The Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival is exclusively dedicated to documentaries about wildlife. Therefore, it can be considered “the first of its kind” in Türkiye.
From the festival: ¨In recent years, as the number of wildlife-related productions in Türkiye has begun to grow, a certain conceptual confusion has also emerged. Documentary, as an art form, is not only about capturing images. Documentaries that have a story, artistic and aesthetic concerns, and a purpose and coherence are very different from mere compilations of footage presented as video clips or programs filmed in a television format.
In order to draw attention to these differences, we would like to connect wildlife documentaries and their teams from around the world with both the audience and those who wish to create wildlife documentaries, whether professionally or as amateurs. Establishing new acquaintances, keeping up with innovations in the world, being a pioneer in some areas, and perhaps facilitating collaborations and joint productions are among our objectives.
The wildlife documentary film festival, which we started as our first step based on these thoughts, will take place in the capital city of Ankara. Please note the dates May 15 - 18, 2025! We aim to present a packed festival program over four days, including documentary film screenings, discussions with film crews, workshops, and seminars.
The festival will also include a competition section in which documentary films from around the world will be assessed in both the feature-length and short film categories. The awards given are primarily intended as incentives. Every documentary that reaches the finals is already selected from among hundreds of submissions to meet the audience. Awards aim to provide some moral support to the teams producing documentaries with great difficulties and patience, showing that their efforts are rewarded.¨
Award statuettes designed by Turkish artists Zeynep Beler and Dogancan Yilmaz
The documentary competition within the scope of the Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival is organised into two categories:
Short Documentary Category - Documentaries with a duration of 20 - 51 minutes including credits Feature Documentary Category - Documentaries with a duration of 52 - 90 minutes including credits
The directors of the winning documentaries will receive a statuette and a plaque.
Depending on the number of submitted and finalist documentaries, the Festival Committee may decide not to award certain prizes or to give various honorable mention awards.
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Special Jury Award – Feature
Special Jury Award – Short
The finalists were announced on the 10th of February ... the festival organisers said ¨The long-awaited moment has arrived! Many thanks to all the documentary filmmakers who supported us in the first year of our festival and submitted their works. Congratulations to the finalists! We can't wait to see you at the festival!¨
Santa Cruz Island is home to the world’s smallest species of fox. A few years ago, victims of predation, the number of these tiny foxes drastically reduced, also threatening the natural balance of the island. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, the species is once again flourishing. But for the tiny fox, survival is a constant battle. On the island, a couple are about to give birth to their last litter. Following the adventures of this adorable family of foxes, this 100% wildlife documentary plunges us into the heart of an exceptionally rich island and highlights the challenges of its preservation.
Emma Baus has written and directed about twenty Nature, Science and Discoveries documentaries. Shot and distributed worldwide, her films have won awards at festivals (“The Mystery of the Feathered Dragons”, Pariscience Innovation award or “Racoons, Survival Warriors”, Special Mention at Matsalu Film Festival). She loves to write and direct films exploring the links between animals, humans and their environments. Her multiple experiences give her a fresh look bringing together aesthetics and knowledge. To quote the press, Emma’s films are “fun, charming, captivating, poetic, and smart”. Her touch? Making real life look like a fairytale.
A documentary film about the adventures of a snow leopard in the severe Altai Mountains… Enchanting uncharted nature and the most elusive wild cat – the snow leopard... The independent life of a young snow leopard is challenging: it learns to survive, find shelter, and interact with other animals. The work of wildlife experts is also complex: many dangers push rare species of animals to the brink of extinction. The two storylines of the documentary film intersect in an exciting finale against the backdrop of the breathtaking beauty of the Altai Mountains.
Vadim Vitovtsev was born in 1981 in the Pskov region. He moved with his parents to Gorny Altai at the age of 7. In 1998, he became a student of the Faculty of Philosophy at Tomsk State University, then transferred to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at RUDN. In 2007, he completed courses in television directing at the Faculty of Film and TV Directing at the Humanitarian Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting named after M. Litovchin. He started his first job on television in 2008, and later began shooting documentary films and programs. Ilya Tsyganov was born in Moscow. He started his TV career in 2000. He worked as cameraman, director’s assistant, picture editor, reporter, anchor, producer, author, designer and director. He is the winner of various TV awards, such as TEFI, Golden Beam, MediaBrand, Golden Paramount, and others. Since 2015, he is the Chief Director of Living Planet TV Channel.
Wind was the weakest cub in the fox family. By chance, he becomes the only one who survived the bear onslaught. Overcoming the challenges of his first winter, he earns the affection of the enchanting Lava. But spring returns, so do the bears.
Dmitry Shpilenok graduated from Moscow State Art and Cultural University, majoring in film and TV directing. He is a documentary filmmaker, and was the lead operator of the film “Kamchatka Bears - Life Begins” (24 awards, 2018 Golden Eagle award in the category Best Documentary, Russian Geographical Society award in the category Best Media Project). Among his other documentaries are “Saiga - Karma of the Steppes” (2005, 26 min), and “Sockeye Salmon - Red Fish” (2020, 51 min).
A true coming-of-age story about three orphaned desert lion cubs who discovered a most remarkable way of survival along the mystical shores of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. A story as surprising as it is inspiring: a true-life drama about resilience and survival. Documented over eight years, we follow the ground-breaking work of lion researcher Dr Philip Stander as he witnesses the orphaned cubs’ incredible journey, from their first unsteady steps in the heart of the desert, to their remarkable discovery of an extraordinary life along the hostile Skeleton Coast.
After more than a decade in the wildlife and environment television industry, Will and Lianne Steenkamp ventured on their own in 2009 and started on an adventurous journey that brought about character-led, behavioral driven wildlife films with captivating stories. Having received international recognition for their films including two Emmy nominations, Best of Festivals, and multiple awards, they continue to reach wide audiences. Their work has broadcasted worldwide on channels such as BBC, National Geographic, Smithsonian, ORF, Arte, WDR, NDR, RTL and many more.
The waves crash against Cap Carteret, shaped over millions of years by marine erosion. It is here, between the sea and the vast wild expanses of the north, that an emblematic fauna that disappeared from the region in the last century has resettled. The Peregrine Falcon, that relentless hunter, has returned to territory occupied by its ancestral enemy, an animal of extraordinary intelligence, the Great Raven. As secret behaviours mark the existence of these free and wild animals, the landscapes and fauna of the island parade before the giant eye of the lighthouse.
After a master's degree in drawing and visual arts at the National School of Visual Arts of La Cambre in Brussels, Olivier Marin obtained his diploma in writing, techniques and directing of wildlife documentaries at IFFCAM in 2020 in France. His work as a filmmaker is characterized by an intimate approach to the wildlife of free individuals, where disturbance is kept to a minimum. At a time when the place left to the wild is diminishing immutably, the themes he tackles evoke a resilient nature in touch with its environment.
A land of sacred peaks and secret creatures, lost in the mists of time, somewhere between folklore and magic. A land that has challenged conventional notions of wilderness and showcased nature's remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a new wilderness. This is a story of India's very first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the Nilgiris – one of Asia’s most intensively studied areas. This is the first feature length documentary about this region, that takes us on a journey of discovery and uncovers the many secrets that makes this region incredibly special.
Wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Fellow Sandesh Kadur is known most recently for his work on “Our Planet” by Netflix and “The Okavango Experience” - a 360 degree, virtual reality series that follows National Geographic Society’s Okavango Project. Kadur creates award-winning wildlife documentary films and photography books exposing the need to conserve threatened species and habitats around the world. His documentary films have aired worldwide on National Geographic, the BBC, Netflix, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet, and have won prestigious international awards, including a 2017 EMMY nomination and the 2017 BAFTA award for his work on BBC “Planet Earth II”.
Filmmaker Asgeir Helgestad documents the state of nature at his home country Norway, where he has photographed all his life. From the lives of bees at his farm, to wild reindeer on the high mountains, and puffins at the ocean’s edge, he shows the beauty of threatened nature and tracks down 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.
