International Competition 23° GPFF

Marche avec les loups

Jean-Michel Bertrand - France| 2020 | 88’

Expressing one man’s endless fascination with a canine still wrongly viewed as a mere predator, Wolf Walk takes us on a journey through the remotest areas of the French Alps, a road movie through the wilderness. A universal message is contained in this story of a man’s passionate love affair with nature.

Lost kings of Bioko

Oliver Goetzl - Germany | 2019 | 56’

Off the coast of Central Africa lies an isolated island, covered by primeval rainforest and surrounded by dark ocean waters, inhabited by a greater variety of species than nearly any other place on Earth this terra incognita is called BIOKO. The ruler of this realm is one of the world’s least known primate species, the drill. Historically revered, indigenous folklore tells us of a drill king who ruled the island’s forests, a place where drills still play a critical role in the health of an ecosystem known to scientists as a biodiversity hotspot. Bordering this kingdom is the black sand coastline, an ancient nesting ground for giant sea turtles and home to natural wonders. This film explores the secret lives of drills and their mysterious island home as we follow a family group and a newborn who discovers this tropical paradise with all its challenges for the first time.

Whale wisdom

Rick Rosenthal - Austria | 2018 | 50’

Whales live in a world so removed from our own that we can barely imagine their
lives. Marine biologist and filmmaker Rick Rosenthal has filmed whales for much of
his long career. Now he is on a quest to probe deeper into their lives, to learn more –
comparing scientists’ observations against his own experience – and just maybe,
getting a glimpse of the world as it must seem to these ocean giants.

Fjellrev, la quête scandinave

Baptiste Deturche - France | 2020 | 45’

The documentary follows the adventure of a filmmaker in search of the rare Arctic fox. His mission takes us to the northern lands to discover this native species, following in the footsteps of the experts involved in the protection of the animal, now at risk of extinction. The film explores the themes of climate change, environmental conservation and adventure.

Wild way of the Vikings

Nigel Pope & Jackie Savery - Scotland & UK | 2019 | 52’

Experience the natural world through the eyes of the Vikings, when nature meets history in a journey showcasing the wildlife of the North Atlantic. Combining blue-chip natural history filmmaking and dramatic recreations, we travel from Norway to Newfoundland, just as the seafaring warriors did in 1,000 A.D., to get a glimpse of the Vikings’ world in the Americas hundreds of years before Columbus. Experience the deep history and cultural respect the Vikings had with the land and sea: from the killer whales of the North Sea to the puffins and otters of the Scottish coast to the volcanic mounts of Iceland and the frozen tundra of Greenland. Go back to the age where Vikings ruled the northern seas; when their only compass was the birds in the sky and the whales pushing through the icy waters. Ewan McGregor narrates.

Quand les animaux emménagent en ville: la grande forêt de l'Est

Sébastien Lafont & Guy Beauché - France | 2018 | 48’

Over the last 40 years, more than half of the wildlife has disappeared and the number of endangered species keeps growing. Yet more and more countries are currently witnessing an explosion in their wildlife populations. This paradoxical phenomenon is most pronounced in the United States. While their natural habitat keeps shrinking, mooses, bears and coyotes seem able to adapt to living alongside humans in cities. News reports much damage caused by animals throughout the country. There are destruction of public areas, thousands of road accidents and a resurgence of zoonosis – animal diseases transmitted to humans. In an investigation by region – West coast, East coast and Central region – scientists and wildlife experts collect evidence, testimonies and news stock footage, so to understand how all that has happened. They all agree it is essential to learn how to share the territory with the animals. But better practices must be implemented.

The Elephant Queen

Mark Deeble & Victoria Stone - Kenya & UK | 2019 | 93’

A genre redefining film starring the ultimate leading lady, Athena, an elephant matriarch who will do everything in her power to protect her family when they are forced to leave their waterhole. Told by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this epic story of love, loss and coming home is a timely love letter to a species that could be gone from our planet in a generation.