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Collaborator at climbing whorkshop and protagonist of the conference ‘Slideshow, life of a climber‘
Adam Ondra (Brno, Czech Republic, 1993) is the only climber who has won the World Championship in two disciplines: lead and boulder. Besides, he won both medals in the same year, during the edition of 2014. He also has a very similar record in the World Cup, as he is the only climber who has won it in two disciplines: lead in 2009 and boulder in 2010. He has climbed 1,162 routes that go from 8a (5.13b) to 9b+ (5.15c), of which three were a 9b+ (5.15c) and 548 were onsights. This includes three 9a (5.14d) and fifteen 8c+ (5.14c). Adam is the first climber that has climbed a redpoint route whose grade was 9b+ (5.15c) (Change, Flatanger, 2012.) He has also been awarded the ‘Salewa Rock Award’ four times.
The practice of the climbing course will be held in the center PIUGAZ and theoretical in the Ensanche Building of Bilbao, on the 12th and 13th of December.
The conference of Adam Ondra will be held in Sala BBK on the 12th of December, at 7:30p.m.
Protagonist of the 'Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing'
Adrián Cuéllar (Donostia) has a BS in Medicine and he specializes in orthopaedic surgery. He worked in the hospital of Galdakao for years and he had been researching for the Surgery, Radiology and Physical Medicine Department of the University of the Basque Country. He currently works in the Gipuzkoa Polyclinic. He has taken part in nationwide and worldwide congresses and has published numerous articles. He is member of the Spanish Association of Arthroscopy.
Director of the short film ‘Dominica’
Aitor has 25 years in the audiovisual sector. He has worked as a director in numerous programs and documentaries for ETB, such as 'La noche de...', ‘Oinak izarretan', 'Lau haizeetara-la mirada mágica' or 'EITB Kultura'. In Getxophoto and Bilbao Mendi Film Festival and has also carried out work of realization, and with Fredi Paia has been responsible for 'Akordaten Akordaten naz naz I & II' (2008-2010), a documentary that collect the historical memory and ethnolinguistics of Getxo. Now both are making a work about the transhumance in Basque Country.
The short film will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 17, at 5:00pm.
Protagonist of the film '2T on Chamlang' and the 'Panel Talk: the challenge'
The climber and mountaineer from Aretxabaleta (Basque Country) Alberto Iñurrategi is the tenth mountaineer that has managed to crown the 14 'eight-thousanders'. He is characterized by his alpine style ascents; without oxygen, fixed ropes and extra support infrastructure. Iñurrategi is part of the collective imagination of the Basque himalayism, a benchmark that will accompany us in the talk about "The Challenge" that he will keep with the chef Eneko Atxa, and the presentation of the film '2T on Chamlang' that narrates his expedition to Chamlang. This fall, particularly on 19 October, the WOPEAK expedition formed by the alpinitas Alberto Iñurrategi, Juan Vallejo and Mikel Zabalza and the cameraman Juanjo Otazu, crowned the Nepalese mountain.
The film will be presented in the Sala BBK on Saturday 19 December at 7:30pm.
The conversation between Alberto Iñurrategi and Eneko Atxa will take place at Sala BBK Saturday December 12 at 11:30am.
Protagonist of the Mendi Talk 'Jugando a escalar' ('Plying to climb')
Andoni Sparta is an all-terrain climber. He was born in Bilbao on May 9, 2001 and is studying 3 of the ESO. Talkative, friendly and loyal to his friends, the young man just of 14 years has become a reference for the current difficulty climbing, but not only because of the degree that he has come to fetter, also because of his attitude and energy. Andoni has chained 8a to view and on June 15 chained his first 8b + in Valdegovia (Álava), but also had the possibility to climb and settle his degrees, in France, Italy and the United States. Furthermore, last September 20 has been first of its kind in the European Championships in Torino, showing that the resin is also his land. As targets for this year, he wants to train hard for the forthcoming competitions and try to make the jump to 8c, a level that has at hand.
The Mendi Talk "Playing climb" will be held at the Sala BBK on December 13 at 11:30.
Protagonist of the 'Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing'
Andoni Ormazabal (Urretxu, 1978) has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy and two Master’s Degrees: Chinese Traditional Medicine and Sport Physiotherapy. He has had additional education related to surgery and is one of the few physiotherapist of the country who specializes in climbing and mountain pathologies. He is also a founding member of Ekin, a physiotherapy centre in Aretxabaleta (Gipuzkoa.) He is currently running a study with regard to the climbing community, whose aim is to deem the amount of injuries related to climbing among the different levels and groups and to explore the risk factors associated to it.
Protagonist of the film ‘Biziminez’
Arza Antxon began working with 18 years as monitor of rock and ice of the National School of High Mountain and a teacher of skiing in the CRC, and has always been passionate about rock climbing, rafting and caving. Being a pioneer on the descent of many Pyrenean rivers led him to work as a specialist for the TVE program "Al Filo de lo Imposible" until 2000. In a 15-meter jump in the river Yuruaní of Venezuela, he broke two vertebrae and the accident left him in a wheelchair. But that has not stopped him to get on with his life, "before I skied standing and now sitting, before I set me up for the half marathon and now I swim every day to participate in the Getaria-Zarautz, before I went to the mountain walking and now in quad... I feel fortunate to have had a second chance to continue to enjoy nature together with others," he says. Currently it helps companies to deepen in securities offering conferences, through which it has received the 2010 Award Manager Speaker.
The film ‘Biziminez’ will be presented in Sala BBK on December 12, at 5:15pm.
Writer and mountain culture consultant
With a degree in English Literature and Music, is author of eight books on mountaineering and mountain culture, including 'Freedom Climbers', awarded with four major prizes, including the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature and the Banff Mountain Book Festival Grand Prize. She was awarded ITAS Prize for mountain writing and is a three-time winner of India´s Kekoo Naoroji Award for Mountain Literature. In 2011 the American Alpine Club awarded her their highest literary honor for excellence in mountain literature. She has also received the Alberta Order of Excellence, the Summit of Excellence Award from the Banff Centre, the King Albert Award for international leadership in the field of mountain culture and environment, and the Queen´s Golden Jubilee Medal. Bernadette is an honorary member of both the Polish Mountaineering Association and India´s Himalayan Club as she currently serves on the international advisory committee for national Geographic´s Expedition Council. She will present the spanish version of her book 'Freedom Climbers', 'Escaladores de la libertad' in Sala BBK, on December 12, at 12:30.
