Grand Prix NaturVision

Pride in Battle

Graeme Duane

This film by Graeme Duane and Stefania Muller, however, is different: it allows a deep look into the life of a pride of lions over the course of an entire year. Animal behavior so touching as never seen before – and a suspenseful story that enthralls the viewer. The pictures from Brad Bestelink`s camera are always at eye level with the lions – in close proximity, but never bloodthirsty.
There is no glossing over in this film; it is an opus, grand and breathtaking in its epic truthfulness.

2nd prize

The Broken Moon

Marcos Negrão and André Rangel, Enigma Filmes

This highly authentic documentary by Marcos Negrao and André Rangel takes us into an alpine world of sublime beauty which becomes the stage for a tragedy. A tragedy, exemplary of many others, for which we are all responsible.
Humbling and parable-like.

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Best German Documentary

Wildes Skandinavien – Finnland (Finland) 

Oliver Goetzl, NDR Naturfilm

The viewer is carried away to an enchanting Finland, into a fascinating world of images of untamed life in the North of Europe.
He witnesses the grunting love-making of bears, the daring jumps of goldeneye chicks out of their nests way up high and the red-throated loons` water ballet.
A kaleidoscope of animal stories and wonderful views of nature, in the rhythm of the seasons.

2nd prize

Series „Wildes Deutschland“ (“Wild Germany“)

Christoph Hauschild, Jan Haft, Thoralf Grospitz, Jens Westphalen, Klaus Weissmann
Arte, BR, NDR Naturfilm, WDR

From the Berchtesgaden region to the Black Forest, from the North Frisian Wadden landscape to the coast of West Pomerania and to the Spreewald, the film`s creators found areas in Germany where wood grouse and the like still find habitats and individuality, in the best sense of the word, was preserved.
The images` flawless beauty emphasizes that it is worthwhile to preserve these habitats in their diversity. Even though conflicts in the relationship between man and nature are not focused on explicitly, the message comes across loud and clear.
The film makers Christoph Hauschild, Jan Haft, Thoralf Grospitz, Jens Westphalen and Klaus Weissmann succeeded in creating a dazzling series, which presents each of these natural paradises in its uniqueness.

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Bavarian Award

Endowed with 2000 Euros by FFF Bayern

Wildes Deutschland – Die Berchtesgadener Alpen (The Berchtesgaden Alps)

Jan Haft, BR

To further ennoble and refine the image of the Berchtesgaden Alps – already a gem in  the Bavarian landscape – can only be achieved by Jan Haft with his distinctive powerful imagery: unpredictable and surprising, with breath-taking fast motion over mountains and valleys, with star appearances by grasshopper and daddy longlegs he creates an absolute feast for the eyes – musically interwoven with heavenly yodeling, music that seems to spring from the pictures – this film brings into bloom one of the very best parts of Bavaria.

2nd prize

Fischotter – Kluge Schwimmer (Otters – Clever Swimmers)

Markus Schmidbauer, BR

A very loving, entertaining and informative film that introduces us to the protected otter and gives us a greater understanding of this clever and extremely talented water inhabitant.
The film creates fascination with this animal unknown to many people though it lives in our neighborhood. We are especially pleased to be able to award a prize to the project described in the film, which is located in the Bavarian Forest National Park. 

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Special Prize of the Jury

Die 4. Revolution – Energy Autonomy

Carl-A. Fechner, fechnerMEDIA

“Free energy for all!“ is the motto of this documentary. And that says it all: the film is a political statement, it has a message.
It was never the director`s intention to make a balanced film about the energy turnaround.
The film does not discuss objections, it does not consider.
On the contrary: the viewer sees everything through the rose-colored glasses of those who campaign for renewable energies. And make money with them.
All this did not keep the jury from awarding a special prize to this film.
For why, in the times of Fukushima, energy turnaround and climate change, should a film not be allowed to “fight back” with the same means as employed by industrial and advertising films? That is, with high-gloss esthetics and intentional one-sidedness?

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Best Camera

Ungarn – Wildnis zwischen Donau und Theiß (Hungary – Wilderness Between Danube and Tisza)

Jan Henriksson & Zoltan Török, NDR Naturfilm

The film “Hungary – Wilderness Between Danube and Tisza“ tells in impressive pictures about Hungary`s natural diversity, its wealth of animals and habitats in proximity to water. The pictures are memorable and stay with the viewer.
Strong images of a sometimes mythical and strange world that pique the viewer`s curiosity.

2nd prize

Fledermäuse – Warte, bis es dunkel wird (Bats – Wait till Dark)

Dietmar Nill, Brian McClatchy & Volker Arzt, WDR

This documentary offers views of hunting bats as have never before been captured on film. The problems presented by night-time darkness were solved with great competence.
Our eyes follow the superb camera work wonderingly:
Bats chase, hover over, flutter around and catch moths. New glimpses into a dark world!

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Best Story

Jaguar – Heimlicher Jäger hautnah (Jaguar – Stealthy Hunter Up Close)

Christian Baumeister, NDR Naturfilm

A captivatingly told story about the search for a phantom.
And the camera of animal film maker Christian Baumeister tells more – also the little stories about the mysterious world of the Pantanal in Brazil`s South, the realm of that continent`s largest cat.
The story of this difficult search is authentic and holds the viewer in its grip.

