22nd Matsalu Nature Film Festival

September 25 - October 6 2024 in Lihula & across Estonia

Call for Entries Open! >>

 

 
Filmmakers, the jury and the festival's organizing team at the award gala on 23.09.2023 in Lihula Cultural Centre
Photo: Jaan Künnap

 

Award Winners 2023

Best Cinematography (Man and Nature)

A White Dream

Director Mathieu Le Lay

Despite the extreme journey the cinematographer has managed to capture the wild nature in its true beauty in a visually exciting and magical way.
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2023

Best Director (Nature)

Cactus Hotel

Director Yann Sochaczewski

The directors innovative and humorous approach to the subject has crafted an exciting story of complex co-existence in a challenging habitat. The jury was impressed by the bold and original storytelling.
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2023

2023

Tallinn Zoo Special Prize

Cactus Hotel

Director Yann Sochaczewski


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2023

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Special Jury Prize (Nature)

The Raven's Tale

Director Michael Schlamberger

An original and inventive take on the wildlife film genre that draws us into the fairytale world of a familiar landscape. The film tackled contemporary issues such as climate change and species loss, in a subtle but powerful way that would reach a broad audience, both young and old.
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2023

Matsalu National Park Special Prize

Return of the White-tailed Eagle

Director Jouni Hiltunen


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2023

Special Jury Prize (Man and Nature)

Mongolia, Valley of the Bears

Director Hamid Sardar

A good documentary in its truest sense. The film has many strong emotions and unexpected twists. It has a good main character, who stands with great passion for the wilderness of his homeland, fighting against illegal activity and seeking balance between different opinions.
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2023

Estonian Fund for Nature Special Prize

Where do frogs come from?

Director Hannes Rohtma


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2023

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Audience Award

Where do frogs come from?

Director Hannes Rohtma


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2023

2023

Special Mention (Man and Nature)

The Illusion of Abundance

Director Erika Gonzalez Ramirez & Matthieu Lietaert

A powerful investigative documentary that highlights the work of brave women who stand up for the environment, also protecting their land and our planet.
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2023

Grand Prix

New Pigs on the Block

Director Jimmy Kets

An exquisitely crafted story in which we, as the human and viewer, are forced to question our relation with animals whether they be wild or domestic. The films balance is achieved through a mastery of its form; it’s sound design, cinematography, and storytelling are outstanding. Despite the lack of a human narrator, the story is provocative, and through the animals perspective perhaps we learn something about ourselves.
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2023

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2023

Best Director (Man and Nature)

New Pigs on the Block

Director Jimmy Kets

A masterpiece of author cinema that offers the viewers a true artistic and emotionally touching experience. It shakes our world view and in addition to the animals the film tells a lot about us. It is a big story shot in a limited space.
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2023

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Sunly Special Prize

New Pigs on the Block

Director Jimmy Kets

Grant of 1000 Euros from Sunly
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2023

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Special Mention (Nature)

A Rhino's Life

Director Rosie Koch and Roland Gockel

An accomplished and beautifully crafted portrait of the surprisingly gentle side of one of our planets most threatened iconic species. Here we learn that big does not have to mean clumsy.
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2023

Best Editing (Nature)

Wolf

Director Cees van Kempen

A film that artfully combines music and the moving image to create an immersive and captivating cinematic experience. The rhythm of the storytelling balances both the beautiful orchestral score and the films cinematography, leaving space for their interplay. The film opens up the possibilities of sharing living space between an animal considered dangerous, and a human.
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2023

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Ministry of Climate Special Prize

Wolf

Director Cees van Kempen


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2023

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Best Cinematography (Nature)

Wolf

Director Cees van Kempen

The cinematographers have lensed the story in a manner that is consistently artistic, technically excellent, and that remains faithful to its subject matter.
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2023

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Narma Special Prize

Wolf

Director Cees van Kempen

Grant of 1000 Euros from Narma
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Supporters

Lihula Gümnaasium · Lihula Raamatukogu · Lääneranna Noortekeskus