Wiesbaden, Germany 2 – 6 Dec 2026
“We have to move on to seeing and understanding nature in its overall context. Nature must not be reduced to the city park or one’s own garden—nature is everywhere and the basis of life for all of us. A new understanding of nature must be created - regardless of all eco-doctrines and so-called alternative forms of life.”
Arved Fuchs, polar explorer and spokesman of the NATOURALE jury
Films can be submitted for the next NATOURALE starting July 1st 2025. You can do this via our website or filmfreeway.com. The lions are waiting for you!
The first NATOURALE Nature Film Night in 2025 takes us to mystical Vietnam on April 11. NATOURALE winner Heike Grebe will be the guest. Tickets here:
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An international panel of experts awards the most impressive films of recent years in the fields of nature, the environment, travel and tourism. A combination that has been chosen as a sustainable combination of these sectors is becoming increasingly important for modern society.
Award-winning German filmmaker Andreas Ewels says: "People will only protect what they know and respect, so travel and the spirit of discovery are very important. But exploring must be done carefully and sustainably, so that we do not destroy everything by discovering our world. We only have one planet."
Filmmakers who recognize and implement this will have an important impact on the future development of our world and will gain an important forum with NATOURALE.
The NTFF has its origin in the NATURFILMNÄCHTE WIESBADEN. Two to three times a year, German nature and environmental filmmakers show their works here and discuss with the audience. The great success of this series of events has now motivated the makers to take the next step and, with the NATOURALE, now with the new festival international filmmakers have the chance to present themselves to the public in the state capital of Hesse, Wiesbaden.
The NATOURALE is a film festival for documentaries, reports, commercials and feature films from the fields of nature, the environment, travel and tourism. Submitted films are intended to document the beauty of our planet or to point out abuses in this context. Films from the areas of tourism and travel are given special consideration if they are committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. Film submissions are only possible under consideration and recognition of the regulations. Please read them carefully.
To submit, please use the attached form or submit your works directly via Filmfreeway. Deadline: July 1, 2026.
The Hessian Lion is a cult and one of the most famous works of art, which are in direct contact with the state of Hesse. It was created by the world-famous concept artist Prof. Ottmar Hörl. The lion, also a symbol of courage, strength, wisdom and alertness, is the ideal trophy for the special achievements of the NATOURALE-Award-Winners. For the festival Prof. Ottmar Hörl produces a specially inscribed pedestal for the lion sculpture, which defines it as a unique NATOURALE-Award.
Invited award winners will receive 2 overnight stays in one of our partner hotels for the duration of the festival. Included is also a program for the award winners.
In addition to the 6 main prizes, the NATOURALE awards a total of 10 awards in special categories. Until 2020 these awards were designed by the artist Darina Schmidt, but in 2022 these awards, in the form of a golden owl, are also a work by Ottmar Hörl.
Proposals from the jury, the festival management and NATOURALE decide on the awarding of the owls. All decisions must be confirmed by the festival management. The special prize can also be awarded for a life’s work or other notable activities in the fields of film, nature and environmental protection.