IWFF47 Calendar

The white-tailed eagle is one of the largest birds of prey on the planet. Humans have long struck an uneasy relationship with this apex predator, persecuting it almost to extinction in Britain a century ago. The 1970s saw it brought back to our wild edges, but the return of this raptor sparked controversy, as accusations of livestock killings quickly surfaced from Scotland’s rural community. Pulling back the curtain on the reintroduction process, combining breathtaking visuals with heart-stopping action, this epic documentary ultimately asks--will we ever learn to live alongside the eagle with the sunlit eye? And what will we lose if we can’t?

Filmmaker and photographer Asgeir Helgestad documents the state of nature in his home country Norway. From the lives of bees at his farm, to wild reindeer on the high mountains, to puffins at the ocean’s edge, he shows the beauty of threatened nature and tracks down the human actions responsible for its decline. This is a personal story on our connection with the non-human world, the relations between the small and the big, and a reminder of nature’s strength and vulnerability.

In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths communicate a mysterious message. Two curious observers delve into this hidden world, revealing the secrets whispered by these enigmatic creatures. Nocturnes, the 2024 Sundance World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award winner, showcases the work of moth researchers in India, providing an immersive auditory experience for audiences. This one-of-a-kind film offers a rare insight into the world of these fascinating creatures. Through stunning visuals and captivating sound, the film transports viewers to a rarely-seen environment, offering a perspective on time that transcends our usual perception.

For years, Yves the painter and Olivier the photographer have traveled the world, meeting wildlife from one pole to the other, witnesses to the fragile beauty of the planet. But the two men share a common dream: to see a wolf pack live, grow, and spread out. One day, their search leads them to a hideout in no-man's-land between Finland and Russia. Over the seasons, they will stand in eight square meters of wood, silent amid an unchanging scenery, immersing themselves in the lives of the wolves.

A Note for Nature is both a celebration of wild Ireland and a call to arms. Come meet the remarkable people dedicating their lives to protect Ireland’s disappearing nature. And, through music from the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and stunning location performances from stellar musicians, we showcase some of Ireland’s most fragile wild places and the beleaguered animals that, somehow, manage to survive there.