For the first time in Chicago’s history, December 14 through the 16^th, 2012, the Tatra Mountain Cultural Foundation presented a three day festival of mountain films together with a mountain picture exhibition and a public submitted photo contest. The Foundation invited everyone to a multimedia extravaganza associated with mountains and their interaction with people through sport, alpinism, culture, and coexistence. A special guest from Poland, Mr. Jerzy Porembski, a Polish documentary mountain film producer, scriptwriter, screenwriter and director, flew in and spoke about his film making experiences interacting with mountains around the world. Other special guests included the Tatry Ski Club promoting the upcoming skiing season, lodge number 86 from the Polish Highlanders who displayed the Polish mountain rescue service "TOPR", and a guest presentation by members of the Chicago Mountaineering Club who promote local mountaineering activities. Finally, still life photography exhibits by Tomas Hulik, Maciej Gasienica, Andrzej Kulka, Wojciech Hyc, and other individuals, who entered their pictures for "best picture" contest, graced the auditorium walls.

 The festival was capped by a performance of the folkloric ensemble "Tatry" which presented authentic Highlander mountain dances and an awards ceremony. A special jury consisting of movie critics and photo enthusiasts announced their verdict:

Grand Prix Award   „Art of Freedom”   Wojtkek Słota and Marek Kłosowicz – Poland

The Best Film    „Vertical sailing Greenland”  Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll – Belgium

Special Jury Award    „Kukuczka”  Jerzy Porębski – Poland

The Best Picture Award    „High Tatras”  Pavol Barabas and Tomas Hulik – Slovakia

Special Audience Award   „Kukuczka”  Jerzy Porębski – Poland

Special Director’s Mention Award    „Moonflower” Alastair Lee – Great Britain

Special Director’s Mention Award    „Flockmaster Jano Cerven”   Lubo Viluda- Slovakia

The Best Mountain Photo In the photo contest   „Climbing in the clouds”   Piotr Jakubowski

The jury announced with great satisfaction their decisions, and the young lady dancers of Tatry conveyed the awards. It was truly a ground breaking mountain film festival for Chicago, and very warmly received due to the variety of films and number of viewers who attended. Messages of support came from various countries congratulating the Foundation on its initiative and wishing us a repeat in the year 2013.  A special thank you note to the board directors, of the Tatra Mountain Rescue Service, “TOPR”, for extending a special honorary patronage, to our Mountain Film Festival.  The Foundation would also like to thank all of its sponsors, attendees, special guests, and volunteers for making the festival such a success. As our special guest from Poland Jerzy Porebski said - “I see this Festival was very necessary for you“