Director of the film ‘Artists on Jorasses’
Cameraman of the film ‘Antagonist’
Bertrand Delapierre is a French mountaineer and filmmaker, beginning with declines films before becoming interested in climbing. He was a teammate of Marco Siffredi in the Alps and the Himalayas, and later he made a documentary about the life of the mountaineer, because of his death in the Himalaya, L'Etoile Filante. He has made numerous documentaries on ascents in climbing: climbing ice fall, as the film he made in 2003, Ice Up, based on an idea by François Damilano with Guy Lacelle and five other climbers. He has also made several documentaries about climbing free. He comes to Bilbao Mendi Film Festival as a director of Artists on Jorasses and representing Antagonist, where he was cameraman. ‘Artists on Jorasses’ will be presented in the Sala BBK on December 14 de diciembre, at 5:00pm. ‘Antagonist’ will be presented in the Sala BBk, on December 15, at 5:00pm.
Mountain guide and protagonist of the Panel Talk "The guides take the word"
"I like to convey to my companions authentic passion for the mountains," as his father and his uncle, the Ravier, brothers Jean and Pierre, transmited to him in the past. Often, Christian only goes up the mountain with his clients or to open exceptional ways, the classics of the future. For him, climbing means to live a daily adventure, measured the unknown, search on the rock the cleanest and aesthetic way. Based in Pau, he declared love of the two Pyrenean slopes, but it is also common to see him working in Morocco, Jordan, Greece or anywhere in the globe that deserves a vertical travel.
The Panel Talk will take place at Sala BBK on December 15, at 7:30pm.
Producer and manager of Jeff Lowe´s Metanoia
Inspired by Jeff's story and fascinated by the art of storytelling, Connie wears many hats for this film. Connie started in sales and completed her 11-year tenure at 'Adventure 16 Outdoor' and 'Travel Outfitters' as Vice President. Since 1990 she has managed her own businesses, 'CS Consulting and Training and Peace of Mind Doula Services'. Connie worked with Jeff on 'Clean Walls', the instructional video and has organized and promoted many of his slideshow tours. She brings tremendous creativity, enthusiasm and many professional skills to the project. Connie continues to hike, ski, climb and run rivers. She lives with Jeff Lowe in Louisville, Colorado. The film will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 18, at 7:30pm.
Protagonist of the 'Mendi Talk' 'Jugando a escalar' ('Playing to climb')
Dani Salas has known how to combine his passions as professional climbing and mountainering with film and photography. He started working as a sound engineer and cameraman in TVE for “Al filo de lo imposible” programme. After working several years in various production companies and projects, always linked to the mountain, travel, and cinematography, in 2010 he created Documalia, an audiovisual production that mixes the documentary with travels and mountains. He has received several awards, some of them are the best spanish film in Torello Mountain Festival f for "The end of the Loneliness" and the award for best sound editing for the film "El reto de Carlos Soria” in FESCINAT festival. He comes to Bilbao Mendi Film Festival to present his project “Jugando a escalar”.
The ‘Mendi Talk’ about his project will take place in Sala BBK, on December 13, at 11:30.
Director of the film ‘Prohibido escalar’
Daniel Castillo formed the audiovisual collective 'Zaunka' in 2004 and since then has received numerous prizes and awards, including the Prize of artistic creation of the Community of Madrid 2006, Montehermoso Creation Award 2006. In 2009 he founded 'Clownclimbing', a group of photographers, filmmakers and climbers who create audiovisual and multimedia content on climbing and mountain views, and their reports have been published in major national magazines. Daniel is also a regular contributor to the magazine 'Slope', which regularly publishes travel reports, as well as case reports nationwide. In Bilbao Mendi Film Festival unveils its documentary Scale spaces, produced by 'Escalada Sostenible’, an organization with a vocation of unity and collective representation of climbers that presents the debate on the future of our schools and climbing mountains.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK on December 18, at 5:00pm.
Director of the film 'No ski no fun'
Dariusz Zaluski has climbed 5 ‘eight-thousanders’, including K2 and Everest twice, and has taken part in many winter expeditions. He is member of the Alpine Club in Warsaw. He combines climbing with professional film-making and has authored many award-winning documentaries about the highest mountains of the world such a ‘Everest to shift the horizon’, ‘Annapurna in light style’, ‘Shisha in winter’, ‘Ciao Martina’ or ‘Two on K2’. His mountain adventure with film began shooting on the last Himalayan expedition led by Andrzej Zawada in 1997. He arrives in Bilbao with his last film ‘No ski no fun’.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 16, at 7:30pm.
Producer of the film 'Reach your limits'
Being an organizer of the biggest adventure competition in Bulgaria – Xco Adventure Cup, and one of the leading figures in adventure races. He was responsible for organizing the previous challenge of Disl – “5 peaks”. That’s the moment when Dimitar learned to appreciate the madness of Kiril, and since then he takes personally everything that Kiril does. Besides keeping Kiril alive and healthy, his main responsibilities were to share his strength, to run by his side, or just be a supportive friend. Dimitar is a person who can see the big picture, which helped him react to the constant changing obstacles and to rewrite the tasks of the entire team.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK on December 13, at 3:00pm.
Alpinist and wife of Josep Manuel Anglada
Elisabeth Verges, 76 years old, is the wife of Josep Manuel Anglada. However, she is known for much more than that, because she is a pioneer in women's climibing in Spain. Despite she was teacher of chemistry industry, she has accompanied her husband on most of his trips and expeditions. Although in most travel she waits on base camp, she has also climbed mountains like Kilimanjaro (5895 meters), and that is why she has become on one of the women who has promoted and opened the way to spanish female climbing.
Bilbao Mendi Film Festival will pay tribute to her husband, Josep Manuel Anglada, and will give him the WOP Foundation Award 2015 on 19 December, at 7:30pm.
Protagonist of the short film ‘Dominica’
Born in Zarautz, she finished the administrative studies and began working in 'Refractory Arrillaga'. In 1980 he married and went to live in a village of Itziar, leaving her office work. After being widowed in 1985, he rented a farmhouse in Aizarnazabal, and with his young daughter, was responsible for a flock of 200 sheep. From 1986 to 1990, she was president of the Association of Shepherds of Gipuzkoa, and member on the boards of numerous organizations: Artzai Gazta Elkartea, the union EHNE, Urkome Mendi Nekazaritza Elkartea ... In 1992 she married again, and with her second husband, Mikel Etxezarreta, began to work on mountain shepherding, in Urbia. Now they spend the winter, from November to May in Aizpea cheese factory, in Olaberri, and summer, from May to November, in Urbia.
The film will be presented in the Sala BBK on December 17, at 5:00pm.
