Ladies and Gentlemen, dear festival guests!

Virtually every week we can read or see news about a great mountaineering success or a climber's tragic fate in the media. Is this because more people dedicate themselves to mountaineering – in whatever aspect – or is it because the media are more “enthusiastic” about such news? I am quite sure that the number of active climbers and of people looking for adventures in nature has increased considerably in the course of the last years. Therefore, also the probability to announce news of success or failure has increased enormously. And it is a matter of fact, that these activities contain risks.
Very often, this challenge is regarded as extremely appealing and satisfying and often this ambition determines the choice of the destinations.

Maybe those who have learned to take the responsibility with all inherent consequences and to act respectively are more resistant against stress and errors in daily life? However, are alpinist and “nature men” therefore better humans? Why then do so many accidents happen, especially among the so-called professionals, as we can see in several films of this year's festival?

The dictates of the moment are without any doubt to become aware of the dangers and to be prepared to treat our environment in a sensitive way. The Festival intends to promote this enthusiasm and this sensitivity with the help of the submitted films to the „Grand Prix Graz 2007“ and wants to give an insight into the still unknown worlds on our planet: undiscovered and hidden secrets, not only on land but also – apart from coasts and banks – in the depths of the seas. Here we can find the treasures of nature and adventure!

Enjoy pleasant times at the Festival 2007

Yours
Robert Schauer
Festival director