NatureTrack Film Festival announces 2019 winners

By Santa Ynez Valley Star Staff · Tue Mar 17 2020

Staff Report

After a full weekend of nature-themed films shown at three venues in Los Olivos, the NatureTrack Film Festival has announced the winners of its second annual event.

The overall “best in festival” winner for feature film was “Free Solo,” directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, and for short film, “Loved by All: The Story of Apa Sherpa,” directed by Eric Crosland.

A special award for “Igniting Passion for Nature” went to “Into the Arctic: Awakening,” directed by Cory Trépanier.

In a tie vote, the audience favorite award went to “White Wolves - Ghosts of the Arctic” by Oliver Goetzl and “Into the Canyon” by Pete McBride.

After a Friday kick-off reception at St. Mark’s Church, 62 films played over three days on the weekend of March 22 – 24, with a closing reception at Sides restaurant.

More than a dozen filmmakers attended, and more than 60 volunteers covered 192 different positions between the opening and closing receptions, a spokesman said.

Other “best in festival” winners, by category, were: