The Wanaka Mountain Film Festival launches on 5 July, with four days and nights of adventure speakers, live music, exhibitions, competitions and a national and international film extravaganza.

Image: Climbers ascending the Salto Angelm, the highest waterfall on earth in Amazon Vertical, Winner of Best Film on Climbing. © Evrard WendenbaumThe Wanaka Mountain Film Festival launches on 5 July, with four days and nights of adventure speakers, live music, exhibitions, competitions and a national and international film extravaganza.

Image: Climbers ascending the Salto Angelm, the highest waterfall on earth in Amazon Vertical, Winner of Best Film on Climbing. © Evrard WendenbaumFestival-goers will be treated to a diverse mix of films from wilderness wanderings and environmental stories, to adrenaline action and snow escapades.

Each three to four hour session will screen a variety of films and sometimes include a speaker from the local and national lineup of adventurers keen to share their stories.

A popular film for the locals and a Kiwi classic is The Leading Edge - a ski film starring Queenstowners Mark Whetu, Christine Kelly (Glenorchy) with the late Bruce Grant and Billy T, set in the Southern Alps. Festival organisers are offering entry discounts for those kitted out in their retro ski clothing for the occasion.

Other highlights of the festival include a presentation from mountaineer great Mark Inglis, and an art exhibition from Sir Edmund Hillary's preferred portraitist, Craig Primrose. All festival-goers will be able to view his drawings and non-ticket holders can enjoy the work for free on Saturday night between 7-8pm. Local photographer Gilbert van Reenen will also display a selection of his recent work.

A privilege for budding filmmakers is an hour-long workshop on Sunday morning lead by Lloyd Davis, director of University of Otago's film programme. The workshop entitled "Storytelling: the art of making your pictures worth watching" will address ways to identify the story in the things we film and various ways to present it.

When: 5 July - 8 July 2007
Tickets: Single session tickets can be purchased from the Lake Wanaka Centre Ticket Office from 4pm Thursday 5 July. Tickets will cost between $10 and $20.