>> NEW << my world of birds

SL | Completion 2026-2027 | 52' / 80' | HD | Slovenian (80'), English (52' & 80') | By Matej Vranic | FOTOKOM | Broadcaster: RTVSLO.

 

(c) FOTOKOM

Intertwining dynamic natural history stories unveil the secret lives of many interesting bird species that live in Slovenia and the people whose lives are closely connected to them in various ways. More than 30 species of birds, either rarely seen scenes from the lives of more common species or species that are quite rare in Slovenia will be featured. Many other birds are also seen episodically in the film. Their interactions with each other and with the rest of the living world are presented. They are shown in different roles as dictated by their annual life cycle - feeding or hunting, courting and mating, caring for their young, migrating, etc. This series of stories is intertwined with the stories of people who spend a lot of time with birds and for whom working with them is a way of life. Some of them do it professionally, others as a hobbyist. Throughout the film, the film-maker appears with a few short interludes, giving the viewer an insight into the preparation and filming of each scene. Shooting in different parts of Slovenia - on the one hand, in the remote parts of a large urban settlement, on the other in the Alpine highlands, in the vast fields of the Prekmurje meadows, in the forests of the Dinaric world, on the coast and elsewhere. The 80-minute film, accompanied by original music and a lyric narration will enchant the general audience.

>> NEW << fearless queen of the night

SL/DE/FR | 2024 | 52' / 43' / 44' / 80' | HD | Slovenian (only 80'), English (52' and 80'), German (52', 44' and 43'), French (43' - ARTE) | By Matej Vranic | FOTOKOM | Broadcasters: RTVSLO, WDR, ARTE.

 

Stunning natural science research based stories of the unusual life of the Ural owl, one of the largest owl, a mysterious nocturnal predator living in Europe and Northern Asia (including Japan), that can fearlessly attack even humans during the nesting season. We get exceptional insight into the lives of several Ural owl specimens over a year, their interactions with other animal species, and humans. It also showcases human activities such as breeding and resettlement of the Ural owl in Austria. This film reveals for the first time the latest scientific findings of Slovene biologist Dr. Al Vrezec, one of the world’s foremost experts on Ural owls.

>>NEW<< VORTEX

IR | 2023 | 52' | HD | Persian, English (sub.) | By Fathollah Amiri | Wildlife Pictures Institute 

 

The Asiatic Cheetah is the animal symbolising Iran. This iconic species is critically endangered though. Conservationists do their best with their limited means to counter the diverse threats and mismanagements in dealing with them in the whole country of Iran. Will they succeed in saving this majestic and endearing animal?

 

>> NEW << HEZURRAK

ES | Completion December 2022 | 52'/80' | Spanish, English | By x | Maluta Films | Broadcasters: EITB

 

Coexistence between village inhabitants, hunters and wild animals is at stake in the beautiful Pyrenean mountains.

>>new<< LAND OF THE SPOON-BiLLED SANDPIPER

GE | 2022 | 82'/52’ | English (sub.) | By Julia Darkova and Andrey Maximov | DNA production 

 

The world's first discovery film about the spoon-billed sandpiper tells why this particular bird can be the key to understanding what is happening with endangered species, what else can be done to preserve biodiversity on the planet, about the work of scientists to save the spoon-billed sandpiper from extinction and about the nature of southern Chukotka. The film consists of two part.

 

1st part: Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other

The narration is conducted on behalf of the spoon-billed sandpiper. He shares the secrets of his personal life during the nesting period, tells about family traditions of other birds and life of some mammals in Chukotka. The audience will learn about difficulties the spoon-billed sandpiper faces in Chukotka, what affects its population numbers there and in wintering areas, in Southeast Asia, and why it disappears. The film features unique bird-eye views of southern Chukotka, as well as close-ups shots of many northern birds. The film was shot in hard-to-reach places and consists of rare shots that no one has shot before.

 

2d part: Spoon-billed Sandpiper and human

The film tells how the problem of species extinction has united people from many countries. Every summer, scientists fly from different parts of the world to the small Chukchi village of Meinypilgyno to continue their scientific work. Since 2012, the Russian Society for the Conservation and Study of Birds (ROSIP) has been operating a program called "Headstarting". We tell how, thanks to this program, ornithologists managed to stop the decline of spoon-billed sandpipers numbers. Film features the work of scientists, from collecting spoon-billed sandpiper’s eggs from nests to releasing of hatchlings hatched in incubators and grown up in captivity into the nature. We show the work of the genetic laboratory in the field. Scientists hope that a deep understanding of the genetics of the spoon-billed sandpiper can contribute to the development of more effective approaches to working with endangered species, and preserving biodiversity on the planet. The film contains unique footage about the work of scientists demonstrating the value of their contribution to save the species from the extinction.

HEAD IN THE VINES

FR | 2022 | 52’ | French, English (sub.) | By Thibault Jandot | La Boîte à Songes | Broadcaster: France Télévisions

 

Julien Pineau, a 34-year-old excellent winemaker from Loir-et-Cher (France), has just invested in a brand new winery. We follow him in his work during a whole year during which he will encounter more and more difficulties and challenges caused by climate change (storm, wine disease, etc.). Will he be able to save his production?

WILd slovenia

SL | 2021 | 53'41''/83' | HD | Slovenian, English | By Matej Vranic | FOTOKOM | Broadcasters: RTVSLO, TVP, WDR-ARD, ARTE, RTBF.

 

After Wild Australia, Wild Namibia, Wild China etc., discover the European gem: Slovenia! Its five ecosystems -the Alps’ Mountains, the Karst’s underground caves, the Adriatic’s Sea coast, the Dinaric forests and the Pannonian plains- host a record number of fauna and flora species. A transcendental viewing experience of this natural sanctuary covering the full life-cycle of numerous striking plants & over 50 animal species, most of them never shot before!

 

dream on

DE | 2020 | 52’ / 97' | HD | German, English (sub.) | by Valentin Thurn | SCHNITTSTELLE GmbH & ThurnFilm GmbH – GbR, EIKON Media | Broadcaster: RBB

 

Inspiring people show us how  much dreams can be powerful in the quest of a better society. Joy, Line, Van, and Carl-Heinrich tackle current social and environmental issues transforming trashes into islands, making living space accessible for everyone through moving wood tiny houses, developing self-determining schooling at home and low Carbon print freight transport through balloons. What makes them keep faith, despite obstacles and frustrations?

Birds of the Lakes Return

SL | 2018 | 52' | HD | Slovenian, English | By Matej Vranic | FOTOKOM | Broadcasters: RTVSLO, SWR-ARD, ARTE, CCTV, RTP, Ceska Televize, TVP, The Green Channel.

 

The protection of birds is a crucial issue for the conservation of biodiversity. A former "renaturalised" industrial area now serves as a refuge for many bird species. It is possible to observe the immense challenges that birds face throughout the four seasons. We observe the life cycles of the birds throughout the seasons: their struggle for survival in the cold winter; the spring return of the migrants; the nesting and breeding period; the autumn migrations and the preparations for wintering for those that remain.

hine tai'a, chronicles of a fishermen family

FR | 2018 | 52' | HD | French (sub.), English (sub.) | By Thomas Delorme & Virginie Tetoofa | Dude Presse | Broadcaster: France Télévisions

 

Nestled under the coconut trees of Tahiti, the village of Tautira is home to a unique fishing family. The young Tetuara is one of the few women on the island who fishes big-game. Making her father proud and earning the respect of the entire community, she is the pillar of a family which depends on the product of her fishing. With her young sister, they perpetuate the practice of a tough traditional profession, respectful of nature, incorporating certain evolutions of the modern world.

The Plastic Cup: The Official Story Of The Plastic Pirates

HU | 2018 | 52' | HD | English (sub.), Hungarian | By Attila Dávid Molnár & Zsolt Marcell Tóth | Filmjungle Productions | Partners: TZSM Productions | Broadcaster: Spektrum Television, ERT

 

A huge amount of plastic bags & bottles is swept away by the flood of the river Tisza, flowing through Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and Serbia. Hungarian idealists launched the "Plastic Cup",  a long-distance race of a special kind on the river with boats made of the collected plastic garbage to pick up the trash and raise awareness on the issue…in a fun way!

THE MACAW Kingdom

HU | 2018 | 52' | HD | English, Hungarian, Spanish (sub.) | By Attila Dávid Molnár & Cintia Garai | Filmjungle Productions | Partners: Tambopata Research Center, Rainforest Expeditions | Broadcasters: M1, M4, Hungarian Public Broadcasters

 

A thrilling expedition of international scientists deep into the Peruvian jungle aims to save the Macaw parrots from extinction. Illegal trade and deforestation causing habitat loss are actually the biggest threats. But outstanding scientific discoveries, might be the source for a solution.

RHINOS IN THE FREEZER

HU | 2018 | 52' | HD | English (sub.), Hungarian (sub.) | By Attila Dávid Molnár | Filmjungle Productions | Broadcasters: Czech Television, SPEKTRUM Television, Telewizja Polska

 

Because of poaching and climate change causing the destruction of its environment, Rhinos and in particular Northern White Rhinos are endangered. In order to preserve these prehistoric giants from extinction, scientists deploy many strategies, such as artificial insemination. Travelling from Kenya to Malaysia and Hungary, Rhinos may find the ultimate refuge not in the wild, but in the fridge.

The last ice hunters

SI | 2018 | 72' / 52' | 4K | English (sub.), Slovenian (sub.), French (to be bought from Arte Sales) | By Jure Breceljnik & Rožle Bregar | Film IT, RTV SLO, Studio Ritem, Vizualist | Broadcasters: RTV SLO, ARTE

 

Merely 4 500 people inhabit East Greenland’s 20.000 km long coast. It's one of the least populated place on our planet. Only over the last five generations, the ”modern” way of life penetrated East Greenland: the local population faced dramatic changes, from living in total isolation -the way people lived in the Stone Age- to integration in our globalized world. The world of the Inuit is changing at an alarming pace. Still, there are hunters and their families perpetuating their customs and traditions in a beautiful way.

BUDAPEST INFERNO: THE SECRETS OF THE MOLNAR JANOS CAVE

HU | 2017 | 52' | HD | English (sub. and English narration voice), Hungarian | By Balázs Lerner | Filmjungle Productions | Broadcaster: Hungarian public TV, TVP, Ceska TV, Deutsche Welle

 

Divers working together with scientists take us into the Molnár János cave -the largest underwater thermos-karstic cave in Europe- to unveil the never seen before underground wonders of Budapest. In this thrilling scientific documentary, we discover the unsuspected huge cave under Budapest and a new species.