This is the laudatio of the jury:

What fascinates us about nature films? Does a film have that ‘special something’ that inspires and entertains us; do we ask ourselves - ‘How did the makers capture these images? The film, which was awarded the main prize for ‘Best Wildlife Film’, delivers fascinating images and inspires us with perspectives that we rarely get to see in this way. The film entertains, surprises and amazes us - why? The animal protagonists direct the film, release the camera and give us a glimpse into their world.With this film, the director has created a magnificent work about nature on our doorstep that we will be talking about for a long time to come.

The ‘Best Film “Wild Nature” 2024 Award goes to: Axel Gebauer and ‘The Secret World of Animals - Between Water and Woods’

This is the laudatio of the jury:

This film opens a window into a world that usually remains hidden. How do animals behave when we humans are supposedly not looking? They become the directors of their own home story - unadulterated, authentic and raw. They set the pace of the narrative and show themselves to be completely ‘private’. This is the great strength of this film: it brings us very close to this private life with a wink and empathy, thereby providing surprising insights. But as masterful as the animals are in front of the camera, the work of the people behind the film is just as impressive. Whether it's the elaborate post-production, the extraordinary drone shots or the perfectly positioned cameras - they set new standards in technical observation possibilities. The filmmakers' performance is outstanding on all levels, and yet their work always remains grounded and approachable. This film proves once again that there is still much to discover even on our own doorstep.

Wild Secrets nominated for the Panda Awards 2024

The Panda Awards are the highest honour in the global wildlife and environmental film industry. You could call them the Oscars of nature film.

In 2024 out of the 300+ submissions from 37 countries, finally 36 films shone the brightest, featured the very best craft and surprised the jury with their achievements. Our "WILD SECRETS, BETWEEN WATER AND WOODS" is nominated in the top categorie "Behaviour Award".

It will be shown in October in Bristol at the Wildscreen Festival, the world's leading international festival about nature films.

Please cross your fingers that our "Secrets" will return with a nature film Oscar!

Our "Secrets" nominated again

We submitted our film “Die geheime Welt der Tiere” for three German Film Awards.

Part 1 "Unter Wölfen" has been nominated in 2 categories for the Green Screen Award.

and will be shown at the Green Screen Festival in Eckernförde (11.-15.09.2024).

and now also at the European Wildlife Film Awards. The award ceremony weekend will take place in February 2025.

Part 2 “Zwischen Wasser und Wald” has been nominated for the German NaturFilmPreis.

and will be shown at the Darsser Naturfilm Festival (01.-06.10.2024).

Finally my showreel is finished!

Thanks to the creative and professional work of Mirco Tribanek.

Enjoy!

...some of my “best of” and a few funny "making of" shots

from Germany, Russia, USA, Bhutan, Nepal and India.