Asgeir Helgestad is an award-winning director, cinematographer, writer and producer from Norway. He has over thirty years of experience with documentary and photo. Nature has always been his greatest love and inspiration and his work reflects deep passion and empathy for his subjects. His documentary “Queen Without Land” (2018) has been shown in more than fifty festivals, received over thirty international awards, and reached audiences worldwide. His photography has received prestigious awards and his first book, “Animals in the Forest” (2001), received the Norwegian Ministry of Culture debutante prize. Asgeir established the independent film production company Artic Light in 2006.
In eastern Nepal, the majestic Asian elephant has coexisted with humans since ancient times. Yet, today, they clash over grain and land, leading to rising casualties on both sides. Amid this turmoil, Shankar Chettri Luitel has dedicated 25 years to fostering harmony between the species. The documentary captures the struggle, fleeting moments of joy, and the enduring hope for peaceful coexistence. Through this story, the film envisions a future where humans and elephants thrive together, united by mutual respect and understanding.
Bigyan Sapkota is a filmmaker from Kathmandu, Nepal, with a passion for storytelling. Through his work, he explores diverse narratives and creative approaches, aiming to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. His dedication to the craft reflects his love for cinema and his desire to share compelling stories.
The film tells the remarkable true story of a rare snowy owl's visit to suburban Southern California—the first such sighting in over a century. This unexpected encounter captivated the community, fostering a profound sense of unity and wonder. Through breathtaking footage and deeply personal stories, the documentary explores how the owl's presence transformed lives and inspired a deeper appreciation for conservation. Featuring insights from world-renowned owl researcher Denver Holt, the film offers a powerful reminder of nature’s ability to connect and heal us, while highlighting the critical importance of protecting our shared environment.
Christopher Angel, a lifelong birdwatcher, was captivated as a child by the release of three peregrine falcons near his home. Christopher went on to graduate from Yale University and the University of Southern California School of Cinema. He won a student Academy Award for his film, "Mr. October," and was nominated for an Emmy for his work for director James Cameron on the documentary "Expedition Bismarck". He has directed five feature films and completed the screenplay adaptation of Thomas Keneally’s ("Schindler’s List") book "To Asmara". He is adapting Stanford Professor Peter Stansky's biography of George Orwell as a feature film.
The documentary explores a border village in North Khorasan where tranquility is shattered by the disappearance of dogs and the fear instilled by a brazen panther. Villagers, instead of taking drastic measures, seek help from environmental authorities and experts. After ten days of struggle, they capture an old panther, shedding light on the mystery behind the dog-eating behavior. However, an unfortunate incident occurs after the panther is transported to Tehran, adding a tragic twist to the story.
Fathollah Amiri, a distinguished Iranian documentary filmmaker, was born in 1981 in Ilam. His passion for art and cinema began at a young age, leading him to Tehran to pursue his studies at the IRIB University where he obtained both a bachelor's and master's degree in cinema. With his impactful and realistic documentaries, he has vividly portrayed the lives of animals, people, diverse cultures, and social issues. His works have been showcased multiple times at prestigious international festivals and have won numerous awards. He is also committed to educating and training the new generation of documentary filmmakers in Iran. Nima Asgari is a graduate of environment and natural resources. He studied filmmaking at the Youth Cinema Association - one of the most prestigious filmmaking associations in Iran. He started his work in 2007 in the Iranian Cheetah Society as a researcher and cinematographer on endangered species, such as the Iranian cheetah. His films are mostly about the relationship between humans and nature, and the effects of humans on the extinction of wildlife species. Nima is now the main member of the Wildlife Pictures Institute. He has made more than 30 films and received numerous awards at international festivals.
The film sheds light on how even completely destroyed forests, for example after a forest fire, can quickly become an oasis of life. The reason why disturbance and openness of the forest ultimately lead to more life becomes clear when we look at woodland grazing - an ancient form of land use that has long been fought against and is now experiencing a renaissance. An integrative forest management that not only focuses on trees and timber yield, but also on biodiversity, climate and the inclusion of animal products in the harvest… A turning point that marks the preservation of biodiversity?
Jan Haft has written and directed more than 70 wildlife documentaries for televison and 4 theatrical films, and has received 270 awards worldwide. He has published 5 books with Penguin Random House. His current publications address the possibilities of halting the extinction of species and the loss of biodiversity and show how this can be achieved. Together with his wife and his three children he lives on a small farm where they keep water buffalos, horses and donkeys. With these animals they practice rewilding and then document the success of this practice – the return of species and biodiversity.
The sun provides the energy for life. Even in places where the sun struggles to penetrate the conifers, many inhabitants of the forest depend on light and warmth. When dusk comes, they become active - the animals of the night.
Clemens Keck is a filmmaker with a lot of passion, a fighting spirit and he is always searching for spectacular images and captivating stories. Clemens, born in 1998, discovered his passion for filming animals very early. After completing his Alevels, he worked for a year at the camera department at Nautilusfilm, which was a great enrichment. Following this, he went to Africa with Clemens Weishaar for a year to shoot his first independently produced film. After that, he founded the nature film production company "Animaliafilm." Tom Horak was born in 2000 in the beautiful region of Thuringia. Since the age of six, he has passionately photographed local nature. With over 13 years of experience in nature and wildlife photography and several awards in this field, he has a wealth of knowledge to draw from. His master's degree in forestry science provides additional expertise on the relationships and processes in the local natural environment.
Rivers can become a danger. This has been demonstrated by the flood disasters of recent years. Often because their natural course is itself endangered - straightened, channelled or dammed. This film tells of the amazing connections in a river that is still allowed to be a river of life. A river that can flow untamed and create... Here, otters, dragonflies and catfish are all links in a chain. Of life and death. There are no "disasters" in the river. As long as nothing flows in that doesn't belong there and destroys the natural balance…
Uwe Müller was born in Altenburg/Thuringia. After serving apprenticeship as a plumber he studied mechanichal engineering. He started his career as a nature filmmaker in 1990 with several short films. Since 1996 he is a professional animal filmmaker, author and producer of nature documentaries. He lives in Thuringia. “Gordos Reise ans Ende der Welt” was the first film he produced for cinema release. Many of his productions were awarded on national and international nature film festivals.
“Nika, the Pilot Whale”, is a documentary where Felipe Ravina, documentary filmmaker, scientist and graduate in Marine Sciences, establishes a connection with a pilot whale named Nika, on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands). This unusual bond with the animal makes him increasingly concerned about the current state of the island and its biodiversity. He cries out to heaven for the protection, conservation and defense of the natural spaces and their fauna of this region where the largest population of pilot whales, unique in the world, is found.
José Hernández is a Spanish director and filmmaker and an unconditional lover of the sea. Everything José films bears the stamp of his subtle artistic direction accompanied by powerful visual narratives that give each of his works an exceptional character. With a long professional career behind him linked to advertising work for renowned brands, he made his great debut in the documentary genre with “Iballa” (2021). The autobiographical film has become a banner for the fight for women's equality in sports and won the Silver Viznaga award for best documentary direction at the Malaga Film Festival.
We trace the essence of life shaped by the rugged mountains and ancient forests of Anatolia. We witness the survival struggles of wild goats adapting to harsh conditions at the peaks and chamois accustomed to life under deep snow. These resilient creatures navigate rocky terrains with incredible agility, sharing their habitat with brown bears. Meanwhile, in the forests, the resonant calls of red deer blend with the melodies of birds, revealing the richness of this ecosystem. Starlings, jays, and the ever-present songbirds of the pine forests showcase Anatolia’s biodiversity. As the seasons shift, we breathe in the enchanting atmosphere of these woodlands.
Born in 1978 in Bursa, he graduated from Robert College in 1996 and Marmara University (Business Administration) in 2000. A professional photographer since 2005, his photos and travel articles have been published in BBC Wildlife Magazine, National Geographic, Magma, and more. He has traveled to 64 countries across five continents. Since 2009, he has been filming wildlife and nature documentaries, aired in 70 countries. From 2011 to 2015, he coordinated a UN-backed vulture conservation project. Passionate about photography, camping, scuba diving, and martial arts, Burak is a member of international documentary and photography organizations. He is fluent in English, intermediate in German.
