Jackson, WY – January 21, 2024
The 2024 AlpinFilm Festival, a celebration of mountain cinema capturing the spirit of the Tetons, has concluded with the announcement of its prestigious award winners. Three remarkable films were honored, each capturing the essence of mountaineering and pushing the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic excellence.
Jury’s Choice Award: Descendance
Descendance, a captivating exploration of world-class free-ride skier Dennis Ranalter’s journey to reconnect with his African roots, secured the esteemed Jury’s Choice Award. The film stood out for its exceptional storytelling, cinematography, editing, direction, impact, and technical merit.
Grand Prize: The Illness
The Grand Prize was awarded to The Illness, a hilarious adventure documentary that followed a loud-mouthed crew of self-professed “blue-collar” Appalachian climbers on a protracted effort to free a decades-old aid route. The film’s refreshingly modest protagonists and the humble tenacity they displayed while pursuing their objective captivated the jury, earning it the festival’s top honor.
People’s Choice Award: Here, Hold My Kid
Audience members had their say in selecting the People’s Choice Award, with the heartwarming and offbeat documentary Here, Hold My Kid taking home the honors. The film chronicles the journey of two professional female skiers navigating new motherhood while maintaining their heart-stopping athletic careers.
Christian Beckwith, the Executive Director of the Teton Climbers’ Coalition, expressed his excitement about this year’s award-winning films: “The AlpinFilm Festival continues to showcase outstanding films that capture the essence of mountaineering and the indomitable spirit of adventure. Congratulations to Descendance, The Illness, and Here, Hold My Kid for their well-deserved recognition.”
The Teton Climbers’ Coalition extends its gratitude to the filmmakers, the festival audience, and everyone who contributed to making the 2024 AlpinFilm Festival a resounding success.