Wanaka Mountain Film Festival Starts July 5, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

Film Festival To Launch, Tickets On Sale

The Wanaka Mountain Film Festival will launch on Thursday (5 July) with four days and nights of adventure speakers, live music, exhibitions, competitions and a national and international film extravaganza.

Climbers ascending the Salto Angelm, the highest waterfall on earth in Amazon Vertical,
Winner of Best Film on Climbing. Image Credit: Evrard Wendenbaum

Festival goers will be treated to a diverse mix of films from wilderness wanderings and environmental stories, to adrenaline action and snow escapades. Each three to four hour session will screen a variety of films and sometimes include a speaker from the local and national lineup of adventurers keen to share their stories.

A popular film for the locals and a Kiwi classic is The Leading Edge ski film starring Queenstowners Mark Whetu, Christine Kelly (Glenorchy) with the late Bruce Grant and Billy T, set in the Southern Alps. Festival organisers are offering entry discounts for those kitted out in their retro ski clothing for the occasion.

Other highlights of the festival include a presentation from mountaineer great Mark Inglis, who was recently honoured on TVNZ's This is your Life, speaking about his Everest experience and how his new project aims to eradicate tragedies on the mountain. The Everest Rescue Trust project is creating incredible advances that can be used for world wide alpine rescues.

An art exhibition from Sir Edmund Hillary's preferred portraitist, Craig Primrose will be on display in the foyer of the Lake Wanaka Centre. All festival-goers will be able to view his drawings and non-ticket holders can enjoy the work for free on Saturday night between
7-8pm. Local photographer Gilbert van Reenen will also display a selection of his recent work.

A privilege for budding filmmakers is an hour-long workshop on Sunday morning lead by Lloyd Davis, director of University of Otago's film programme. The workshop entitled "Storytelling: the art of making your pictures worth watching" will address ways to identify the story in the things we film and various ways to present it.

"The variety of films and speakers ensures everyone can enjoy a morning, afternoon or evening of entertainment," said festival director Mark Sedon. "And as the weekend passes sold out within a week I would encourage people to get their session tickets early to avoid disappointment," he added.

Wanaka Mountain Film Festival runs from 5th to 8th July. Single session tickets can be purchased from the Lake Wanaka Centre Ticket Office from 4pm Thursday 5 July. Tickets will cost between $10 and $20.

For programme information see www.mountainfilm.net.nz

ENDS

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