Mendi Film Festival

When & Where: Every year in December or late autumn at different venues in Bilbao. In 2026, it will be held from December 4 to 13.

The Mendi Film Festival is one of Europe’s leading festivals dedicated to mountain culture, adventure sports, and environmental cinema. Held annually in Bilbao, the festival focuses on mountaineering, climbing, skiing, trail running, and expeditions to remote regions including the Himalayas. Over time, it has become an important cultural event in the Basque Country, attracting filmmakers, athletes, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.

Origins and Development of the Festival

The festival was founded in 2008 with the aim of creating an international platform for mountain and adventure films in Bilbao. Its creation reflects the long-standing connection between Basque society and mountaineering culture. Hiking, alpine clubs, and outdoor sports have historically played an important role throughout the Basque Country, where mountain landscapes are closely integrated into daily life and regional identity.

Since its first edition, Mendi Film Festival has expanded beyond film screenings to include conferences, photography exhibitions, book presentations, workshops, and meetings with internationally recognised mountaineers and explorers. Many documentaries shown at the festival focus not only on physical achievement but also on environmental issues, indigenous cultures, and the ethical challenges of high-altitude expeditions.

Mountain Cinema and the Basque-Himalaya Connection

A significant part of the programme is dedicated to expeditions in the Himalayas, reflecting the global importance of the region within mountaineering history. Films frequently explore ascents of peaks such as Everest, Annapurna, and K2, alongside stories of survival, exploration, and human endurance. The festival often highlights the achievements of renowned Basque mountaineers, including Edurne Pasaban, the first woman in history to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders, and other influential figures connected to Himalayan mountaineering such as Juanito Oiarzabal, Alberto Iñurrategi or Alex Txikon.

The festival also highlights independent documentary filmmaking and visual storytelling connected to nature and extreme environments.

Practical Information for Visitors

Mendi Film Festival usually takes place in December at various cultural venues across Bilbao, but mostly at Sala BBK, Azkuna Zentroa and Palacio Euskalduna Bilbao. Screenings are often presented in multiple languages, with subtitles available for international audiences.

Because the programme includes talks, exhibitions, and outdoor-related events throughout the city, visitors commonly combine the festival with visits to Bilbao’s museums, riverside districts, and nearby mountain areas in Bizkaia.

More info: https://mendifilmfestival.com/en/