Squirrels are among the most widely known and recognized mammals. In many parts of the world they gladly join us for our lunches in city parks, amaze us with their acrobatics and entertain our children as cartoons on TV. Squirrels live in an extraordinarily diverse range of habitats. Some can fly, some can swim, some live in trees or underground, others love icy wastelands or burning hot deserts. But don’t let their cuteness fool you! They may be small, but squirrels are one of the most successful species on the planet. And they have big families. This blue-chip documentary explores some of the most fascinating squirrel species and shows how they became so successful dealing with extreme environments and curious (human) neighbors. 'Going Nuts' unveils the enchanting world of one of the “most watched” mammals on the planet.
"Africa Light" - as white local citizens call Namibia. The name suggests romance, the beauty of nature and promises a life without any problems in a country where the difference between rich and poor could hardly be greater. Namibia does not give that impression of it. If you look at its surface it seems like Africa in its most innocent and civilized form. It is a country that is so inviting to dream by its spectacular landscape, stunning scenery and fascinating wildlife. It has a very strong tourism structure and the government gets a lot of money with its magical attraction. But despite its grandiose splendor it is an endless gray zone as well. It oscillates between tradition and modernity, between the cattle in the country and the slums in the city. It shuttles from colonial times, land property reform to minimum wage for everyone. It fluctuates between socialism and cold calculated market economy.
'I found a nice place. I wanted to share it.'
In the early 1900s commercial loggers cut down an old growth spruce tree growing on a small island surrounded by tide pools on the coast of Maine. Out of the trunk of this ancient tree grew two new trees, side by side.
Morning dew in summer fields and meadows.
Mountain wildflowers in a dense fog.
"The acid soil of New England, its wide stretches of hardwoods, its numerous sugar maples, its rolling or mountainous character, the sunshine of its autumn weather, all these contribute to the glory of this annual display. The birches of Maine the aspens of the White Mountains, the sugar Maples of Vermont, the long rainbow of the Connecticut River Valley cutting from top to bottom through New England, the Berkshires - mention these to anyone who has traveled widely through a New England fall and you will evoke instant memories of superlative beauty." -Edwin Way Teale, Autumn across America, 1956
A short film featuring a coastal forest and the rocky coastline of downeast Maine.
A short film featuring a pebble beach and coastal salt marsh in Maine.
A golden sunrise brings light to the foggy hills and meadows of late summer.
A short film shot on Super 8 which captures the last days of winter.
Fog surrounds the peak of a mountain as summer wildflowers bloom.
The sun rises over the tide pools of coastal Maine.
Wildlife in an early spring wetland.
The Last Giants
Beyond Access takes us on a journey with young Afro-Latina ocean explorer and storyteller, Xochitl Clare, on her quest to champion equal access to the great outdoors. The film centers her discussions on the next generation of leaders and practitioners who are diversifying outdoor spaces. It also highlights the importance of allyship in ensuring that underserved and historically marginalized youth and families are able to rebuild a sense of belonging in nature.
From the scorching sand dunes of Namibia, to the tropical Tasmanian rainforest, to the bitter waters of the Baltic Sea, this film visits the most extraordinary ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them. We also learn how human activity has forced species into extinction and reflect on the importance of preserving diverse environments. Discover how nature has developed new methods of survival over millions of years, and learn how modern society uses these solutions in our everyday lives, through manufacturing medicines, new technologies and designs. Whilst celebrating the wonders of our natural world, this film also shares an important message on the impact of human activity on our ecosystems, encouraging us to reflect on the importance of preserving diverse and rich environments
Take a trip with the filmmakers to Scotland, to the Highlands, rich in flora and fauna. It's also the perfect place to make Scotland's most popular drink - whisky. The film begins at the end of winter and follows the changes the area undergoes over the course of the year.
A place of biological superlatives with a flora and fauna that have only just begun to be researched: Lord Howe Island, between Australia and New Zealand. This is the first documentary on what may be the most isolated nature reserve on the planet.
Africa's giant rats – the size of a cat – can be trained to detect land-mines by smelling them. Giant rats are clever and they learn fast. Their sense of smell is better than a dog's, they have more stamina, and they're a lot cheaper to train. This documentary follows "Miss Marple", who was born in a training lab and who goes through a year's training before being sent on her first mission to Mozambique. A shorter version (43 minutes) screened at festivals in 2009 but was never widely released.