL ETA ABENTURA FILM ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.500 €
Because of its delicate border between fiction and reality, one which takes us back to the first moment of contact we had with the context of the pandemic. The value of what we must do in the face of what we want to do. At the same time, with a fresh and optimistic portrayal, which leads to a reflection on the society we have created.
BEST SHORT FILM / MEJOR CORTOMETRAJE / FILM LABUR ONENA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.000 €
For transmitting the strength of a small gesture that leads us to discover a great deed.
BEST FILM IN BASQUE / EUSKARAZKO FILM ONENA / MEJOR PELÍCULA EN EUSKARA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.000 €
For dignifying death, in order to dignify life.
SPECIAL MENTION OF THE JURY / MENCIÓN ESPECIAL DEL JURADO / EPAIMAHAIAREN AIPAMEN BEREZIA
For giving value to patient and delicate craftsmanship, harking from a creative process of conscious and active listening. For having the ability to transform the voice of nature into a work of art.
SPECIAL MENTION OF THE JURY / MENCIÓN ESPECIAL DEL JURADO / EPAIMAHAIAREN AIPAMEN BEREZIA
Because we need films like this. With a positive message, about overcoming fear, relying on the strength of the community. The energy and light that the film transmits is vitally contagious.
AUDIENCE AWARD / PREMIO DEL PÚBLICO / IKUSLEEN SARIA
Eguzkilore trophy & 1.000 €
