Best of Fest
Lost Wolves of Yellowstone
Jury statement:
This epic, emotionally resonant film captures one of the most ambitious and controversial wildlife reintroduction efforts in modern history. Through immersive archival footage and the deeply human story of biologist Mollie Beattie, the film brings the return of wolves to Yellowstone to life with both grandeur and intimacy. For its masterful storytelling, emotional resonance, and profound exploration of ecological restoration, the jury is honored to award it Best of Fest.
Best Feature
Out of Plain Sight
Jury statement:
“Out of Plain Sight” is a gripping and urgent exposé that brings long-buried environmental crimes to the surface with cinematic precision and investigative depth. Through haunting imagery and unflinching journalism, the film confronts the scale and secrecy of oceanic toxic waste dumping just off the California coast. For its courageous storytelling, revelatory reporting, and lasting impact, the jury is proud to honor “Out of Plain Sight” with the Best Feature award.
Best Short
The Last Observers
Jury statement:
“The Last Observers” is a quietly endearing and profound portrait of devotion—to each other, to nature, and to the passage of time. With tenderness and restraint, the film captures a couple’s unwavering commitment to daily bird observations over decades, set against the windswept beauty of Falsterbo, Sweden. It’s a moving meditation on love, routine, and the quiet heroism of bearing witness. For its emotional resonance and elegant storytelling, the jury is proud to award “The Last Observers” Best Short.
Best Short Short
On the 8th Day
Jury statement:
“On the 8th Day” takes viewers on a spectacular and devastating journey through the creation and unraveling of our natural world. Utilizing novel animation and a compelling score to drive its narration, the film allows audiences to become lost in the spectacular and interconnected beauty of creation before introducing a new thread of darkness and destruction that arrives as a direct result of human action. Relating a monumental tale within the confines of a few minutes, the jury is proud to honor “On the 8th Day” with the Best Short-Short Award.
Best Series
Ireland’s Wild Islands
Jury statement:
This series transported us to windswept and wild islands, where ancient monasteries cling to cliffs and wild seas harbor secrets both mythical and ecological. What stood out to us the most was the enchanting blend of history, folklore, and rare wildlife behavior—a hallmark of the genre, but here delivered with an especially distinctive voice.
The storytelling shines in its ability to reveal a lesser-seen side of Ireland. These remote islands, teeming with life from land, sea, and sky, serve as vibrant sanctuaries for species nearly lost. From Manx shearwaters to humpback whales, each creature is given its due—framed not only by expert cinematography but also by immersive music and narration that root the viewer deeply in Irish culture.
What truly sets this series apart is its ability to marry myth and science, landscape and legend, to show us that even in places once scarred by deforestation, nature can return—and thrive. For its rich storytelling, cinematic beauty, and reverence for Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage, we are proud to award this year’s Best Series to “Ireland’s Wild Islands.”
Best Student Film
Even So
Jury statement:
Rarely are we presented with positive stories of coexistence between humans and top predators. “Even So” offers a compelling look at the people of Charotar, Gujarat, who live mostly in harmony with marsh crocodiles—an anomaly in a world where human-wildlife conflict is often the norm.
Instead of focusing on fear or conflict, the filmmaker highlights respect, cultural integration, and intergenerational education—showing how coexistence is not only possible but thriving. “Even So” is a powerful reminder of the role grassroots conservation and community values play in shaping a better future for all species.
As a student film, we were especially impressed by the level of research, filmmaking prowess, and storytelling skills on display. Director Meghna Nandy shows immense promise, and we’re proud to recognize her work with the Best Student Film award.
Best Youth Program
Tule
Jury statement:
Combining engaging visuals and wonderfully accessible storytelling, “Tule” is a fable of heartbreak and hope. Filled with educational content and outstanding animation, the film takes young audiences through the tale of the Tule weed of Clear Lake, highlighting both its environmental importance and cultural significance to the Native American peoples who continue to raise families there. It is a stunning portrayal of the devastating consequences human actions can have and a potent reminder that—like the Tule—our world is never without hope. The jury is pleased to present “Tule” with the Best Youth Program Award.
Best New Vision Program
Wander Alone
Jury statement:
As beautiful as it is heartbreaking, “Wander Alone” tells the tragic story of the Northern White Rhinoceros. The film is a stark portrayal of a species on the verge of certain extinction that forces audiences to reexamine any preconceived notions of what it means to truly exist, poetically navigating the fragility of life in a rapidly changing world and the insidious loneliness of all living things are being forced to endure as a result of humanity’s impact on our world. For its innovation, emotional impact, and thematic insight, the jury is proud to recognize “Wander Alone” as the Best New Vision Program.
Best Living with Wildlife Program
The Shepherd and the Bear
Jury statement:
Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Pyrenees, “The Shepherd and the Bear” offers an intimate, emotionally layered portrait of a community navigating the delicate balance between tradition and coexistence with wildlife. Through patient, immersive filmmaking, the director reveals the quiet tensions and unexpected connections between an aging shepherd, a curious teenager, and the returning brown bears. For its nuance in capturing the subtle rhythms of rural life and the complex realities of living alongside wild animals, the jury proudly honors “The Shepherd and the Bear” with the Best Living With Wildlife Program award.
Best Animal Behavior Program
Animal Pride
Jury statement:
This year’s award for Best Animal Behavior goes to a film that not only presents rare and revelatory wildlife footage but also with a bold, fresh voice that challenges long-held assumptions in science and storytelling alike. Led by the insightful and refreshingly unfiltered Connel Bradwell, “Animal Pride” takes viewers on a journey into a world that’s always been there, just rarely acknowledged: the wild and wonderful queerness of nature. This project doesn’t just share groundbreaking science—it challenges us to expand our view of nature, revealing a world that’s always been more complex and queer than traditional science has let on.
We were struck by the film’s electric energy, clever pacing, vibrant visuals, and infectious sense of humor. But more than that, it offered a truly unique and necessary perspective—one that fits squarely within this festival’s mission to challenge conventional expectations about how we conserve wildlife and habitat. The film not only deepens our knowledge of animal behavior but also advocates for greater inclusivity and honesty in science itself.
Shining a spotlight on what has long been hidden or ignored, this film allows audiences to fall in love with nature again—this time with a fuller, more honest picture. For all of these reasons, we’re thrilled to honor “Animal Pride” with the Best Animal Behavior award.
Best Wildlife Conservation Program
The Little Brown Bird
Jury statement:
Conserving a species on the brink of extinction is not for the faint of heart. It requires grit, resilience, and a willingness to confront heartbreak head-on. With Fabby—a passionate and tireless Biologist—at the helm, “The Little Brown Bird” brings a deeply human perspective to the science of conservation, blending emotional honesty with a spirit of resilience.
What struck us most was the way the film captures not only the urgency of the conservation effort, but also the remarkable coalition of people rallying behind one unassuming little brown bird. Pilots, cowboys, and scientists—unlikely allies—come together with a shared mission, revealing the unexpected power of a species to unite communities across disciplines and backgrounds.
The film’s tone is vibrant and full of life. Through lively music, sweeping prairie landscapes, thoughtful observations of the sparrows at the heart of this work, and the determined efforts led by Fabby, the film offers a vision of conservation that is both grounded in data and lifted by optimism.
By the end, we found ourselves seeing prairies differently—more intimately—and carrying a new appreciation for the delicate, determined creatures that call them home. For its emotional depth, storytelling craft, and inspiring portrayal of collaborative conservation, we are honored to present this award to a film that is a perfect fit for Best Wildlife Conservation Program.
Best Sustainable Planet Program
Frozen Frames: Murphy’s Yellowstone
Jury statement:
“Frozen Frames: Murphy’s Yellowstone” is a breathtaking profile of photographer Tom Murphy, who has dedicated his life to photographing and advocating for the wildlife of Yellowstone. Following Murphy as he ventures deep into the most remote regions of Yellowstone National Park in the dead of winter, the film provides an intimate profile of a remarkable and tenacious artist committed to protecting what is still truly wild. From stunning cinematography to impactful narration, the film is a powerful reminder of the impact a single individual can have on the way we view our world. The jury is honored to recognize “Frozen Frames: Murphy’s Yellowstone” as the Best Sustainable Planet Program.
Special Jury Award
Birdsong
Jury statement:
“Birdsong” is a powerful exploration of nature through the ears of ornithologist Seán Ronayne, whose mission to record every bird species in Ireland becomes a profound act of listening. With a deeply personal lens and an extraordinary sensitivity to sound, the film invites us to experience wild places not just through sight, but through the subtle symphonies of the natural world. The filmmaker’s poetic and immersive approach reminds us that to truly understand nature, we must learn to hear it. For its originality, emotional depth, and unique sensory perspective, the jury is honored to present “Birdsong” with the Special Jury Award.
