NaturVision Film Days at the Natural History Museum St.Gallen

When the local nature often still lingers in winter sleep, the NaturVision Film Days at the Natural History Museum in St.Gallen take their audience on a journey through the animal world around the globe. A selection of 23 nature and wildlife films from the international 'NaturVision' festival in Ludwigsburg offers insights into the hidden life of an orangutan family in Borneo, follows the tracks of jaguars in the rainforest of Costa Rica, and discovers the extraordinary diversity of chameleons in Madagascar. Swiss filmmaker and award-winner Roman Willi takes an unusual perspective on the native fauna: In his three short films, he meets animals often overlooked at eye level.

Eye Level with Toads and Insects

In his film 'Risky Routes,' Roman Willi wanders with native amphibians along Swiss roads, coming dangerously close to passing cars. A particular passion of the wildlife filmmaker and photographer is insects, which play the leading role in two of his three presented works. Originally from Lucerne, he was awarded the short film prize at the NaturVision Film Festival in Germany for 'The Leap Beneath': unique footage that highlights the fascinating diversity of underground heroines in the forest soil. A different perspective on the insect world is presented at the film days by the German film production 'The End of Insects? Maria Furtwängler on the Trail' by Anna Maria Behrends. The 'Tatort' commissioner Maria Furtwängler searches as an avid insect fan and hobby beekeeper between the Swabian Jura and California for the reasons behind the silent insect extinction.

Icy Worlds Full of Warmth

The silent side of Greenland has been followed by the German wildlife filmmaker Lars Pfeiffer for many years. His film 'Wild Greenland - Ice World in Transition' documents the rapid changes in Arctic nature amidst climate change. For the outstanding captures, which impressively depict the extent of climate change without words, he was awarded the NaturVision camera prize. The film 'Orcas - Rulers of the Seas' by Florian Graner dives below the water's surface. The marine biologist and wildlife filmmaker opens a window into the social family relationships and demonstrates how sophisticated hunting strategies among orcas are passed down through generations. For this respectful insight under challenging conditions, Graner received the German Wildlife Film Award.

When the Economy Turns Green

The film 'Scars of Growth' examines several regions of Europe. Directors Monika Grassl and Linda Osusky explore three locations: Brussels, northern Sweden, and southern Spain. They investigate the consequences of Europe's 'green' growth strategy and question how far capitalism and a green future can be reconciled. The film is the recipient of the German Environmental and Sustainability Award.

Inspiring Enthusiasm for Nature

This year's film program includes several films labeled with a special children’s symbol. Among them is 'Madagascar or the Great Carnival of Chameleons' by Paul Terrel, who follows extraordinary representatives of this animal family, or 'Terra X: Mammals of the Night' by Stuart Armstrong, who uses the latest camera technology to track down nocturnal mammals that have never been filmed before.

Media Contact: kommunikation@naturmuseumsg.ch

Sandra Papachristos, Head of Communications, T 071 243 40 39

Dr. Matthias Meier, Museum Director, T 071 243 40 30

naturmuseumsg.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Photographer: Thomas Marent