The 2026 Mountain Film Festival is here

PalmaThe Palma Mountain Film Festival will celebrate its 17th edition from October 19th to 27th with nine days of cinema, adventures, and reflection on the landscapes and challenges of the mountains. The program includes the world premiere of Hatua, about Mix Manresa's expedition to Kilimanjaro with an adaptive bicycle, the presentation of the ascent of Yerupajá by alpinists Marc Toralles and Bru Busom, and a look at the Serra de Tramuntana through two Mallorcan filmmakers.

The program will bring together 24 films from eleven countries, fourteen of which will compete in the official section. Among the proposals are nine premieres in Spain and stories about the opening of new climbing routes, the tracking of wild animals, and the effects of climate change on glaciers. The exhibition will also include a conversation with experts Xisco Gràcia and Antoni Josep Sosa about the history of canyoning in Mallorca, fatal accidents in torrents, and the evolution of rescue teams.

Mountain Cinema Program 2026

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19

7:00 PM. Xesc Forteza Municipal Theatre

‘Inner Fight’

Núria Castán. Austria. 2025. 21’. VOSE

On April 4, 2023, the snowboarder Núria Castán survived an avalanche that turned her world upside down. Suddenly, an athlete who was pursuing success in the Freeride World Tour with an indestructible passion found herself fighting against an invisible enemy: her own mind.

‘Creativity is a muscle’

Nick Danielson. United States. 2026. 23’. VOSE

Nick Danielson is the photographer and filmmaker behind Kilian Jornet's feats. After collaborating on numerous projects, the lens turns towards him to follow the athlete's most ambitious project to date: States of Elevation. Nick reflects on the privilege of witnessing extraordinary human effort up close, the stories behind his images, creativity as a practice, and staying present in a moment where nothing is guaranteed.

‘The last expedition’

Eliza Kubarska. Poland. 2024. 85’. VOSC

The true story of Wanda Rutkiewicz, the first woman to climb the highest peaks on Earth. She entered a world dominated by men, and paid a very high price for it. The director, Eliza Kubarska, goes to the Himalayas following in her footsteps. The clue for the search is Wanda's audio diary: “I know perfectly well that there is no way back for me”. After disappearing 30 years ago, rumors place her in a Buddhist monastery. The film, with contributions from Reinhold Messner, Krzysztof Wielicki and Carlos Carsolio, explores her life and her mystery.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH

7:00 PM. Xesc Forteza Municipal Theatre

‘The essence of commitment’

Adrià Martínez. Spain. 2025. 49‘. OV

In the heart of the Huayhuash mountain range, in the Peruvian Andes, lies the challenging peak of Nevado Yerupajà (6,634 m), a mountain almost unreachable due to its steep walls and the indifference of time. In this setting, Bru Busom, Rubén Sanmartín, and Marc Toralles undertake an ascent in a purely alpine style, a new route called the Essence of commitment, on the ridge of Yerupajà, with a 3,000 m route, which evokes friendship, solitude, and the challenge of the limit.

With the participation of Marc Toralles, Bru Busom, Tomeu Rubí, and Cati Lladó.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21

7:00 PM Xesc Forteza Municipal Theatre

'Zahir'

Julien Nadiras. Switzerland. 2025. 29’. VOSC

When Katherine Choong invites her friend Eline Le Menestrel to climb Zahir –a classic multi-pitch route in the Swiss Alps and one of the most demanding in the country–, Eline accepts, but on one condition: they must travel using only eco-friendly means of transport.

‘Melrakki. The heir of Iceland’

Marta Bretó Lucio. Spain. 2024. 25’. VOSE

First came the Arctic foxes; then, the humans. Regardless of which side of the shotgun they may be on, the foxes and humans of Iceland have more in common than it seems: curiosity, intelligence, solid social structures, and an extraordinary capacity to survive in the harsh conditions of these landscapes. Whether the bonds are forged with love, hate, or simply for survival, foxes and humans are, in essence, the same: Icelanders.

‘2,000 days in paradise’

Véronique, Anne and Erik Lapied. France. 2025. 69’. VOSC

The film recounts a unique journey of more than 2,000 days to connect with nature. For 18 years, the Lapieds have tracked mountain animals in the Gran Paradiso massif. Far from the beaten path, we embark with Véronique, Anne, and Erik on their patient approaches, their attempts to understand the tracks and habits of the masters of the place.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22

7:00 PM. Xesc Forteza Municipal Theatre

‘Tropical glacier’

Daniel Aguirre Montoya. Colombia. 2026. 11’. OV

A volcanic tragedy that marked an entire country. A family story that could have been different. A film about what never was and what could have been, and about what is and what will soon cease to be.

‘The cry of the glacier’

Jordi Mestre Lopez, Camila Hernández Rousseau. Spain. 2025. 6’. OV

Collaborative project that unites music, dance, and mountains to raise awareness about the retreat of glaciers caused by climate change. This retreat also reflects the global crisis we are living through. A short film of great emotional strength that aims to raise awareness about the global environmental crisis.

‘The ascent of Lizzie le Blond’

Sophie Chaffaut. France. 2026. 46’. VOSC

At the beginning of the 20th century, the mountaineer Lizzie Le Blond was one of the first people to photograph the mountains and film winter sports in the Alps. Despite being a figure forgotten by history, Le Blond founded the first female alpine club and documented its feats in seven books and thousands of photographs.

Her extraordinary work is reborn thanks to this film, which preserves the memory of all the women that history has left in oblivion.

‘Climbing blind II’

Alastair Lee. Great Britain. 2024. 39’. VOSE

After the renowned documentary Climbing Blind (2019), where blind climber Jesse Dufton and his guide climbed the iconic Old Man of Hoy in Scotland, Jesse's career has not stopped. Having finished some ascents in Morocco, he now plans to lead-climb the El Matador route, on the mythical Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, in the USA.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD

7:00 PM Xesc Forteza Municipal Theatre

‘Kronoshock’

Ignasi López Fàbregas. Spain. 2026. 9’. OV

Situated in the middle of a remote valley and surrounded by green meadows and rivers, an imposing mass of snow and rock rises abruptly. The adventurer Lord Cliffrider hopes to be the first to reach the summit of the mountain he craves so much, but, as time passes, this dream fades away, like the smoke from his pipe.

‘La source du freeride’

Thibaut Louvrier. France. 2025. 23’. VOSC

What is freeride? After a career at the highest level, former Freeride World Tour winner Emilien Badoux continues to search for the meaning of this discipline by skiing with his friend Géraldine Fasnacht. Together they train the new generations, among whom the highly promising Liam Rivera stands out.

‘Everest 1985. The first Catalans to reach the summit’

Joel Badia. Spain. 2026. 35’. OV

In 1985, Catalonia experienced a historic milestone: the first Catalans conquered the roof of the world. 40 years later, they reunite to remember that feat, relive their adventures and, above all, share once again the passion that unites them: the mountains. A story of adventure, perseverance and, above all, friendship. A bond that has withstood the passage of time and a legacy that will endure forever.

‘Odyssea borealis’

Alessandro Beltrame. Italy. 2024. 44’. VOSEN

Four explorers brave the frozen waters of East Greenland in an epic 300-kilometer odyssey. The goal: to scale the untouched northwest face of Drøneren, 1,200 meters high. Driven by the primal instinct of exploration, these modern-day Ulysseses do not seek conquest, but the pure essence of adventure.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

7:00 PM. Xesc Forteza Municipal Theatre

‘One day a year’

Alfonso García Franco. Spain. 2025. 16’. OV

The emotional portrait of a community in transition, a story about friendship and the value of living a full life, while facing uncertainty and the challenge of preserving what shapes our identity. A story that praises the spirit of the mountain and the importance of the traditions that unite us.

‘Between the salt and the sky’

Felipe Rosa. Bolivia. 2025. 17’. OV

In the heart of the Bolivian plateau, where the infinite white of the Salar de Uyuni meets the intense blue of the sky, an epic battle is being waged. Ariel Flores, leader of the Rio Grande community, faces a monumental challenge: to preserve the ancient tradition of capturing and shearing wild vicuñas in a rapidly changing world. Climate change threatens the fragile balance of this unique ecosystem, while lithium mining – the largest reserve on the planet – promises progress, but at what cost?

‘The future of climbing’

Guillaume Broust. France. 2025. 51’. VOSC

With the rise of private climbing gyms and the arrival of climbing at the Olympic Games, this rapidly evolving sport faces a paradox: success indoors contrasts with the threats looming over natural climbing sites. The documentary explores the evolution of climbing and the legacy it will leave for future generations.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH

8:00 PM Cineciutat

‘Lightning’

Jon Mendizabal Roa. Spain. 2025. 12’. VOSE

In Gorbea Natural Park, a 1,359 m gap separates two Basque peaks: a highline challenge never before overcome. In August 2025, a group of athletes joins together to rig the line and live in a mountain refuge, forging bonds through a shared dream. But the mountain has one last lesson in store for them. When nature unleashes its power, they discover that true courage does not lie in conquering the abyss, but in humility before forces greater than themselves.

‘Rock: Feminine Noun’

Patrícia Meschick, Larissa Corino. Brazil. 25’. VOSE

The documentary portrays a collective of female climbers who share stories of resistance. With a team made up entirely of women, the film advocates for representation and the fight for inclusion in sport.

‘The images arrived on time’

Jaume Carrió. Spain. 2025. 6’. OV

The recent natural disasters have had an emotional impact on filmmaker Jaume Carrió, who reflects on loss in this essay that analyzes the way society captures memories.

‘The innocence’

Miki Duran. Spain. 2026. 15’. OV

What begins as a quiet trip along a mountain road soon transforms into a disturbing nightmare. Laura and little Pau, only 6 years old, find themselves caught in a situation as unexpected as it is unsettling, where fear and uncertainty grow with every passing moment, and nothing is exactly as it seems.

‘The Queen Swing’

Thibaut Marot. France. 2026. 53’. VOSE

Two women, Kate Kelleghan and Laura Pineau, set out to make history in the world of climbing at Yosemite National Park. Through mutual trust, friendship, and intense, constant training, both follow their path to achieve the first female ascent of the Triple Crown: a historic milestone that will resonate in Yosemite and inspire future generations.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

6:00 PM. Ca n’Oleo. Palma

‘Canyoning in the torrents of Mallorca (1830-2024): geography and history of fatal accidents and rescue groups’

Conversation about the fatal accidents that have occurred in the torrents of Mallorca, starting from the history of exploration and the opening of the island's torrents. From the year 1830, the first date for which there is documentary evidence, until 2024, a total of 33 canyoneers and hikers have lost their lives in 29 accidents in 11 of the torrents of the Serra de Tramuntana.

There will also be a review of the history of rescue groups, which were mostly formed by volunteers during the 20th century, up to their professionalization at the beginning of the 21st century.

With Xisco Gràcia, Lluís Vallcaneras, and Antoni Josep Sosa.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH

7:00 PM. Teatre Principal de Palma: 2026 Awards Ceremony

‘Hatua’

Eduard Cabalín Manresa. Spain. 2026. 60’. OV

Climbing Kilimanjaro is quite a challenge. But it is even more so if not a single step is taken on the path, but rather an adapted bicycle is used. This documentary explains how the Majorcan Mix Manresa (who suffers from paraplegia) managed to ascend the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 m. The documentary shows both the expedition and the prior preparation in Mallorca and Sierra Nevada and the exhaustive monitoring of the athlete carried out by a specialized medical team.

With the participation of Mix Manresa, Joan Forcades, Enric Subirats and Mireia Vicente.

Event presenter: Neus Albis.

Closing