To celebrate the International Year of Forests, 2011 (Forests 2011), the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS) is working in collaboration with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival to organize an International Forest Film Festival (IFFF). The IFFF will showcase a selection of forest films as part of the global launch of Forests 2011 taking place at UN Headquarters in New York, and subsequently at other festivals and events around the world. The film festival is a key part of our outreach efforts of Forests 2011, and would enable us to raise awareness on the importance of forests, their relationship with people and the planet we share, and consequently, to inspire a sense of personal responsibility/stewardship for a greener, more equitable, sustainable future.

IFFF Film Competition Finalists Announced

The International Forest Film Festival competition, launched by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, is delighted to announce the finalist films from over 160 that were considered in six categories of competition. Films were screened and evaluated by more than fifty preliminary judges over the last four weeks.

"The International Forest Film Festival offers a unique opportunity to bring the issues and objectives of Forests 2011 to a global audience," said Ms. McAlpine, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat.  "The power of cinematic art is universal. It connects with people all over the world on a personal level.  The International Forest Film Festival will spread the message of Forests 2011 in that same powerful manner."

This is My Forest

Awarded to the film that tells the most moving personal expression or story of the forest

Amazon Alive, Part 3: Forest of the Future, Light & Shadow, GmbH
Conflict Tiger, Sasha Snow Film Production
Seeing Red, Snaz Media, LLC
Voices of the Forest: Thailand, AsiaWorks Television

Living Forests

Awarded to the film that best communicates humanity's social, cultural, economic or spiritual interconnectivity to forests.

Chernobyl: A Natural History? Camera Lucida Productions
Kingdom of the Forest, Parthenon Entertainment, Ltd.    
Satoyama: Japan's Secret Forest, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
Secrets of the Flooded Forest, Interspot Film, GmbH
The Queen of Trees, Flat Dog Productions, Ltd.

Issues & Solutions

Awarded to the film that most effectively communicates solutions to environmental and sustainability issues facing forests and their inhabitants, including people.

Africa's Lost Eden, National Geographic Television
Amazon Alive, Part 3: Forest of the Future, Light & Shadow, GmbH
GoodWood, Ashnan Films / Asterisk Productions
Hope in a Changing Climate, John D. Liu Productions

Forest Hero

Awarded to the film that most effectively celebrates the work of individuals or groups committed to forest research and sustainability.

Africa's Wild Eden, National Geographic Television
Climbing Redwood Giants, National Geographic Television
Nature's Greatest Defender, The Really Interesting Picture Company, Ltd.
The Man Who Stopped the Desert, 1080 Film & TV, Ltd.

360º All Things Forest

Awarded to the film that best communicates humanity's social, cultural, economic or spiritual interconnectivity to forests.

Amazon Alive, Part 1: Jungle of the Mind, Light & Shadow, GmbH
America's Wild Spaces: Appalachian Trail, National Geographic Television
Green, Tawak Pictures
The Detour,  Mill Valley Film Group
Tribal Life: Meet the Namal, Natural History New Zealand

Shorts

Awarded to the best forest film of less than 15 minutes in length.

Death of a Forest, Wild Visions, Inc.
The Detour, Mill Valley Film Group
The Law of the Jungle, Mill Valley Film Group
Into the Inferno: Science of Fire, KQED-QUEST
Nom Tew (Man of Soil), Deschamps Corporation
Switch Today, Arjun Rihan
The Ancient Forests, Greenpeace UK
Voices of the Forest: Thailand, AsiaWorks Television
Wild Places: Banff National Park, Parks Canada

Winning films will first be showcased at the global launch of Forests 2011 in New York, and then be screened at other festivals and events around the world throughout the year. The film festival is part of a global effort to raise awareness on the importance of forests, their relationship with people and the sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forests.