The 36^th Annual International Wildlife Film Festival is thrilled to announce this year’s award winners! Awards were presented at a First Friday ceremony on May 3^rd at the Roxy Theater in Missoula, MT. The Missoula Community Foundation generously sponsored the evening’s festivities.

The 2013 IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Marine Conservation & Media was awarded to Howard & Michele Hall whose aquatic film work has dramatically expanded our understanding of ocean environments.

As filmmakers and as conservationists, their films and television programs are a testament to the ability of film to convey our understanding of the natural world. The Halls have received seven Emmy Awards and numerous other honors, and they have authored many books and articles about their incredible experiences diving in the world’s oceans.

The Halls have worked on IMAX® films including Into the Deep, Island of the Sharks, and Lost Worlds: Life In Balance. With MacGillivray Freeman Films, Howard photographed spectacular underwater sequences for the Academy Award® nominated film The Living Sea and more recently for Journey Into Amazing Caves. Coral Reef Adventure is the first time the talented pair has worked behind the camera and in front of it.

The IWFF also recognized Mateus Mutemba of the Gorongosa Restoration Project, as the recipient of the 2013 Hero Of The Year Award.

Mateus is the Park Administrator of Gorongosa National Park, and has been with the project for over six years. The rehabilitation of Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique represents one of the great conservation opportunities in the world. Gorongosa is a region of magnificent and critical species, tremendous diversity, and ecological features found nowhere else on earth.

Mateus’ grandfather was one of the founders of the independence movement in Mozambique. Continuing the family tradition of honoring his country’s heritage, Mateus works closely with The Carr Foundation and the government of Mozambique to protect and restore the ecosystem of Gorongosa and to develop an ecotourism industry to benefit local communities.

2013 IWFF AWARD WINNERS

Lifetime Achievement Award

Natural history filmmakers and photographers Howard and Michele Hall

Conservationist Hero of The Year Award

Mateus Mutemba, for his extraordinary work with the Gorongosa Restoration Project

Save Our Seas® Award

Hot Tuna (2012)

Rick Rosenthal

This is the story of the tuna, one of the fastest, most powerful and most intelligent fishes in the sea. It’s also the most highly prized, worth more than its weight in silver, and is being fished to the brink of extinction.

Best Cinematography – a tie

The Last Lions

Dereck and Beverly Joubert, 2011

 From the lush wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta comes the tale of a lion mother who must battle against the odds to protect her cubs.

Best Cinematography – a tie

Siberian Tiger Quest

Sooyong Park, 2012

In a remote forest wilderness in Russia, one man dedicated five years of his life to living in immense solitude in order to capture on film for the first time multiple families of Siberian tigers. Before he departs from this demanding task, he shows another filmmaker his art of observation and tracking, so that these amazing creatures can continue to be filmed. 

Best Score

Kangaroo Dundee

Andrew Graham-Brown and Tom Mustill, 2013

This is the story of an Australian outbacker who founded a baby orphan kangaroo center to prepare these marsupials for the hazards of the wild.

