Spring 2024 WINNERS

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To ensure that each film is studied and rated individually, NWBFF has instituted a system in which entries do not compete against each other but are recognized for their own merits. This system allows for a fair evaluation of each film based on its qualities rather than compared to other entries. Unlike traditional film competitions, where subjective preferences and biases can influence the outcome, NWBFF's approach ensures that every film receives a fair chance to be recognized and appreciated on its own terms.
For all intents and purposes, they compete against themselves: each entry is judged on its individual merits and scored according to an inherent value system.

When it is your turn to be evaluated, the judge's focus is on your film, not on all the other films in the queue. This ensures that they will not compare when they should focus entirely on YOU. Comparing films during the evaluation process can lead to biased judgments and unfair treatment. It can undermine the unique qualities and merits of each film, and prevent a fair assessment of individual artistic expression and storytelling.

Judges score entries on a performance scale, and winning entries are recognized and awarded not only for Best of Festival and Best of Show but also at two Awards of Excellence levels, two Awards of Merit levels, a Kudos Endeavor Award, or no award. Entries are judged based on various criteria such as creativity, technical skill, originality, and overall impact. These factors are carefully evaluated to determine the level of excellence exhibited in each entry and to identify the winners in the different categories. The performance scale allows judges to objectively assess the quality and merit of each submission.

Best Of Festival and Best of Show honors are granted to the top-scoring entries for each season; Awards of Excellence are granted to entries with truly exceptional artistic and technical achievements; and Notable achievements are recognized at the Merit and 'Kudos' award levels. Receiving a Best Of Festival award is a tremendous honor and a validation of the artist's exceptional talent and creativity. It signifies that their entry has not only achieved the highest scores in its category but has also stood out among all other entries in the competition. Winning this prestigious award can open doors to new opportunities, recognition, and career advancement in the industry.




Awards below Best of Show

Your winning title is shown in the left column.
You won the award under the main award heading, i.e., Outstanding Excellence.
The right column shows any additional awards won, if any.





We select  two Best Of Festival Award Winners for
Domestic and Foreign in various categories, if available.



Environmental Documentary



   The Green Desert
Director Leo Zahn
Environmental
United States

America’s harshest climate is home to the nation’s breadbasket. The desert valleys of Yuma, Imperial, and Coachella produce 90% of the winter vegetables consumed in the US. Agriculture in this region depends on Colorado River water delivered from the All-American Canal. Yet it’s a system on the brink of catastrophe. The effects of climate change and a twenty-year drought have brought its reservoirs nearly to dead-pool. States battle for their fair share of precious river water amidst constant cries for cutbacks. In the face of unprecedented scarcity, these desert valleys are in a race to conserve and innovate. Can this agricultural linchpin find a way to survive? The food security of an entire country



Over the course of his 30-year career Leo directed and photographed more than 600 commercials. He was awarded the International Cinema Advertising CLIO and the Creativity Award from British Art Direction Magazine and has been a member of the Directors Guild of America since 1988.

****
Micronauts
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Netherlands		 BEST OF SHOW 
MEMORIES OF THE FORGOTTEN WOOD
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Argentina		 BEST OF SHOW 
Metropolis - A Day in Reef City
in Ocean Life Documentaries
Germany		 BEST OF SHOW 
Unacceptable Risk: Dr. Margaret Kripke on Cancer and the Environment
in Environmental
United States		 BEST OF SHOW 
Wild Tales of Madrid
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Sound Editing (subcat), Editing (subcat), Cinematography (subcat)
Spain		 BEST OF SHOW: Wildlife/Nature
OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE: Sound Editing (subcat), Editing (subcat), Cinematography (subcat)






ACCIDENTAL HOST - The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
All We Have
in Environmental, Music Video
Taiwan		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Among the wolves
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
France		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Battle for the Birds, in the Skies of Israel
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
France		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Battle of the Giants
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Sao Tome and Principe		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Bone People
in Geological Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Bringing the Salmon Home
in Environmental
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
BUG SEX
in Entomology Documentaries
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Careist
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Cause a Sea Change: Save Sharks
in Animation
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Changing Seas: "Bermuda: Life at Ocean's Edge"
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Changing Seas: "Life in the Dark: The Polar Night"
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Changing Seas: "Mollusks: More than a Shell"
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Changing Seas: "Sharks in Belize: Jaguars of the Sea"
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
CITROTOXIC
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Brazil		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Coexistence: Building Corridors for People and Nature
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Costa Rica		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Coral Comeback? Call In the Crabs!
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Crime Scene to Courtroom
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment, Editing (subcat)
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Dolphin Dilemma
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Elephant Warriors
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Extinction:Romp
in Music Video
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
FIRE TOWER
in Environmental, Original Score (subcat), Cinematography (subcat)
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Flight of the Swans
in Ornithology Documentaries
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Follow the rain
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment, Cinematography (subcat)
Australia		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Giants of the Savannah
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Gladiators: Tidelands
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Cinematography (subcat)
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Godfather of the Ocean
in Environmental
France		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Gopher Games
in Herpetology Documentaries, Direction (subcat), Cinematography (subcat)
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Hack the Planet
in Environmental
Netherlands		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Herring People
in Ocean Life Documentaries
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Jaguar Spirit
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Last Bumblebee
in Entomology Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Last Keeper
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
LET IT BEE
in Content/Message Delivery (subcat), Environmental
Germany		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
A Line in the Sand
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Lions: Now or Never
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Environmental, Editing (subcat)
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Living With Lions
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment, Direction (subcat)
Tanzania, United Repub		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Majestic Forest
in Flora Documentary, Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Metropolis - A Day in Reef City
in Ocean Life Documentaries
Germany		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
MoveMe South Africa
in Environmental
South Africa		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
THE MYSTERY OF THE GIANT BIRDS
in Ornithology Documentaries, Original Score (subcat)
France		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Next Girl
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Ocean seen from the heart
in Ocean Life Documentaries
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
A Postcard From Antarctica
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Ocean Life Documentaries, Music Video, Cinematography (subcat)
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Reading Landscape with David Holmgren
in Environmental
Australia		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
River Obscura: Secrets of a Blackwater River
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Salmon Secrets
in Environmental
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
SOS - The San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power's Legacy
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
A song of time
in Music Video
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Stolen Lives of Elephants
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
System Change - A story of growing resistance
in Environmental
Germany		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Team Ocean
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Unreported World: Mexico's Exotic Pet Trade
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Until the Last Drop by EWA EWART
in Environmental
Poland		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Unwavering
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Switzerland		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Water Lost and Returned
in Environmental, Original Concept (subcat)
Czech Republic		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
Whales of the High Desert
in Environmental
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
The Whale's Prophecy
in Ocean Life Documentaries
Canada		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
When Fish Begin To Crawl
in Environmental, Music Video, Original Score (subcat)
United Kingdom		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 
A year among the bears
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
France		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE 




Act Now!
in Environmental
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
Adam and Flora
in Environmental
France		 EXCELLENCE 
Behind The Trees
in Flora Documentary
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
Coastal Convergence
in Environmental
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
COLOURS
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Belgium		 EXCELLENCE 
Dippers in the Altai IV: Emergence of the Chicks
in Ornithology Documentaries
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
An Epic Journey
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Ecuador		 EXCELLENCE 
Les étoiles de la terre / Stars of the earth
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
France		 EXCELLENCE 
For Everything There Was a Season
in Environmental
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
For A Wild Tomorrow
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
THE FLY BACK: Restoring Territorial Rights in the Ucayali Basin
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Foodlife: Farming for a Sustainable Future
in Environmental
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Frankenstein and the Evolution of Food
in Animation
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Green SuperHeroes 2030
in Environmental
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Holding the Frontline
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Canada		 EXCELLENCE 
Immaculate
in Herpetology Documentaries
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
Kohut
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Poland		 EXCELLENCE 
The Last Cheetahs
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
LIVING BY THE LAKE
in Environmental, Sound Editing (subcat)
United States		  EXCELLENCE: Environmental
EXCEPTIONAL MERIT: Sound Editing (subcat)
Mates for Life | Whooping Crane
in Music Video, Original Concept (subcat)
United States		  EXCELLENCE 
Mussel Memory
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Nature's Wisdom Thru Native Eyes
in Environmental
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Paradise Lost
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Italy		 EXCELLENCE 
The Passage
in Environmental, Ocean Life Documentaries, Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Philippines		 EXCELLENCE 
PLASTICSPHERE
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Environmental, Content/Message Delivery (subcat)
Guatemala		 EXCELLENCE 
RADICAL LOVE. The Life and Legacy of Satish Kumar
in Biography
Brazil		 EXCELLENCE 
Salt in their Veins
in Environmental
United Kingdom
SALTWATERx
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
SEE US
in Ocean Life Documentaries
South Africa		 EXCELLENCE 
Shark Teeth Don't Have Roots
in Ocean Life Documentaries
China		 EXCELLENCE 
The Straight Poop
in Animation
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Tim Stead Magician With Wood
in Environmental
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
Tomorrow
in Environmental		 EXCELLENCE 
SWIM 62
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United Arab Emirates		 EXCELLENCE 
Thinking Like Water
in Biography
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Under the Wire
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Unearthed
in Animation
United Kingdom		 EXCELLENCE 
The Untranslatable Forest
in Environmental
United States		 EXCELLENCE 
Warru Ngurakutu Kulpanyi
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Australia		 EXCELLENCE 
Watermark
in Environmental
Bulgaria		 EXCELLENCE 
WILD IN THE MOUNTAINS. Meditations on hunting
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Austria		 EXCELLENCE 




