2026 Program

"Nanga Parbat – Echoes of Sisyphus" is a unique expedition film. It is neither a heroic saga nor a dramatization of already spectacular events. Instead, it focuses on a mountaineer who describes himself as an "expert in failure." Over ten years, David Göttler undertook five expeditions to climb the 8,125-meter Nanga Parbat via the "Schell Route." His forays into the Rupal Face—at 4,500 meters, the highest wall on Earth—become a learning process that shapes the mountaineering Sisyphus both as an alpinist and as a person.

Joining a rope team is about more than just a partnership of convenience. After all, it’s not just about mastering a few pitches. A rope team is connected not only by the rope itself but by an invisible bond of trust and understanding. In this sense, alpinists Ines Papert and Sarah Huenekin are a perfect match. Together, the two 50-year-olds prove that age is just a matter of perspective—and that they are able to reach their full potential when they support each other as climbing partners.

"To fathom" means to get to the bottom of something, to investigate, or to explore causes. The short film by brothers Jakob and Matthias Weger is aptly titled. While ascending a steep, narrow couloir in the Dolomites, the two South Tyroleans were caught in a slab avalanche and swept down the mountain. While Matthias remained unharmed, Jakob had to be rescued by helicopter. The brothers are now faced with the question of whether they want to continue telling only heroic tales or also show the often bitter reality of extreme freeriding and learn from their own mistakes.

Forester Markus Hildebrandt has spent his entire career caring for damaged protective forests, and now his successor, Catja Geyer, faces significant challenges. Amidst steep slopes, planting sites, and avalanche barriers, she realizes just how much time, experience, and patience are required to maintain functional protective forests. This only works if knowledge is passed on, the long-term consequences of decisions are considered across generations, and humanity and nature are not viewed as opposites. While Markus looks back, a task that will reach far into the future begins for Catja.

Ilse and Fritz Priesner have never cared much for societal expectations. For over 60 years, this adventurous couple has been steadily carving out their own path together. During a climbing trip in the Mühlviertel region, a panoramic view of a century unfolds—spanning the Alps, deserts, and the Himalayas—that leaves the viewer both amazed and amused. Along the way, the film explores the impact such a life has on their children. Against the backdrop of two fascinating biographies, a touching reflection emerges on how to balance individual freedom, mutual responsibility, and lived values.