A series of events have accompanied the current “International Year of the Mountains”. Important themes dealing with the mountain world were communicated at home and abroad and the public was sensitised to them. The Festival in Graz also presents a rich programme of a special quality for the conclusion of this UN year.

For this reason, we will begin our presentations on Wednesday, 13 November, with several interesting films in Graz’s Schubert cinema.

Once again, many entries were submitted to the competition for the coveted prize, “Grand Prix Graz” and as usual, these films are convincing through the high quality of their content and production. They prove the vitality of this film genre, even though it has become more difficult to survive against the “overhang” of the current production of entertainment programmes. The medium of film represents an ideal instrument of communication for millions of interested people and it has to be preserved, maintained and supported in this form as an “answer” for balance in television programmes.

The festival understands itself, therefore, as an international platform for communication among filmmakers and as a “meeting point” of all present and future mountain, nature and culture enthusiasts.

In this year’s programme, the contributions dealing with the development of forms of art in natural spaces and productions about the artistic attempt to harmonize technology and nature have to be emphasized. The world of women in the history of mountaineering is also presented as well as the critical topic of human risk potentials.

As the organiser of the Festival I wish you many thrilling and captivating festival hours and, at the same time, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all participants, to representatives from the public authorities, to all partners from the private economy, to the audience and to my festival team under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Koren-Tauscher, because through their interest and engagement they supported my interest in the future of this event.

Your Robert Schauer