Where is biodiversity?
MUSICAL OPENING
MESTA
An alternative music duo consisting of Borislav (Novi Sad, SRB) and Senka (Pula, HRV). Their music is frequently described as spiritual noise/slowcore/drone folk. These songs represent an attempt at echolocation, allowing others to find resonance within their own personal longings for another being.
1st block
Thursday, 23.4. at 18:30
Ekstrakcija / Ex-tract, 3’
R: Marcel Barelli, Switzerland, 2025
Marcel Barelli introduces us to the topic of biodiversity loss through a confession - "As a child, I had no idea that I was inhabiting a planet in a period in which it was going through mass extinction of species." In a creative and quite inspiring way, the author takes us into a nostalgic world in which the environment was filled with much more biodiversity and poses questions on how and what we should do next.
Priroda – Poziv na pomirenje / Nature – Call for Reconciliation, 105’
R: Yann Arthus Bertrand, France, 2025
Combining poetry, science and emotion, legendary director Yann Arthus-Bertrand's latest film traces the history of life, from its cosmic beginnings, through evolution to the contemporary challenges of today. You won't be immune to the spectacular images of biodiversity that call for a collective transformation of the relationship between man and nature.
2nd block
Četvrtak, 23.4. u 20:30
Osloni se na stablo / Leaning on a tree, 13’
R: Lucas Dülligen, Germany, 2024
The apocalyptic sounds of overpowering machines constantly invade the habitats of man and nature. Barren landscapes and abandoned villages plunge us into a state of hypnotic unrest. Discover how to resist in this short experimental film.
Bilo jednom u šumi / Once upon a time in the forest, 93’
R: Virpi Suutari, Finland, 2024
It all begins as an idyllic modern fairytale in the enchanting embrace of the Finnish forest. We witness young people spending their days swimming in crystal-clear lakes and soaking in the tranquil presence of ancient trees. This harmony soon shatters as the forest faces destruction caused by human activity. Driven by her love for the woods, 22-year-old Ida becomes the leader of a new movement for forest protection, simultaneously confronting the giants of the Finnish logging industry and deep-seated generational prejudices. The film is an ode to nature and its guardians.
The festival is organized with the financial support of the City of Zagreb. The content of the festival is the sole responsibility of Zelena akcija.
1st block
Friday, 2024.4. at 18h
Ukroćeni vrt / Taming the garden, 91’
R: Salomé Jashi, Switzerland, Germany, Georgia, 2021
The film Taming the Garden reveals the ways in which nature is exploited and the limits to which the powerful go in their greedy desires. The former Prime Minister of Georgia has developed an unusual hobby. He collects century-old trees along the Georgian coast and transplants them into his own private garden. Some of these trees are as tall as 15-story buildings. The transplanting process has many consequences for the local community and the environment. The film turns the concept of rootlessness into an oppressive and tangible reality.
After the screening a panel follows.
Panel: Monetization of nature
We will discuss the boundaries between biodiversity conservation and exploitation, and the consequences that different approaches have on individual ecosystems, nature as a whole, and society.
Guests: Biologists Tomislav Hudina (BIOM) and Hrvoje Radovanović (Zelena akcija)
2nd block
Friday, 24.4. at 21h
Thyla / Thyla, 7’
R: Stefan Nemeth, Austria, 2026.
By playing with archival landscape footage and codes from the Red List of Endangered Species, this short experimental film introduces us to the extinction process of a species – we witness the disappearance of the last specimen of the Tasmanian tiger. This very experimental approach to extinction conveys the drama of the act and what such an incredible loss represents for the ecosystem.
Gljive – Mreža života / Fungi: Web of Life , 45’
R: Gisela Kaufmann, Joseph Nizeti, USA, 2023.
All life on Earth is connected by a mystery we are only just beginning to uncover. Somewhere at the crossroads between the plant and animal kingdoms lies the world of fungi and their network of life, without which life as we know it would not exist. The film follows scientists exploring the importance of fungi for ecosystems and the potential lessons humanity can learn from them, particularly the lesson about the importance of cooperation. The question arises—do these life forms hold the key to solving some of today's most urgent problems?
Molai / Molai, 20’
R: Dhiraj Kashyap, India, 2013
What does it mean to be a nature guardian, and what does it feel like to care for wild habitats? We find out the answer through the example of Molai, an Indian activist who for decades has been turning vast areas into a forest reserve, which becomes home to a multitude of birds, insects, and other animals. However, plants need to be carefully nurtured and understood, not just planted. In this short portrayal of his life, Molai spreads a message of love for nature and teaches us how we, too, can follow his example.
The festival is organized with the financial support of the City of Zagreb. The content of the festival is the sole responsibility of Zelena akcija.
1st block
Saturday, 25.4. at 16h
Simbiotska Zemlja / Symbiotic Earth, 150’
R: John Feldman, USA, 2019.
