Wednesday
23.09.2026
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00Home to Many
After moving to a new city a family of mice leads me to spend more and more time in a park nearby. This way I also encounter other inhabitants like red squirrels, mallards, geese, mute swans and the rose-ringed parakeets. Even though the city park is a rather ordinary place, with animals everyone seems to already know, you can observe the most incredible things here.
Director: Gamander LópezLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 14:00 - 14:56
Ganesh - Lord of the Lakes
In the celebrated lakes area of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, the resident tigress has had no cubs for several years. Without an heiress, the lakes are in danger of slipping away from the family that has held it for at least five generations. When young male tiger Ganesh takes over the area, he finds himself going against his grain in mating with three females of the same bloodline, including his own grandmother. He may have conquered the territory, but will he succeed in conquering himself to become the lord of the lakes?
Director: Pranay PatelLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 15:05 - 15:51
Muskox: Survival in the Arctic
In the remote Arctic tundra, one of the harshest environments on Earth, a tightly bonded herd of musk oxen—ancient survivors of the Ice Age—endures a world shaped by cold, hunger, and constant threat. At the limits of survival, they rely on cooperation, memory, and collective defense to withstand predators and the brutal rhythm of the seasons. Filmed over several years, Muskox: Survival in the Arctic offers a deeply immersive portrait of one of the Arctic’s most iconic yet rarely observed animals—bringing to the screen a rare feature-length look at musk oxen in the wild. As the seasons shift, tensions rise within the herd, predators close in, and the long polar night pushes their endurance to the edge. In an increasingly unpredictable world, the balance between survival and loss grows ever more fragile. Narrated by acclaimed British actress Daisy Head and directed by Chris Schmid, Muskox: Survival in the Arctic is a story of resilience—and a powerful reflection on the forces reshaping one of the planet’s last wild ecosystems.
Director: Chris SchmidLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 16:00 - 16:52
Flying Scents - Of Plants and People
The research team led by Consuelo De Moraes is on the verge of discovering florigen – a substance that could make plants bloom instantly. While Florianne Koechlin uncovers that plants “speak” through scents, the artist duo Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger question the boundaries between nature and artificiality. United by their passion for the plant world, the protagonists illuminate the complex interactions between plants, insects and humans.
Director: Antshi von MoosLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 17:00 - 18:06
Shells: Shaped By Nature
"Shells: Shaped by Nature" is a tribute to the enigmatic splendour of shells, celebrating intricate marvels that grace Africa’s marine realms. Yet, from what ancient origins do they arise, and how have they evolved to touch the very core of our being? As we delve deeper, we unearth stories of survival, adaptation, and the equilibrium of life beneath the waves.
Director: Barend van der WattLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 12:00 - 12:50
Nature´s Nurseries - The next wild Generation
Whether in the wilderness, on fields and pastures, or living right beside us, all animals share the same task: ensuring the survival of their young. Every species on Earth has developed strategies - and often astonishing tricks - to give its offspring the best possible start. “NATURE’S NURSERIES - The next wild generation“ shows intimate stories of animal families facing life’s challenges and celebrates the uniqueness of life on Earth.
Director: Jan HaftLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 10:00 - 10:50
Derek vs Derek
The idyllic English countryside. An intensive dairy farmer called Derek. One day his neighbour, also a Derek, forsakes tradition and starts to turn his land over to wild nature sparking a long-running feud. One Derek believes in intensive farming and producing industrially farmed food, the other is creating a haven for wildlife. The film charts the two Dereks’ often funny turbulent relationship as tempers fray, wild animals escape, and the land is transformed.
Director: James DawsonLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
23.09.26 19:00 - 20:28
Opening Ceremony
23.09.2026 19:00 - 20:30Location: Theatre hall
On Wednesday the festival opening ceremony takes place at Lihula Culture Centre.
Thursday
24.09.2026
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00Arctic Link
An epic debut film about the technological imaginaries of a changing world. Thousands of kilometres of fibre-optic cable glide from the deck into the dark depths of the ocean. A Filipino crew drifts in isolation, their phones a fragile connection to home. The cable reaches a remote community in Alaska, where hopes for a bright future meet fears of dystopian change.
