“Hidden Beauty – The Orchids of the Saale Valley” (2017)

The short film “Hidden Beauty – The Orchids of the Saale Valley” was David Cebulla’s debut as a filmmaker. He conducted the project in 30 shooting days in 2017 with amazing timelapses and macros of rare orchids. The film was published the following year on Vimeo on Demand, as well as on amazon.uk and amazon.com with english subtitles. Furthermore, “Hidden Beauty – The Orchids of the Saale Valley” is available on DVD also with english subtitles.

Genres: web documentary/ reportage
Runtime: 18 minutes
Language: German
Subtitles: English, German
Country: Germany

Content of “Hidden Beauty – The Orchids of the Saale Valley”

Orchids are counted among the rarest and most endangered, but also the most beautiful species of plant in Germany. In this movie David Cebulla is in search of these unique plants in the Saale Valley around his hometown Jena, a university town situated in central Germany. He wants to capture impressive footage in order to make a statement for the protection and preservation of nature.

Film Author’s Statement

„This film was a project that I took closely to heart. It was my concern to share my own enthusiasm for nature and her special features in the form of this film. Orchids stand only exemplary for nature’s fragility which is under increasing threat in times of man-made environmental damage.“

Festival Screnings and Awards

Cellu l’art short film festival 2019 – Official Selection (Jena Special)
Virgin Spring Cinefest 2019 – The International Film Festival – FILM ON NATURE / ENVIRONMENT / WILDLIFE – Winner (Gold)
Virgin Spring Cinefest 2019 – The International Film Festival – Documentary Films: Winner (Silver)
Virgin Spring Cinefest 2019 – The International Film Festival – Short Film: Winner (Silver)
International Open Film Festival (IOFF) 2019 – Best Award: Film on Nature/Environment/Wildlife
International Open Film Festival (IOFF) 2019 – Official Selection
Barcelona Planet Film Festival 2018 – Nominated for best Documentary Short
Barcelona Planet Film Festival 2018 – Official Selection
Bundesfilmfestival für Naturfilm 2018 – Official Selection
Internationaler Filmwettbewerb Natur und Abenteuer Dortmund 2018 – Best “Nature film”
Internationaler Filmwettbewerb Natur und Abenteuer Dortmund 2018 – Official Selection
Festival Internacional de Imagem de Natureza (FIIN) 2017 – Official Selection
Landesfilmfestival FILMThuer 2017 – 1. Best Amateur
Landesfilmfestival FILMThuer 2017 – Bester Film (BDFA Medaille)
Landesfilmfestival FILMThuer 2017 – Special Award Cinematography
Landesfilmfestival FILMThuer 2017 – Nominated “Goldene FILMThuer”

View more of David Cebulla’s awards.

Stab

Filmauthor: David Cebulla
Co-Producer: Oliver Theurich
Location-Scouting: Rita Grieger, Olaf Grieger
English subtitles: Alejandro Rios