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Mendiak 1976 - A friendship story in Afghan peak.

An adventure, a journey, a success forgotten in memory. In 1976, a group of young people from Pamplona made history by successfully reaching the summit of Shakhaur (7,116 m) in Afghanistan. It was "the first Basque seven-thousander", but the joy soon turned to sadness. During the descent, an accident occurred: One of them died and another was seriously injured. Thanks to the help of a Polish expedition, they managed to save the life of their companion and meanwhile forge a friendship that has lasted until today.

Best Mountaineering Film & Audience Award in the last International Bilbao BBK Mendi Film Fest.

  • Luis Arrieta Etxeberria
    Director
  • Daniel Burgui Iguzkiza
    Writer
  • Luis Arrieta Etxeberria
    Producer
  • Daniel Burgui Iguzkiza
    Producer
  • Jesús Iriarte Salinas
    Producer
  • Jesús Iriarte Salinas
    Director of photography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 25 minutes
  • Production Budget:
    28,360 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Spain
  • Country of Filming:
    Afghanistan, Poland, Spain
  • Language:
    Basque, Polish, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K.
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • International Bilbao BBK Mendi Film Festival
    Bilbao
    Spain
    December 4, 2021
    World Premiere
    BEST MOUNTAINEERING FILM
  • International Bilbao BBK Mendi Film Festival
    Bilabo
    Spain
    December 4, 2021
    World Premiere
    AUDIENCE AWARD
  • Trento Film Festival 2022
    Trento
    Italy
    April 29, 2022
    Italy Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Ulju Mountain Film Festival
    Ulju
    Korea, Republic of
    April 1, 2022
    Asia Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Bergfilm Tegernsee
    Tegernsee
    Germany
    October 19, 2022
    Germany Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Ushuaia SHH festival
    Ushuaia
    Argentina
    August 19, 2022
    South America Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • High Tatras Film Festival

    Slovakia
    BEST FIRS TIME DIRECTOR
  • Krakow Mountain Festival
    Krakow
    Poland
    POLAND
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • PIMFF Pakistan International Mountain Festival
    Islamabad
    Pakistan
    November 26, 2022
    Pakistan
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
Director Biography - Luis Arrieta Etxeberria

A fanatic by nature, entrepreneur and lover of the mountains, I dedicate my free time to climbing and skiing in the Pyrenees and Alps. Self-taught in audiovisual techniques, I have published several documenatry films with awards at international mountain festivals.

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Director Statement

After a few mountain short films, Mendiak 1976 is my First feature film, which surprisingly won the Best Mountaineering Film & Audience Award in Internatinal Bilbao BBK Mendi Film Fest in Dicember of 2021.