Distinguished
DOCUMENTARY – FEATURES
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Andrew Kelly
“How to Thrive” delves into the universal pursuit of happiness and mental well-being, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. In an increasingly interconnected world, the themes explored in this film are not just relevant but essential for everyone, irrespective of their location.
Mental health and happiness are shared human experiences, transcending borders and backgrounds. The film underscores that the quest for well-being is a collective responsibility. It reminds us that fostering mental health and happiness is not only about individual fulfillment but also about building resilient, compassionate societies.
In addressing these issues, we contribute to the creation of a world where individuals are more productive, empathetic, and capable of addressing complex global challenges. By highlighting the significance of proactive mental health strategies and positive psychology, the film promotes a culture of well-being that can lead to safer, more secure, and sustainable communities.
In today’s interconnected world, our shared responsibility extends beyond borders. It encompasses the well-being of individuals, communities, and our planet. “How to Thrive” inspires viewers to take action, embrace personal growth, and foster compassion. It underscores that by nurturing our mental health and happiness, we not only improve our own lives but also contribute to the well-being of our global family, ensuring a happier, healthier and more meaningful future for all.
That Great British Documentary
Joan Hillery
My film ‘That Great British Documentary’ took ten years to make and all I used was two mobile phones. I used to cycle to each location that I was filming at and never drove. The most important element for me was the fact i refused to rely on huge expenditure, the drain of resources and flashy cars to travel in. All I wanted to do was tell a real life story; mine. My film is about my dual heritage; half white and half black. The biggest shock to me was that whilst learning about my Grenadian heritage I realised that so much ecocide had been committed in Grenada during slavery. Grenada was drained of its resources relentlessly that it affected the well being of the land itself. It was not given time to recover. The greed from my white side almost destroyed the land on my black side. When my dear late white Father and my black Mother lived in Grenada it was a part of daily life to recycle almost everything. No-one had to be reminded to do it. The idea that we can re-invent something in the name of sustainability is surely a kind of world rescuing adventure worthing of the big screen.
Niels Frandsen
Niels Frandsen is a danish film director and polio survivor. His previous personal documentary The Epidemic – I don`t remember anything but I never forget captured his personal account of being riddled with polio during 1950s when Denmark was in the throes of a polio epidemic. The sequel The Echo of the Epidemic follows Frandsen and his sister Lisbets life after being attacked by polio again fifty years later as they became affected with the post polio syndrome. Their story is a story of resilience, bravery and standing tall. As a kid Niels Frandsen was helped by his three years older sister, who did not suffer for the disease in the first place, but the virus was hidden in her body. Now Lisbeth is affected too and their siebling relation is turned upside down. The Echo of the Epidemic is touching and artistic storytelling of great human interest.
Cassandra Mello, Fred Rahal
From the universe of three indigenous peoples pressured by the destruction caused by illegal mining, the film proposes an approach to the thinking of the Yanomami, Munduruku, and Mẽbêngôkre, in the formation of a historic alliance in defense of their territories. It is, therefore, a narrative about resistance and resilience, in the figure of an unprecedented union that affirms the maintenance of their physical and subjective territories. Beyond the destruction caused by mining, this is a film about the impossibility of separating indigenous existence from the territory in which they live.
Darcy Wittenburg, Darren McCullough, Colin Jones, Anthill Films
The Engine Inside—a new feature-length documentary narrated by Phill Liggett—tells the stories of six everyday people from all over the globe who reveal the unique power of the bicycle to change lives and build a better world. Through their stories, the film uncovers the often-overlooked potential of this 200-year-old machine, exploring its impact on a wide range of global issues such as physical and mental health, socioeconomic inequality and climate change. By shining a light on people who have embraced cycling as a way to overcome daunting personal and systemic challenges, The Engine Inside ultimately asks viewers to reconsider their own perspective. Is there a transformative power within us all that can be unlocked through the simple act of riding a bike? ————————————- Unique cinematography techniques were used throughout the principal photography to get RED camera gimbals on bike level and moving through the streets from a cyclist’s perspective. This allowed 8k hi-dynamic range footage to be shot in fast-moving documentary-style situations using natural light. All new sound design techniques were implemented to generate post-production sound design palates straight from the production source by having the sound supervisor sent to all shoot locations. This allowed the final mixed sound design to be created from the true authentic audio of all synced and non-synced foley, SFX and backgrounds. As an example, the Indigenous drum band circle is the live outside performance recorded in real-time in surround sound capture of individual performers, main drum and ambience reverbs.
Juan Maria Raggio
Filmed in the incredible landscapes of the patagonian steppe, this 4 episodes documentary series inquire in the relationship between human beings and nature. The conflict between large predators and livestock producers is not something new, but a critical limit has been reached where natural ecosystems are dying. This story takes place in three National Parks, where the puma has lived for centuries. It is there where the tension between the predators and their neighbors – the big sheep producers and the small farmers of native people – grows without stopping. Some fear it, some hate it. Is it a cultural hate or a survival hate? The tension increases and decisions have to be made. For more than five years, the ecologist Emiliano Donadio, has been working on one of the most important conservation projects in South America. Its objective is to know and study the behavior of the puma and its prey. Despite the difficulties, the team works from dawn to dusk to take a step forward in the search to understand the relationships between these predators and their environment. Can a more peaceful coexistence be achieved?
Mat Larkin
Three years in the making, Riverwoods shines a light on the perilous state of Scotland’s salmon and tells the compelling story of an inextricable relationship between fish and forest.
We’ve brought together a group of expert scientists, writers and filmmakers to tell a story of loss and lament, but also one of hope. Throughout Scotland, the fractured connections between salmon and the landscapes through which their rivers flow are gradually being repaired through the foresight and positive actions of many different people.
Riverwoods is a rallying call for restoring more of Scotland’s landscapes and all of the life they support, but the message is one relevant world-wide. Every person on this planet needs healthy eco-systems. By restoring habitats in our rivers, our forests, our towns, our mountains and our oceans, we secure our life-support system, and the species that keep it healthy. From window boxes to national parks, everybody can play a part in helping to restore nature.
Tom Alesch
For decades, agricultural policy wanted our farmers to produce a lot and cheaply. Today, we know that a system built on growth alone leads to major environmental damage worldwide and to problems that we have less and less control over. If we do not change, we risk not being able to produce food at all in the near future. Organic farming is a solution that more and more countries are adopting. In Luxembourg, too, there should only be organic farms in just under 30 years. ORGANIC SOIL – ORGANIC SOUL shows people who are already practising organic farming with great motivation. Farmers and winegrowers invite us to their farms and their soil and show us what they do differently to produce food that is healthy for people and for nature, that conserves natural resources and that ultimately benefits society as a whole.
Hilco Jansma
In Western Europe the otter drastically declined in numbers and even completely disappeared from The Netherlands. This was mainly due to hunting, loss of habitat, pollution and traffic collisions. But the Dutch set the example by investing in their water quality and restoring the habitat of the otter to enable its reintroduction. People now have a chance to spot the otter as it spreads through The Netherlands and even ventures into the heart of our cities. This film shows how human effort to protect the habitat of an ambassador like the otter pays off and helps to restore biodiversity from which both nature and human society benefit.