We were taught that the fittest survive, that competition is the engine of the world. But is that really the case, or are there other, more important and more solidary ways of survival? The film “Symbiotic Earth” explores the life and ideas of Lynn Margulis, a scientific rebel who questioned dominant theories of evolution to offer us a new narrative: life actually evolves through cooperation.
2nd block
Saturday, 25.4. at 19h
Pusti rijeku neka teče / Let the river flow, 39’
R: Stefan Tomić, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2026
Rivers cannot speak, but people can. The short documentary film "Let the River Flow" is an intimate story about the Neretva, the lifeblood of the regions through which it flows. From its mountain springs, through a protected area full of endemic species, all the way to the fertile delta, the Neretva and its tributaries are connected in a sensitive system where every change, no matter how small, leaves an indelible mark. Today, the Neretva has become a disturbing example of what decades of uncontrolled "green" exploitation look like, from the first hydroelectric power plants built in the mid-20th century to modern investments that call its very survival into question. Through an analysis of the problem, a tour of its entire course, and the recording of numerous personal stories of the people, the film connects the problem of saltwater intrusion in the Neretva delta with the causes located hundreds of kilometers upstream.
Komarnica – The wild that remains / Komarnica – Divljina koja ostaje, 22′
R: Roman Willi, Montenegro, UK, 2026
In northern Montenegro lies one of the last wild canyons in Europe, a place of towering cliffs, ancient forests and crystal-clear water: Komarnica. Beneath its surface, life thrives in ways that science is only beginning to understand. An international team of researchers and local conservationists travel to the canyon to document its hidden biodiversity, from undiscovered species to fragile cave ecosystems. Their mission is urgent: the entire landscape is threatened by the proposed construction of a hydroelectric power plant.
After the film we open a discussion on the protection of Balkan rivers, featuring activists from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
3rd block
Saturday, 25.4. at 21h
Lisac u Parizu / Paris Fox, 3’
R: Sofian Chouaib, France, 2025
Chipeur is a fox who lives peacefully in a wild area, surrounded by magnificent trees, tall grass, and… the city of Paris. This fox has made his home on an abandoned construction site. In that narrow strip of land, caught between the natural and the urban, Chipeur finds food, shelter, and moments of peace. The city is growing, the space is shrinking, and one question remains: how long can this unexpected coexistence last?
Priča o Siljanu / The tale of Siljan, 80’
R: Tamara Kotevska, North Macedonia, USA, UK, 2025
Nikola, a farmer struggling with the severe consequences of new government policies, finds himself unable to sell his land or crops. When his family moves abroad in search of a better life, Nikola takes a job as a watchman at a landfill, where he encounters an injured white stork named Siljan. As he nurses the stork and helps it recover, an unexpected bond forms between them. With this touching story about the coexistence of a man and a stork, as well as climate change, economic migration, resilience, and the power of solidarity, we are closing the 13th Environmental Film Festival.
**The festival is organized with the financial support of the City of Zagreb. The content of the festival is the sole responsibility of Zelena Akcija and under no circumstances can it be considered as reflecting the views of the City of Zagreb.
Jutarnja matineja
Saturday, 25.4.
10:00 – 11:30
The films bring the topic of biodiversity closer to younger audiences (8–14), but also to adults, in a creative and simple way!
Experimental genres
Disco, 1’
Graditeljska škola Čakovec
Mentorica: Ljiljana Ille, 2024.
Through a rapid sequence of photographs of spring flowers and dynamic music, the experimental video creates a visual 'disco' of nature. The film emphasizes the beauty and diversity of plant species and encourages the experience of nature as a living and valuable space.
Neprestani žamor, 1’
OŠ “Prof. Blaž Mađer” Novigrad Podravski
Medijska skupina
Mentorica: Dijana Bagarić Mišura
The film poetically contemplates biodiversity through the rhythm of nature and human presence, depicting the coexistence of various life forms and the continuous flow of natural changes.
Priroda i društvo, 3’
OŠ Marije Jurić Zagorke
Filmska družina ZAG
Mentorice: Melita Horvatek Forjan i Nataša Jakob
An experimental film about the diversity of the seasons and a mischievous ant. Students, members of the Globe group, express their thoughts.
More je život, 3’
OŠ Marije Jurić Zagorke
Filmska družina ZAG
Mentorice: Melita Horvatek Forjan i Nataša Jakob
The film is dedicated to a clean Adriatic Sea and the beauty of its hidden coves, highlighting the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem.
U kapljici vode, 4’
OŠ Čazma
Mentorica: Nikolina Huđber Mesar
The film shows biodiversity invisible to the naked eye. A view through a microscope reveals a hidden world that is part of our environment and is important to preserve.
Nestajanje, 5’
OŠ Stjepana Kefelje, Kutina
Mentor: Goran Šporčić
The film takes the viewer into the realm of the subconscious and questions the nature of reality and perception, suggesting that reality goes beyond what we see.
