22nd Matsalu Nature Film Festival
September 25 - October 6 2024 in Lihula & across Estonia
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 LayDespite the extreme journey the cinematographer has managed to capture the wild nature in its true beauty in a visually exciting and magical way.Read more
2023
Best Director (Nature)
Cactus Hotel
Director Yann SochaczewskiThe 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.Read more
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Special Jury Prize (Nature)
The Raven's Tale
Director Michael SchlambergerAn 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.Read more
2023
2023
Special Jury Prize (Man and Nature)
Mongolia, Valley of the Bears
Director Hamid SardarA 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.Read more
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Special Mention (Man and Nature)
The Illusion of Abundance
Director Erika Gonzalez Ramirez & Matthieu LietaertA powerful investigative documentary that highlights the work of brave women who stand up for the environment, also protecting their land and our planet.Read more
2023
Best Director (Man and Nature)
New Pigs on the Block
Director Jimmy KetsA 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.Read more
2023
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Grand Prix
New Pigs on the Block
Director Jimmy KetsAn 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.Read more
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Special Mention (Nature)
A Rhino's Life
Director Rosie Koch and Roland GockelAn 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.Read more
2023
Best Editing (Nature)
Wolf
Director Cees van KempenA 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.Read more
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Best Cinematography (Nature)
Wolf
Director Cees van KempenThe cinematographers have lensed the story in a manner that is consistently artistic, technically excellent, and that remains faithful to its subject matter. Read more
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