Igniting Passion for Nature through Film

The NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF) welcomed new and returning film-goers to Los Olivos for its sophomore outing March 22 – 24. Films from around the world screened at three venues: The Historic SYV Grange, St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Church, and the Gates Foss Community Center at Los Olivos School, and the town was bustling with attendees and scores of volunteers sporting bright blue NTFF signature tee-shirts and sweatshirts. After a Friday kick-off reception at St. Mark’s, 62 films played over three days before the winners were announced at the Sunday, March 24th Closing Reception hosted by Sides in Los Olivos.

The NatureTrack Film Festival will begin accepting film submissions for the 2020 NTFF on June 1^stat https://filmfreeway.com/NatureTrackFilmFestivaland the 3^rdNatureTrack Film Festival will return to Los Olivos next year, March 20-23, 2020.

Best in Festival – Feature Film
Free Solo
Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

Best in Festival – Short Film
Loved by All: The Story of Apa Sherpa
Directed by Eric Crosland

Best in Festival – Kids Connecting to Nature – Short Film
The Dan Conaway Award
Boy Nomad
Directed by Niobe Thompson

Igniting Passion for Nature Award
Into the Arctic: Awakening
Directed by Cory Trépanier

Audience Favorite Award (Tie)
White Wolves – Ghosts of the Arctic
Directed by Oliver Goetzl

Into the Canyon
Directed by Pete McBride

Best in Festival – Adventure Feature Film
Into the Canyon
Directed by Pete McBride

Best in Festival – Adventure Short Film
Stumped
Directed by Cedar Wright and Taylor Keating

Best in Festival – Outdoors & Out of Bounds Feature Film
Free Solo
Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

Best in Festival – Conservation Feature Film
The Human Element
Directed by Matthew Testa

Best in Festival – Conservation Short Film
From Golf Course to Wetland
Directed by Michael Love

Best in Festival – Biography Feature Film
In the Starlight
Directed by Mathieu Le Lay

Best in Festival – Biography Short Film
Loved by All: The Story of Apa Sherpa
Directed by Eric Crosland

Best in Festival – Scenic Feature Film
White Wolves – Ghosts of the Arctic
Directed by Oliver Goetzl

Best in Festival – Scenic Short Film
Rooted: The Rock Splitter
Directed by Barend van Der Watt

Best in Festival – Animation Short Film
The Elephant’s Song
Directed by Lynn Tomlinson