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The WildSouth Film Festival is a showcase for some of the best natural history films from around the world, from close encounters with the animal kingdom to scientific discoveries and even some local Central Otago history. It will run alongside the 2009 Festival of Colour from 28-31 April.

Highlights of the festival include Blue Vinyl, an Emmy Award nominee that combines humour with the environmental truth about vinyl while Prince of the Alps, TeleNatura 2008 overall winner, explores the adaptability of the red deer and the dangers it faces from wolves, bears and an overbearing human presence in its European habitat.

At midday each day during the festival, Student Films from Otago University’s Centre for Science Communication will feature work as diverse as Prince of Cats – are there really big cats running wild in South Canterbury? – to Whetu Rere, the heartrending story about a young sea lion.

Many of these student films have already received high industry regard such as Exhuming Adams which features a CSI-style investigation in to the disappearance of native mistletoe and won the highest industry accolade, Best Newcomer at Bristol’s WildScreen. Mad Mac and the Flat Ugly Snail tells the story of the New Zealand paua industry through the eyes of one of its great characters and won Best Documentary at the 2006 Santa Barbara Ocean Film Festival.

WildSouth also festures some stunning Natural History New Zealand  documentaries including Shark Nicole which tracks a great white shark,and  Expedition Antarctica which takes science right to the edge as researchers encounter the storms of the Southern Ocean.

All screenings will take place at Lake Wanaka’s Cinema Paradiso with tickets $10 in advance or $5 on the door. For further information and full programme listings visit www.paradiso.net.nz or the Festival of Colour website at www.festivalofcolour.co.nz.

Image: Karearea: The Pine Falcon - Catskill Films [NZ]

Wildlife photographer George Chance spent the 1970’s following and studying the NZ Falcon; now he is going blind. Filmmaker Sandy Crichton attempts to add movement to George’s photographs.

Image: Geckos Rock
Student Films from the Centre for Science Communication
Directors - Julia Kelbling and Jinty MacTavish

A fascinating insight into one of New Zealand’s least known creatures and their biggest fan. Filmed largely in Central Otago.