Documentary genres
Svijet oko nas, 3’
Osnovna škola „August Cesarec“ Ivankovo, Filmska skupina
Mentorica Marija Matić
The film depicts environmental exploration through a children's perspective, capturing what students can see, experience, and learn about the world around them.
Dodiri, 5’
Udruga: Manda – film i riječ
Mentorica: Marina Zlatarić
The film brings shots of nature meeting poetry, using close-ups and details to bring the beauty invisible to the eye closer.
Marjan – pluća našeg grada! 5’
Komercijalno-trgovačka škola Split
Mentorica: Marija Istenić
The film shows the importance of the Marjan forest park as a habitat for numerous species and warns of the need to preserve this valuable ecosystem.
Tišina u močvarama, 5’
OŠ “Antun i Stjepan Radić” Gunja & MMC SKIG
Mentori: Anita Tufekčić & Marko Dugonjić
The report explores the decline of the frog population in the Gunja area and, through interviews and students' perspectives, highlights the importance of preserving the natural balance.
Animated films
Čuvari mora, 3’
OŠ Dragutina Tadijanovića, Zagreb
Mentorica Mirjana Vedak
The stop-motion animated film addresses marine plastic pollution and shows how recycling can be part of the solution.
Mara – Život za nove naraštaje, 11
Škola filma Šipan
The animated film follows the brave river turtle Mara on a journey from the south of Croatia to Zagreb to save her species from numerous threats. Inspired by children's creativity from a workshop on the island of Šipan in 2024, the film was completed in collaboration with the LIFE for Mauremys project and is dedicated to the conservation of the native freshwater turtle.
Fictional films
Poslušaj prirodu, 4’
1. gimnazija – Split; Filmska družina Druge
Mentorica: Magdalena Mrčela
The film depicts life on an island burdened by the problem of plastic waste, where nature, through sounds and symbolism, strikes back and calls for accountability.
Ovdje žive brojne vrste, 9’
OŠ Čazma
Mentorica Nikolina Huđber Mesar
The film explains the concept of biodiversity in a simple way through peer learning, making it accessible for an educational context.
Nature, 9’
Graditeljska škola Čakovec
Mentorica Ljiljana Ille, 2023.
The film follows two students whose attitude towards nature raises the question of personal responsibility, depicting the process of gaining awareness and changing behavior.
Supporting films by adults
Ruta rizika / Risky routes, 6’
R: Jonas Steiner, UK, 2025.
Every year, thousands of amphibians make the arduous journey back to the waters of their birth to reproduce. They have to overcome numerous dangers along the way that turn their journey into a fight for survival.
Pingivini s Falklandskih otoka / Penguins at the point, 17’
R: Derek Robitaille, Kanada, 2025.
It is a short wildlife documentary that explores the daily lives of penguins at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands, showcasing the resilience of these remarkable birds as they face both predators and modern threats such as climate change, commercial fishing, and avian influenza.
Koliko su pametne vrane / How smart are crows, 5’
R: Irida Zhonga, Grčka, Nizozemska, SAD, 2025.
In one of Aesop's fables, a crow is looking for water. It spots a pitcher, but the water inside is out of its reach. So, the crow begins dropping pebbles into it. One by one, they displace the water, and the crow quenches its thirst. This is just one of many fascinating displays of crow intelligence. Katharina Brecht explores what makes this bold, intelligent family of songbirds so smart
**The festival is organized with the financial support of the City of Zagreb. The content of the festival is the sole responsibility of Zelena Akcija and under no circumstances can it be considered as reflecting the views of the City of Zagreb.
Workshops
Urban biodiversity
Join us on an educational walk through urban nature with experts in the fields of ornithology and entomology!
U suradnji s Udrugom Biom, promatrat ćemo ptice, ali i učiti prepoznavati različite vrste kukaca i pauka te razumjeti njihovu ulogu u ekosustavu. Kroz laganu šetnju istražit ćemo bogatstvo bioraznolikosti koje se skriva tek nedaleko od samog centra grada.
Šetnja će se održati na Dubravkinom putu, 25. travnja s početkom u 9 sati, a okupljanje je kod restorana Dubravkin put, nakon čega ćemo se lagano uputiti dalje stazicom. Trajanje šetnje je otprilike 2 sata.
Sudjelovanje je besplatno i otvoreno svima, bez obzira na prethodno iskustvo, a dalekozore i edukativne materijale osigurat će Udruga Biom. Preporučujemo udobnu obuću i odjeću prikladnu boravku u prirodi. Prijave nisu potrebne.
Bioraznolikost u fokusu 13. OFFa!
Suradnja OFFa i Škole primijenjene umjetnosti i dizajna nastavlja već šestu godinu!
13. Okolišni filmski festival: Gdje je bioraznolikost?
12. Okolišni filmski festival: koja su sve “oružja” militarizma?
12th Environmental Film Festival: All Weapons of Militarism
English (UK) 
Hrvatski 