Mountainfilm: Academy Award-Qualifying Fest for Documentary Shorts!

11 Oct Mountainfilm: Academy Award-Qualifying Fest for Documentary Shorts!

Based in Telluride, Mountainfilm announces the event is now an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival for the Documentary Short Film Category

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For more information on Mountainfilm, please visit www.mountainfilm.org.

Go here for more about the history of Mountainfilm (going back to 2009, and including several stories and podcasts from the 2024 event).

Mountainfilm, the celebrated documentary film festival held annually in Telluride, Colorado, is thrilled to announce that it has been officially designated as an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival in the Documentary Short Film category.

This prestigious recognition by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences places Mountainfilm among a distinguished group of festivals worldwide, allowing films that win Best Short Documentary at Mountainfilm to become eligible for consideration for an Academy Award®.

The designation is a tremendous honor and achievement, one that affirms Mountainfilm’s long-standing commitment to showcase exceptional films and advance filmmaking excellence. It is a testament to the festival’s strength in programming and dedication to elevating filmmakers and their work. Mountainfilm has long been a platform for visionary filmmakers who explore crucial topics ranging from environmental conservation and social justice to outdoor adventure and cultural diversity.

As North America’s longest continuously running documentary film festival, Mountainfilm celebrates its 47th annual festival over Memorial Day weekend. The festival offers an enriching and thought-provoking experience for all festival-goers, blending documentary film, ground-breaking speakers, and jaw-dropping adventure to captivate and inspire audiences toward making a positive impact in the world.

Acclaimed adventurer, filmmaker, Academy Award® Winner (Best Documentary Feature 2019) and friend of the festival, Jimmy Chin had this to say about the news:

“Mountainfilm holds a special place in my heart. My first films played on the big screen at this festival and I’m so glad it’s being recognized by the Academy as an Oscar® Qualifying Festival. The fest remains an important gathering place for the doc community and has consistently fostered future storytellers and showcased the world of nature, exploration and adventure.”

Skye Fitzgerald, filmmaker, two-time Academy Award® Nominee and Mountainfilm alumnus added:

“I am thrilled that Mountainfilm has been accepted into the fold of Oscar® Qualifying Festivals in the Documentary Short category. As many documentary filmmakers know, Mountainfilm has a rich and tenured track record of curating quality short documentaries. I believe the added honor of Academy-qualifying status will deepen and enable that tradition even further.”

Mountainfilm’s new Festival Director Crystal Merrill looks forward to what this news means for Mountainfilm filmmakers:

“We are heartened by this news and are proud to be designated as an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival. For decades, Mountainfilm has brought exceptional programs to audiences, showcasing the brilliant work of filmmakers. This is a pivotal opportunity to further uplift filmmakers and their stories.”

As the festival looks ahead to its next edition, the team at Mountainfilm is excited to welcome filmmakers, industry professionals, adventurers and audiences to the stunning mountain setting of Telluride, Colorado to experience an inspiring lineup of films and events that ignite change. The 2025 festival will take place from May 22 – 26, 2025. Film submissions for the 47th annual Mountainfilm festival are now open!

About Mountainfilm:

Established in 1979, Mountainfilm is North America’s longest continuously running documentary film festival, held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colorado. Mountainfilm is dedicated to using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.

The festival offers an immersive experience featuring a wide range of filmmakers, speakers, adventurers and activists in addition to screening cutting-edge, award-winning documentary films from around the world.

Mountainfilm also reaches audiences year-round through its global film program, Mountainfilm on Tour, and through Mountainfilm for Students, an educational outreach initiative for youth.

Simply put, Mountainfilm has the power to change lives.

To learn more, visit www.mountainfilm.org

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