New Zealand Mountain Film Festival

14/07/2026

🎬 Meet the Filmmakers

This is Dan Sutherland, director of this year's Best NZ-Made Film, 100 Days in Fiordland.

When Dan takes on a project, he goes boots and all. We don't think it was any coincidence that he introduced his film to festival audiences wearing his smartest pair of gumboots.

Dan and two mates spent 100 winter days deep in Fiordland National Park—sea kayaking, hunting, fishing and searching for unexplored whitewater in one of New Zealand's most remote wilderness areas. The result is an extraordinary adventure and a worthy winner of this year's Best NZ-Made Film.

🎬 Watch 100 Days in Fiordland in Session 3 of our Online Festival, streaming until 31 July.

09/07/2026

What does it take to paraglide to the most remote point in New Zealand?

Filmmaker Danny Warley and adventurer Benjamin Kellett joined RNZ to share the story behind The Pole of Inaccessibility, winner of this year's Spirit of Adventure Award.

🎧 Listen to the interview, then catch the film in Session 3 of our Online Festival.

Reached only once before, New Zealand's Pole of Inaccessibility is the most remote point across the entire country. So of course, there are those of us who want to get there. Benjamin Kellett did it in 5 hours. How? He flew.

06/07/2026

🎬 Meet the Filmmakers

When Charlotte Barry-Walsh set out on a packrafting adventure with friends, making an award-winning film wasn't part of the plan.

Like many outdoor enthusiasts, they filmed bits and pieces on GoPros to remember the day. Afterwards, Charlotte recorded a couple of interviews... and those moments became Packraft Paradise, winner of this year's Grassroots Award.

The film also earned Charlotte her first trip to the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, where she introduced it to audiences in Wānaka.

Here's what she had to say:

"The NZMFF exceeded all expectations. The atmosphere created was electric, and the people involved made the vibe so cool. Some incredibly inspiring films, and so many opportunities to make connections and learn from others. The hospitality of the staff was standout. Looking forward to attending again next year!"

Thanks, Charlotte, we're already looking forward to welcoming you back!

🎬 You can catch Packraft Paradise in Session 6 of our Online Festival, streaming until 31 July.

03/07/2026

🎬 Meet the Filmmakers

Sometimes all it takes is one story to bring people together.

While Jon Nabbs was running across Canada dressed as Superman to raise money for cancer charities, filmmakers Prabhjit Sabharwal and Nathan Isings saw his story on the news. They tracked him down, met him on the side of the road, and together with New Zealand director Richard Carey, set about telling Jon's remarkable story.

The result is Race Be Run — a moving documentary about grief, resilience and finding purpose after loss.

It was a privilege to host the film's World Premiere at this year's NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, and even more special to welcome Prabhjit and Nathan all the way from Canada to celebrate it with us alongside Richard and Jon.

Thank you for sharing your story with our audiences. ❤️

Catch Race Be Run in Session 3 of our Online Festival, streaming until 31 July. Trust us, you'll be glad you watched.

28/06/2026

Grant applications are now open!

Every year, the NZ Mountain Film Festival Charitable Trust gives back to the community by supporting projects that inspire adventure, care for our environment and help more people experience the outdoors.

Applications are now open for grants supporting:

Local environmental projects, such as river clean-ups and native tree planting.

Youth (under 18) adventure filmmaking courses and outdoor skills training.

Helping people with disabilities access the outdoors through specialist equipment or adventure opportunities.

We're typically looking to support projects with grants of $500–$1,000.

Applications close 31 July.

If you've got a project that aligns with our charitable mission, we'd love to hear from you.

👉 Find out more and apply at mountainfilm.nz/grants

27/06/2026

Check out Falling into Place in the Tuesday Matinee session in our Online Festival.

US Skiing prodigy Kai Jones became world famous after footage of a daring jump at just 11, then five years later came an accident that almost ended his life.

Full story below 🔗

26/06/2026

How are you enjoying the Online Festival?

Gather the family (that includes the dog), bring the snacks, and settle in for some quality time on the couch. We have 63 films for your viewing pleasure. Grab a festival pass and watch them all, or book in a single session for just $14.95.

Start here ➡ mountainfilm.nz/online-festival

25/06/2026

🎉 What's On in Queenstown – Friday 26 June 🎉

It's the final day of the festival in Queenstown, and we've saved two crackers for you.

3.00pm – Pure NZ
Eight New Zealand-made films, including the winners of Best NZ-Made Film, Spirit of Adventure Award and Festival Spirit Award. Come along and support our talented Kiwi filmmakers while enjoying adventures from Fiordland to the Himalayas and beyond.

7.30pm – The Snow Show
The perfect way to wrap up the 2026 festival. Expect big mountain lines, sacred Mongolian peaks, an Alaskan expedition, a world-first ski descent on Aoraki's East Face and plenty more snow-filled inspiration.

📍 Queenstown Memorial Centre
🎟 Tickets: mountainfilm.nz/tickets

See you there!

Huge thank you to our session sponsors Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand - FMC The North Face - Australia & New Zealand

24/06/2026

🎉 What's On in Queenstown 🎉

It's Opening Night, and we're excited to bring the NZ Mountain Film Festival to the Queenstown Memorial Centre tonight.

Doors open at 7.00 pm, so come early and enjoy some live music, enjoy locally made Maude Wines or b.effect brewing company beer, and have a wander through the outdoor expo before our guest speaker Sébastien Montaz-Rosset takes the stage at 7.30 pm.

Then settle in for two award-winning films:
🏆 K2 – Chasing Shadows (Grand Prize Winner)
🏆 Mountain of Mystery (Best Film on Adventurous Sports & Lifestyles)

It's the perfect winter evening for anyone who loves mountains, adventure and a good story.

📍 Queenstown Memorial Centre
🕖 Doors open 7.00 pm | Show starts 7.30 pm

💳 The festival is cashless — card payments only please.

🎟 Tickets: mountainfilm.nz/tickets

With thanks to Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet for sponsoring this session

24/06/2026

What on earth is happening here? Good question.

If you missed Sébastien Montaz-Rosset in action in Wānaka, join us on Opening Night in Queenstown (Thursday 25 June) for a truly unforgettable show.

We've told you plenty about Séb's remarkable career as an alpinist, filmmaker and adventurer, but honestly, we didn’t fully appreciate exactly how entertaining his talk would be! Séb had our Wānaka audiences in stitches before wowing everyone with stories and footage from his work and travels around the world.

Then you'll get to see him in action in our Grand Prize-winning film, K2 – Chasing Shadows — a breathtaking speed ascent of K2 that builds to one of the most audacious finales you'll see on screen this year.

Tickets ➡ mountainfilm.nz/sessions/session-q1
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