The Grand Prix of EKOFILM went to the French documentary Low-Tech. Australia and Canada were also successful. Czech filmmakers without a prize this year

The 50th anniversary edition of the EKOFILM International Film Festival, which takes place in Brno from 1 to 6 October, has announced its winners. The jury awarded films in three main categories and also awarded the President's Prize and the Grand Prix - the Prize of the Minister of the Environment. This went to the French film Low-Tech, the Festival President's Award went to the Spanish documentary Wao Zone, the Australian film Follow the Rain won in the Beauty of Nature category, the German documentary Die Spur: Dirty Deals with German Garbage - Hunting for Trash Traffickers dominated the Visions of NAture category and the Canadian film Nittaituq triumphed in the In Short category.

"This year's edition of EKOFILM brought exceptionally strong competition and the winning films certainly belong to the current top of environmental cinema," said festival president Ladislav Miko. "These films not only inform about key environmental issues, but also inspire action and a change of attitude towards our environment."

"Great films have come together again, united by this year's theme "How (not) to kill nature". They clearly showed that the key to saving nature is a personal relationship with nature and understanding that we are nature too. This year's Grand Prix, the Minister of the Environment Award, went to the visually very successful French film Low-Tech by Adrien Bellay. Based on a personal story, it shows the return of man to self-sufficiency so that he is not completely dependent on hi-tech technology. Why throw away a broken printer when it can be easily repaired and used again? Is it necessary to keep buying new things when we can recycle the old ones? How can we live while respecting nature? The film raises questions that are and will be very topical for all of us," says Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík.

The 2023 film introduces the low-tech movement, which advocates designing and sharing simple, accessible technologies. "This is an inspiring portrait of a practical, accessible green movement that challenges our dependence on high-tech solutions. It shows people actively returning to sustainable, low-tech practices. Through it, director Adrien Bellay offers audiences a vision of a future shaped by conscious choices," says international jury member, Scottish producer Rachel Caplan.

The President's Award went to the Spanish documentary Wao Zone by Nagore Eceiza Mujika. This film, made in 2024, focuses on oil extraction in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the area with the greatest biodiversity in the world. Festival juror and award-winning documentary filmmaker Jan Svatoš says: "The film highlights the importance of protecting the rights and culture of indigenous peoples in the context of the modern world. The original cinematography provides an authentic insight into the life of the Waorani people and their struggle with the giants. The filmmakers have managed to bring complex environmental and social issues to a wide audience in an optimal length, so that the story has not lost its professionalism or urgency."

The winner in the category of Beauty of Nature was the Australian film Follow the Rain, directed by Catherine Marciniak and Stephen Axford. This fascinating documentary from 2023 offers a glimpse into the little-explored world of fungi. The directors and mushroom hunters introduce viewers to previously undiscovered species of fungi growing in Australia, guiding them through tropical islands, ancient rainforests and inhospitable deserts. "The film captivated us with its message. It expresses how little explored is the world around us, which we so carelessly interfere with. It shows how complex and connected the world is through fascinating time-lapse footage of mushrooms growing and passing away," explains influencer Rozárie Haškovcová, who was a member of the jury this year. 

The Visions of Nature category was dominated by Dirty Deals with German Garbage - Hunting for Trash Traffickers, directed by Michael Billig and Marius Münstermann. "How can it be that German plastics end up in Czech landfills? Tracking a truckload of waste from Bavaria reveals the unfortunate truth: forged documents turn German waste into Czech waste and the companies involved reap huge illegal profits. Waste crime is also made possible by our lack of interest in what is really happening with waste," says Blažena Hušková, a specialist in the interpretation of local heritage and long-time festival juror.  

The Canadian film Nittaituq, directed by Camille Poirier, Mathilde Poirier and Flore Sergeant, won the In Short category. "We hear stories and warnings about melting glaciers today and every day, and maybe we don't really see the meaning and content of those words anymore. The film tells the story of the people who are closest to the melting glaciers and brings the message of what the loss of ice can shake up in their lives. With culture, with their own identity, with their sense of security. The principle of this loss, the disruption of balance, the threat to livelihoods and traditions can be transferred to every corner of our country, where climate change is causing changes that are challenging and stressful. I would mention this powerful line from the film: We Inuit will adapt to the change that will come because we love living here," describes filmmaker Prokop Pithart, another of the festival's jurors. 

EKOFILM is organised by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic. The festival is held with the financial supports of the South Moravian Region and the Statutory City of Brno. The general partner is CEZ Group, the main partner is Sako Brno and the main media partner is Czech Television.