Alright folks, as you may have heard, the annual Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival has just wrapped up in Banff, Canada — and we’ve got some seriously exciting news to share. An Australian filmmaker has taken out the Grand Prize for overall best film! How good is that? We are absolutely stoked and super proud of Kasimir Burgess and his incredible film Iron Winter.
This is a massive win for Aussies and a pretty great reminder of just how strong our filmmaking presence is becoming on the world stage.
Iron Winter takes us deep into Mongolia’s remote Tsakhir Valley — a place where horses aren’t just animals, they’re lifelines. Winter herding is an ancient tradition there, but this year they’re facing the harshest winter on record, and everything is on the line.
The story follows two young herders, 18-year-old Batbold and his mate Tsaaganna, who are suddenly responsible for 3,000 horses and the wellbeing of their entire community. Between brutal cold, prowling wolves, and the pressure of living up to generations of tradition, these two are thrown into a test of courage most of us can barely imagine.
The Banff jury absolutely loved it, praising the film for its gorgeous storytelling and emotional depth, calling it an “outstanding cinematic achievement”. And honestly, it’s well deserved. The film is a powerful mix of heart, culture, challenge, and pure grit — a real tribute to the herding community and to Kasimir and his team.
You’ll be able to catch Iron Winter on the big screen during next year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival Australian Tour, and trust us… this one’s going to stay with you. Prepare to be moved, humbled, inspired — all of it.
Huge congrats again to Kasimir Burgess for bringing home the win. Australia’s proud of you, mate.
Image: 2025 Banff Mountain Film Competition Grand Prize winner Iron Winter by Kasimir Burgess.
