We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 4th edition of the Good Natured Film Festival!
The screening took place this evening at the Oxford Natural History Museum.
This year, we had four categories of films: Animation, Life on Earth, People & Nature, and Students.
OVERALL WINNER
Our overall winner was also the winner of the ANIMATION CATEGORY. And that is:
The Invention of Less – Directed by Noah Erni
The story focuses on a young polar bear, who due to global warming has to leave her home in summer 2031 and moves to Zurich. Together with all other animals she tries to make a living until she suddenly has an idea, which will change the world for ever.
The overall winner is: The Invention of Less – Directed by Noah Erni
The Runner Up in the ANIMATION category is: Plants Under Pressure – Directed by Lauren Cook
This animation focuses on the many plant species that are threatened by changes to their habitat, including fires, commercial logging, and growing settlements. This water-colour illustrated animation outlines the threats to plants globally and the amazing work undertaken by the Plants Under Pressure team at London’s Natural History Museum to combat the declines.
The Runner Up in the animation category is: Plants Under Pressure – Directed by Lauren Cook
CATEGORY OF STUDENTS
Our winner is: A message from Sheeka – Directed by Mei Fujimura
This video is a documentary, narrated in Japanese by a cute furry baby deer. It explains the basic ecology of the deer who live in Nara Park, a nature reserve in Japan that is famous for the countless deer that call it home. This video also describes the impacts of humans on the deer, such as traffic accidents and plastic pollution, while highlighting the positive actions people are taking to co-exist with the deer, such as cleaning up garbage or curing the deer’s injuries.
Runner Up: Our Friendly Little Bugs – Directed by Marie-Jo Long
Ants, earthworms, bees, butterflies, and woodlice are the heroes of this animated short film. From the drawings they have made, a group of children tell us about the development, the places of life, and the roles that these insects have within the ecosystem of which they are a part.
Our winner is: A message from Sheeka – Directed by Mei Fujimura
CATEGORY LIFE ON EARTH
Our winner is: Yellowstone 88 – Song of Fire – Directed by Jerry van de Beek and Betsy De Fries
In the summer of 1988, dry lightning sparked a fire in the parched and drought ridden landscape of Yellowstone Park, igniting a blaze that would scorch over 1.5 million acres of the park. Song of Fire, a narrative poem, guides the animation of Yellowstone 88 telling the story of this extensive fire that raged unabated for months until a snow of such intense severity extinguished the flames.
Runner Up: Glasgow’s Wild Side 2022 – Directed by Elizabeth Jane Penman
Glasgow’s Wild Side is all about those elusive wild neighbours that surround us in cities. The film takes you on a tour of Glasgow’s colourful biodiversity from watervoles to parakeets.
Our winner is: Yellowstone 88 – Song of Fire – Directed by Jerry van de Beek and Betsy De Fries
CATEGORY PEOPLE & NATURE
Our winner is: The Oyster Farmer – Directed by Kika Tuff
When oyster larvae in the Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery began dying en masse, hatchery manager Alan Barton sought clues to the underlying cause. After partnering with marine scientist Burke Hales and studying local ocean chemistry, they were able to identify the root cause – ocean acidification – and adjust their farming practices to save oyster production.
Runner Up: Growing Up with Foxes – Directed by Amy Elizabeth Beton
During the coronavirus pandemic when the world was quiet, a family of foxes made a home in an outside area of a children’s nursery. Settling down two female foxes gave birth to five cubs each. When the nursery re-opened, and the children returned the foxes continued to live there. Unfazed the foxes went about their business giving the children and staff lots to talk and learn about.
Our winner is: The Oyster Farmer – Directed by Kika Tuff
The aim of this film was to highlight that wildlife and humans can coexist in a peaceful way and to shed light on how caring and loving foxes are.
PUBLIC’S FAVOURITE
The audience also had a chance to have their say tonight!
The 2022 Public’s Favourite is: The Invention of Less – Directed by Noah Erni
The Runner Up is: Slaven. – Directed by Josh Robertson
Wildlife conservationist Slaven Reljić is on a mission to protect bears and other large carnivores in Croatia and the surrounding countries — but is there hope for these charismatic species?
Prizes
Our overall winner receives a one-year membership to Wildscreen. The Wildscreen Network supports the global wildlife TV industry by bringing together the best photographers, filmmakers, and creative professionals with the most committed conservationists.
This amazing prize will be an incredibly valuable tool for our winning filmmaker.
Each winner will also have the opportunity to take part in a mentoring session with one of our four talented mentors.
To find out more about our festival, judges and mentors click here.
You can watch the virtual film festival here:
