Pakistan Mountain Festival: Inkafest mountain films highlight untold stories

Islamabad : As part of the 14th Pakistan Mountain Festival, Devcom-Pakistan, in collaboration with Alliance Française Islamabad, hosted the screening of three best films from the internationally acclaimed Inkafest (Peru) on Thursday.

The event celebrated the beauty, resilience, and challenges of mountain ecosystems while fostering global cultural connections. The film screening aimed to highlight the significance of mountain ecosystems, the lives of mountain communities, and the spirit of adventure, while drawing attention to the urgent need for their conservation. The screening attracted a diverse audience, including students, environmentalists, adventurers, and art enthusiasts. It was a moment of reflection and dialogue on the intricate connections between culture, climate change, and mountain conservation.

Directed by Michael Safley, Slow Water is a poignant documentary that delves into the intricate relationship between nature and indigenous innovation. Set in the majestic highlands of Peru, the film highlights how local communities ingeniously manage glacial meltwater to sustain wetlands and livestock amidst the looming threats of climate change. The narrative takes an alarming turn as it uncovers the rising menace of illegal mining, which pollutes these critical water sources and jeopardizes both the environment and local livelihoods. With a runtime of 20 minutes, this English-language documentary, awarded Avant Premiere, is more than just a story—it is a compelling call to protect fragile ecosystems and support the people who depend on them for survival.

Directed by Guillaume Broust, Chronoception is a mesmerizing visual adventure that takes viewers deep into the uncharted Kokshaal-Too mountain range of the Tian Shan region, straddling the Kyrgyzstan-China border. The film follows the daring journey of Thomas Delfino and his team—Léa Klaue and Aurélien Lardy—accompanied by legendary guides Hélias Millerioux and Jean-Yves Fredriksen. Over the course of 53 minutes, this French-language masterpiece (with English subtitles) captures the essence of timeless landscapes and human endurance. Awarded Best Film on Adventure, Chronoception is a celebration of exploration and the unyielding spirit required to navigate untouched terrains, where nature’s power and beauty remain untamed and eternal.

In ‘The Valley of Fire’ ((EL VALLE DEL FUEGO), director Christian Pérez Álvarez takes viewers on a captivating four-day journey through one of America’s most spectacular valleys. Through the eyes of a father-son duo, Emmanuel and Antoine, the film unravels the geological wonders and adventures of the region. The narrative begins with thrilling bicycle descents towards the Valley of Fire, transitions into physically challenging snow ascents to the source of the Amazon River, and culminates in a horseback trek to one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the Colca Canyon. Spanning 19 minutes, this English-language documentary, honoured with the Best Film on Mountain & Culture – Peru award, is a touching portrayal of nature’s magnificence and the unbreakable bonds of family, exploration, and endurance.

These three films collectively transport audiences to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain landscapes, showcasing stories of human resilience, cultural heritage, and the delicate balance between adventure and conservation. Each narrative, uniquely crafted, serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet's most extraordinary ecosystems.