IF3 International Freeski Film Festival
The International Freeski Film Festival (iF3) is a film Festival dedicated to screening and rewarding freeskiing and snowboarding movies. Held annually at the end of October in Montreal, iF3 was created in 2007 by Félix Rioux, Doug Bishop and Jean-Francis Durocher. As it premieres the best movies of the past season, iF3 has been referred to as the "Cannes of the ski world!" by ESPN[1] and won Quebec action sports Gala Maestro's event of the year in 2010.[2]
 | |
| Location | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Language | French English |
| Website | www |
History
Origins and purpose
iF3 stemmed from its founders’ will to unite all elements that compose freeskiing culture in one place, such as ski cinematography, producers, athletes, photography, brands, music, art and parties.[3] The stated mission of the festival is to, recognize the best of what the freeski community has to offer through innovative and entertaining media and events in order to unite sport with culture and expand it to new levels. Each year athletes, filmmakers, industry leaders and ski enthusiasts get together for a long weekend of celebration, kicking off the upcoming season.
Key players
The International Freeski Film Festival (iF3) was created in 2007 by ski industry veterans: professional photographer Félix Rioux, Newschoolers publisher Doug Bishop, and Bite Size Entertainment's Jean-Francis Durocher. In 2009, after the third edition of the festival, Bishop left the team, followed by Jean-Francis Durocher in 2011. Luc "Skypowder" is currently the President of the festival.
Evolution
Gradually, iF3 became the biggest gathering of independent movie productions in skiing and draws producers, athletes, and event attendees from more than 20 countries. Both fan participation and video submission have increased every year since inception. The roster has grown from 11 professional and 5 amateur entries in 2007 for the first edition to over 120 professional and amateur films, shorts, and documentaries in 2022. The festival expanded to snowboarding in 2017 and mountain biking in 2021. [4][5]
iF3 Movie Awards
Ceremonies
The iF3 Movie Awards ceremonies show venue in Whistler. An international jury panel reviews all the movies submitted online prior to the event, and the awards to be announced and given during the festival in Montreal. The film producers, production teams and athletes who win receive an emblematic ski-shaped trophy known as the iF3 Palm alongside various gifts. In 2023, the iF3 Movie Awards will take place on Saturday October 21, in Whistler .
Categories
Recurrent categories:[6]
- Professional Category (Ski / Snowboard)
- Film of the Year
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Short Movie (10-30min)
Specific production companies are invited by iF3 to submit their films to the professional category, but submissions from additional production companies are also accepted.
Characteristics of the professional category:
- Professionally athletes
- Significant external funding and sponsorship
- Professional cinematographers
- Professional editing
- The revenue and sponsorship income are sufficient to financially support the parties involved
- The production company is run as a business
- Amateur Category (Ski / Snowboard)
- Film Of The Year
- Best Cinematography
Characteristics of the amateur category:
- Athlete sponsorship is not a requirement
- Relatively small external funding, if any
- Relatively small distribution, if any.
- Revenue and sponsorship income is insufficient or barely sufficient to financially support the parties involved.