Protagonist of the Mendi Talk about ‘National Geographic’
Eñaut Estibaritz Izaguirre (November 30, 1990) from Elgoibar (Basque Country), has a degree in geography from the UPV. After finishing that, he moved to Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia, for a master's degree in Sciences with a major in Antarctic Glaciology at the University of Magallanes. From childhood he has been fond of mountaineering and natural landscapes. Ice, glaciers and high mountains have always attracted attention. In addition to his BA he has also completed the first level Mountain Media Guide. In Punta Arena he had the opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary Cordarwin 2013 expedition which reached the vicinity of the Monte Sarmiento in the Cordillera Darwin in Tierra del Fuego. Currently he has been awarded with a grant from National Geographic to develop his project "Incognita", to be presented at the Bilbao Mendi Film Festival.
The Mendi Talk will be done in the Sala BBK on December 13, at 11:30am.
Protagonist of the 'Panel Talk' about 'The Challenge' with Alberto Iñurrategi
Eneko Atxa (Amorebieta, 1977) studied at the Hotel School in Leioa. He later worked in several restaurants in the Basque Country, as the Baserri Maitea, Asador Zaldua, the Andra Mari in Galdakao, the restaurant of Martin Berasategui or the restaurant Mugaritz of Andoni Luis Aduriz, among others. Always looking for new challenges, in 2005 he opened his own restaurant, Azurmendi, and only two years later, the Michelin Guide awarded him with the first star. In 2012 came the third star, becoming the first cook fron Bizkaia (Basque Country) distinguished with this award. Eneko Atxa, in its ongoing pursuit of excellence, also won another prize in 2013: his restaurant Bistro Pret a Porter, was awarded by the Michelin Guide with distinctive Bib Gourmand (quality food at moderate price, category created by the Guide 1955 ). Here again, he is the only one in Bizkaia.
The 'Panel Talk' will be held at the Sala BBK on December 12, at 11:30.
Protagonist of the film “Big Men”
Eneko Pou has always been dedicated to the mountain, not close to anything. Something that allows him to be today Instructor of the Basque School of High Mountain and to have Ski Teacher Diploma. As climber has reached the eighth grade, and as a mountaineer has participated in several expeditions, which highlights the attempt to Annapurna 1999, with Juan Oiarzabal and Juan Vallejo. Another of his aspects is ice climbing, something unknown in our country. Eneko has practiced this type in the world, from the Alps to Canada through the United States. Also he emphasizes his passion for skiing, mode in which it has come to draw surprising declines extreme skiing. Examples are the direct descent of the north face of Monte Perdido, the normal route of Midi D'Ossau, or Colouir Swam of Astazous. His big bang as a climber was in 2003, with the project '7 Walls 7 Continents' with his brother Iker. He visits Bilbao Mendi Film Festival to talk about his experiences as the protagonist of the movie 'Big Men.'
The film will be presented at the Sala BBK on December 18, at 7:30pm.
Director of the short film ‘Dominica’
'Bertsolari', musician and etnographer. He moves from square to square since in 1999 he won the 'Euskal Herriko Eskolarteko Bertsolari Txapelketa'. He is the current champion of the ‘improvisers’ of Bizkaia and has been finalist seven times since 2000. In addition he combines 'bertsolaritza' with many other disciplines: theater ('Bertso Tranpak'), music ('Hudaltzainak'), literature ('Oroimenaren lupa') ... internationally investigates and experiments around the oral improvisation in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay (the parliament of the country declared his stay in the national interest), Palestine, Kurdistan, Greece, Ireland… He also plays the violin and flute, and he is the singer of the 'Gibelurdinek' group.
The short film will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 17, at 5:00pm.
Producer of the film 'Panaroma'
Born in Barcelona in 1989, Gerard Peris is a journalist by formation, but gradually has been specializing in the audiovisual both academically as an autodidact. He is a founding member of the ‘Namuss Films’ with Jon Herranz, who have been made and driven many audiovisual projects. Always from the perspective documentary, assuming different responsibilities, but always as a producer and assistant director, Gerard Peris has produced both videos, with sports and social content. His latest Climbing documentary, ‘Panaroma’, has won numerous awards in Italy, Poland and Peru, while his short film ‘Novato’ was selected in 14 International Mountain Film Festivals. From a social perspective he has made documentaries as ‘Sikyong. The political revolution of the 14th Dalai Lama ‘, ‘Flames’ or ‘Platform’, this one awarded with Best Film Prize at International Film and Human Rights Festival of Barcelona 2013, and with the Human Values Award in SCIFE 2013.
The film ‘Panaroma’ will be presented at the Sala BBK on December 18 at 5:00pm.
Protagonist of the film 'Docu Yourself, Higi'
Higinio Rivero has always been a sport, engine and risk activities’ lover, until he had an accident back in April 2013 while he was climbing. This caused him a medullary injury, which resulted in paraplegia. Nevertheless, instead of being daunted by all these obstacles, Higinio has kept on fighting for his passion and to get back the hope and motivation he has found through sport ever since he was a kid. With that purpose in mind, he practices canoeing wholeheartedly. His fight is an example for us all and what this self-recorded documentary tries to transmit. This has been an amazing experience for him. ‘It has helped me to capture my feelings and to inspire for my everyday fight’, he claims.
The film will be shown in the Sala BBK on December 17, at 5:00pm.
Director of the film 'K2 and the invisible footmen'
Iara Lee, a Brazilian of Korean descent, is an activist, filmmaker, and director of the Cultures of Resistance Network. In 2010, she released a feature-length documentary entitled cultures of resistance, which explores how creative action contributes to conflict prevention and resolution. Iara has also continued to produce and direct documentary films. Recently she released a full-length documentari that is currently screening at film festivals around the world, and also in Bilbao Mendi Film Festival: K2 and the invisible footmen, shot in stunning northern Pakistan, highlights the everyday sacrifices of the indigenous porters who make possible the ascent of Pakistan's tallest mountain.
The film will be shown in the Sala BBK on December 19 at 5:15pm.
Protagonist of the film ‘Big Men’
Iker Pou has always sucked from mountains, that´s why he knows them as anyone and that´s why he shows a greatest respect for them. While his brother Eneko focused more on other disciplines, Iker caught sport climbing routes reaching the first 8c, 8c + and 9a soon. He is recognized internationally as one of the best and most complete climbers. His conditions for climbing are amazing, and you just hang on his fingers just a crack millimeters wide to dazzle anyone. As an example, suffice it to say that he won the Second World repetition of the mythical route 'Direct Action' (Germany). This route 9a supposed his ultimate accolade internationally, being the youngest climber that succeeded. Since then he collects handfuls of 8a and 8b +, enormous difficulty routes, some of which he has opened. And he is the first state climber who has completed three routes on the 9th (the hardest level). But Iker has never been made only sport climbing. He has always tried to combine wall routes and mountain getaways to disconnect from the climbing environment and enjoy the other side of mountaineering. He visits Bilbao Mendi Film Festival starring in the movie 'Big Men'.
The film will be presented in the Sala BBK on December 18, at 7:30pm.
He will present his book ‘Anboto’ and his lecture ‘Anboto, imagen de un mundo flotante’ (‘Anboto, image of a floating world’)
Imanol Marrodan (Bilbao, 1964) is an interdisciplinary creative and critical thinker who has focused his work within the framework of research and contemporary artistic creation. His work has appeared in numerous international contemporary art fairs as ARCO, VALENCIA ART ART DFOTO Santander (Spain), and KUNST ART COLOGNE KÖLN (Germany), KIAF (Seoul, Korea), ArteBA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and BALELATINA (Basel, Switzerland); also has sbeen present in important collections of museums and public and private institutions such as the Precious Metals Laboratory of the Basque Government, the Museum of Art and History of Durango, Artium, Navarra´s Museum, the Centre for Art and Nature of Huesca, Photomuseum of Zarautz, the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, the Provincial Museum of Cuenca, Albacete Municipal Museum ... among many others.
He has exhibited in countries like United Kingdom, France, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Korea, Argentina, and the United States. He has always been in touch with nature and the mountains, and has been climber and mountaineer. Hiss main activity is focused on the decades of 80 and 90. His usual training environment have been Atxarte walls in Abadiño. His ascents are mainly focused in the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa and the Alps.
He will be signing books in Sala BBK, on 19 December, at 11:00.
The conference will take place in Sala BBK, on 19 December, at 11:30.
Protagonist of the 'Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing'
Ioritz Gonzalez (Azkoitia, 1980) has a BS in Biology and two Master’s Degrees: Aquiculture and Secondary school Teaching. He has also had additional education related to the health field and he is currently running, together with Andoni Ormazabal, a study with regard to the climbing community in order to deem the amount of injuries related to this sport.
Protagonist of the short film ‘Iraitz, le basque de La Grave’
Iraitz Ezkergain went to live in La Grave, in the french Alps, in 2009 and since then he has not stopped skiing. He is used to ski on slopes of 55º and with a lot of exposure, and to make long trips with skis in 4,000m. He started guiding in Norway in 2012, and since then he passed five months every year in this country, working as independent mountain guide for different companies. He has more than 150 summits and he has risen about 60 times to the top of Nacional Norway mountain called ‘Stetind’.
He has recorded his story in the film “Iraitz, le basque de La Grave’, wich is going to be projected outside the official section of Bilbao Mendi Film Festival.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 14, at 7:30pm.
Director of the film ‘Docu Yoursef, Higi’
Itxaso Diaz is an artist born in Gallarta, in 1974. Degree in Audiovisual in 1997 by the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of the Basque Country, she has made numerous photography courses and participated in numerous exhibitions. One of her last works, that she will present at Bilbao Mendi Film Festival, is the ‘Docu Yourself, Higi’, inspirational audiovisual collaboration, a project designed and based on the participants and whose development is focused on concepts such as self-recording and do it yourself. Her work aims to present profiles of people who have made their passion their profession or whose struggle to adapt to new circumstances, are an example and an inspiration. Shee has had the ability to document and report its activities, taking on both the challenges and the satisfactions that involves the performance of their professions. At Bilbao Mendi Film Festival we will know the chapter 8, with Higinio Rivero as protagonist.
The film will be shown in the Sala BBK on December 17, at 5:00pm.
Protagonist of the film ‘Suspentes et cordes de violon au Pakistan’
Jean -Yves Fredriksen is a french climber, paraglider and high mountain guide. He is known as Blutch and he has won his recognition because of his films, climbs and expeditions.
Jean Yves was born in 1975 and grew up in the Vosges in eastern France. Now he lives in the Abondance Valley, where he spends summers teaching climbing and leading mountaineering expeditions. In the winters he teaches skiing.
He has climbed, among others, de route “des papas” in the Dru Mountain, the Cervino, where he opened the Sebastien Gay route, and the three north faces of the Alps, Grandes Jorasses, Cervino and Eiger, paragliding and walking, always with his violin.
His film will be presented on Tuesday 15 December at 5:00pm in the sala BBK.
Special guest
Jerzy Porebski born in 1956 in Bielsko-Biala, in the southern Poland. He is director,
writer and producer of films about mountain. The topics that most interest him are the explorers, the great challenges of mountaineering, culture and history, especially in relation to the Polish history in the Himalayas. In 2008 he made a series of five films on this subject, and one of the main titles of this series was ‘Everest warriors’ which features the first ascent of Everest by Krzysztof Wielicki. In 2013 he received the award for best director at the Vertical Film Festival In Moscu for his film Kukuczka, with which also participated in Bilbao Mendi Film Festival.
Director of the 'Clinic about training and techniques for mountain races'
This runner from Urnieta (Gipuzkoa, Basque Country), born in 1979, has a degree in Physical Education and is specialist in mountain races. He usually takes part in this type of events and he is a physical coach. In addition, he is a member of the Basque Selection of Mountain Races and the Ternua team.
One of the results that boosted his career was the victory in the "Chaberton Marathon" (World Cup Trail) in 2009. Another of his great achievements took place in Zegama´s competition (World Cup) in 2012, where he finished in the 5th place. He was also victorious in the "Marathon Montcalm" (Sky Race World Cup) in 2012. His list of achievements includes victories such as Arratzu Urdaibai, Mello Saria, Donostia-Hondarribia, Comprehensive Valdecebollas, Urnietako Mendi Lasterketa, Montan Trail Aspe, Hellmouth, Senpere Trail... Although we must not forget that he is the Basque runner with the record in Zegama-Aizkorri: 3h 59min 11s. One of his most important recent achievements has been the 3rd place in the overall placing of the World Cup.
At the same time, Jokin has also been coaching a wide range of runners for lots of years. From young talents of the Basque team to elite runners, who are currently in the world Top10 of their specialties, as Manuel Merillas, Aritz Egea or Jordi Gamito.
The course about mountain races will take place in the Hostel of Bilbao on 19 and 20 December.
Director of the film ‘Panaroma’
Jon Herranz born in Getxo (Bizkaia) in 1980, and has directed numerous videos of climbing and outdoor sports with hundreds of thousands of views around the world via the Internet and in collaboration with EpicTV, in addition to several sports documentaries as ‘Panaroma’, ‘Novato’ or ‘Restart’. His latest sports documentary ‘Panaroma’ has won several awards including the Prize for Best Film Golden Axe Grivel at the 2015 International Festival of Outdoor Adventure Sancandido-Innichen, and is part of the official selection of numerous film festivals. His short film ‘Novato’ has been selected in 14 International Mountain Film Festivals as Bilbao, Trento, Vancouver, Graz, South Korea and Kendal, among others. Jon Herranz has also directed social documentaries as ‘Sikyong. The political revolution of the 14th Dalai Lama’, ‘La plataforma’ or ‘Flames’, receiving awards including Best Film International at Film and Human Rights Festival of Barcelona. In Bilbao Mendi Film Festival presents 'Panaroma', his last work.
The film will be presented at the Sala BBK on December 18, at 5:00pm.
Director of the film ‘Big Men’
Director and vertical camera. He has worked as operator image in Catalonian Television and TVE. Currently, through the Filmut brand, produces films climbing for brands such as Redbull and North Face. Usually he works with the Pou brothers. Some of his films are 'Com penjar-se', 'Demencia senil', 'Panaroma', Nit de bruixes', 'Indian Summer Festival' or the film presents this year: 'Big Men'.
The film will be presented at the Sala BBK on December 18 at 7:30pm.
Collaborator of the 'Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing'
Josean Mulas, from Bergara (Gipuzkoa), is a climber with more than 20 years of experience. He is the current manager of the Basque climbing national team and director of the technification centre. In addition, he used to be the personal trainer of Patxi Usobiaga and now of Mikel Linazisoro. Josean is, among others, responsible for promoting both climbing in the Basque Country and the Araotz routes, where he founded the group ‘Los intrépidos Marañones’.
WOP Foundation Award 2015
Josep Manuel Anglada, born in Barcelona in 1933, is one of the most emblematic climbers in Spain. He has been an instigator of the first expeditions and also the first Spanish climbing seven thousand and eight thousand mountains. He studied in Manchester, where he began doing spelology and climbing. He is one of the pioneer providing audiovisuals of his climbs and expeditions. He is the inventor of the tanca with Jordi Pons and both possess the operating license. He has received numerous awards, medals and honors in his life.
His route, history and his way of doing things led him on this occasion to received the WOP award, which acknowledges the defence and transmission of the social values of mountaineering. Values such as improvement, effort, and teamwork; loyalty and optimism as force for change; knowing how to combine every activity related to mountaineering, climbing or extreme sports with family life... In short, it somehow rewards the vital passion for the mountain. Bilbao Mendi Film Festival will pay him a warm tribute in the Sala BBK, on December 19 at 7:30pm.
Protagonist of the film 'Biziminez'
In 1982 Josu Iztueta buy a bus to cross the Sahara, and since then he has lived attached to the same bus organizing special trips. For thirty years, the project Nairobitarra has led to more than 1,500 people in Europe, Africa and America. He has skied in Greenland, has pedaled by Lapland and California, he has paddled in a canoe on the Nile, the Baltic and the Mediterranean, living many stories that only he can tell.
As he defines it, "a journey is more than getting from one place to another, curiosity, enthusiasm, respect, communication and willingness to learn, from there, come what has to come."
The film ‘Biziminez’ will be presented in Sala BBK on the 12th of December, at 17:15etan.
Director of the film ‘Kaxkagorri’
Joxe Ramon Agirre (Ataun, 1959) has been always connected with the mountain. In 1995 he began working in the audivosual world. He has worked in numerous documentaries, always about travels or Mountain. In TVE he worked for the porgramme "Al filo de lo imposible" and in ETB he directed the "Operación Pirineos " programme. He has also done humanitarian aid. In Kakkot, a village in the west of Nepal, he instal solar panels for school and homes and made several works to have light and electricity, all financed by the municipalities of Ataun and Amezketa. As for mountaineering, he has done a lot of challenges. Among others, he had raised the Everest, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Makalu II and Broad Peak´s central summit, among others. From the last two he jumped paragliding.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 19, at 3:00pm.
Protagonist of the film '2T on Chamlang'
In his case, the mountaineering is almost a genetic inheritance, since his father, Angel, participated in the first Basque expedition to Everest in the 70s, then John has registered nine of the 14 'eight-thousanders' without ever losing sight rock climbing or ice to become one of the most consistent climbers of the country. He displays a curriculum that extends from Patagonia to the Himalayas, passing through the walls of reference of the planet. His strength and experience make him a fellow climber exceptional, in that they all want to have at hand when the situation is complicated. Firefighter as profession, on leave since 1999, expect to retire, however, as a mountaineer.
He comes to the Bilbao Mendi Film Festival to present the film ‘2T on Chamlang’ that narrates his expedition to Chamlang. This fall, particularly on 19 October, the WOPEAK expedition formed by the alpinits Alberto Iñurrategi, Juan Vallejo and Mikel Zabalza and the cameraman Juanjo Otazu, crowned the Nepalese mountain.
The film will be presented in the Sala BBK on Saturday 19 December, at 7:30pm.
Director of the film '2T on Chamlang'
If anything distinguishes Solé Karen Hughes is his versatility both in performance and in assembling and editing all the projects it has addressed. Since 8 years, when she licensed in Audiovisual Communication at the Ramon Llull University of Barcelona, hes work ranges from short films selected in the festival of Sitges as "40 degrees" to a large number of known commercials, to music videos, multimedia or documentary pieces between which include "Xesco Boix. Vull be lliure" or "The Gospel X-perience". Hence each of his creations join synergies in other fields, always getting an original and different approach, therefore the vision that brings her experience in various genres, such as mastery of editing, which allows her to enter new production formulas. It is not the first time that she collaborates with WOP project. Last year presented ‘2t on Paiju Peak’ at Bilbao Mendi Film Festival and this year brings us ‘2T on Chamlang.’
The film will be presented at the Sala BBK on December 19, at 7:30pm.
Director of the films "Guide to tout prix" and "Des Brebis et des femmes"
Laurence Fleury is an independent journalist that works with all types of media: magazines, regional press, institutional press and digital media. Besides writing, she loves photography and video, and has over 20 years in the sector. She describes herself as a ‘witness’, as it tries to tell everything she sees "on every trip, every corner that I see around the world I meet people who live in their day to day and I try to listen, to capture their emotions" . Her passions are the mountains and trips, and comes to Bilbao to present two of her films: "Guide to tout prix" and "Des Brebis et des femmes."
“Guide a tout prix” will be presented in Sala BBK on the 16th of December at 5:00pm.
“Des Brebis et des femmes” will be presented in Sala BBK on the 17th of December at 5:00pm.
Protagonist of the film 'Gigantes Paralelos'
The young 21 year old San Sebastian was a precocious skier. It began with only two years and five and competed in Alpine Skiing. At seven he switched to snowboarding and 15 was presented to the championships in Spain, with very good results. Following that he began training with the national team Boardercross. For a long time he did not get good marks in this mode, but still continued to train relentlessly, until the reward came in 2012 and won the European circuit. From there it has been achieving increasingly better results, to become world champion Snowboard in March this year. ‘Gigantes Paralelos’ is a sign of their daily struggle to achieve his dream.
The film will be presented at the Sala BBK on December 16 , at 5:00pm.
Director of the film ‘Gigantes Paralelos’
After several years in Snowboard high competition, Lucas Saez, with his 25 years, decides to practice the concepts he had learned in the elite competition and apply them into the business. Now, he creates advertising campaigns for small and big brands. Passionate about marketing, he is always learning new things and knowing how things work and , most importantly , how they can work better. He arrives in Bilbao Mendi Film Festival to present his latest video, ‘Gigantes Paralelos’.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK on the 16th of December at 5:00pm.
Author of the 'Karakorum' photography exhibition on Sala Rekalde
Mikel Alonso is a photographer of Bilbao from a family with a long tradition in photography (Photo Samar). His photos have illustrated over a hundred books, several of them autor-books: 'Lemoniz', 'Zorrozaurre', 'Otxarkoaga', 'The cry of the birds', 'Eroticism and Gastronomy' or 'Stride Vanpa'. Among his awards include the National Gastronomy with 'The culinary asphalt' and best photographic work in books of gastronomy with 'Cooking as little as possible', both with Xabi Gutierrez (Restaurant Arzak) and edited by Everets. In addition Mikel Alonso has taught workshops and has exhibited in San Sebastian, Seville, Barcelona, Gijon, Valencia, Teruel, Rome ... and of course in Bilbao.
The exhibition will be on Sala Rekalde of Bilbao from December 3 to January 7.
Collaborator of the 'Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing'
When he was barely 14, Mikel Linazisoro (Bergara, Gipuzkoa, 2000) became, on the 14th June 2015, Champion of Europe of under-16 Climbing. His career is unstoppable. He started climbing when he was 8 and, when he was 10, he climbed his first 7a; at the age of 11, his first 8a; when he was 12, his first 8a+ and so on. In 2011, he became champion of the Basque Country at under-14 level, and in 2012, champion of Spain at under-16 level and champion of the Basque Country of under-16 boulder. In 2013, he won once again the under-16 level Championship of the Basque Country and he reached the second place in the under-16 level Championship of Spain and in the under-16 level Spain Cup. In 2014, Mikel was 5th in the worldwide ranking of under-16 IFSC (International Federation Sport Climbing) and he became champion of Spain at under-16 level.
Protagonist of the film '2T on Chamlang'
A stone's throw from home, Mikel Zabalza has Etxauri walls, where you go to train. "How lucky to be here, one day," often exclaim, an almost unexpected reflection from a man who has lost count of the years leading climbing these walls. Few like him to appreciate each day spent in the mountains, on a wall, on a glacier ... unique, valuable days that make him a passionate mountaineer. Author of countless openings, more repetitions and a long curriculum, the great Jordi Corominas noted him as the best climber of the country, title that he never would accept or he would welcome with a sincere and genuine laughter of modesty. Director of the Spanish Youth Team Mountaineers, students praised both their motivation and experience serenity, attributes that placed him as the best role model. He comes to the Bilbao Mendi Film Festival to present the film ‘2T on Chamlang’ that narrates his expedition to Chamlang. This fall, particularly on 19 October, the WOPEAK expedition formed by the alpinits Alberto Iñurrategi, Juan Vallejo and Mikel Zabalza and the cameraman Juanjo Otazu, crowned the Nepalese mountain.
The film will be presented in the Sala BBK on Saturday 19 December at 7:30pm.
Director of the film ‘Beyond the Heights’
Mirza Ali is a professional mountaineer, tour operator, adventure film maker-photographer and promoter of outdoor education and adventure sports in the Karakorum Frontier valley of Pakistan, in Gilgit-Baltistan. Mirza has participated in multiple climbing expeditions. He climbed in Karakorum and the Himalaya and he leads expeditions in Pakistan to Nepal. Together with his sister Samina Baig, the only rising young female mountaineer in Pakistan, climbed the seven highest mountains in seven continents, Mirza filmed his sister journey through out the seven summits. Mirza is women empowerment activist, through mountaineering he encourages gender equality, Mirza is pioneer of mountain adventure documentaries in Pakistan, he is also pioneer of woman mountaineering in Pakistan, Mirza founded an NGO, PAKISTAN YOU OUTREACH to promote outdoor education, mountaineering and adventure sports among youth and women in Pakistan.
The film ‘Beyond the Heights’ will be presented in Sala BBK on the 15th of December at 5:00pm.
Coordinator and presenter of the Panel Talks about mountain guides
Journalist and an expert mountaineer. Degree in Information Sciences from the University of Navarra, has a history of 15 years practicing the closely related journalism alpine activity: he directed for 10 years the magazine 'base camp', and is a specialist in issues collaborator related mountain in the newspaper ‘El Pais’. Apart from his activity as a reporter, has the qualification of Mountain Guide by the International Union of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), the most prestigious and recognized worldwide, and works as a climbing guide in the mountains of the Pyrenees and the Alps. He is also specialized in training guides in the public center for sports education in the BAC Kirolene teacher. As both a journalist and climber, he has experience as a member of various expeditions to the Himalayas (Everest) and the Karakoram (K2, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat), besides having it topped several 'six thousand' and major European summits (Pyrenees and Alpes).
The Panel Talk dedicated to mountain guides will take place at Sala BBK on December 15 at 7:30pm.
Director of the film ‘Biziminez’
Pablo Dendaluze has over 30 years of experience in this industry and during this time he has done practically everything: features, documentaries, videoclips… Most of his work has been in his hometown, Tolosa, and the residents of Tolosa have been always the protagonists.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK on December 12, at 5:15pm.
Director of the practical lessons of the 'Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing'
Patxi Usobiaga Lakuntza (Eibar, 1980) has achieved his most important successes in sport climbing, as he won the World Cup in 2006 and 2007 and he became world champion in 2009. He was awarded with the prize “Best Basque sportsman” in 2006. In addition, he has broken the world record enchaining the biggest amount of 8b+ in a year. Seven of them were insights. Patxi has always stood out because of his effort and discipline, something that nowadays he is trying to instil as a coach. He teaches the PUC training system, based on Accumulation, Transformation and Execution. Among the climbers Patxi trains, we can find the current world champion Adam Ondra (Czech Republic.)
Director of the film 'Jurek'
Pawel Wysoczanski born in 1980 in Głogów - Poland. He was graduated in the University of Silesia in Katowice, Krzysztof Kieslowski Faculty of Radio and Television. He is author of documentary and feature films: ‘Point of view’, ’Flying education’, ’On the road’, ’We will be happy one day”, awarded at film festivals in Poland and abroad. Author of photo exhibition ‘In the shadow of sun’ documenting his travels to Ethiopia and Sudan. His last work, a documentary ‘Jurek’ about a famous mountaineer Jerzy Kukuczka, is distributed in cinemas all over the world, and also in Bilbao Mendi Film Festival. Now he is working on a film about Somalia.
The film ‘Jurek’ will be presented in Sala BBK, on December 12, at 3:00pm.
Protagonist of the National Geographic Mendi Talk
Rebecca Martin is the executive director of the National Geographic Expeditions Council from 1998, a scholarship program that she drove at the heart of the prestigious American institution, founded in 1888, and which publishes the eponymous magazine. He previously worked on the editorial staff of the publication. In addition to directing the program of expeditions, Martin oversees the Fund for the Conservation of Tibet led by the Geographic Society, and is the representative of National Geographic in two prestigious international film festivals like Banff Mountain (Canada) and Teluride (Colorado, USA UU).
Through the Young Explorers Grant encourages National Geographic adventurer and researcher momentum among people between 18 and 25 years. Rebecca Martin is considered a "gray eminence in the shadow" of one of the largest global organizations devoted to education and science, which includes among its objects of research in archeology, natural science, the study of cultures world history or the protection of the environment and historical heritage.
Rebecca Martin was responsible for giving the green light to some of the most interesting exploration projects funded by National Geographic in recent years, such as Mega Transec where the conservationist Michael Fay walked 3,200 kilometers on foot for 455 days through of the Congo Basin to monitor their environmental conditions or the draft Ed Viesturs, the American mountaineer who has topped the 14 highest peaks in the world without oxygen equipment.
The Mendi Talk about National Geographic will be held on December 13, at 11:30am, in the Sala BBK.
Protagonist of the film 'Beyond the Heights'
Samina Khayal Baig, born 19 September 1990, is the first Pakistani woman and the third Pakistani to climb Mount Everest. She is also the youngest Muslim woman to climb Everest, having done so at the age of 21. Samina is also the first Pakistani woman and the first Muslim to climb the seven summits (each of the highest mountain peaks of each of seven continents). She cames to Bilbao Mendi Film Festival as the protagonist of the film ‘Beyond the Heights’.
The film will be shown in the Sala BBK on the 15th of December, at 5:00pm.
Director of the course 'Mendiklik' about mountain photography
Santi Yaniz is one of the most renowned landscape photographers. Having a Degree in Journalism, he has simultaneously worked on photography and as a journalist. Freelance and self-taught, he has collaborated on the illustration of numerous publications, from thematic collections to general press, such as the magazine ‘On’ from the newspaper ‘Deia’. He took part, for example, in the series ‘La mirada mágica’ of EiTB. He is also the author of many books and illustrated guides that include images of various mountain routes throughout Euskal Herria and the Pyrenees.
Protagonist in the Panel Talk about mountain guides
Simon Elias was born on October 9, 1975 in La Rioja. He grew up in the mountains since his parents worked in Hermitage of Lomos de Orio, inhabited highest point of the province under the peaks of Onion. Mountain professionally dedicated since 1995, when he won the gold ax award for his ascension wall 2000 meters North of Meru in the Himalayas Gharwald also knows Yosemite and Patagonia. Currently he works as a mountain guide independent in the massifs of the peninsula, especially in the Pyrenees and the Alps. He also teaches at the School mountain of Benasque. He educates Sports technicians in high mountain, and since 2005, leads the national team of young climbers, the group of high-performance mountaineering federation of Spanish mountain sports and climbing.
Simon arrives at Bilbao Mendi Film Festival to participate in and Panel Talk about mountain guides that will take place in Sala BBK on December 15, at 7:30pm.
Director of the film ‘Nowhere place’
Susanne Opstal was graduated from the Netherlands Film Academy in 2014 (directing). From the very first year at the academy, she has been trying to stretch the limits of the genre, in visuals and story. This resulted in the movie ‘Simulacrum’ (2013) for which she used 3D image mapping. But Susanne is equally at ease as an observing film maker, as in her documentary about the Westboro Baptist Church, prominently featured in the Louis Theroux film (America’s Most Hated Family in Crisis, 2011). Her graduation film ‘Nowhere Place’ won her the Documentary Wildcard, awarded annually by the Dutch Film Fund to the best graduation films nationwide.
The film will be presented in Sala BBK on December 19, at 3:00pm.
Protagonist of the Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing
Victor Galan is a renowned surgeon who specializes in Orthopaedics. He currently works in the hospital of Galdakao, although he had previously been working both in Cruces (Barakaldo) and some other private hospitals. He has had constant education, going into hand surgery in depth: tendons; reconstructive and implant surgery; microsurgery; treatment of ulna, radius, elbow, metacarpal and phalanges injuries; treatment of wrist arthrodesis… He has participated in several occasions in the National Congress of the Spanish Society for Surgery of the Hand and in many other international congresses. Besides, he has also published numerous articles in nationwide publications. Galán is also member of the Spanish Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Director of the film ‘Urzulo’
Xanti Ugarte is 3rd year student of ‘Design and Creation’ in the UPV/EHU. His passion to the mountain comes from since he was a child, and recently he has a new hobby: videocreation, that´s why he has participated in the recording and editing of videoclips and climbing videos. In ‘Urzulo’, besides being the director, he has also done filming and editing. As he say, ‘it has been a very rewarding work and I have done wiith great enthusiasm .’ Despite his youth, he has already participated in several competitions with his short films: Oñatiko Laburmetrai Rallya, Eskoriatzako Laburmetrai Rallya, Cinnovast, Zinemakumeak, Auzolandegiak Spot lehiaketa and Otxarmetraje and Un Dedo De Espuma Spot lehiaketa, among others.
The film will be shown in the Sala BBK on December 18, at 5:00pm.
Protagonist of the Course about training methods and pathologies in climbing
Xeber Iruretagoiena (Zarautz, 1992) has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Physical Activity and Sport and in Adapted Physical Activity. He also has a Master’s Degree in Sport Therapy. Xeber has experience in managing events and trainings related to physical activity that are aimed at patients who suffer from different pathologies or disabilities. On this matter, it must be pointed out his research on hypertensive patients for the University of the Basque Country.
Productor of the films ‘A Line Across the Sky’, ‘High and Mighty’, and ‘Showdown at Horseshoe Hell’
Zachary Barr is the Head of Production of Sender Films, who won the last edition of Bilbao Mendi Film Festival with the film Valley Uprising. Sender Films partnered with New York based Big UP Productions to create the annual REEL ROCK Film Tour, and this year they arrive with three films: ‘A Line Across the Sky’, ‘High and Mighty’ and ‘Showdown at Horseshoe Hell’. Zac began his career with a trip to Mt. Everest that resulted in the multiple-award winning film High Tension. He brought a decade of experience in public media and storytelling, starting at the NPR oral-history project StoryCorps, and then producing and reporting for Colorado Public Radio. Zac earned a degree in history from Lewis and Clark College and a certificate in documentary radio from the Salt Institute in Maine. He now hopes to share his love of climbing with his two sons.
The film ‘A Line Across the Sky’ will be presented in Sala BBK on the 12th of December, at 5:15pm.
The film ‘High and Mighty’ will be presented in Sala BBK on the 12th of December, at 3:00pm.
The film ‘Showdown at Horseshoe Hell’ will be presented in Sala BBK on the 13th of December, at 3:00pm.
Member of the jury
Adam Howard is neither a hard climber, nor a filmmaker. But he does know a thing or two about being a jurist and about collaborating to share the beauty of human encounters with the wild. As the Editorial Director and CEO of Alpinist and Backcountry, Howard has had the opportunity to see many of the world’s high places and to meet some of the greatest mountain athletes there. And with his editorial team, he’s helped tell their stories through some of the most respected outdoor adventure titles. An adventurer himself, Howard has written for a variety of publications, including Outside, Powder, Skiing, Dirt Rag, Mountain Flyer and MSN.com. “We’ll never get rich pursuing the outdoors for a living,” he says. “But we’ll live rich lives.” Howard graduated from Western State Colorado University (’97) where he studied journalism and political theory. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives for two terms from 2009–2012 and, while there, represented the United States as part of a delegation to Nepal and Sri Lanka in 2012. He lives with his wife Holly and two daughters on his family’s ancestral farm in Cambridge, Vermont, U.S.A.
Member of the jury
Lara Izaguirre Garizurieta (Amorebieta, 1985) graduated in Audiovisual Communication at the University of the Basque Country. She went on to study film at New York Film Academy and worked in the production company ‘Forensic Films’ in New York for two years. In Barcelona, she made the Master about Script at the School of Cinema and Audiovisual of Catalonia (ESCAC). There began the script of the movie ‘Un otoño sin Berlín,’ for which she would get a grant from the Basque Government for its development. In 2010, she founded the production company "Gariza Produkzioak" where she has written, directed and produced several films. In 2011 she took the course "The staging, the actor and space" in the School of Cinema of Havana to deepen her skills as director. Her film ‘Un otoño sin Berlín’ has premiered this year at the 63rd International Film Festival of San Sebastian, with a special mention for the leading actress, Irene Escolar. Her works also include ‘Bycicle Poem’ (2010), ‘KEA’ (2011), ‘Next Stop: Greenland’ (2012 - Best Film of Adventure Sports in the TV BCN Sports Film, Best Adventure Film at Festival Vertical of Moscow; Best Film of the Festival International of the Air) ‘Sormenaren Bide Ezkutuak’ (2013) and ‘Larroxa’ (2013). Now she is involved in writing the script in two upcoming projects, ‘Gora beherak’ and ‘Udaberria’.
Member of the jury
Journalist, producer and writer. Michael was introduced to climbing by his father Walter Pause, a well-known author of books on mountaineering. After completing his studies in Journalism, Political Science and History, in 1978 he began working for the Bavarian Broadcasting Company producing films for the show mountaineering "Bergauf-Bergab". Since then he has produced and directed more than 150 films. The task of updating and rewriting the original books written by his father made him an expert in the variety of possibilities mountaineering in the Alps. In 1984 he assumed responsibility for the Alpine section of the magazine "Berge". From 1992 to 1998 he was editor, and later became "Senior Editor". Since its premiere in 2003, he is the artistic director of the International Mountain Film Festival Tegernsee. As a mountaineer, he prefers classical forms of the sport, looking for the high peaks, climbing, and skiing. His work and his hobby led him to most parts of the Alps and the mountains of Nepal, East Africa, Patagonia and North America.
Member of the jury
Pablo Iraburu is the director of Arena Comunicación. He has also directed the documentary films Nomadak Tx, Pura Vida, District Zero and Muros. All of them have a common element: being focused on human stories in which through a specific element-a musical instrument, a high mountain rescue, a refugee camp or border fences in different parts of the world- tells a universal theme that is interesting for a global audience. He has also directed television programs like Challenge 14 + 1, Everest without oxygen, he has led audiovisual installations in museums such as the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid and has filmed documentaries for various NGOs in dozens of countries in America, Asia and Africa. He also teaches documentary film at the University of Navarra. He is currently developing seven documentaries of which believed that at least two will carry out some day. He is married to Cristina García Purroy and father of three daughters.
Member of the jury
Wojciech Fusek is the editor-in-chief of the Polish newspaper ‘Gazeta Wyborcza.’ He studied at the Faculty of Law and Administration at Warsaw University and at a branch of the Pontifical Academy of Theology. He joined the newspaper in 1991; a year later he became head of the sports department and two years later head of the Gazette in general, becoming the head of the 19 branches of publication. As head of the newspaper, he has carried out its reorganization, creating a new publishing and promotional strategy. Digitalisation and the reorganization of the editorial staff were some of their responsibilities. He has also worked with various teams preparing national and international publishing projects. Since 2010 some of his projects have been "Sports Center," "Gazety.pl," "Metro" and another one conducted by the promotion and sales team to establish and implement a strategy for the brand "Sport.pl." Climbing and mountain skiing are two of his hobbies that led him to work as a screenwriter in mountain documentaries and multimedia projects. He is also member of the Scientific Summits Council of Nagorno Museum.
