Innsbruck Film Festival – Sports, Nature & Action Guaranteed

Innsbruck - the city of mountains - has already served as a backdrop for several films and TV productions. Whether in Bollywood or on the home screen, the Alpine metropolis always looks good. But not only that, it is also the ideal festival location and offers filmmakers the perfect setting to present their works to an interested audience. And that's exactly what my article is about: the upcoming film festivals! I hope I can arouse your interest and give you a good overview. Special attention will be paid to the topics of nature, alpine sports and action.

21. Innsbruck Nature Film Festival

Already for the 21st time the Nature Film Festival (INFF) takes place in Innsbruck. For me, however, it will be a premiere this year. I'm curious what to expect, but I'm sure I won't be disappointed - especially after taking a look at the nominated films and reading the report of my colleague Lena.

Around 50 nature films, environmental documentaries and short films will be screened in the internationally renowned film competition. Whether thought-provoking, factual, shocking, fascinating or simply beautiful, the films screening at Metropol Kino from October 15 to 18 will delight audiences.

The INFF will also be rounded off in 2022 with the accompanying, great Nature and environment program for young and old. Locals and guests can experience and explore nature in exhibitions, workshops, lectures as well as walks and hikes in and around Innsbruck. In the process, they will learn how precious and beautiful it is, but at the same time how sensitive and worthy of protection it is.

The Freeride Film Festival (FFF)

The Freeride Filmfestival (FFF) is the biggest freeride film event in the DACH region and is touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland again this November. And since Innsbruck has a big freeride scene, it goes without saying that the Alpine metropolis is one of the ten tour stops.

Five ski and snowboard films will be shown, which convince with their stylistic and artistic approach as well as with breathtaking action. The audience can expect a colorful mix of locations, nationalities, genres and themes. Headliners of the festival are the two snowboard icons Xavier De Le Rue and Elias Elhardt

"We are in extremely challenging times. Despite the many crises, we want to offer people an entertaining evening at the cinema, but one that is also thought-provoking," explains FFF co-organizer Volker Hölzl. "Accordingly, we have selected the films and offer a wide range of topics and approaches: from the sense of responsibility in freeriding to experimental live performances to the portrait of a Russian skier who has to leave his home country because of his attitude towards the Ukraine war."

Freeride Film Base 2022

If you still haven't had enough after the Freeride Film Festival, I have good news for you: With the Freeride Filmbase it continues already on November 11 in the Metropol cinema - by the way, on the largest movie screen in Western Austria. On two evenings the new films of the Innsbruck freeride filmmaker scene will be shown. You can welcome the actors live on stage and before the film starts the association "Snowhow" presents a multimedia lecture on avalanche awareness.

European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT)

I like running very much and regularly, but I can't even manage a half marathon. I have the greatest respect for long-distance or mountain runners, I don't know where they get their endurance from. But what Timothy Olson - ultrarunner and "new face of adventure" of EOFT 2022 - does is indescribable to me. It is incomprehensible to me what some people can achieve and what physical and mental forces they can unleash. Timothy Olson wants to complete the legendary long-distance Pacific Crest Trail, which is an incredible 4,265 kilometers, in a record time of just 52 days. Just for comparison, most hikers need five to six months to complete it.

The film "The Mirage" gives incredible insights into Timothy Olson's journey and is just one of the many films of the European Outdoor Film Tour - the largest outdoor film festival in Europe. Films are shown in which people unconditionally follow their dreams and passion and grow beyond their limits - be it mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, skiing or snowboarding. Only the craziest ideas and adventure trips as well as top-class sporting action and fascinating characters make it into the film selection, guaranteeing first-class adventure entertainment year after year since 2001.

Freeride Nights Innsbruck

The freeride community in Innsbruck is big, up-and-coming filmmakers and enthusiastic winter sports enthusiasts abound. So in 2017, two friends Christian Gaderer and Christoph Schöfegger had the fantastic idea to gather the community, have fun together, and watch unique freeride videos over a chilled drink. That's why they founded the "Freeride Nights Innsbruck" . Young talents can submit their self-produced videos, which will then be shown on the respective event day in the Cafe & Bar Moustache will be shown. The films are presented on the screen and accompanied by moderation. The audience will then vote to determine the winners of the evening. These can look forward to prize money and qualify for the grand finale in April.

Alpinmesse with Alpinforum

Last but not least, I have an event for you that is not about movies, but about alpine sports: the Alpinmesse & Alpinforum 2022, an absolute must for all mountain sports enthusiasts and outdoor freaks. The focus is on a unique range of products, consultations, services, workshops and lectures with a focus on alpine safety. The event is rounded off by an exciting supporting program and competitions for mountain sports enthusiasts and experts. For more than 15 years, the Alpine Fair has inspired alpinists from home and abroad and has become a fixed point in the event calendar.

Innsbruck's autumn is going to be sporty - especially on the big screen. Don't wait too long, grab your tickets and get inspired. Winter is already around the corner and then it's "nothing but out on the slopes!"

Information

Innsbruck Nature Film Festival
When: October 15 - 18, 2022
Where: Innsbruck/MetropolKino
Homepage

Freeride Film Festival (FFF)
When: November 9, 2022 |
Where: Innsbruck/MetropolKino
Homepage

Freeride Filmbase 2022
When: November 11-12
Where: Innsbruck/MetropolKino
Homepage

European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT)
When: November 13
Where: Dogana - Congress und Messe Innsbruck
Homepage

Freeride Nights Innsbruck
When: November 2022 - April 2023
Where: Innsbruck/Cafe& Bar Moustache
Facebook

Alpine Fair with Alpine Forum
When: November 12 - 13
Where: Messe Innsbruck
Homepage

Cover picture: © Simon Ricklin - Valais