The 2nd edition of the The Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival (6th – 9th of September) bring in theme Man and Nature and gathers films from all over the world and very different, both in topic and in length. Five minutes are enough for Chilean director Patricia Albornoz to present in her mini documentary Uma Kori (Valuable Water) a family in Bolivia that explains us the vital importance of clean drinking water. And while Bolivia hosts the world’s largest salt flat in Uyuni, Wang Yuanyuan leads us to Himin Solar Valley, the largest of the industry, as Huang Ming explains in China Icons - Solar Energy. Documentary film seems to be best way to create awareness for ecological men made disasters. So do Eeya by Mariah Wilson and Para onde foram as andorinhas? (Where dis the swallows go?), by Mari Corrêa.

Increasing number of guests at the second edition

Ms. Wang Libin, director of the Festival shows satisfaction with the development of the 2nd edition. Submissions, guests and partners have considerably increased. The documentary films were selected by an international pre-selection jury, gathering jurors from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, and finally selected by seven jurors, including Thomas Frickel, director, producer and chairman of the Ag Dok, the German documentary working group. 75 guests are invited from the film and audiovisual industry.

Among the documentary film directors is also Mazin Sherabayani, he is proud, though his name batch is labeled with Ireland and the program mentions the origin of his film Iraq, he announces the upcoming creation of the state of Kurdistan. Mazin’s documentary Dyab follows a boy’s dream of becoming a filmmaker and actor while living at Arbat refugee camp after fleeing from the attacks by Islamic State on his village in the Shingal Mountains (Sinjar). Mazin is lucky to exhibit his film to a specialized audience and happy to tell about his following project for which he will return, now to Kurdistan.

For its premiere in Germany is the wild life documentary A gentle giant by Mark Pearce. It takes us to Australia to meet Todd Walsh, the lobster man. Mark’s film is a plea to protect the giant Tasmanian freshwater lobster, a rare and remarkable creature and the largest of its kind in the world. The film had unexpected success at its launch in social media and the sympathy for extraordinary animals and people ensures Mark that his upcoming feature-length films The message of the lyrebird about an Australian iconic bird that imitates birds, animals and unnatural sounds of the rainforest, and We Are, that follows gifted persons from around the world, will inspire and find support.

New channels, new circuits

How the audience can get new inspiration from different channels and platforms is, beside the screening sessions of course, key to the Golden Tree. Specific topics are addressed in Forums dedicated not only to new production and distribution channels, future television and new investment models, but also to philosophy and filming in extreme areas. A selection of carefully chosen films and a balance of topics, ranging from hot topics like Video on Demand and market perspectives to trends and strategies in the craft of storytelling in documentary film, plus a pleasant and comfortable place for casual exchange among filmmakers, producers, investors and counsellors in distribution, rights and legal affairs should ensure the Golden Tree a firm position among the film festivals in Germany.

The Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival is a comprehensive platform, including exhibitions, copyright representation, awards, podium discussions, new film releases and investment funds. It is held once a year.

The 3rd Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival in 2018 is already scheduled.
Date: September 19th to 22nd, 2018
Event Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany