Wanaka Mountain Film Festival Going Nationwide

PRESS RELEASE

Wanaka Mountain Film Festival Set To Go Nationwide

The growing success of the Wanaka Mountain Film Festival has attracted such nationwide interest that, Mark Sedon, festival director has been approached by organisations keen to stage the show in regions across the country.

The dates for the next festival are yet to be announced however future plans include a touring programme to reach a wider audience. "We've been captivating and inspiring audiences for the last four days and nights and it's been fantastic, we would love to screen the festival to a wider audience," he said.

"Working with the New Zealand Alpine Club we hope to offer the festival in an amended format to audiences across New Zealand, we are very excited about this prospect and hope to announce details soon."

The four day film extravaganza finished yesterday with sell-out sessions and an inspiring speech from adventure great Mark Inglis.

The long weekend was packed with films, speeches, exhibitions and competitions taking festival goers to some of the world's most remote places and to witness some extreme adventures from their seat in the Lake Wanaka Centre.

Winning the People's Choice award Asiemut (Canada) portrayed the adventures of Olivier Higgins and Mélanie Carrier on an 8000 km bike ride from Mongolia to Calcutta, passing through Xingjian, the Taklamakan Desert, Tibet and Nepal.

On display in the foyer, an exhibition by Craig Primrose of dramatic mountain scenery and work from local photographer Gilbert Van Reenen was enjoyed by the audiences. The trade show offered sponsors the opportunity to demonstrate new equipment and gear available to budding adventurers.

The Dyno competition on Saturday had a good turnout of climbers aspiring to leap in to the world record's book. A large vocal crowd cheered the 15 competitors on as they performed on the specially constructed dyno wall built and suspended from the outside of BaseCamp.

The only competitor left leaping was Dave Walden from Lake Hawea, also last year's winner, who achieved a great height of 2m 30, just 40cm short of the World Record. Swenja Stellfeld took the women's title leaping to 1m 70. John Sedon demonstrated his balance and calm winning the slack line competition.

For more information see www.mountainfilm.net.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media