Alonissos National Marine Park - the natural wealth of the Galaxy of the Aegean Sea
in Youth Produced
Greece		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Geological Documentaries
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Ancient Lands and Lives-Above the Grand Canyon Rims
in Music Video
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Andean Eagle
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Ecuador		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
The Battle of Assaroe
in Environmental, Cinematography (subcat)
Ireland		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Better Bites with Bugs
in Entomology Documentaries
United State		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
The Biocrust Project
in Environmental
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
A Cacophony of Scales
in Animation
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Conte Conversations: Stories from the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries, Environmental
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
The day after today (with English subtitles)
in Environmental
Japan		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Deep Dive Greatest Hits
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
ITAJARA
in Ocean Life Documentaries
France		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Green Forge 2030 (MultiVersion)
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Italy		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Gold
in Music Video
New Zealand		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Harambe
in Environmental
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Mississippi Mud: A Natural History of the Blues
in Biography		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
The Moonshore II: Our Coordinates
in Animation
China		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Mountain Lion: Healing Film of St. Francis
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Mysterious Origin
in Music Video
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
PRITHIBI
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Bangladesh		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Rising Wings
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Save Blind Bay: An Environmental Treasure
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
The Science of Super Corals
in Environmental
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
The Story of a Lake
in Youth Produced
India		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Strange Ballet
in Music Video, Original Song (subcat)
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Surviving to Thriving
in Biography, Content/Message Delivery (subcat)
Australia		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
THERE WAS A CEDAR FOREST
in Environmental, Youth Produced
France		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
"Weight" by 8-bit Creeps
in Music Video
United States		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT
Whale Call
in Environmental
Canada		 EXCEPTIONAL MERIT




AfricaM Safari
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Mexico		 MERIT
Andean Eagle Animated
in Animation
Ecuador		 MERIT
The Battle of Assaroe
in Environmental, Cinematography (subcat)
Ireland		 MERIT
Beyond the Facade: The Green Pioneers of Shanghai
in Youth Produced		 MERIT
Blue Roots
in Narrative Feature Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
Colombia		 MERIT
OF FEATHERS
in Music Video
United States		 MERIT
My Fishy Friends
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Canada		 MERIT
Giants of the Deep: The Whale Shark Story
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Thailand		 MERIT
Human Nature
in Narrative Short Film Centered on Animal, nature or environment
United States		 MERIT
Inundations
in Environmental
United States		 MERIT
The Khutzameyteen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
in Wildlife/Nature Documentaries
Canada		 MERIT
Planet Ocean Blues
in Ocean Life Documentaries
Canada		 MERIT
R E S I L I E N C E
in Animation
France		 MERIT
Sea Free
in Music Video
Spain		 MERIT
Snow White and our Nature (Hip-Hop Meets Orchestra)
in Environmental
France		 MERIT
Value crisis - Conversations with Dr. Gyulai Iván - Conversation 2. - Ecological collapse or real Protection of Creation
in Environmental
Hungary		 MERIT
What's for Dinner?
in Ocean Life Documentaries
United States		 MERIT




NONE

SUB-CATEGORIES

Complexity, Evolution, and Intelligence
in Content/Message Delivery (subcat)
United States		 MERIT
Guy Working at a Computer
in Content/Message Delivery (subcat)
United States
 KUDOS
Life on the Edge - Exploring New Jersey's Coastal Ecosystems
in Research (subcat)
United States		 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE