Best of Fest + Feature
Snow Leopard Sisters
Jury statement
In a year of extraordinary filmmaking, this film struck the jury unanimously as the definitive choice for Best Feature and Best of Festival. The narrative cleverly weaves complex human struggles—gender, tradition, and poverty—with the urgency of conserving the snow leopards of Dolpo before they vanish.
We follow Tshiring Lhamu Lama across treacherous mountain passes, baby on her back, as she mentors a young woman who has lost her livelihood and more to a leopard attack. Through this journey, Tshiring works to replace her community’s deep-seated fear of leopards, and her mentee digs deep for the strength to escape a forced marriage.
Perfectly paced, the film balances the external drama of the high Himalayas with the internal growth of these two sisters. As they navigate adversity with incredible bravery, the snow leopard itself emerges as a powerful symbol of shared resilience. The innovative, community-led conservation efforts offer a hopeful vision for the future. Overall, in Snow Leopard Sisters, the struggle for gender equity and the fight for species survival converge into a single, breathtaking mission.
Best Short
SLOOT – Life in the Ditch
Jury statement
In the short category, SLOOT – Life in the Ditch succeeds by performing a brilliant act of re-enchantment, turning the overlooked drainage ditch into a dramatic scene where high-stakes ecology unfolds. With intimate cinematography and a narrative that finds wonder in the weeds, it manages to capture the complexity of biodiversity in a context that most people simply see as utilitarian.
Best of Short Short
Red Wolf in Time Out
Jury statement
In the short category, Red Wolf in Time Out struck the jury as a masterclass in impactful storytelling. The film brilliantly distills one of North America’s most complex conservation crises into a narrative that is as scientifically grounded as it is visually charming. Its vibrant, imaginative animation and witty writing offer a refreshing departure from the “doom and gloom” often found in endangered species media; this film is not “medicine,” but a genuine piece of entertainment with a message.
The film’s true genius lies in its perspective. By framing the red wolf’s precarious existence through the lens of a “time out,” as told by an 11-year-old, it creates an accessible entry point for viewers of all ages to engage with challenging concepts like territory, recovery, and human-wildlife conflict. Perfectly paced, it is a fleeting yet powerful burst of creativity that lingers long after the credits roll.
Red Wolf in Time Out is more than just a brief encounter; it proves that a feature-length runtime is not required to tell a truly engaging, complex conservation story. The jury was unanimous: this is short-form filmmaking at its absolute finest.
Best Series
Kingdom of Fish
Jury statement
This episode manages to distill the staggering complexity of aquatic ecosystems into a narrative that is both visually breathtaking and scientifically based. We are drawn in by the young character, Edvin, and his interest in restoring a fish migration route. This film uses state-of-the-art cinematography and a beautiful cinematic score to move the story forward. It offers a refreshing and urgent deep dive into the often-overlooked world of freshwater and marine biology. By framing the lives of its aquatic subjects through the lens of both ancient evolutionary triumph and modern environmental peril, it engages viewers of all ages and grapples with the concepts of migration, reproduction, and the delicate connectivity of our waterways.
Best New Vision
Rock Pool
Jury statement
In the New Vision category, Rock Pool struck the jury as a bold reimagining of the natural history short. The film transforms a postage-stamp “footprint” of the ocean (tide pool) into a vast theater of survival. Through incredible macro-cinematography and a rhythmic, non-linear approach, it makes the viewer abandon their human-centric point of view and inhabit a miniature universe that is at once alien and beautiful.
The film’s true genius lies in its sensory immersion. By stripping away traditional “Voice of God” narration, the film relies on a sophisticated, visceral soundscape to drive the story forward. This approach encourages viewers to engage with the concepts of resilience and the fragile architecture of the intertidal zone. It is perfectly paced—a truly impactful sensory experience.
Best Student
COLOURISE: Exploring the Magical World of Biofluorescence
Jury statement
Colourise: Exploring the Magical World of Biofluorescence stands out as a student film that pairs striking visuals and strong storytelling with a passionate protagonist, revealing the hidden beauty of biofluorescence in a way that inspires curiosity, awe, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world that we cannot typically see with our own eyes.
Best Youth Program
Escape
Jury statement
Escape brings the green and golden bell frog’s fight against a deadly fungus to life in a way that is engaging, accessible, and hopeful for young audiences, while showing how science and creativity can help solve conservation challenges.
Best Animal Behavior
Heart of a Lion
Jury statement
Heart of a Lion is the Animal Behavior Award winner for its captivating storytelling and remarkable footage of mountain lions. The film offers an intimate look at their behavior, revealing the intelligence, resilience, and complexity of one of North America’s most elusive predators while helping change the narrative that mountain lions are solitary animals.
Best Living with Wildlife
In the Path of Giants
Jury statement
In the Path of Giants was selected for the Living with Wildlife category for its powerful and deeply human portrayal of how environmental pressure, displacement, and wildlife conservation collide in one of the world’s most complex landscapes. By presenting multiple perspectives without judgment, the film illustrates how environmental challenges can intensify social and ethnic tensions, creating a situation where no group emerges unscathed.
What sets In the Path of Giants apart is that it shows how the fate of wild elephants is inseparable from the lives of the people who share their habitat, and how conservation cannot succeed without addressing human needs, dignity, and survival. In the Path of Giants embodies the essence of this category by revealing that living with wildlife is as much about people as it is about protecting nature.
Best Sustainable Planet
SPILLOVER – Planet of Viruses
Jury statement
Spillover – Planet of Viruses is a timely and compelling look at how and why deadly pathogens move from wildlife to humans. The film is informative and pushes viewers to think more critically about prevention, responsibility, and our relationship with the natural world.
Best Wildlife Conservation
Nuisance Bear
Jury statement
Nuisance Bear was selected as the winner of the Wildlife Conservation category for its honest, nuanced portrayal of the complex challenges facing polar bears in the greater Churchill region. The film goes beyond simply documenting a species at risk; it thoughtfully explores the intersection of climate change, wildlife management, and human communities. The use of the narration of a member of one of the First Nations communities, especially his personal tragedy involving a nuisance bear, adds to the emotional attachment to the film.
