Mountainfilm's awards are unlike those at most other festivals. Our Moving Mountains Prize goes to a nonprofit featured in a film. The Student Choice Award is selected by students who take part in our festival program Mountainfilm for Students. Another big prize, the Norman Vaughan Award, goes to a film that epitomizes the namesake's indomitable spirit. Other awards go to films and filmmakers.
The Audience Choice Award is chosen via ballot by all festival passholders.
Winner: Minding the Gap
A jury will select the feature documentary with the most compelling story, artful cinematography and high-caliber filmmaking.
Winner: Minding the Gap
This juried award goes to the most outstanding film under 40 minutes.
Winner: Lifeboat
Charlie Fowler was a Telluride local and world-class climber. He’s represented in spirit by this $1,000 juried award that goes to a climbing film.
Winner: Life Coach
The great polar explorer Norman Vaughan was a friend to Mountainfilm whose motto was "Dream big and dare to fail." Funded by his widow Carolyn Muegge-Vaughan, Rick Silverman and Lindsey Walker, this award is given to a film that epitomizes Vaughan's indomitable spirit.
Winner: Lacey Studnicka, A Home Called Nebraska
This $3,000 prize supports a nonprofit featured in a festival film. It is given based on the mission, scope, impact and need of the nonprofit’s work. Film production is not part of the decision.
Winner: The Interpreters
High-school students in Mountainfilm’s Mountainfilm for Students festival program select the film that they think will most inspire their generation.
Winner: The Interpreters
This juried award is given to a film that is recognized for excellence in filmmaking.
Winner: When Lambs Become Lions