Vaddas follows a group of skiers on a journey to the far north. Their destination is a remote mountain region where steep lines and the vastness of the Arctic landscape create the setting for an extraordinary freeride adventure. Shortly before departure, however, it becomes clear that the trip will not go as planned: in the small 500-person village that is meant to serve as their starting point, the gas station burned down — a seemingly minor event that suddenly changes everything.
Between logistical uncertainty and the search for alternatives, the film becomes a story about patience, resilience, and the allure towards the unknown. As the sun finally rises, the journey reaches the descent they have been working towards all along.
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The title Vaddas comes from the Sámi language and refers to a steep, hard-to-reach mountain massif. In the film, it symbolically represents a place that cannot simply be climbed, but instead demands patience, respect, and willingness.
Norway
Austria
Director
Merlin Libicky
Producer
Production
Mountain Tribe
Producer
Questions and Answers
Athletes
Martin Kogler, Andri Bieger, Stine Henriksson, Vali Werner-Tutschku and Zoe Mehnert
Co-Presenting Partners
Collaborators
Media Partners
Film Guide
SKI CATEGORIES
For this year’s iF3 Movie Awards, any and all films about skiing, snowboarding or a mixture of the two are eligible.
AMATEUR
- Amateur Film of the Year
- Amateur Skier of the Year
ATHLETE
- Female Skier of the Year
- Male Skier of the Year
- Breakthrough Skier of the Year
PRO
- Best Short Movie (under 20min)
- Best Street Segment
- Best Backcountry Segment
- Best Storytelling
- Jury’s Pick (both Ski & Snowboard films eligible)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Film of the Year
SNOWBOARD CATEGORIES
Whether it’s focused on freestyle, freeride, street, backcountry, telemark skiing, mountaineering, adventuring, a documentary subject, or anything in between, your film is welcome at iF3.
AMATEUR
- Amateur Film of the Year
- Amateur Snowboarder of the Year
ATHLETE
- Female Snowboarder of the Year
- Male Snowboarder of the Year
- Breakthrough Snowboarder of the Year
PRO
- Best Short Movie (under 20min)
- Best Street Segment
- Best Backcountry Segment
- Best Storytelling
- Jury’s Pick (both Ski & Snowboard films eligible)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Film of the Year
To all producers and athletes you are invited to register for iF3 2026 !
Registrations are now closed for iF3 2026!
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