Best Editing

The Last Lions
Dereck and Beverly Joubert, 2011

Best Sound Design

The Last Lions
Dereck and Beverly Joubert, 2011

Best Film

The Last Lions

Dereck and Beverly Joubert, 2011

Best in Category: Presenter/Host

Siberian Tiger Quest

Chris Morgan, 2012

Best in Category: Human/Wildlife Interaction

Siberian Tiger Quest

Mike Birkhead and Joe Loncraine, 2012

Best in Category: Environmental

Wild Things

Daniel Hinerfeld and Molly O’Brien, 2013

Best in Category: POV and Conservation

Battle for Elephants

John Heminway, 2013

Best in Category: Television Program Over $500,000

Cold Warriors: Wolves and Buffalo

Jeff Turner, 2013

Best in Category: TV Program: $250,000-$500,000

An Original DUCKumentary

Ann Johnson Prum, 2012

Best in Category: Television Program Under $250,000

Hunting the Ice Whales

Max Quinn, 2012

Best in Category: TV Series

Kangaroo Dundee

Andrew Graham-Brown and Tom Mustill, 2013

Best in Category: Theatrical Release

The Last Lions

Dereck and Beverly Joubert, 2011

Best in Category: Independent

Silver of the Sea

Are Pilskog, 2012

PRELIMINARY JUDGES

The IWFF preliminary judging process is a rigorous and thorough approach to programming the best films for our event. The festival relies on local and regional community members to participate in preliminary judging panels. Over the course of each two-day panel session, judges screen and discuss film entries, and determine as a group which films will pass forward to the final judging panel.

FESTIVAL JUDGES

The International Wildlife Film Festival appreciates the hard work and thoughtful consideration of this year’s esteemed panel of festival judges:

Susannah Smith, Conservationist

Martin Hammond, Media Consultant, MJH Media

Judith Curran, Producer/Filmmaker, NHNZ

Antonia Wolf, Wildlife Photographer, Independent

David Wright, Cinematographer, Planet Earth Pictures

(Photo credits: Slikati Photography)

Saturday, May 4 at the IWFF

* Best of Fest Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses.

11:00 a.m. – An Original DUCKumentary (55 min.) w/ The Silver of the Sea (29 min.)  Theater 1

11:15 a.m. – Kangaroo Dundee Ep 1&2  (120 min.)  Theater 2

1:00 p.m. – Siberian Tiger Quest (56 min.) w/ Wild Things (39 min.)  Theater 1

1:15 p.m. – Hunting the Ice Whales (52 min.)  Theater 2

3:00 p.m. – Cold Warriors: Wolves and Buffalo (56 min.)  Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – The Last Lions (87 minutes)  Theater 2

5:00 p.m. – Water Worlds (60 min.)  Theater 1

5:15 p.m. – Battle for Elephants (57 min.)  Theater 2

* Closing Day Fiesta *

9:00 – 11:00 p.m., The Empanada Joint [123 E Main S], open to registered delegates.

¡Just in time for Cinco De Mayo! Enjoy live salsa music by Trio Loco and celebrate this year’s festival.

(Photo from The Last Lions)

Friday, May 3 at the IWFF

* Industry Workshop *

10:00 a.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins].

* Industry Panel – Ethical Dilemmas in Wildlife Film *

1:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins]

Moderator Michael Parfit talks with this panel about the ethical issues facing today’s wildlife filmmakers.

* Festival Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses.

3:00 p.m. – The Emerald Band (60 min.)  Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – The Secret Life of Whitetails (54 min.) w/ Yak Herder’s Son (25 min.)  Theater 2

7:00 p.m. – The Last Ocean (88 min.)  Theater 1

7:15 p.m. – Siberian Tiger Quest (56 min.) w/ Return to the Forest (30 min.)  Theater 2

* IWFF Awards Reception*

5:00 – 7:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins], free and open to the public.

Come celebrate our 36th annual festival award winners and enjoy live music by Britchy. Part of the Missoula First Friday events.

(Photo credit: John Weller, from The Last Ocean)

Thursday, May 2 at the IWFF

* Special Seminar – Making Film in a Spiritual Way *

10:00 a.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins].

Speakers Silas Hagerty & Jim Miller share their experience of making an award winning documentary about the execution of 38 Dakota warriors, ordered by Abraham Lincoln on December 26, 1862. Their journey retraces 330 miles on horseback from Lower Brule, South Dakota to Mankato, Minnesota to arrive at the hanging site on the anniversary of the execution.

* Industry Panel – Poaching: The Elephant in the Room *

1:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins]

Experts and activists against elephant poaching in Africa join filmmaker John Hemingway in this discussion on the issue of poaching.

* Festival Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses.

