In this year’s International Competition section, 19 films speaking of mountains, nature and humans were selected from among 752 entries from 75 countries. They approach in various ways the pressing issues of life we face today, such as people who push their limits to the extreme, the boundary between nature and humans, and the possibilities of coexistence.

First, there are stories of exploration filled with images of people facing challenges head on, as they put forth heartfelt efforts to accomplish their goals. They include The Great White Whale, which was recognized at many international mountain film festivals; 500 Days in the Wild, about Dianne Whelan’s journey across the vast Canadian wilderness by canoe, ski, and bicycle; and Trail of Dreams, which depicts the realization of the dream to cross Peru by running. There are also films like Invisible Summit, Soundscape, and Climbing for Gold, that prove that physical limitations are no longer insurmountable obstacles in high-altitude climbing.

Films with strong characters and their stories include: Reel Rock: With My Heart, following climber Sachi Amma’s reflective journey; Ashima, a story about Ashima Shiraishi, who was recognized as a climbing prodigy a decade ago; and Dear Mother, the story of Cody Kaemmerlen, who was adopted as a child and overcame his chaotic youth to begin a new life through climbing.

There are also moving films only available at UMFF: A Shepherd, about the pure and heartfelt life of shepherd Félix from the French Alps; Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, where a wild otter becomes family; Jacques, who is holding on to past memories and living alone; and The Last Observers, about the final journey of weather forecasters.​