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Matsalu International Nature Film Festival Print
matsalu It’s hard to tell who was the first one to think of organizing a nature film festival in Lääne County, as the idea had been hatching in many minds over the years. What is certain, though, is that it was in spring of 2003 that the people of Lihula parish, The Matsalu Nature Reserve, The Estonian Fund for Nature, with help of filmmakers, started making it a reality.
The first Matsalu Nature Film Festival was held on October 3-5 2003 in Lihula with competitive program of 23 films from 7 countries. More than 2500 people visited the festival in 2003.
As the festival enjoyed great public response the founders decided to make it an annual event. For that purpose the non-profit organization Matsalu Nature Film Festival was set up in late 2003.
The second festival was held on September 23-25 2004. There were participants from 14 countries; furthermore, the competitive program consisted of 35 films and the number of visitors amounted to 5000.
The third festival took place on September 22-25 2005 with competitive program of 39 films from 16 participating countries and more than 7000 visitors. The organisers can say with satisfaction that the new festival has become a tradition, which has found its place among Estonian film- and nature-related events.
The fourth festival, held on September 21-24 in 2006, boasted already 21 participating countries and 41 competing films.
The organizers are happy to announce that the festival has become a tradition, which has found its place among Estonian film and nature events.
However, we must admit that even though the festival is held on the territory of a well-known Estonian nature reserve, it can’t grow much larger in such a little town. That’s why we stick to our last and bring here mostly European nature films, at the same time not forgetting the human-related topics. In addition, one of our goals is to create opportunities for Estonian nature film-makers to contact their foreign colleagues. That is the course we’d like to follow through the next festivals.
The fifth Matsalu Nature Film Festival will be held on September 19-23 (2007) in Lihula. The screenings will take place at the Culture House and the photo exhibitions will be held at the various buildings of Lihula Manor and Culture House. Furthermore, there will be much going on also at Lihula Art House and at the headquarters of Matsalu Nature Reserve in Penijõe.

Link: www.matsalufilm.ee