3:00 p.m. – Europe’s Last Wild Horses (49 min) w/ Wild Alaska (45 min)  Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – Elefamilia – (52 min)  Theater 2

5:00 p.m. – In the Land of the Moose – (78 min)  Theater 1

5:00 p.m. – Sweden – (49 min) w/ Yak Herder’s Son (25 min)  University of Montana Theater

5:30 p.m. – Shooting in the Wild (30 min)  Theater 2

7:00 p.m. – Kangaroo Dundee Ep 1&2 (120 min)  Theater 1

7:15 p.m. – Wild Things (39 min) w/ The Guide (30 min)  Theater 2

* Tenspoon Winery Tour *

4:00 p.m., Tenspoon Vineyard & Winery [4175 Rattlesnake Dr], open to registered delegates and invited guests.

Take a tour of this scenic Missoula vineyard, and sample some of their fantastic wine along the way. Featuring live music by Josh Farmer.

(Photo from In the Land of the Moose)

Wednesday, May 1 at the IWFF

* Tarkio Retreat *

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., open to registered delegates (with a limited number of one-day passes available).

Learn from and collaborate with other passionate wildlife filmmakers, producers, conservationists, and scientists, as well as special guests Mateus Mutemba and John Hemingway.

* Festival Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses.

3:00 p.m. – New Zealand: Ancient Land of Flightless Birds (49 min.) w/ Birds of Paradise (46 min) Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – The Green Universe (90 min.)  Theater 2

5:00 p.m. – The Great Flight (90 min.)  Theater 1

5:15 p.m. – The Unlikely Leopard (52 min.)  Theater 2

7:00 p.m. – Battle for Elephants (57 min.)  Theater 1

7:15 p.m. – Smarty Plants (52 min.) w/ The Silver of the Sea (29 min.)  Theater 2

* Filmmaker Reception *

8:30 – 10:30 p.m., The Loft [119 W Main St], open to registered delegates and sponsored by the Montana Film Office, featuring music by DJ Colin Pruitt.

(Photo from The Green Universe)

Tuesday, April 30 at the IWFF

* Networking/Connectivity Workshop *

10:00 – 10:45 a.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins].

A workshop designed to make you think about who you know and how you connect.

* Opening Presentation *

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater [718 S. Higgins].

Ted Turner is known as one of the world’s great conservationists, humanitarians and provocateurs. Nowhere is his commitment to species and habitat restoration better known than in Montana. Join us in a conversation with Todd Wilkinson about his newest book, Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet.

* Industry Panel – Telling a Scientific Story *

1:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater 9718 S. Higgins]. 

Panelist Janet Hess will be joined by other filmmakers in this discussion on the scientific aspects of filmmaking and storytelling.

* Festival Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses. 

3:00 p.m. – Tiger Island (59 min.)  Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – Magic Mountains: Land of the Chamois – (52 min.)  Theater 2

5:00 p.m. – Ivory (50 min.)  Theater 1

5:15 p.m. – The Condor’s Shadow (79 min.)  Theater 2

7:00 p.m. – Cold Warriors: Wolves and Buffalo (56 min.) w/ Hot Tuna (52 min.)  Theater 1

7:15 p.m. – A Wild Dog’s Tale (50 min.) w/ The Invisible Wildlife Photographer (26 min.)  Theater 2

* IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award For Media *

6:00 p.m., UC Theater [University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr], free and open to the public.

Honorees Howard and Michele Hall will discuss their work as award-winning natural history filmmakers and photographers. Sponsored by The University of Montana, The President’s Office, and hosted by President Royce Engstrom.

* President’s Office IWFF Lifetime Achievement Dinner *

7:00 p.m., UC Ballroom [University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr], open to registered delegates and by invitation.

Featuring live music by Kendl Winter, with dinner to follow the special presentation.

* Todd Wilkinson Book Reading & Signing *

6:30 p.m., Fact and Fiction [220 N Higgins Ave], free and open to the public. 

Author Todd Wilkinson will read from his newest book, Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet. Featuring an appearance by Dan Flores, Professor of Western History at the University of Montana.