The documentary is about conservationists fighting to protect seagrass meadows in Bodrum against coastal destruction. Seeking support from Corsica, where coastal preservation has succeeded, they build a deep connection between the two Mediterranean regions, once linked by Ottoman pirates. Realizing that tourism and population pressures threaten both areas, they unite under a common goal to protect the Mediterranean. In solidarity with the French Embassy and local municipalities, Project Posidonia launches an underwater sculpture exhibition to raise awareness. More than an environmental fight, it becomes a beacon of hope, proving that international solidarity can safeguard the sea’s future.
Born in Ankara in 1978, Mert studied engineering at METU and completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical oceanography and marine biotechnology at Miami and Ankara Universities. He earned his PhD at Wageningen University in the Netherlands in 2021. As a writer and photographer for Magma Magazine, Mert has collaborated on projects with organizations such as WWF, Greenpeace, and UNDP. His documentaries have been broadcast on BluTV, Iz TV, and Yaban TV. He has played an active role in projects like the Kas-Kekova Marine Protected Area and Project Posidonia. Since 2022, he has been working as a scientific advisor at the Underwater Research Society, leading projects on marine ecosystems.
The two-layered structure of the Sea of Marmara allows corals, which live in deep waters of the Mediterranean, to thrive in shallow waters here. Corals are essential for enhancing local biodiversity. However, pollution, human impact, and temperature changes threaten them in the Sea of Marmara, which hosts major industrial zones. “Breath of Marmara” explores the state of these corals and conservation efforts. Featuring archival footage that showcases the sea’s underwater richness, the documentary was completed with support from the Underwater Photographers and Filmmakers Association. Scientific consultancy was provided by marine biologist Assoc. Prof. Nur Eda Topcu from Istanbul University.
Born in Ankara in 1970, Sibel graduated from Istanbul University’s Radio-TV Broadcasting Department in 1990. She interned at TRT Istanbul TV and worked as an assistant dubbing director. She held editing and promotion director roles at Interstar TV and atv. As an editing director, she contributed to Coskun Aral’s “Haberci” and Savas Ay’s “A Takimi”. After 2005, she worked as a director at Bein Iztv, Turkiye’s first documentary channel, producing political, nature, history, and underwater documentaries. She created independent films with support from institutions such as the EU, the Ministry of Culture, and the Koc Foundation. She participated in festivals as a jury member and contestant, winning several awards.
Turkiye is one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The unique nature of Anatolia hosts numerous living beings that are on their own journeys on a long and narrow path that stretches between birth and death. Some are big, some are small, some are flamboyant, some are scary. Some are in a hurry, some are not. At the end of the day, some become the hunter and some the prey. In this cycle, everyone does their job thoroughly and life continues a while longer for those left behind. These lands host extraordinary stories of many ordinary creatures.
Cihan was born in Eskisehir in 1978. He graduated from the Faculty of Communication at Marmara University in 2002. During his second year of university, he started working at Turkiye’s public broadcaster, TRT. For six years, he worked as an assistant director and camera assistant on documentaries focusing on biodiversity, such as “Nature and History in Anatolia”, “Living Treasures”, “Birds of Turkiye”. From 2009 to 2023, he worked at NTV Programs Department as a producer and director. During this period, he produced various documentaries on different subjects, including history, culture and arts, and Turkiye’s wildlife.
Since the late 1990s Wildlife-film.com has been the leading source of information for the wildlife filmmaking industry worldwide. For over twenty years the site has been Google's number one ranking site for 'wildlife film' and related searches. Our site is viewed in over 195 countries. Our newsletter, Wildlife Film News, is read every month by thousands of people involved in wildlife filmmaking - from broadcasters and producers, to cameramen - we encourage readers to submit their news. We also serve as an online resource for industry professionals and services. Find producers, editors, presenters and more in our Freelancer section, and find out about festivals, training and conservation in Organisations. We encourage amateur and professional freelancers to join our network and welcome all wildlife-film related organisations to join our team.
Wildlife Film News is available every month straight to your Inbox! Subscribe here:
