THE 34TH EDITION OF MEDZINÁRODNÝ FESTIVAL HORSKÝCH FILMOV POPRAD
Scheduled from October 14th to October 18th, the Medzinárodný Festival Horských Filmov Poprad, in Slovakia, is a festival whose mission is to develop and promote the values of mountain cinematography. It offers spectators not only a symbolical “window on the world” but also tries to steer their interest towards protecting nature and the environment, and towards the sports and cultures of foreign nations. Thus, it stimulates them to assume collective responsibility for the state of the world around us. Through stories of people featured in films that are screened, it tries to inspire spectators to overcome their own inner problems and also to alter their points of view about the priorities in life and their orientation to values.
We interviewed the festival’s director Mária Hámor, who told us something more about the history, the goals and the vision of this 34th edition.
When was the festival established, and what was its main objective at the time?
The International Mountain Film Festival in Poprad was established in 1993. From the very beginning, it was driven by a passion for mountains, mountaineering and film, as well as by the desire to create a platform where filmmakers, mountaineers, mountain enthusiasts and audiences could come together. Our aim was to bring high-quality mountain and outdoor films to Slovakia and to demonstrate that mountains are not merely places of sporting achievement and adventure. They are also settings for compelling human stories, cultural expression, encounters with nature, and reflection on our relationship with the world around us. From its earliest years, we sought to give the festival an international character and to establish Poprad as a meeting place for people from different countries, united by their passion for mountains and film.
How has the festival evolved over the years, and what is its main objective today?
Over more than three decades, the festival has undergone significant development and has grown into an international event that has established a firm position among the world’s leading mountain film festivals. Every year, we receive films from numerous countries, while the very understanding of what mountain film represents has gradually broadened. Today, the festival is no longer focused solely on mountaineering films. We present stories of climbing, ski mountaineering, skiing, mountain running and paragliding, as well as portraits of individuals and stories of communities whose lives are closely connected to the mountains. The protection of nature and the environment is also a very important theme for us. The festival’s main objective today is therefore not only to present high-quality mountain cinema, but also to inspire people through film. We want audiences to leave the festival with not only a cultural experience, but also inspiration for their own activities and pursuits. In my view, this is the greatest value of mountain film.
How many people work at the festival? Could you briefly introduce some of them?
The festival is organised by a relatively small team, supported by a large number of volunteers and many other people who contribute to the preparation and running of each edition. I’ve been a member of the organising team since its establishment in 1993 and have served as its director since 1998. Over the years, the festival has become an integral part of my life, and I’ve developed a deeply personal, almost parental relationship with it. I receive great support from my husband, the renowned high-altitude mountaineer Peter Hámor. His experience, his perspective on the mountains and the activities carried out in them as an active mountaineer, and above all his close ties to the mountaineering community, are invaluable to the festival. Another important member of the festival team is Denisa Šulcová, an accomplished climber and skier who is also the first, and so far only, Slovak woman to hold UIAGM certification as an international mountain guide.
Is there a particular event or episode from the festival’s history that you would like to mention?
Over more than thirty years, there have been countless events and moments that would be worthy of mention. Above all, however, the festival is about people and encounters. Some of the most memorable moments have therefore been the meetings with festival guests who have travelled to Poprad over the years. Among them have been world-renowned mountaineers, climbers, adventurers and filmmakers, including Sir Edmund Hillary, Kurt Diemberger, Krzysztof Wielicki, Tomaž Humar, Catherine Destivelle, Jeff Lowe, Peter Habeler, Denis Urubko, Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, Nives Meroi, Romano Benet, Aleš Česen, Simon Messner and many others. Meeting such remarkable personalities, listening to their stories and witnessing their passion for the mountains and for an active way of life has always been an extraordinary experience for festival audiences—one that is sure to remain in their memories for years to come. These inspiring encounters are among the festival’s greatest contributions and help create its unique and unforgettable atmosphere. Another significant milestone was the admission of the International Mountain Film Festival Poprad to the International Alliance for Mountain Film in 2000. This was an important recognition that confirmed the Poprad festival’s place among the world’s most prominent mountain film festivals.
Why do you think it is important for the festival to be a member of the IAMF?
Membership in the International Alliance for Mountain Film is of great importance to the International Mountain Film Festival Poprad. It means that the Poprad festival is not merely an isolated regional event, but part of an international community of some of the world’s leading mountain film festivals. It also helps bring the highest-quality films from different parts of the world to Poprad—films that Slovak audiences might otherwise never have the opportunity to see. Equally important is the opportunity to meet the organisers of other major festivals, exchange knowledge and experience, and follow the development of mountain film around the world, including changes in its quality and thematic focus. At the same time, our membership gives us an opportunity to present and promote the city of Poprad and Slovakia on the international stage. Membership in the IAMF also represents a commitment. Like every member of this festival family, the Poprad festival strives to maintain its quality and reputation and to remain engaging not only for Slovak audiences, but also to secure a lasting place on the international mountain film map.
Share your dream and vision for the future—for your festival and for the mountains in general.
Our wish is for the International Mountain Film Festival Poprad to remain a place where people are happy to meet, where they can experience the finest films and compelling stories, and where everyone can take something meaningful and positive away with them. We would especially like to see more young people find their way to the mountains and discover all that they have to offer. We hope they will not see the mountains only as a setting for adventure, sporting achievements and record-breaking, but will approach them with humility and respect. In this way, we can help preserve the mountains in all their beauty and wildness, so that they may remain just as extraordinary for generations to come.