(Photo from Magic Mountains: Land of the Chamois)

Monday, April 29 at the IWFF

* Festival Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses.

3:00 p.m. – Killer in the Caves  (52 min.)  Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – Return of the Hoopoe  (52 min.)  Theater 2

5:00 p.m. – Speed Kills Savannah  (47 min. ) w/ Horseshoe Crabs: Prehistoric Paramedics  (16 min.)  Theater 1

5:15 p.m. – Ant Wars  (53 min.)  Theater 2

7:00 p.m. – Hunting the Ice Whales  (52 min.)  w/ Ragged Tooth (49 min.) Theater 1

7:15 p.m. – The Last Lions  (87 min.)  Theater 2

* FREE Movie Monday *

5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater, free and open to the public.

Join us for a rescreening of our opening night film, Wings of Life. This mesmerizing film explores the lives of bats, hummingbirds, butterflies and bees from the flower’s point of view. You’ll be educated and inspired by narrator Meryl Streep as she reveals the mystical intersections between flowers and their pollinators.

* Family Film Screenings *

All day at The Wilma, open to Missoula students.

* Delegate Registration *

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., The Roxy Theater

* Welcome Filmmakers Party *

6:00 – 9:00 p.m., hosted by IWFF Board President Dr. Janice Givler and featuring live music by Josh Farmer. Open to registered festival delegates, guests, and by invitation.

(Photo from Ant Wars)

 Sunday, April 28 at the IWFF

* WildWalk Face Painting *

9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Zootown Arts Community Center [235 North 1^st St West], free and open to the public.

Kick off the festival in style with the WildWalk parade! Rise and shine early for wild animal face painting at the ZACC. We’ll be there with face paint, inspiration and enthusiasm.

* WildWalk & WildFest! *

12:00 – 3:00 p.m., line up at Pine & Higgins at 11:45 a.m. and wind down in a parade to Caras Park, free and open to the public.

Dress as your favorite animal in our wildly popular WildWalk parade. Dance, crawl, swing and slither down Higgins Street, ending at Caras Park. Then, stay in costume for WildFest, and enjoy live music, concessions and entertainment with your fellow wild animal revelers.

* Festival Film Screenings *

Join us at the Roxy for an amazing day of wildlife films. Click here for the full screening schedule, and here for film synopses.

3:00 p.m. – Pack of Teeth: River Monsters  (60 min.)  Theater 1

3:15 p.m. – The Moor  (50 min.)  Theater 2

5:00 p.m. – The Elephant: Life After Death  (80 min.)  Theater 1

5:15 p.m. – Serengeti  (98 min.)  Theater 2

7:00 p.m. –  An Original DUCKumentary  (55 min.) w/ Tarsier Tales  (23 min.)  Theater 1

7:15 p.m. – Water Worlds  (60 min.) w/ The Empress and the Forest  (52 min.)  Theater 2

(Photo from The Moor)

What’s Happening in the Wild? – - - Saturday, April 27 at the IWFF

Join us for popcorn and a great evening of film and conversation! Here’s today’s IWFF schedule:

* Melissa Kwasny reading *

5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Shakespeare & Co. [103 S 3^rd St W], free and open to the public.

Join us for a reading with acclaimed Montana writer Melissa Kwasny. Melissa will read from Earth Recitals: Essays on Image & Vision. Melissa Kwasny is the author of four collections of poems, including The Nine Senses (Milkweed Editions, 2011) and Thistle (Lost Horse Press, 2006), winner of the Idaho Prize for Poetry.

* Opening Night Film, Wings of Life *

7:00 p.m., the Roxy Theater, open to the public, sponsored by Saint Patrick Hospital.

This mesmerizing film explores the lives of bats, hummingbirds, butterflies and bees from the flower’s point of view. You’ll be educated and inspired by the dulcet tones of narrator Meryl Streep’s voice as she reveals the mystical intersections between flowers and their pollinators.

(Photo by Blair Rinn)