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.
$1,000
The Audience Choice Award is chosen via ballot by all festival passholders.
Winner: 17 Blocks
$1,000
Charlie Fowler was a world-class climber and Telluride crag pioneer who died on a 2006 expedition in China with his partner Christine Boskoff. He’s represented in spirit by this juried award that goes to a climbing or adventure film.
Winner: Queen Maud Land
$1,000
A jury will select the feature documentary with the most compelling story, artful cinematography and high-caliber filmmaking.
Winner: 17 Blocks
$3,000
This 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.
Winner: Kifaru
$1,000
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: For Sama
$600
High-school students in Mountainfilm’s Mountainfilm for Students festival program select the film that they think will most inspire their generation.
Winner: Youth Unstoppable