The Rio Mountain Festival is the largest and oldest mountain film festival in Brazil. It takes place in Rio de Janeiro, which, despite being a coastal city, is surrounded by iconic mountains. Among these mountains are Sugarloaf Mountain, with its famous cable car; Corcovado, with the Christ the Redeemer statue; and the imposing Pedra da Gávea. All are represented in the Corcovado Trophy, awarded to the winning films.

For five days, usually in October, the public immerses itself in a program full of Brazilian and international films about adventure sports, nature, and mountain culture. The festival also features photography contests and exhibitions, book launches with author talks, art workshops, and sports activities for children.

As a member of the International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF), we are committed to following the principles that guide mountain film festivals in all their diversity, promoting international cooperation, sharing stories about the mountains, drawing attention to environmental issues, and celebrating the culture of outdoor life.

Best Film - Grand Prize

Best Brazilian Film - Terra Brasilis Award

Best Short Film - Up to 20 minutes in length

Best Film - Mountaineering/Climbing

Best Film - Audience Award

RIO MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2026

Art. 1 The entity creating and organizing the Rio Mountain Festival is 9d Productions.

Art. 2 The festival aims to bring to the general public the most significant achievements in mountain, expedition, adventure and environmental films and disseminate the production of this cinematographic genre.

Art. 3 The Rio Mountain Festival, will take place in October 2026, in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.

FILMS

Art. 4 Films that are available in full on the internet will not be accepted.

Art. 5 Short, medium and feature films produced in digital video will be accepted; in the documentary, fiction, experimental or animation categories; mountain sports, adventure or expedition films; films that contribute to knowledge and protection of the environment; of mountain culture or outdoor lifestyle.

REGISTRATIONS

Art. 6 The person responsible for the film must access the FilmFreeway website (filmfreeway.com) to register their film.

Art. 7 Registrations can be made until August 14, 2026.

Art. 8 The costs of registering the film for the selection process are borne by their respective representatives (director and/or producer).

Art. 9 The promotional material (photos, trailer and poster) of the registered film may be used by 9d Productions to promote the event or film, on the festival's official website (riomountainfestival.com.br) or in any publication in the printed media and/or electronically, free of charge.

Art. 10 The event organizing committee will not be responsible for third-party images and/or music used in the registered works, with any and all burdens for copyright issues falling exclusively on the director and/or producer of the film.

Art. 11 Those responsible for foreign films must send the complete script in English with the time stamp. The costs of translation and subtitling will be borne by the festival.

SELECTIVE PROCESS

Art. 12 The results of the selected films will be announced on August 28th, 2026 through the website www.riomountainfestival.com.br and via the email of the person responsible for registration.

Art. 13 The selection committee, made up of professionals and athletes who have no connection with any of the registered titles, will select the films that will participate in the competitive show.

Art. 14 The criteria that must be taken into account in the selection process are:

a) Technical and thematic quality.
b) The adaptability of production to the profile of the event.

Art. 15 The selection committee, in addition to choosing the films that will participate in the competitive exhibition, will have full autonomy to disqualify those films that do not meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

Art. 16 After the results of the selection process are announced, a copy of the film will be requested in codec h264 and in maximum Full HD resolution to be sent by the platform registration deadline until September 11th, 2026.

AWARDS

Art. 17 A jury composed of up to five jurors will be formed to award the films entered in the Competitive Exhibition.

Art. 18 The jury will be made up of directors, producers, athletes, critics, journalists, photographers and other professionals, who have no connection with any of the selected films.

Art. 19 The Rio Mountain Festival 2026 Competitive Exhibition will distribute the following prizes:

Best Film - Grand Prize

Best Brazilian Film - Terra Brasilis Award

Best Short Film - Up to 20 minutes in length

Best Film - Mountaineering/Climbing

Best Film - Audience Award

Art. 20 The award-winning films, chosen by the popular jury or the official jury, will receive the “Corcovado” trophy, which will be presented at the closing ceremony.

GENERAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Art. 21 The event organization may invite at least two members of the filmmaking team to watch the film screening and participate in the awards event.

Art. 22 For the cases provided for in article 21 of this regulation, the costs relating to travel and accommodation to the festival site will be borne by their respective representatives (director and/or producer).

Art. 23 9d Productions may change, reduce or add the forms of registration provided for in this regulation, as long as it meets the needs of the programming schedule, and is only responsible for competent disclosure via email, up to 30 (thirty) days before the start of the event.

Art. 24 Further information can be requested via email:
registrations@riomountainfestival.com.br

Art. 25 Cases omitted by these Regulations will be resolved by the organization of the Rio Mountain Festival 2026.

9d Productions

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gabriele Canu

    So happy to receive an award for my film "Elsewhere"! Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the event because Italy was too far away, but the communication and kindness of the team was great.

    October 2025
  • Isabel Aguirre

    It was an amazing experience to be part of this festival.
    The films were amazing and the hospitality were better!
    Thank´s to Rio Mountai Festival.

    October 2023
  • Alex Eggermont

    Thanks again for everything, I wish I could have come to be at the festival in person ! Cheers

    November 2022
  • Simon Pouyet

    I wish I could assist to the festival, but I really appreciated communication with the organisation. Thanks again for the selection, hope to come back one day !

    November 2022