MetFilm Takes Global Sales for Sundance Winner To Hold a Mountain

MetFilm Sales has acquired the international sales rights to the documentary To Hold a Mountain. Directors Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić made the film. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026. There, it won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize. MetFilm will show the film to buyers at the European Film Market for the first time.

Background

To Hold a Mountain tells the story of two women living in the highlands of Montenegro. Gara Jovanović is a shepherd who has cared for the land in Sinjajevina for generations. Her family has worked this mountain range for years. She does all the hard work herself. That includes plowing fields for crops and moving herds of sheep across the hills. Life there is tough because the area is so remote.

Nada Stanišić lives with Gara. At first, it looks like Gara is Nada's mother. But the film shows that Gara raised Nada after taking her in. Nada's real mother, Mika, died. A photo of Mika hangs on the wall like a shrine. Gara stepped in because of family troubles, including abuse from men in the family. She became the main support for Nada and the community.

The film covers almost ten years. It shows Nada growing from a girl into a woman. Viewers see her lose some innocence but gain strength from Gara. The two women share close moments. They sleep in the same bed to stay warm at night. Nada washes Gara's hair. They care for each other and the land in the same way. This bond helps them face hard mountain life.

Sinjajevina faces a big threat. The military wants to turn it into a training zone. Reports say it's for NATO. The area has natural beauty and UNESCO protection. People there see no need to change it. Gara leads the fight against this. She rides horseback to gather neighbors. She makes plans without weapons. Instead, she uses local cheese to build support.

Key Details

Filmmakers Tutorov and Glomazić spent nearly a decade filming. They captured daily life and bigger struggles. The movie starts quiet. It shows farming and animal care. Gara and Nada tend sheep and make cheese. Then it shifts to activism. Gara talks to neighbors about rallies. Crowds chant to stay on the land. Tanks and helicopters appear more as the fight grows.

Gara shows real strength. She says she is not afraid because no one can beat her. Her words spread to others, including Nada. The girl learns self-reliance from watching Gara. The film mixes personal stories with wider issues. It touches on past violence from family and national conflicts. Gara keeps distance from stress. This lets her stay strong.

Cinematographer Eva Kraljević shot the film. Her work shows the mountain's beauty. Wide shots capture the landscape. Close-ups show close ties between people and animals. The pace follows real life. No big dramatic moves. Just steady resolve.

Award and Sales Move

At Sundance in January 2026, the film stood out in the World Cinema Documentary section. It won the top prize there. Judges saw it as a strong portrait of resilience. Now MetFilm Sales handles sales outside the US. The company knows documentaries well. They plan to pitch it at the European Film Market in Berlin. Buyers from around the world will see it then.

“I’m not worried for myself because no one can defeat me.” – Gara Jovanović

This line from Gara sums up her spirit. It comes during a moment when threats feel close. She tends her land despite it all.

What This Means

The deal with MetFilm opens doors for To Hold a Mountain. Festivals and theaters outside the US could screen it soon. Buyers at the European Film Market might pick it up for their countries. This could bring the story of Sinjajevina to more people. Viewers would learn about life in remote Montenegro. They would see women standing against big forces.

For Gara and Nada, more attention might help their cause. The film already shows some wins from their activism. Rallies drew crowds. Gara even faced military leaders on TV. Wider release could add pressure to keep the land safe. It highlights women's roles in protecting nature and each other. Not through myths or glory, but daily work and care.

Directors Tutorov and Glomazić aimed to avoid old rural stories. They focused on real bonds and endurance. The film's win at Sundance proves it worked. MetFilm's role means that message spreads further. The mountain fight goes on. Gara and Nada keep holding their ground. Their story now reaches global audiences through this sales deal.