The grant supported by Mendi Film, Ternua, and the Department of Basque Language, Culture and Sports of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia—aimed at creating documentary film projects that promote Mountain Culture through audiovisual media—opens an international pathway.
This new direction does not neglect the local essence of the grant, whose jury will value the youth of the filmmakers, projects filmed wholly or partially in the historical territory of Bizkaia, and their local‑global character. However, none of these three aspects will be exclusionary factors when awarding the grant.
The 7th edition of the Mendi Film Bizkaia Ternua grant includes a financial contribution of €10,000 and a mentoring program led by creative producer Itziar García Zubiri, to support the development of the selected project. The resulting film will premiere at the BBK Mendi Film Bilbao Bizkaia festival in 2027. The application period ends on September 30, 2026.
Five funded and premiered films
2021: TXANGO Director: Tamara Lucarini (Bizkaia). A meet‑up and hike to Pagasarri from Bilbao carried out by four friends.
2022: LOBOS Director: Marina García Andreu (Catalonia). Filmed in Asturias, it focuses on the unease and superstitions caused by the presence of wolves in rural villages.
2023: OINEZ Director: Leire Egaña (Gipuzkoa). A call to find a slower, more mindful way of understanding mountaineering, especially hiking.
2024: PELIGRO. NO ASOMARSE. Director: Dani Cascales (Andalusia). A high‑line over the Nervión waterfall, the longest ever completed to date in the Basque Country.
2025: SUSTRAIAK. RAÍCES PERDIDAS. Director: Luis Arrieta (Navarra). The story of Hiba, Bachir and Manan, who arrived in Navarra as teenagers from African countries without any support. Thanks to the community that welcomed them, they discovered climbing and the mountains—places where they could feel free.
These films premiered at Mendi Film and have been distributed internationally. Here are some testimonies:
Marina G. Andreu: Lobos and Los últimos guardians de Shangri‑La
Lobos has been selected at 26 international festivals and has won 10 awards, including first prize at the SmallRig Film Festival in Shenzhen (China). “Thanks to that festival, I met one of the special guests, who ended up becoming the protagonist of my next documentary, The Last Guardians of Shangri‑La, winner of the following Mendi Film grant (2025–2026),” Marina explains, highlighting the positive impact of the visibility her films are gaining.
“This new grant has been essential. The project had no funding beyond SmallRig’s support with filming equipment and part of the travel costs. Thanks to the grant, we can approach post‑production professionally, investing in editing, sound design, color, soundtrack, transcriptions, translations, and subtitles.”
Marina knows well the benefits of the grant—she also received it in 2021 for Lobos, which premiered at Mendi Film 2022. “I learned about the grant through the project’s cinematographer. The whole team was excited about the documentary, and a friend recommended the festival and the grant. I applied because I wanted to make the best possible project and felt we fit the theme and the current mountain‑related conflict. When you’re excited about a film, you give it everything.”
Receiving the 2021 grant was a turning point: “When they told me I had been awarded the Mendi Film Beka for Lobos, we were finishing a very limited one‑week shoot. Thanks to the €10,000 grant, we were able to do a second shoot to complete sequences and shots that became essential. It also allowed us to hire a distributor, which greatly helped the film’s festival journey.”
This is when she began working with Itziar García Zubiri, who became an influential mentor: “During editing, the university encouraged me to make an interview‑based documentary, but Itziar immediately understood the kind of project I wanted and what it truly needed. She gave me confidence and a clear perspective to work in a direction much closer to what I felt the film required.”
She remembers the 2022 Mendi Film experience fondly: “The premiere was beautiful. I shared the section with projects like Joy, by Aner Etxebarria, among other incredible documentaries. The festival treated us with great warmth: they invited the team, hosted us at The Artist hotel, handled all logistics, and made us feel supported from the start. Beyond being a wonderful festival, they truly care for people and films.”
Dani Cascales: ‘Peligro. No asomarse’
The film premiered at Mendi Film in 2024. Since then, it has won awards in France (Les Icares du Cinéma) and Italy (Sport Film Festival in Castellammare di Stabia), participated in the Anchor Point Film Tour across the United States (Boulder, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Royal Gorge), and will be screened at the Ulju festival in South Korea.
Dani learned about the grant through Mario Hidalgo, from the slackline group Oreka Tolosa. “He told me about the high‑line setup he wanted to do, and I jumped in to tell the story. The documentary project was still in its infancy,” he recalls. He emphasizes: “Without the financial support of the grant, the documentary wouldn’t have taken the shape it did. The grant gives you creative freedom. We were able to work with a real production team in both filming and post‑production—people who were paid for their work.”
Dani also highlights the mentorship of Itziar García Zubiri: “Itziar strengthened my desire to make a big project. She helped with everything—from contract details for the music to editing sessions where we refined the final cut. I remember her support with great affection; the richness was in the small details, and in any formal production, everything raises doubts.”
After the 2024 premiere, the film has thrived: “2025 was full of screenings. Through the Mendi Tour, it was shown across the country in cinemas and associations. We also took it to sports film festivals focused on specific themes, which was enriching. This visibility was possible thanks to Mendi Film’s unconditional support—press conferences, networking, distribution help…”
Luis Arrieta: ‘Sustraiak. Raíces perdidas’
Luis describes the premiere of his film at Mendi Film as “wonderful.” “It’s the best showcase. It elevates stories and opens many doors.” The film won the award for Best Culture and Nature Film at Mendi Film. Since then, it has enjoyed great success: commercial premieres at Golem cinemas in Bilbao and Pamplona; the Mario Bello Award from the Italian Alpine Club at the prestigious Trento festival; selection at 10 international festivals; and more than 30 screenings in and beyond the Basque Country.
Receiving the grant for his project about African immigrant teenagers was “a major boost and reassurance that what I envisioned could become real. Knowing that an expert jury believed in the film strengthened my motivation.”
He also values the €10,000 contribution: “For a project with a budget around €30,000, the grant is very significant. And beyond the money, being chosen among such strong candidates gives you confidence and energy to keep going.” The finalists in 2024 included Aner Etxebarria (Abata), Igor Bellido (Anboto bertikala), and Mar González Ruiz de Larramendi (Egun izoztuak).
Luis highlights the importance of mentor Itziar García Zubiri: “During editing, when I felt lost, she helped me understand that no decision would destroy or magically perfect the film. Editing is hard—you make many decisions and fear ruining the film. Itziar’s perspective across all production phases helped me decide without pressure. Her feedback on early cuts was essential; she pointed out what wasn’t clear or needed more information.”
He also stresses Mendi Film’s impact: “Without the success at Mendi Film, our international festival journey would have been more limited. And as a Navarrese filmmaker, the media exposure Mendi Film provides is crucial—it leads to many screenings in mountain venues and cultural centers.”
Luis had already stood out with films like Mendiak 1976 and 212 Mountains, both premiered at Mendi Film. He knows the importance of such support: “Mountain cinema has many opportunities now, and this grant—and the journey of our second feature, Sustraiak—helps us continue and embark on a new adventure with another feature film. I’m very grateful to the festival and the grant. Let’s keep telling stories of people and mountains.”
