Scots climbing film triumphs at city festival

Published on Friday 27 October 2006 12:05

A FILM about a Scot's ascent of the hardest traditional rock climb in the world swept the board at the fourth Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival.

The short film, called E11, documents 28-year-old Dave McLeod's historic ascent of the rock climb Rhapsody at Dumbarton Rock this year. It won all three awards for the best film, best climbing film, and the People's Choice Award, voted for by 2200 audience members.

The three-day festival aims to promote mountain culture and provide a platform for adventure film-makers to showcase their work. It also features lectures by leading mountaineers, adventurers and explorers, and various exhibitions.

Dave Brown, managing director of Hot Aches Production who made E11, said: "We are really chuffed. The response to the film has been tremendous. At the premiere it was particularly nice that Dave MacLeod was there with all his family and was able to say a few words afterwards and take the longest round of applause you could imagine."

The festival is held annually at George Square Lecture Theatre at Edinburgh University.

Director Stevie Christie said: "It's been a great festival, with five superb lectures and the best selection of films yet, coming from all corners of the globe."

In addition to the main festival, an exhibition of climbing photography by Gary Latter is on at Edinburgh Fine Art Library, George IV Bridge until October 31.