- The film cannot exceed 40 minutes
- Athlete Category ( Ski / Snowboard)
- Best Female Performance
- Best Male Street Segment
- Best Male Freeride Segment
- Discovery of the year
- Open Category (Ski & Snowboard movies)
- Best Big Mountain Film
- Best Urban Movie
- Best Storytelling
- Bern Best Crash
- Jury's Pick
- Best Short Video (under 10min)
2018 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from October 18 to 20
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category - SKI | |
| Film of the Year | Zig Zag by Level One Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Far Out by Teton Gravity Research |
| Best Editing | Far Out by Teton Gravity Research |
| Best Short Movie | "Here After" by Tanner Hall |
| Professional Category - SNOW | |
| Film of the Year | The Future of Yesterday by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Best Cinematography | The Sky Piercer by Colab Creative |
| Best Editing | Frozen Mind by Ivresse Films |
| Best Short Movie | "Sparks" by Mon Epic |
| Open Category | |
| Standout Big Mountain Film | Before Blank by Blank Collective |
| Best Short Movie | Oh My Ghost by Kevin Rolland |
| Standout Urban Movie | Color by The Bunch |
| Best Storytelling | HOJI by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Crash | Benny Milan in Beta by Snowboarder Magazine |
| Jury's Pick | Kamikazu by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Amateur Category - SKI | |
| Film Of The Year | Strictly Business by Andrew Mildenberger |
| Best Cinematography | Strictly Business by Andrew Mildenberger |
| Amateur Category - SNOW | |
| Film Of The Year | Poveri Noi by Rusty Toothbrush |
| Best Cinematography | Poveri Noi by Rusty Toothbrush |
| Athlete Category - SKI | |
| Discovery of the Year | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Sam Kuch in Beyond the Powder Highway by Forecast Ski Magazine |
| Best Male Street Segment |  Pär Peyben Hägglund in Zig Zag by Level One Productions |
| Best Male Freeride Segment |  Parker White in Zig Zag by Level One Productions |
| Best Female Performance | Elyse Saugstad in All In by Matchstick Productions |
| Athlete Category - SNOW | |
| Discovery of the Year | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Severin Van Der Meer in Stay Tuned by Absinthe Films |
| Best Male Street Segment | Jacob Krugmire in Beta by Snowboarder Magazine |
| Best Male Freeride Segment |  Kazu Kokubo in Kamikazu by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Best Female Performance | Maggie Leon in Mercy by Darkside Snowboards |
2017 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from October 26 to 29
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category - SKI | |
| Film of the Year | Drop Everything by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Numinous by Dendrite Studios |
| Best Editing | Same Difference by Legs of Steel |
| Best Short Movie | "Bearings" by Blank Collective |
| Professional Category - SNOW | |
| Film of the Year | Arcadia by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Best Cinematography | Beacon by Snowboarder Magazine |
| Best Editing | Reboot by Shredbots |
| Best Short Movie | "Life of Glide" by Teton Gravity Research |
| Open Category | |
| Standout Big Mountain Film | Numinous by Dendrite Studios |
| Best Short Movie | Imagination by Sherpas Cinemas |
| Standout Urban Movie | Loose by Postland Theory |
| Best Storytelling | 28 years by Nitro Snowboards |
| Best Crash | Laurent de Martin in Habit by Level One Productions |
| Jury's Pick | Becoming History by Switchback Entertainment |
| Amateur Category - SKI | |
| Film Of The Year | Roasted by Shitchyea Media House |
| Best Cinematography | Nightcrawlers by 2 Deep Media |
| Amateur Category - SNOW | |
| Film Of The Year | Loose by Postland Theory |
| Best Cinematography | Loose by Postland Theory |
| Athlete Category - SKI | |
| Discovery of the Year | Keegan Kilbride in Habit by Level One Productions |
| Best Male Street Segment | Magnus Graner in Interpretation by The Bunch |
| Best Male Freeride Segment | Kye Petersen in Numinous by Dendrite Studios |
| Best Female Performance | Michelle Parker in Drop Everything by Matchstick Productions |
| Standout Male Skier | Stan Rey |
| Athlete Category - SNOW | |
| Discovery of the Year |  Alek Oestreng in Arcadia by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Best Male Street Segment | Jesse Paul in Arcadia by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Best Male Freeride Segment |  Victor de le Rue in Arcadia by Transworld Snowboarding |
| Best Female Performance |  Ivika Jurgenson in Loose by Postland Theory |
| Standout Male Snowboarder |  Halldor Helgason |
2015 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 24 to 26
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Film of the Year | Small World by Level One Productions |
| Best Cinematography | The Masquerade by Super Proof inc. |
| Best Editing | Passenger by Legs of Steel |
| Best Short Movie | "Two" by Good Company |
| Open Category | |
| Best Big Mountain Film | The Masquerade by Super Proof Inc. |
| Best Short Movie | Vecom Video by Fast Forward |
| Best Urban Movie | Houligan: A Ski Story by JF Houle |
| Best Storytelling | For Lack of Better by Clayton Vila Studio |
| Best Single Shot | Passenger by Legs of Steel |
| Bern Crash | Tom Leitner in Passenger by Legs of Steel |
| Best Web Series | Salomon Freeski TV |
| Best Female Edit | Tatum Monod Season Edit |
| Jury's Pick | Houligan: A Ski Story by JF Houle |
| Amateur Category | |
| Film Of The Year | Profile, Character on Skis by Midiafilm |
| Best Cinematography | Somnium by The Ridge Films |
| Best Editing | Not So Local by Dead End |
| Athlete Category | |
| Discovery of the Year | Jacob Hyllengren in Bon Vivant by BRS |
| Best Male Street Segment | JF Houle in Houligan: A Ski Story by JF Houle |
| Best Male Freeride Segment | Sean Pettit in The Masquerade by Super Proof Inc. |
| Best Female Park Segment |  Lisa Zimmermann |
| Best Female Freeride Segment | Angel Collinson in Paradise Waits by Teton Gravity Research |
| Rookie Of The Year | Josh Daiek in Blank. The Movie by WeAreBlank |
2014 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 18 to 20
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Film of the Year | Almost Ablaze by Teton Gravity Research |
| Best Cinematography | After Glow by Sweetgrass Productions |
| Best Editing | The Recruitment by Super Proof |
| Open Category | |
| Best Big Mountain Film | Days of my Youth by Sherpas Cinema |
| Best Short Movie | After Glow by Sweetgrass Productions |
| Best Urban Movie | Ten & Two by Stept Production |
| Best Storytelling | Ten & Two by Stept Production |
| Best Single Shot | Cody Townsend in Days of my Youth by Matchstick Productions |
| Bern Best Crash | Jarred Martin in The Doorstep Project by Inflik Media |
| Best Web Series | Salomon Freeski TV |
| Best Female Edit | Tatum Monod |
| Jury's Pick | #SKIGOODMONEYWILLCOME by Indeed Productions |
| Amateur Category | |
| Film Of The Year | Meanwhile in Canada by Swag Boyz Media |
| Best Cinematography | Up 5 Five by Life Steeze Media |
| Best Editing | Up 5 Five by Life Steeze Media |
| Athlete Category | |
| Ski Icon Tribute | Mike Douglas |
| Best Male Street Segment | Cam Riley in Ten & Two by Stept Productions |
| Best Male Freeride Segment | Cody Townsend in Days of my Youth by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Female Park Segment | Kelly Sildaru in Hangout by PVS Company |
| Best Female Freeride Segment | Elyse Saugstad in Pretty Faces by Unicorn Picnic |
| Rookie Of The Year | Nick McNutt in Almost Ablaze by Teton Gravity Research |
2013 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 11 to 15
iF3 EUROPE ANNECY from September 27 to 29
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Film of the Year | Into The Mind by Sherpas Cinema |
| Best Cinematography | Into The Mind by Sherpas Cinema |
| Best Editing | Into The Mind by Sherpas Cinema |
| Open Category | |
| Jury's "Favorite" | Valhalla by Sweetgrass Productions |
| Best Jib Movie | Partly Cloudy by Level 1 Productions |
| Best Big Mountain Movie | Into The Mind by Sherpas Cinema |
| Best Storytelling | Valhalla by Sweetgrass Productions |
| Best Visual Effects | The Burn by Switchback Entertainment |
| Best Single Shot | Even Sigstad in Supervention by Field Productions |
| Amateur Category | |
| Amateur Film Of The Year | Stammtisch by Freeski-Crew |
| Best Cinematography | Stammtisch by Freeski-Crew |
| Best Editing | Skilluminati by SKLMNTI |
| Web Category | |
| Best Webisode | The Burn by Switchback Entertainment |
| Best Web Series | Bon Appétit |
| Athlete Category | |
| Ski Icon Tribute | Mike Douglas |
| Best Jib Male | Clayton Vila |
| Best Freeride Male | Callum Pettit |
| Best Jib Female | Kelly Sildaru |
| Best Freeride Female |  Lorraine Huber |
| Rookie Of The Year | Lucas Stâl Madison |
2012 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 12 to 16
iF3 EUROPE ANNECY from September 28 to 30
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Best North American Movie | Sunny by Level 1 Productions |
| Best European Movie | In Space by Junkies on a Budget |
| Best Cinematography | Hurt so Good by Legs of Steel |
| Open Movie Category | |
| Jury's "Coup de Coeur" | In Space by Junkies on a Budget |
| Best Jib Flick | The Eighty Six by Stept Productions |
| Best Big Mountain Movie | Superheroes of Stoke by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Editing | Sunny by Level 1 Productions |
| Best Storytelling | Superheroes of Stoke by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Visual Effects | Quarter Past Midnight by Salomon Freeski TV |
| Best Single Shot | MSP with Richard Permin |
| Amateur Movie Category | |
| Best North American Movie | Act Natural by Toy Soldier Productions |
| Best European Movie | T.A.Z by Gpsy Feelin |
| Best Cinematography | T.A.Z by Gpsy Feelin |
| Web & New Media Category | |
| Best Web Movie | Kill your Boredom by Voleurz |
| Best Webisode | Russia by Nipwitz |
| Best Web Series | Which Way To Ze Autobahn by Line Traveling Circus |
| Athlete Category | |
| Ski Icon Tribute | Sarah Burke |
| Best North American Male | Parker White |
| Best European Male | Henrik Harlaut |
| Best Female | Michelle Parker |
| Rookie Of The Year | Karl Fostvedt |
| Best Skitape | Julien Eustache |
2011 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 15 to 18
iF3 EUROPE ANNECY from September 30 to October 3
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Best Cinematography | Solitaire by Sweetgrass Productions |
| Best Editing | After Dark by Level 1 Productions |
| Best Soundtrack | One for the Road by Teton Gravity Research |
| Open Category | |
| Best North American Movie | The Grand Bizarre by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Best European Movie | Being There by Field Productions |
| Best Jib Flick | Weight by Stept Productions |
| Best Big Mountain Movie | One for the Road by Teton Gravity Research |
| Best Documentary | All I Can by Sherpas Cinema |
| Best Visual Effects | All I Can by Sherpas Cinema |
| Best Single Shot | Poor Boyz with Simon Dumont in cubed Pipe |
| Amateur Category | |
| Best North American Movie | Frozen Yogurt by NSF Productions |
| Best European Movie | Every Direction by TFJ Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Frozen Yogurt by NSF Productions |
| Web & New Media Category | |
| Best Webisode | Get in the van by Traveling Circus |
| Best Teaser | Being there by Field Productions |
| Best Skitape Europe | Maxi Best of CB'C |
| Athlete Category | |
| Best North American Male | Sean Pettit |
| Best European Male | Richard Permin |
| Best Female | Ingrid Backstrom |
| Rookie Of The Year | Jesper Tjäder |
2010 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 16 to 19
iF3 EUROPE ANNECY from September 30 to October 3
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Best Movie | The Way I See It by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Eye Trip by Level 1 Productions |
| Best North American Editing | The Way I See It by Matchstick Productions |
| Best European Editing | Punch Line by PVS Company |
| Best Soundtrack | En Route Nomads by Nimbus Independent |
| Amateur Category | |
| Best Movie | NetWork by Stept Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Azadi:Freedom by B4Apres Media |
| Best Editing | Azadi:Freedom by B4Apres Media |
| Open Category | |
| Best European Movie | Side By Side by Field Productions |
| People's Choice | 'The Way I See It by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Jib Flick | Eye Trip by Level 1 Productions |
| Best Big Mountain Movie | Out of the Shadows by Dendrite Studios |
| Best Documentary | Like A Lion by Inspired Media Concepts |
| Best Visual Effects | Punch Line by PVS Company |
| Best Single Shot | Julien Regnier in Revolver by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Best Soundtrack | Revolver by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Web Category | |
| Best North American Webseries | Line Traveling Circus |
| Best European Webseries | Nipwitz |
| Best North American Teaser | Eye Trip by Level 1 Productions |
| Best European Teaser | The Factory by Headbud & Pickings Fam |
| Best SkiTape | Tom Lesuire |
| Athlete Category | |
| Best North American Male | Ahmet Dadali |
| Best European Male | Bene Mayr |
| Best North American Female | Grete Eliassen |
| Best European Female | Kelly Sildaru |
| Rookie Of The Year | Parker White |
| Best Jibber | Tom Wallisch |
| Best Freestyler | Sammy Carlson |
| Best Freerider | Henrik Windstedt |
| Best Trick | Sammy Carlson |
2009 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 17 to 20
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Best Movie | EDIAS by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Best Jib Flick | Refresh by Level 1 Productions |
| Best Big Mountain Movie | In Deep by Matchstick Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Signatures by Sweetgrass Productions |
| Best Editing | Mad in France by SVP Production |
| Best Soundtrack | EDIAS by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Amateur Category | |
| Best Movie | The Affiliates by ESK Media |
| Best Cinematography | Hands up by The Second Hands |
| Best Editing | Brand New Day by NSF Productions |
| Best Soundtrack | The Affiliates by ESK Media |
| Open Category | |
| People's Choice | EDIAS by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Coup de Coeur | Shane McConkey |
| Best Visual Effects | Mad in France by SVP Production |
| Best Single Shot | Can’t Stop by Ride the Planets |
| Athlete Category | |
| Best Male | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Dane Tudor |
| Best Female | Ingrid Backstrom |
| Rookie Of The Year | Alex Bellemare |
| Best Trick | Pep Fujas |
2008 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 11 to 15
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Best Movie | Reasons by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Coup de Coeur | Get Lucky by Field Productions |
| People's Choice | Broadcast by Mystic Land Productions |
| Best Cinematography | The Massive by Tanner Hall/Red Bull |
| Best Editing | The Massive by Tanner Hall/Red Bull |
| Best Visual Effects | UP In Snow by Ride the Planets |
| Best Single Shot | Andreas and Jon Håtveit in Reasons by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Best Soundtrack | Reasons by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Amateur Category | |
| Best Movie | Slamina by 4bi9 Productions |
| Best Cinematography | The Hat Trick by ESK Media |
| Best Editing | Outdoor Education by Voleurz |
| Best Soundtrack | The Hat Trick by ESK Media |
| Athlete Category | |
| Best Male | Tanner Hall |
| Best Female | Jamie Burge |
| Rookie Of The Year | Henrik Harlaut |
| Best Trick | Simon Dumont |
2007 Edition
iF3 INTERNATIONAL MONTREAL from September 13 to 15[7]
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Professional Category | |
| Best Movie | Enjoy by Rage Films |
| People's Choice | YEAH DUDE! by Poor Boyz Productions |
| Best Cinematography | Realtime by Level 1 Productions |
| Best Editing | Believe by Tanner Hall |
| Best Follow Cam | Magic Moves by Field Productions |
| Best Soundtrack | Stop Go Stop by Peak Performance |
| Amateur Category | |
| Best Movie | Beaver Tale by Mystic Lands Production |
| Most professional | Chronological by Stept Productions |
| Athlete Category | |
| Best Male | Wiley Miller |
| Best Female | Grete Eliassen |
| Jibber of the Year | Ahmet Dadali |
| Best American Rider | Tom Wallisch |
| Rookie Of The Year | Dylan Natale |
| Best Trick | Pep Fujas |
| Best Personality | Radio Ron |
European edition
iF3 Europe in Annecy was the first iF3 to take place outside of Montreal at the end of September 2010. In 2014, following the expansion of the event worldwide, Like That Agency, the agency holding the licence of the European edition, organized its own event, the High Five Festival.[8][9]
The iF3 France is now taking place in Chamonix Mont-Blanc since 2021. The third edition will take place November 30th to December 2nd, 2023.
World Tour
In addition, iF3 has organized events in several other cities including Innsbruck, Le Massif, London, Mont-Tremblant, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Santiago, Stockholm and Whistler. In 2023 the festival will be taking place in Santiago, Chile in July 2023, in Montreal, Québec September 30 to October 1st, 2023, in Whistler October 18-21, 2023 and in Chamonix, France November 30 to December 2nd, 2023. [10]
References
- "IF3, the Cannes of the ski world".
- "Skiing - IF3 Named Best Quebec Event of the Year - SBC Skier Magazine". www.sbcskier.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
- "iF3 - International Freeski Film Festival | About". if3festival.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23.
- Spong, Erin (4 Sep 2018) iF3 announces 2018 Movie Award winners freeskier.com
- "iF3 - International Freeski Film Festival | About". if3festival.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23.
- "iF3 Awards | Awards". if3awards.com. Archived from the original on 2014-07-20.
- "IF3". 7 September 2007.
- "L'iF3 Europe c'est fini !".
- "Bonjour High Five Festival, Bye bye iF3 Annecy".
- "The iF3 World Tour is a go! - Newschoolers.com". Archived from the original on 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2015-04-03.