“Katavi – Africa’s Fallen Paradise” Wins Best Cinematography at GREEN SCREEN Festival
We are proud to announce that our latest production, “Katavi – Africa’s Fallen Paradise,” has been awarded Best Cinematography at the International Wildlife Film Festival GREEN SCREEN – Europe’s largest and most popular festival for nature documentaries.
Held every year in Eckernförde on the Baltic Sea since 2007, GREEN SCREEN brings together thousands of nature enthusiasts and industry professionals to celebrate outstanding wildlife and conservation storytelling. With hundreds of submissions from around the world, the festival is renowned for honoring the very best in nature filmmaking across 16 competition categories.
This year, “Katavi – Africa’s Fallen Paradise“ stood out for its breathtaking cinematography. Filmed in one of the most remote corners of Southern Tanzania, the documentary captures an extraordinary climatic cycle that strikes Katavi National Park once every 90 years. Through a powerful allegorical tale, the film follows lions, hippos, and crocodiles as they endure extreme droughts, devastating floods, and the arrival of new intruders into their fragile ecosystem.
Cinematographer Luana Knipfer was there to accept the award alongside Terra Mater Studios Executive Producer Birgit Peters.
From the desperate struggles of hippos fighting for dwindling pools, to lions adapting with surprising amphibious behavior, to crocodiles revealing unexpected sensitivity – the film reveals animal behavior never seen before. These intimate moments, paired with the grandeur of Katavi’s landscapes, make the cinematography an unforgettable visual journey.
The award highlights the incredible effort of the filmmaking team, who spent seasons in the field to document a once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon. It also underlines the importance of storytelling in raising awareness about the impact of climate change on ecosystems worldwide.
We are honored that “Katavi – Africa’s Fallen Paradise” has received this recognition at GREEN SCREEN and look forward to sharing this powerful story of resilience, adaptation, and hope with audiences everywhere.
