“Desert Phantoms - Lions of the Skeleton Coast”
ORF brand “Universum” Nature has just concluded an exceptionally successful festival season, showcasing their work at festivals around the globe. They were honored with two main prizes, two honorable mentions, and the audience award at the Mountainfilm Festival in Graz, Austria.
Patrick Centurioni received the “Kamera Alpin Austria” award for his impressive documentary “Wildlife 2.0 – Adapting To A New World” (A co-production by ORF, ARTE GEIE, NDR and Patrick Centurioni in association with ORF-Enterprise). This film examines the impact of human activities and energy transition on rural habitats, highlighting how wildlife adapts to transformed landscapes featuring urban structures and emphasizing conservation efforts like green bridges and habitat revitalization along infrastructure such as railway lines, wind farms, and solar installations.
The “Alpine Camera in Gold - Nature & Environment” award was given to the visually stunning production “Lions of the Skeleton Coast” (A co-production by ORF, PBS, ARTE, WDR and Into Nature Productions in association with ORF-Enterprise) by Will and Lianne Steenkamp, which also received the coveted Audience Award. The film tells the inspiring and dramatic story of three orphaned desert lion cubs born in the Namib Desert, following their journey to the Skeleton Coast where they adapt to hunting seals and waterbirds, transforming into true coastal lions. It captivated both the jury and the audience, making it an emotional highlight of the festival.
Commendations in the Nature & Environment category were awarded to two other “Universum” Nature productions, further emphasizing the brand’s diversity and quality: “The Real Jungle Book” (A co-production by ORF, ARTE G.E.I.E, NDR, dreiD.at Filmproduktion and Drishyam Films in association with ORF-Enterprise), which depicts the real animals behind the tale by Rudyard Kipling and “Wild Transylvania – Dracula’s Hidden Kingdom” (A co-production by ORF, NDR, ARTE, PBS, SVT, RTÈ Ireland, Crossing the Line Films and Skyland Productions, funded by Tax Credit Ireland and Creative Europe, in association with ORF-Enterprise), which explores Dracula’s legendary homeland in the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania, depicting a sanctuary for diverse wildlife such as eagles, lynx, bears, and wolves, capturing their lives amidst pristine peaks and medieval villages.
ORF-Enterprise, as the worldwide distributor for these acclaimed shows, plays a crucial role in bringing these exceptional productions to a global audience. “My team and I are delighted to be entrusted with the world-wide distribution of these masterpieces. Congratulations to everyone involved and heartfelt thanks to the co-production partners without whom these wonderful productions would not be possible”, says Armin Luttenberger, Head of Content sales International, ORF-Enterprise.
WORLD PREMIERE
The day before the Mountainfilm Festival, the world premiere of “Lions of the Skeleton Coast” has taken place in Graz/Austria. South African Filmmakers Will and Lianne Steenkamp presented their multi-award-winning film to an enthusiastic audience for the first time. “What a remarkable conclusion to an already successful festival year! The fact that a large number of “Universum” productions were honored here in Graz this year, as well as at numerous other major nature film competitions in the USA and Europe, shows once again the outstanding achievements of our filmmakers, even on an international level. The awards are a more than well-deserved reward for the great efforts that each and every one of them put into making a nature and wildlife film. Congratulations from the bottom of our hearts”, says Gernot Lercher, Head of ORF “Universum” Nature.