NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival

Following another successful NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, the NZ Mountain Film Festival Charitable Trust has opened applications for its annual Community Grant Scheme, made possible through the generosity of festival audiences, sponsors and supporters. This year’s silent auction raised $7,815, with additional funding to come from the festival’

The 24th NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival is underway and we’re delighted to bring you seven days of award-winning films, inspiring speakers and extraordinary stories from around the globe. The festival will showcase 63 films selected from 266 international entries, including 17 world premieres and 18 NZ-made films.

Stories of community conservation and life beneath the waves have taken top honours in this year’s competition. Our annual competition celebrates literature exploring remote places, adventure, conservation and the people shaped by wild environments, with awards presented in two categories: Mountain and Adventure Narrative and Mountain and Adventure

Now in its 24th year, our festival continues to attract world-class storytelling from across the globe. This year’s international film competition received 266 entries, with 63 films selected for the final programme, including 18 New Zealand-made productions and 17 world premieres.

We’re excited to unveil the 2026 programme, packed with 13 inspiring speakers, 63 incredible films, 17 world premieres and a strong lineup of NZ premieres. Join us in Wānaka from 19–23 June or Queenstown on 25–26 June.

Lock in full access to this year’s films and guest speakers. Festival Passes offer incredible value at just $165 for access to all Wānaka films, speakers and book events or $55 for all Queenstown films and guest speaker Sébastien Montaz-Rosset.

An international filmmaker, a world-record-breaking adventurer and a leading New Zealand mountain guide are set to share their stories at the festival this June. Headlining the line-up is award-winning French adventure filmmaker and alpinist Sébastien Montaz-Rosset.

In 2025, we were thrilled to distribute $7,450 in grants to eight incredible organisations and individuals, thanks to funds raised through our charity auction and boosted by support from our National Film Tour. We backed the M!NT Trust as they delivered a three-day mountain programme at Cardrona Alpine Resort, giving people with intellectual disabi

It’s time! Tonight, Friday, 20 June, we’re throwing open the doors for another thrilling edition of the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, packed with award-winning films, world-class speakers, and heart-pounding adventures.

Euan Macleod and Craig Potton have been selected as the winners of the 2025 Nankervis/Bamford NZ Mountain Book of the Year award for their book Look Out. The $2,000 grand prize is awarded in the NZ Mountain Book Competition as part of the long-running NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival.