Transylvania Mountain Festival 2025 Awards
#FreeSpirit
The most awaited moment of Transylvania Mountain Festival is the announcement of the awards and trophies winners. The TMF 2025 Gala took place on November 22 in Cluj-Napoca, on the stage of Cinema Victoria.
The 8th edition brought together over 2,438 mountain lovers in Cluj-Napoca! The TMF competitions took place throughout the year and enjoyed international participation from 24 countries.
The Free Spirit edition’s agenda included photography exhibitions, climbing workshops for adults and children, hiking, running, mountain film screenings at the cinema with mountain talks, and daily raffles.
TMF 2025 trophies by Florin Tamba, sculptor. (Photo: Gabriel Roșca)
Together with our friend, actor Bogdan BOB Rădulescu, and our partners for this edition, we once again had the pleasure of presenting the lucky winners for the film, photography, innovation, and mountain project categories. In addition, this year, the sports excellence category was expanded, and honorary distinctions were awarded for projects originating from the local community.
Bogdan BOB Rădulescu – The TMF 2025 Gala moderator. (Photo: Gabriel Roșca)
TMF 2025 MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY TROPHY
The TMF 2025 trophy for mountain photography was won by Tudor Lozba, awarded for his landscape photos.
Special thanks to our partner GARMIN Romania, who awarded a Garmin Instinct 3 watch to the winner of the photography competition! Thank you to 7Trek for awarding a pair of boots made in Romania. Thanks to Snow Mission for the super ski vacation in Avoriaz in 2026 and Maramont for the limited edition TMF personalized equipment!
Tudor Lozba with the TMF 2025 Mountain Photography Trophy (photo: Gabriel Roșca)
TMF 2025 MOUNTAIN FILM TROPHY
The TMF 2025 Trophy for mountain film is awarded to the film “Better Up There“ – directed by Mathis Dumas, for:
- the remarkable presentation of the biography of athlete Leo Slemett,
- its authenticity and exceptional imagery,
- a production that reflects the theme of this edition: Free Spirit.
The announcement was made on stage by our guest:
- Clementine Coedes from the Institut Francais de Roumanie in Cluj.
Announcing the TMF 2025 Winner Mountain Film – Better Up There (France, 2025, director: Mathis Dumas). (Photo: Dan Tăuțan)
The awards for mountain film categories are as follows:
- Best Short TMF 2025: A Guide’s Book (Canada 2025) by Laurent Bilodeau
- Best Documentary TMF 2025: BETTER UP THERE (France, 2025) directed by Mathis Dumas
- Best Mountain Feature TMF 2025: ROBSON (Canada, 2025) by Philip Forsey
The Audience Award – TMF 2025 Audience Award – goes to the film ODYSSEA BOREALIS (Italy, 2025) directed by Alessandro Beltrame and was announced by the team of volunteers from the Institut Français de Roumanie in Cluj.
Announcing the TMF 2025 Audience Awatd – Odyssea Borealis (Italy, 2025, directed by Alessandro Beltrame). (Photo: Dan Tăuțan)
TMF 2025 MOUNTAIN INNOVATION TROPHY
The TMF 2025 Mountain Innovation Trophy was awarded to the Forestry Dialogue Group for developing the Balanța Lemnului din România (Romania’s Wood Balance) application, which, for the first time in Romania, provides a clear picture of the sources and destinations of wood flows.
And, for the first time worldwide, it presents a balance that is not based on statistical methods, but on accurate data from the SUMAL database, better known to the public as the Forest Inspector.
The Transylvania Mountain Festival 2025 mountain innovation trophy was handed over to Adrian Băban, representing the GDF.
TMF 2025 SPORT EXCELLENCE TROPHIES
An extension of the section on excellence and outstanding achievements are the trophies for excellence in sport. Given that the Transylvania Mountain Festival has featured over 12 mountain sports disciplines since its foundation, the time has come to congratulate the absolutely extraordinary results of the year.
TMF 2025 sport excellence trophies by Florin Tamba, sculptor. (photo: Gabriel Roșca).
TMF 2025 TROPHY FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPORT – MTB
The TMF 2025 Sport Excellence Trophy for mountain biking was awarded to cyclist DIANA FAUR – European Vice-Champion in Mountain Bike Youth 2025.
We would like to thank our partners for the gifts they offered: a Garmin Instinct 3 from our partner GARMIN, a pair of shoes made in Romania from 7Trek, a limited edition Maramont x TMF backpack, and of course a flower lovingly offered by Green Room Cluj.
Diana Faur, European vice-champion in youth mountain biking 2025, winner of the TMF 2025 trophy for excellence in sport – MTB. (Photo: Dan Tăuțan)
TMF 2025 SPORT EXCELLENCE TROPHY – CLIMBING (F)
The TMF 2025 Sport Excellence Trophy in the women’s climbing category was awarded to athlete Iris Olivia Munteanu, who in 2025 achieved the first women’s 8c rock climb in Romania, and recently also achieved 8A+ in bouldering!
We would like to thank our partners for the gifts they offered: a Garmin Instinct 3 from our partner GARMIN, a pair of shoes made in Romania from 7Trek, a limited edition Maramont x TMF backpack, and of course a flower lovingly offered by Green Room Cluj.
Presentation of the TMF 2025 Sport Excellence Trophy – climbing, women’s category, to athlete Iris Munteanu. (photo: Gabriel Roșca).
TMF 2025 SPORT EXCELLENCE TROPHY – CLIMBING (M)
The TMF 2025 Sport Excellence Trophy in the men’s climbing category was awarded to athlete Darius Râpă, – U20 World Vice-Champion and 9A+ climber, who recently completed the 9A+ route “Es Pontas”, the first 9A+ for Romania (!) and the most difficult deep water solo route in the world.
Darius, who is currently abroad, sent us some special thoughts for the Transylvania Mountain Festival community!
We would like to thank our partners for the gifts they offered: a Garmin Instinct from our partner GARMIN, a pair of shoes made in Romania from 7Trek.
Message from Darius Râpă – winner of the TMF 2025 Sport Excellence Trophy – men’s climbing. (photo: Gabriel Roșca).
TMF 2025 MOUNTAIN ACTIVITY EXCELLENCE
As every year, the Transylvania Mountain Festival Grand Trophy is awarded to a project that is usually challenging and impressive.
This year, the winner of the TMF 2025 Excellence Trophy is the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, with its extensive integrated conservation project in the Făgăraș Mountains area, which includes:
– Forest conservation
– Ecological reconstruction
– Wildlife conservation and management with species reintroduction
– Community care through social programs, education, ecotourism, events
– Preparing communities for Green Business
The trophy was accepted on behalf of the foundation by Ms. Victoria Onos – Communication & Outreach Director.
Presentation of the TMF 2025 MOuntain Activity Excellence to the Conservation Carpathia Foundation. (photo: Gabriel Roșca).
TMF 2025 DISTINCTIONS FOR LOCAL IMPACT PROJECTS
This year, another new feature was the awarding of distinctions for impactful projects carried out by and for the local community.
OUTSTANDING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR 2025
Awarded to the project:
“In good hands together – a hospital for Apuseni” – carried out by the teams: “From the heart for Apuseni” & Association of Cluj Doctors in Romania (AMCR) .
Oana Rotter accepted the award.
Presentation of the TMF award for the 2025 Initiative of the year for the “Hospital for Apuseni” project. (photo: Gabriel Roșca).
CREATIVE ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP 2025
Awarded to:
Faculty of Geography in Cluj-Napoca – Babeș Bolyai University, for creative collaboration, research, and innovation.
Over 137 students from the Faculty of Geography UBB Cluj, Department of Human Geography and Tourism, from the Tourism Geography Specialization and from the Master’s in Tourism Planning and Development benefited from internships and mentoring within the TMF Association.
Joining us on stage was the representative of the Faculty of Geography: Dr. Cristina Bolog.
Presentation of the TMF 2025 award for the Creative Academy Partnership 2025 to the Faculty of Geography in Cluj-Napoca – Babeș Bolyai University. (photo: Gabriel Roșca).
PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2025 IN THE APUSENI MOUNTAINS
Awarded to:
The New Refuge: Piatra Tâlharului – implemented by the team CAR – Romanian Alpine Club Cluj Branch.
A superb refuge, whose architectural concept is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional Motsian house.
On stage, we were joined by representatives of CAR Cluj: Levy Lazok, Ionut Nechita, Marius Florea, Dinu Mititeanu, Radu Ghineț, and Mircea Ignat – president of CAR Cluj Branch.
Înmânarea distincției TMF 2025 pentru Proiectul Anului din Munții Apuseni proiectului Refugiul Piatra Tâlharului – realizat de echipa CAR – Clubul Alpin Român Filiala Cluj. (foto: Gabriel Roșca).
PREMIERE SCREENING OF THE TRAILER FOR “HOINARI PRIN MUNȚI”
One of the most anticipated moments of the Gala was the premiere screening, here at TMF – Transylvania Mountain Festival, of the trailer for the film “Hoinari prin munți” (Wanderers in the Mountains), filmed and directed with love, respect, and great friendship by Cosmin Dumitrache, which will bring the story of the mountains to the public as it is lived, felt, and seen by Marlene and Dinu Mititeanu.
On the evening of November 22, 2025, a full hall experienced, together with Marlene and Dinu, another dream come true! After tens of thousands of kilometers traveled together over the years through the mountains, after numerous presentations, introductory tours, and an impressive number of books written, we bow our heads and eagerly await the documentary film that will bring the mountains closer to the general public!
Through this film, Marlene wants viewers to understand that it is good “to approach the mountains as you would a friend you miss,” and Dinu hopes to convey “the great joys that the mountains offer”!
Although he couldn’t be with us at the gala, Cosmin sent us a few thoughts: “Wanderers in the Mountains is a film born from an encounter with the fascinating story of Dinu and Marlene Mititeanu. Through their deeply human way of sharing the emotions and experiences of the mountains, but also through the trust and love between them and between them and the mountains, we discovered a form of freedom and a way of life in which passion is not just a hobby, but an identity.”
The film will premiere at Romania’s most beloved film festival, TIFF 2026.
The awards were announced on stage, in the presence of the TMF team, the official delegates for the ceremony reception, and the audience present at Cinema Victoria.
Special thanks to all those who return year after year to this mountain festival, unique in its content, implementation, authenticity, and vision.
The audience at the TMF 2025 alat at Cinema Victoria (photo: Dan Tăuțan)
Part of the TMF 2025 team toggether with the volunteers, partners and guests, together at Cinema Victoria. (photo: Dan Tăuțan)
Friends and organizers of TMF 2025:
- Outdoor technology and innovation partner: GARMIN Romania & GARMIN Cluj
- Academic partner: Faculty of Geography – Babeș-Bolyai University
- Exhibition & screening partners: Institut Français de Cluj, Cinema Victoria, Atelier Cafe
- Specialized partner: 7Trek.com
- Tourism partners: Snow Mission x Christian Tour, Revolution Kids
- Graphics and image: Black Wolf
- Printing partner: PMA Invest
- Partners: Maramont, Ski Depo & Service Cluj, Gravity – Climbing Hall, Green Room Plant, Tiny Transylvania, Rulotika – Camper concept box
- Mountain safety partners: SMURD Cluj, Salvamont-Salvaspeo, EEMGA – Eastern European Mountains Guide Association
- Industry partners: Romanian Alpine Club – Cluj Branch,
- Media partners: Cluj.com, Info Traffic, Transilvania IT, Visit Cluj, EBS Radio, Radio Cluj, Radio Transilvania, Info Traffic – the radio station on your street!
- Partner: Elf’st – marketing & investment,
- Organizer: TMF Association
The annual Transylvania Mountain Festival 2025 awards were presented according to the schedule. Congrats for the organization!
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The TMF Association promotes knowledge and exploration of the mountain environment through sports, education, art, and science—and the Transylvania Mountain Festival is where athletes, explorers, innovators, and creatives who love nature and the mountains come together! We hope that this program will inspire the local and international community, generating new initiatives and projects that bring back the spirit of the mountains and a love of nature among us.