Director: Ian PurnellLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 20:30 - 21:52
The Inheritors
The Inheritors offers an intimately arresting observation of the daily life of a colony of ring-billed gulls which nest alongside Canada’s largest landfill to feed their young. Alternating between the perspectives of prey and predator, we follow these unwanted creatures through a full breeding season as they become the targets of invasive data collection, then of harsh deterrence measures using the age-old art of falconry. With sound and cinematography that lets the birds speak for themselves, The Inheritors is a sensory experience which invites us to contemplate new ways of living and dying on a planet haunted by mass consumption and pollution. A foretelling of the ecologies of our future.
Director: Serge-Olivier RondeauLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 19:00 - 20:19
An Irish Atlantic Rainforest
AN IRISH ATLANTIC RAINFOREST tells the story of Eoghan Daltun, a leading climate activist at the forefront to save native Irish rainforests in the face of climate change and political indifference. From his inner-city Dublin upbringing to his life as a sculptor, to now a best-selling author; Eoghan is a striking and inspirational figure who now finds himself custodian to one of the best examples of temperate rainforest in Ireland - having rewilded an old farm on the edges of the Beara Peninsula in West Cork.
Director: Gary LennonLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 17:15 - 18:46
Whispers of the Forest
Whispers of the Forest” is a nature documentary that invites the viewer into a world of silence, mindfulness, and deep immersion in nature. It is a story in which the forest becomes the main character - not as a specific place on a map, but as a living organism, a space of memory, a refuge, and a home for countless forms of life. The film was created in Lesser Poland, primarily within the area of the Babia Góra National Park, as well as the Podbabiogórze region and, more broadly, the Beskid Mountains. However, it does not focus on one particular region or geographical name. Instead, it portrays the forest as a universal space where time flows differently, and where a person - if willing to slow down - can once again rediscover the meaning of being part of nature.
Director: Krzysztof Sarapata, Tomasz KotaśLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 15:45 - 16:45
In the Light of the Sands
As a bird warden, Kilian spends seven months alone on a barrier island in the North Sea. His tasks are simple: monitoring wildlife and collecting flotsam. The rich birdlife, extreme weather and ever-changing landscape are conveyed both through imagery and a soundtrack of wind, rain and birdsong. Contact with others is rare, but the intrusion of the outside world is all the more striking. Whilst climate change threatens the island, messages from his relatives in war zone echo in the solitude. Through his slow-paced observations, the island becomes a mirror for much larger turmoil.
Director: Kilian HelmbrechtLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 14:00 - 15:15
Surfing Hippos - Gabon’s Jungle Beach
On the coast of Gabon, the rainforest of the Congo Basin meets the Atlantic Ocean. At this rare frontier, animals normally hidden deep in the jungle gather on the beach. Forest elephants, antelopes, monkeys and hippos – some even entering the surf – come in search of food, minerals, shelter, or relief from parasites. By night, the shoreline becomes a cradle of life, shaped by rhythms thousands of years old. But ocean currents now carry plastic waste to one of Africa’s last untouched shores. Surfing Hippos explores this fragile ecosystem, where ancient natural cycles collide with modern threats.
Director: Yann Sochaczewski, Marlen HundertmarkLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 11:00 - 11:50
Penguin Baywatch - Episode 1: Tuxedo Summer Bash
Welcome to Crozet Island, where beachfront real estate comes with a side of guano! Meet our dapper hero, a young king penguin returning to this remote volcanic island after years of ocean wandering, hoping to join the exclusive seaside singles club. His dating profile needs work – perfect plumage isn’t enough when your beak game is lacking! The island’s tuxedo-clad residents have discerning tastes and a complex social scene, where synchronized waddling is considered high art and personal space is measured in flipper lengths. Between awkward encounters with three-ton elephant seals, nosy sheathbills providing daily nostril inspections and strange human researchers, our penguins navigate the joys and perils of colony life. Watch as these feathered fashionistas perform delicate egg-exchanges, defend their territory with dramatic flair, and attempt to raise chicks while maintaining their dignity. It’s a summer beach party like no other – where singing contests, predator dodging, and heat waves make family life a challenging adventure!
Director: Bertrand LoyerLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 10:00 - 10:50
Forest Guardian: Stories from the Heart of the Woods
"Forest Guardian: Stories from the Heart of the Woods" will take you on a journey through the magical landscapes of Podlasie and introduce you to a man for whom the forest is home, and cats – a symbol of freedom. “He doesn’t just live in the Forest. He is its guardian.” The magic of the Białowieża Forest, freedom, and the fight for nature. Meet Tomasz Onikijuk – the Forest Guardian of the forest’s secrets, who has lived in harmony with nature since childhood. Herbs, wild animals, the rituals of ancestors… and the fight for every patch of the Forest. The Forest Guardian isn’t afraid to speak out – he helps refugees, protects bison and wolves, and on social media inspires young people to fall in love with nature.
Director: Małgorzata SzyszkaLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 12:00 - 13:00
The Piuca Wildlife Garden
Piuca is different from other gardens: it’s a place where an authentic relationship with nature can be tested on a daily basis and where all plants are welcome without bias. What’s a landscaper’s garden like? Antonio Perazzi, together with his family, opens the gates of Piuca to share their daily life and explain the design choices made here that have inspired his projects elsewhere. Gracefully and without absolutism, he describes his original interpretation of the fine thread holding together ecological ethics, aesthetics, functionality, practice, and design. Through meticulous footage shot in over a year, the secrets of an exciting place are revealed. The coming and going of seasons, with their numerous flowerings, and the work leading up to the harmonious development of natural spaces show, for the first time, the secret nature of the Piuca garden: a little ecological paradise nestled on the slopes of the highest hill in the Florentine region of Chianti.
Director: Emilio Neri TremoladaLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 19:00 - 20:19
Our Land
A bold and timely journey into one of England’s most divisive questions: who gets to enjoy the countryside? From the Right to Roam movement’s dramatic “mass trespasses” to landowners who see themselves as stewards of nature, it’s a gripping clash over access, conservation, and centuries-old property rights. Blending history with urgent contemporary voices, it asks: as the battle for nature escalates, who truly holds the right to roam?
Director: Orban WallaceLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 17:15 - 18:45
Kingdom of Fish - The Power of Water
Many fish need free-flowing water in order to reproduce. But in rivers and streams, they are often obstructed by hydroelectric dams and other obstacles that we humans have built. Martin Falklind explores the possibilities of helping the fish to roam freely. We also meet Sweden's first inhabitants after the ice age, the char, and 12-year-old Edvin, who does everything he can to help fish.
Director: Martin FalklindLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
24.09.26 13:00 - 13:57
Friday
25.09.2026
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00The Journey of the Blue Fox
Since the last Ice Age, the Arctic foxes of the Scandinavian Peninsula have become genetically distinct. Due to severe hunting activities, their numbers dwindled from tens of thousands, to less than a hundred animals in the early 2000s. Even today they struggle to survive as their Arctic habitat changes and disappears. The Journey of the Blue Fox is the heartwarming story of young Arctic fox vixen, as she makes her way across the Scandinavian mountain chain to find a territory of her own – one that will feed her and her future family.
Director: Carl Herdenberg, Katri Rannastu, Claudia ZenkertLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 12:00 - 13:03
The Mother Age
"If it is a human thing to do to put something you want, because it's useful, edible, or beautiful, into a bag, or a basket… then I am a human being after all." Ursula K. Le Guin wrote. Inspired by her world view and other female thinkers, filmmaker Irene Kaltenborn invites us on a richly philosophical og sensory journey of (re)discovery in the deep Finnish forests. Taking the creation myth of the Finnish and Karelian national epic, The Kalevala, as a starting point—where the world emerges not through conquest but through song and organic becoming— "The Mother Age" reflects on alternative origins for human culture. Stone endures, while organic materials decay, but might there exist a parallel history of development, rooted not in domination and competition, but in care, coexistence, and a more reciprocal relationship with the living world?
Director: Irene Margrethe KaltenbornLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 14:00 - 15:15
Kueka - Ancestral Memory
In a community located in the oldest place on planet Earth, in southern Venezuela, three generations of the Pemón people are fighting for the return of their ancestral grandmother, Kowai Kueka. Her spirit is embodied in a red jasper stone weighing more than 20 tons, which was stolen and transported to Germany without the community's consent to be part of an art installation. The council of wise men and women of Mapauri recalls the times when abundant food was a sign of the balance maintained by Kowai Kueka and Amoko, her grandfather. After her abduction, the planet's natural cycles were altered, generating relentless rains that flooded crops and punished hundreds of human beings, alternating with prolonged periods of drought. The guardians of ancestral memory embark on a journey of resistance against memory murder to restore natural balance.
Director: María de los Ángeles Peña FonsecaLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 20:00 - 21:05
Trade Secret
"Trade Secret" follows three unlikely allies on a mission to protect polar bears from international commercial trade. Filmed over six years across nine countries, the film exposes the sanctioned sale of hundreds of polar bears each year on the global market. But as the investigation deepens, it uncovers a disturbing truth: those entrusted with safeguarding the species may be entangled in their continued commercialisation. The film raises urgent questions about how we protect vulnerable species in a world where the lines between protection and exploitation have become blurred.
Director: Abraham JoffeLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 21:15 - 22:55
North Whale Island
Two men arrive on a remote subarctic island with basic tools and a bag of salt. For three weeks they live only from what the sea offers and what the land allows to be taken. Without dialogue, the film observes long days with bright nights, shifting weather, and the quiet rhythm of work. What emerges is not simply a story of survival, but a silent ritual - life reduced to its essential gestures. What forgotten knowledge might still live in the movements of the hand? Gradually the island becomes a place where the boundary between human effort and the forces of nature slowly dissolves.
Director: Trond Ansten, Clemens WilhelmLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 16:00 - 17:04
The Journey of the Blue Fox
Since the last Ice Age, the Arctic foxes of the Scandinavian Peninsula have become genetically distinct. Due to severe hunting activities, their numbers dwindled from tens of thousands, to less than a hundred animals in the early 2000s. Even today they struggle to survive as their Arctic habitat changes and disappears. The Journey of the Blue Fox is the heartwarming story of young Arctic fox vixen, as she makes her way across the Scandinavian mountain chain to find a territory of her own – one that will feed her and her future family.
Director: Carl Herdenberg, Katri Rannastu, Claudia ZenkertLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 18:00 - 19:03
Blue Wings - The secrete Life of the European Roller
Blue and Iris are a pair of European Rollers, bonded for life. "Blue Wings - The Secret life of the European Roller", tells the story of their turbulent adventures over the course of an entire breeding season, as they strive to raise a new family. Azur, the youngest chick in the brood, will have to show determination - and sometimes a touch of luck - in order to survive, grow, and reach adulthood. The European Roller is a rare species in France, with only around 1,500 breeding pairs, and it is notoriously difficult to observe. Carl Von Linné once wrote of it: “It is the most beautiful of all our birds.”
Director: Jérôme GuillaumotLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 10:00 - 10:52
Coexistence
Thomas Julienne, a young biologist, embarks on a cycling expedition across Argentina and Chile to explore the complex relationship between sheep farmers and pumas - the great predators of Patagonia that sometimes prey on livestock. Along the way, he meets farmers and scientists, documenting innovative solutions that foster peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. But Thomas’s journey through these vast, untamed landscapes goes far beyond scientific inquiry. Confronting snowstorms, fierce winds, and solitude, he experiences a profound personal adventure - one that celebrates freedom, resilience, and the spirit of exploration. Blending scientific documentary with adventure storytelling, this film offers a powerful reflection on humanity’s impact on nature and the importance of preserving large predators. It invites viewers to immerse themselves in the breathtaking wilderness of Patagonia while discovering tangible ways to live in harmony with the natural world.
Director: Thomas JulienneLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 11:45 - 12:44
Amma, Do Giraffes Really Cry?
Far away from home, an Indian filmmaker calls his zoologist mother from the Prague Zoo. As he describes the mysterious lives of the captive animals he observes - a gorilla scared of cameras, an insomniac anaconda and penguins haunted by their own shadows - the zoo becomes a space for their memories to materialise. The distance between mother and son, human and animal evaporates, and the zoologist confronts a long held belief.
Director: Kartikeya SaxenaLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 17:30 - 17:57
The Cry of the Eider
Once the proud symbol of the Baltic Sea, The Common Eider is now disappearing at an alarming rate. The Cry of the Eider follows a group of dedicated people fighting to save this iconic sea bird from the brink of collapse. Through breathtaking footage and powerful yet intimate human stories, the film uncovers the deeper forces driving the Eider’s decline — from environmental change to human impact — and asks what this tragedy reveals about the state of the Baltic Sea itself. This is not just the story of one species. The Eider’s fate mirrors the uncertain future of an entire ecosystem. As nature is reshaped by powerful global forces, can individual action still make a difference? Is there still hope for the Eider — and for the Baltic Sea?
Director: Kimmo OhtonheimoLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 13:00 - 13:52
Forever Home
In the heart of North Carolina, two dreamers are revolutionizing animal care through groundbreaking, sustainable architecture. From goats who thrive in vertical spaces to chickens whose house opens with the sun, the residents in this unique sanctuary flourish in custom-designed houses. When a family of cows faces slaughter, an ingenious new home offers them refuge. With wild creativity, compassion, and endearing characters, Forever Home invites us to rethink the meaning of “home” and our relationship with society’s abused and forgotten animals.
Director: Allison ArgoLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 14:00 - 14:56
The Pl*nt
What if this were the plant with the greatest potential on Earth? Through internationally renowned voices, THE PL*NT explores and anticipates a future where the true potential of cannabis can no longer remain hidden.
Director: Ferran Calbet BigorraLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
25.09.26 20:00 - 20:51
Saturday
26.09.2026
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00Mara: Rebirth - Episode 1: The Emergence
Mara is arguably the most diverse and important savanna ecosystem on the planet. What makes it special is not only that it forms the northern limit of the Serengeti, but also that it is where migrations from the south and northeast converge. "The Emergence" takes us into the Mara plains for nine months after the wildebeest herds have departed, revealing what happens here for most of the year. Young animals are born and grow, learning how to survive in a world where predators search for new prey in the absence of the wildebeest. Through giraffes, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, leopards, jackals and elephants, a vibrant world unfolds – one centred not on death, but on birth, growth and life. The film ends with the arrival of the northern zebra migration, as the plains once again fill with stripes and the rivers with the thunder of hooves.
Director: Dereck & Beverly JoubertLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 09:30 - 10:20
Ballet Boréal
In northern Sweden, in the immense boreal forest, Torn is one of the 7,000 seasonal Thai pickers who come every year to ensure the survival of the local wild berry market. By collecting as much as he can each day, he hopes to return home with enough to live on for a few months. At 77, Pär is a sort of hermit in this forest, which he knows by heart but will soon have to abandon. He sees it transform around his home, and lives one of his last summers of gathering, calm and poetry. Between them, harvesting, the fragile ecosystem that reveals the forest, far from the postcard images that it so often portrays.
Director: Simon Maraud, Thomas GrandrémyLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 16:30 - 17:11
Ice Nomads
On board a 15-meter sailboat, a crew sets off for another world, like astronauts conquering a distant planet. They are on their way to meet A23A, the oldest and largest of all icebergs. For 40 years, this giant, measuring 75km long by 60km wide, 38 times the size of Paris, has been wandering like a comet in one of the world's most dangerous seas, east of Cape Horn. A23A attracts a teeming world of creatures around it, from tiny plankton to enormous whales. But this monster does not only have positive impacts. This is the story of of A23A journey. The growing release of massive icebergs is expected to reshape polar marine environments and play a role in future sea-level rise.
Director: Jérôme BouvierLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 15:20 - 16:13
Frost Without Snow and Ice
For ten years, Norwegian filmmaker Asgeir has followed the extraordinary life of a polar bear named Frost – a mother struggling to raise her cubs in a rapidly changing Arctic. What begins as observation slowly becomes an intimate journey of survival and love, conflict and loss, transforming Asgeir from a quiet witness into a storyteller. Driven by a deep connection to nature, he seeks to reveal the devastating impact of climate change on Frost’s home, Svalbard – the fastest-warming place on earth. As Asgeir confronts the consequences of human actions, he reflects on his encounters with Frost and asks: can empathy and understanding bridge the gap between humans and other animals before it’s too late?
Director: Asgeir HelgestadLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 12:00 - 13:34
Lifeline
Each year, thousands enter the salmon lottery in Alta, where 700 winners receive an 18-hour fishing license. Known as Døgnet, the event unites generations around salmon fishing as culture and identity. Lifeline follows local families and fishers, portraying a community fighting to preserve its bond with the river as the wild salmon faces extinction.
Director: Lasse Dørumsgaard Stensrud, Nina BellikaLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 10:30 - 11:34
Life on the Edge - The Changing Nature of the Outer Islets
Outer islets are an extreme habitat. There is little shelter when a storm hits, and no shade from the scorching heat. Yet, these islets are home to a wide variety of life adapted to exceptionally harsh conditions. In spring and autumn, the outer islets serve as important resting places for migratory birds, and many birds also stay to nest in the extreme conditions of the islets. The skerries are also the realm of seals. Life on the Edge – The Changing Nature of the Outer Islets is a nature documentary about the fascinating, yet extreme, nature of the outer islets. The documentary captures life on the islet throughout the year and day, including from the perspective of a sea eagle in the sky and the mysterious world of the bladderwrack beneath the surface.
Director: Petteri SaarioLocation: Theatre hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 14:00 - 14:52
Máximapark - From Greenhouses to a Living Landscape
In the heart of the Metropolitan Area next to city Utrecht lies a unique part of the Netherlands: Máximapark. Only 25 years ago it was still home to greenhouse growers; today it is a vibrant, green icon of modern landscape architecture and community spirit. From its roots in greenhouse horticulture and the surprising archaeological discoveries dating back to Roman times, to the carefully designed landscape: Máximapark is designed by world famous landscape architect Adriaan Geuze, where rare flora and fauna have found their place—for example in the Vlinderhof, designed by well-known Piet Oudolf. The park is a living mosaic of nature, history, and culture. Volunteers from diverse backgrounds work side by side to maintain and nurture this young yet meaningful place. Visitors come here to find peace, experience, and movement. The film Máximapark is an ode to the power of collaboration, the importance of heritage, and the beauty of a landscape in which people and nature strengthen one another.
Director: Hans den HartogLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 13:00 - 14:23
Eat More Trees
Eat More Trees brings together pioneers from around the world, following their quest for a new form of agriculture. Their dream? To fill supermarkets with healthy and diverse products from agroforestry. Is this a utopian vision, or will they succeed in becoming a catalyst for lasting change? After all, reviving agriculture can save entire villages from neglect. The film intertwines the personal stories of regenerative farmers Alfonso & Yanniek, and landscape designer Louis with the discovery of hope giving stories from the Amazon to the USA. The farmers and experts address universal themes of regeneration, environment, sustainability, and humanity's connection to the earth. We witness daily struggles, triumphs and setbacks, and the growing impact of their work on their communities. Their paths cross when they decide to collaborate and share their knowledge.
Director: Arne FocketynLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 11:15 - 12:34
Magical France - From the Loire to Alsace
Beyond castle walls and well-trodden tourist paths, France reveals a surprisingly wild side. In the heart of the country flows the Loire, lined with world-famous châteaux. But far from the visitor crowds, a fascinating animal world unfolds: In a quiet side arm of the river, a female otter gives birth to three blind pups – their first adventure begins on her belly. Above them, an osprey circles, its chicks in the nest trying for the first time to tear apart a fish. Even the castles themselves come to life: Villandry, known for its ornamental gardens, is also home to France’s most important bat nursery. At Chenonceau, hundreds of house martins nest on the façade – the château becomes a breeding ground. And while stags clash antlers in the forests of Chambord, wildcats roam the undergrowth near Haut-Koenigsbourg in Alsace. Even badgers venture out during the day with their young. The film captures it all: beneath the shadow of great history, wild life still pulses.
Director: Heike Grebe, Michael RieglerLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 15:00 - 15:50
Days of the Owl
Türkiye is home to some of the richest wildlife in Europe. Among this diversity lives a relatively unknown bird of prey: the long-eared owl. These owls not only live in the wild; they also thrive in villages and even in cities, right alongside people. In some beliefs they are considered bad luck. But for some people who share the same environment with them, things are quite different. In the heart of Anatolia, there are stories that show humans and wildlife can coexist without conflict. “Days of the Owl” witnesses this shared life, telling the story of long-eared owls through the eyes of their closest neighbours.
Director: Ece SoydamLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 16:15 - 16:55
Moving to a New Camp
The film depicts the reindeer herding brigade’s move from one campsite to another. This film is part of a larger Yamal Nenets Series, which explores the daily life of nomadic reindeer pastoralists on the Yamal Peninsula in Western Siberia during the calving season in the spring. The footage for the series was captured during a three-month ethnographic fieldwork in 1999.
Director: Liivo NiglasLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
26.09.26 17:20 - 18:30
Lihula manor
11:15 - 12:15
Aivo Oblikas: Capturing the Dynamics of Birds of Prey and the Energy of the Moment in Photographs (EST)
26.09.2026 11:15 - 12:15Location: Lihula manor
Aivo Oblikas talks about photographing birds of prey, focusing on capturing movement, energy and emotion. Through photographs and videos, he shows how much can change even between two consecutive frames.
Terje Kolaas: The Art of Bird Photography (NOR)
26.09.2026 14:00 - 15:00Location: Lihula manor
Canon Nordic photographer Terje Kolaas shares his approach to bird photography, from observing behaviour and finding new perspectives to working on land, underwater and in the air. Through practical examples, he explores his working methods and how modern camera technology can help achieve the desired results in nature photography.
Priidu Saart: In Appreciation of Estonia’s Landscapes (EST)
26.09.2026 15:15 - 04:15Location: Lihula manor
Priidu Saar has devoted a major part of his life to capturing the landscapes of Estonia and exploring the stories behind these photographs. In his presentation, he shares his experiences and reflects on the meaning and value of landscape photography in today’s world.
Karl Jakob Toplaan: By the Water, On the Water and Underwater (EST)
26.09.2026 16:30 - 17:30Location: Lihula manor
Karl Jakob Toplaan shares his journey into waterbird photography and the challenge of capturing birds in their difficult-to-access habitats. He introduces the tools and techniques he has experimented with over the years to get closer to birds living and feeding in water and mud.
Award ceremony and Grand Prix screening
26.09.2026 19:00 - 21:30Location: Theatre hall
On Saturday the award ceremony will take place, where the winning films will be announced. After the ceremony, the Grand Prix-winning film will be screened.
Sunday
27.09.2026
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00Women and the Wind
Three women ignite the flames of curiosity and adventure which lay dormant within so many of us, by deepening our understanding of the synergy between nature and humanity - and by doing so radically, through a voyage across the North Atlantic.
Director: Alizé JirehLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
27.09.26 16:10 - 17:46
Endangered Species
Following the privatisation of their jetty by a big corporation, the tiny fishing community of the Curonian Spit seeks temporary shelter in the handful of remaining warehouses where they moor their boats. The changes in Nida go beyond the shifting genius loci and the fostering of new social bonds among its residents, driven by commercial interests. Alongside declining fish stocks, there is a gradual fading of the town’s once-thriving fishing community. Year after year, despite worsening conditions, two veteran fishermen persevere with a trade that represents not only their main income, but also their last remaining passion. In time, they come to accept their diminishing fishing prospects, and cherish every moment spent at sea. The dock – now haunted by retired fishing folk – serves as a stark reminder of life’s impermanence.
Director: Šarūnas MikulskisLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
27.09.26 15:00 - 15:57
Let Our Mountains Live
Sámi reindeer herders win a Supreme Court victory against Europe’s largest wind farm - but when the state refuses to act, their fight reveals a deeper crisis of justice and trust.
Director: Håvard BustnesLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
27.09.26 13:00 - 14:40
How Deep is your Love
A visually stunning, thought-provoking documentary that plunges into the mysterious depths of the ocean — a vast, largely unexplored world that covers 70% of our planet. Following a team of pioneering marine biologists, the film captures awe-inspiring footage of otherworldly creatures and fragile ecosystems that thrive in eternal darkness. But beneath this beauty lies an urgent dilemma: the growing threat of deep-sea mining.Blending cutting-edge science, cinematic spectacle, and a timely environmental message, it offers both wonder and warning. It invites global audiences to reflect on the value of nature beyond profit — and challenges us to consider the true cost of exploiting our last untouched frontier.
Director: Eleanor MortimerLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
27.09.26 11:10 - 12:50
Wild Tamil Nadu
A spectacular new natural history film that reveals the extraordinary biodiversity of Tamil Nadu, a land where rain forests, reefs, and deserts meet in one of the most unique ecological landscapes on Earth.
Director: Kalyan VarmaLocation: Mirror hall (Lihula)
27.09.26 10:00 - 11:00
Winners’ Screenings
27.09.2026 10:00 - 18:00Location: Theatre hall
On Sunday, this year’s winning films will be screened in the Lihula Cultural Centre theatre hall.