2nd prize

Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison

Doug Hawes-Davies

The film “Facing the Storm“, in telling the story of the American bison, takes on a very complex subject.
The film succeeds in balancing the historical context, the animal`s cultural importance to the North American indigenous people as well as these animals` allure and magical strength.
It describes the dramatic connection between the disappearance of the bison’s, the North American prairies and the Indians, the desperate struggle of a few against the bison’s` annihilation as well as the ignorance in large segments of the population that reaches into the present.
The film creates respect for these fascinating animals and their societal dimension, with a very special diversity and accuracy of cinematic techniques and with always memorable, strong images.

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Best Conservation/Sustainability Film

The Eagles Return – Ireland´s Lost Birds Fight Back

John Murray

This film about the reintroduction of white-tailed sea eagles, golden eagles and red kites in Ireland is an exciting adventure, illustrated with first-class nature film photography.
Slow-motion pictures of mystical grandeur – one could watch forever!
This species-protection film also captures its audience thanks to bold biologists of whom the viewer immediately grows fond: unpretentious and relaxed, but with their goal of bringing these birds of prey back to their ancestral land firmly in sight.
But the path to success is, as everyone knows, rocky and difficult, especially in Ireland.
Such a film as part of a nationwide species protection campaign – it doesn`t get any better.

2nd prize

die story: Verdienen, verheimlichen, verschmutzen – BP und das Ölleck (the story: Money Making, Cover-ups, Pollution: BP and the Oil Spill)

Volker Barth, WDR

The oil streamed for months out of the exploded drill hole in the Gulf of Mexico. This documentary shows the consequences: for the sea, the humans, the crabs.
Because for quite some time now, damage has not only been caused by the black plague but even more by the oil slick dispersant Correxit.
This film reports in plain language about BP`s threats, gag orders and lies. 

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Expedition Adventure Award

Expedition 50° - Auf dem Breitengrad der Extreme: Kamtschatka (Expedition 50° - On the Latitude of Extremes – Kamchatka)

Felix Heidinger, BR

What do Kamchatka`s snow-covered, smoking volcanic vents have in common with Mainz – yes, with the city of Mainz in Rhineland-Palatinate? It is an invisible line that connects the two – the 50th degree of northern latitude. A smart film idea for an expedition, adventures are preprogrammed, one thinks…
However, the story that develops on Kamchatka becomes a very different one: Suddenly the expedition and the film crew take backstage, even the breathtaking shots of the powerful Kamchatka bears appear relative – in comparison to the story of their ranger, who has lived for decades in close contact with the bears in the wilderness. The bears` guardian tells his own story: once he was their worst enemy, as hunter he shot countless animals. A jolting confession that sheds new light on the relationship between man and nature – seldom has an expedition documentary been so moving.

2nd prize:

In the category “Expedition Adventure” the jury did not award a second prize this year.

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Best Children’s Film

Julius wird Bienenkönig (Julius Becomes King of the Bees)

Petra Bertram, MDR

As Julius takes charge of a bee colony, he realizes how heavy the responsibility of taking care of a colony of bees weighs. We worry with Julius, a friendly, likable boy, who doesn`t take his new job lightly. Casually and with a light hand the film conveys a great deal of knowledge about bees and lets us experience how Julius masters this challenge.
In the end, he not only reaps several kilograms of honey. He has become richer in every respect – a true king of the bees.
Unexcitedly artless and lovable – outstanding children`s programming.

2nd prize: Die Sendung mit der Maus – Im Märzen der Bauer ... Ein Jahr mit Armin

Jan Marschner, WDR

A field in desolate brown; chewing cows standing around in the barn and a farmer who sits down in front of the computer first thing in the morning – that is spring on the modern ecofarm.
Actually completely sober – if it weren`t for The Program with the Mouse – and thus also Armin.
Full of humor and enchantingly told, Armin leads the audience through an entire farming year.

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Newcomers and Amateurs Award

Endowed with an editing software from Avid Technology GmbH

The jury has not awarded a first prize in the category “Newcomers and Amateurs” this year – because none of the films submitted in this category seemed outstanding in its make-up and imagery to the members of the jury.

2nd prize

Hamadzayn Chem – Do you approve killing them?

SunChild Eco-Club Yerevan

A stirring film made by students from Armenia: with gripping pictures, so realistic that it hurts to look at them.
The film is about the fate of the stray dogs in the streets of Armenia`s capital Yerevan – without any glossing over or cinematic hocus-pocus.
What is better – to shoot the dogs or to let them have a miserable existence in a cage?
The film`s answer to this question is unequivocal but not one-sided.
An unusual entry, made with a great deal of commitment which this award is meant to support.

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Audience Award

Our audience has chosen its favorite: the audience award goes to Herbert Ostwald for “Affenalarm – Die Pavianpolizei am Tafelberg“(“ Monkey Alarm – The Baboon Police on Table Mountain“)