The Czech town of Teplice nad Metují is once again hosting the International Mountaineering Film Festival, now in its 42nd edition. This year brings a record number of exhibitions and films, along with thousands of Tibetan prayer flags blessing the festival grounds. Star guests include big wall climber Nina Caprez, world legend Alexander Huber, crack climbing specialist Pete Whittaker, and Czechoslovak expedition pioneer Dina Štěrbová.

The program features 24 competition films selected from 155 submissions—fewer but longer feature productions—alongside lectures, bouldering competitions, workshops, and live shows spread across seven venues.

The festival opens on Thursday, August 28, with Essence: Story of Johnny Dawes, a documentary produced by the MHFF itself. Other highlights include Behind the Curtain of the Great Mountains about Dina Štěrbová, and Rhapsodia Corcontica by Tomáš Galásek, tracing Czech Himalayan expeditions. Visitors can also look forward to photo exhibitions, the new Namche Skigrass Challenge race, and workshops ranging from physiotherapy to mountain photography. Full details of the program are available at mhff.cz