Christian Baumeister

Christian Baumeister (born 24 December 1971 in Münster) is a German cinematographer and award-winning director focusing on nature and wildlife productions.

Career
Baumeister studied biology in Germany and wildlife filmmaking in the United Kingdom. He lived for eight years in Brazil and he is specialized in filming in Latin America.

In 2001 he established his own production company, Light & Shadow GmbH, with an office in Münster, Germany. In the past years, Baumeister has garnered international acclaim for his wildlife films, from audiences and critics around the world. His previous projects took him to Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. He has established himself with productions on the international television market and works with broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF, BBC, NDR, ARTE, ORF, Discovery Channel, Smithsonian Institution and Channel and the National Geographic Channel.

For his series about the Andes Mountains, Baumeister was nominated for "Outstanding Cinematography" and "Outstanding Music & Sound" at the 40th News & Documentary EMMY Awards 2019 in the US.

Wildlife Series

 * 2022: Wild Argentina (UHD) 3 x 50 min / 1 x 90 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, NDR Naturfilm, arte, ORF and National Geographic
 * 2018: The Wild Andes (UHD) 3 x 50 min / 1 x 90 min: LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, Smithsonian Channel, NDR Naturfilm / Doclights, arte, ORF, SVT, SRF, Autentic Distribution
 * 2014: Wild Brazil (HD) 5 x 50 min: LIGHT & SHADOW for Terra Mater Factual Studios, National Geographic Wild
 * 2010: Amazon Alive (HD) 3 x 45 min: LIGHT & SHADOW for NDR Naturfilm, Arte, ORF, Parthenon Entertainment Ltd. / National Geographic Channel International, Animal Planet

Producer, Director & Cinematographer

 * 2022: Nature's Magic Moments (UHD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, NDR, arte
 * 2020: Accidental Wilderness - Europe's Everglades (UHD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, arte and Love Nature
 * 2019: Portugal - Europe's Wild West (UHD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, NDR Naturfilm
 * 2016: Iron Jungle - Nature's Return to the Ruhr Valley (HD) 43 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, NDR Naturfilm, Albatross World Sales
 * 2012: Raccoons - The New Europeans (HD) 43 min - (director: Heiko de Groot) LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, NDR Naturfilm, Albatross World Sales
 * 2011: Jaguar – One Strike to the Kill - (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for NDR Naturfilm, Arte, National Geographic Channel
 * 2011: Europe's Last Wild Horses - (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for WDR, NDR Naturfilm, Off-the-Fence
 * 2010: The Real Guinea Pig - (HD) 43 min (Regie: Herbert Ostwald) - LIGHT & SHADOW for ZDF, Arte, ZDF Enterprises
 * 2010: Russland – Im Reich der Tiger, Bären und Vulkane (cinema) 91 min - Narrator: Siegfried Rauch
 * 2008: Kamchatka[1] – Land of fire and Ice (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for NDR Naturfilm, WDR, Parthenon Entertainment, NGCI, Animal Planet US
 * 2006: The Falls of Iguacu (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for NDR, BBC, ORF and Parthenon Entertainment / NGCI (HD)
 * 2004: Wild Rio (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for NDR Naturfilm, ORF, Parthenon Entertainment Ltd. / National Geographic Channel International
 * 2002: Viva Vicuña (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for ZDF, ARTE & Discovery Communications

Director of Photography

 * 2005: Lang Lang in China (HD) - Nightfrog for ARD / Deutsche Grammophon

Cinematographer

 * 2003: Camels - NDR Naturfilm for Parthenon Entertainment / NGCI
 * 2002: Eaten Alive - BBC-NHU
 * 2001: Bloody Suckers - NHNZ for PBS
 * 1999: Wild Sex - NHNZ for Discovery Communications
 * 1999: A Wild Life - NHNZ for Discovery Communications
 * 1997: Skoovsgaard - Four-part series; Loke Film for TV2

Additional Photography/ Camera Assistant

 * 2000: Inca Animals - Heinz von Matthey for ZDF, ORF & Discovery Communications Inc.
 * 1998: Lions of Etosha - Rudolph Lammers for ZDF
 * 1998: Animal Hospital - Engstfeld Film for ZDF
 * 1998: Fabulous Animals - Gruppe 5 for WDR & CANAL+
 * 1997: Dr. Knock - Dominic Graf for BR

The Wild Andes

 * 40th NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARD Nomination, USA, 2019 * Outstanding Music & Sound * Outstanding Cinematography
 * New York Festivals 2019 TV & FILM Awards * SILVER MEDAL NATURE AND WILDLIFE * SILVER MEDAL FEATURE DOC * GOLD MEDAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
 * World Media Festival, Hamburg 2019 * INTERMEDIA AWARD GOLD, Nature & Wildlife
 * Mountainfilm, USA, 2019 * SEVEN SUMMITS AWARD
 * Indian World Film Festival * BEST DOCUMENTARY
 * Deauville Green Awards, France 2019 * Environmental Award
 * 17th Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Estonia, 2019 * SPECIAL JURY MENTION, CATEGORY NATURE

Iron Jungle - Nature' Return to the Ruhr

 * Kolkata International Wildlife & Environment Film Festival, India, 2017 * BEST DIRECTOR
 * Woodpecker International Film Festival, India, 2017 * 1st prize (CATEGORY ENVIRONMENT)
 * Ekotopfilm, Slovakia, 2017 * 1st prize (CATEGORY NATURE AND NATURAL SCIENCE)
 * TUR Festival, Czech Republic, 2017 * INSPIRATION AWARD
 * Omni Awards Spring-Competition, USA, 2017 * GOLDEN OMNI AWARD FOR DIRECTING * GOLDEN OMNI AWARD FOR NATURE CATEGORY * GOLDEN OMNI AWARD FOR CINEMATOGRAPHY * GOLDEN OMNI AWARD FOR MUSICAL SCORE
 * Deauville Green Awards, France, 2017 * FINALIST
 * Shanghai TV Festival, China, 2017 * FINALIST

Brazil – A Natural History – Part 1: Fragile Forest

 * New York Festivals, USA, 2015: Gold World Medal (Nature & Wildlife)
 * Festival de l'Oiseau et de la Nature, France, 2015: Distinction for Best Picture and Immersion in Nature
 * US International Film & Video Festival, USA, 2015: Certificate for Creative Excellence
 * Festival International du Film Animalier d'Albert, France, 2015: Finalist
 * Festival International du Film Ornithologique de Ménigoute, France, 2015: Finalist
 * Namur Nature Festival, Belgium, 2015: Finalist

Brazil – A Natural History – Part 2: Wild Heart

 * NaturVision, Germany, 2015: Deutscher Wildlife Filmpreis
 * New York Festivals, USA, 2015: Gold World Medal (Nature & Wildlife)

Europe's Last Wild Horses

 * International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) Missoula/Montana, USA, 2013: Finalist
 * Ekofilm, Czech Republic, 2012: 1st Prize Green Planet
 * Omni Awards Fall-Competition, USA, 2012: Omni Awards Fall-Competition, USA, 2012: Two Golden Oomni Award for Cinematography and Nature Category, Three Silver Omni for Writing, Editing, and Documentary Category
 * Wildlife Vaasa, Finnnland, 2012: Finalist
 * Ekotopfilm, Slovakia, 2012: Finalist
 * MTelenatura, Spain, 2012: Finalist
 * Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Estonia, 2012: Finalist
 * Trofeo Stambecco d'Oro, Italy, 2012: Finalist
 * China International Animal & Nature Film Festival, China, 2012: Finalist
 * Sondrio, Italy, 2012: Finalist
 * Green Screen film festival, Germany, 2012: Audience Award

Jaguar – Hunter in the Pantanal

 * International Animal & Nature Film Festival, China, 2013: Best Photography Award
 * FIFA / Albert, France, 2013: Audience Award
 * International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) Missoula/Montana, USA, 2013: Finalist
 * Ekofilm, Czech Republic, 2012: Prize of the Deputy Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region
 * Omni Awards Fall-Competition, USA, 2012: Two Golden Oomni Award for Cinematography and Nature Category, Three Silver Omni for Writing, Editing, Documentary Category
 * Wildlife Vaasa, Finland, 2012: Finalist
 * Ekotopfilm, Slovakia, 2012: Finalist
 * Telenatura, Spain, 2012: Finalist
 * Trofeo Stambecco d'Oro, Italy, 2012: Finalist
 * Green Vision Festival, Russia, 2012: Grand Prix
 * Namur, Belgium, 2012: Finalist
 * Internationales Berg- & Abenteuer Filmfestival Graz, Austria, 2012: Finalist
 * Festival International du Film Ornitologique Ménigoute, France, 2012, 2012: Finalist
 * Darsser Naturfilmfestival, Germany, 2012: Finalist

Amazon Alive – Part 1: Jungle of the Mind

 * Durban Wild Talk Africa, South Africa, 2013: Script Award
 * FIFA / Albert, France, 2012: Scientific Award and Special Award for Best Screenplay
 * Sichuan TV Festival, China, 2011: Finalist for Best Photography
 * Namur, Belgium, 2011: Grand Prix
 * Omni Awards – Spring Competition, USA, 2011: Golden OMNI Award for Cinematography, Writing, and Nature Category
 * Banff World Media Festival, Canada, 2011: Finalist
 * World Media Festival Hamburg, Germany, 2011: Intermedia-Globe Gold
 * International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF), Missoula/Montana, USA, 2011: Finalist and Honorable Mention for Cultural Presentation
 * International Forest Film Festival, USA, 2011: Special Jury Award and Finalist in Category 360 Degrees on all things Forest

Amazon Alive – Part 2: Hidden Secrets

 * Sondrio, Italy, 2011: Finalist
 * Festival International du Film Ecologique de Bourges, France, 2011: Finalist (High School Award)
 * NaturVision, Germany, 2011: Finalist for Best Photography and NaturVision Main Award
 * CMS Vatavaran Environment & Wildlife Film Festival, India, 2011: Series Award
 * International Film Festival TUR OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, 2011: Prize of the First Deputy Governor of the Region
 * Omni Awards – Spring Competition, USA, 2011: Golden Omni Award for Nature Category

Amazon Alive – Part 3: Forest of the Future

 * The World of Knowledge Filmfestival, Russia, 2012: Jury Diploma for Courage and Mastership of the Cameramen
 * L'oiseu / Abbeville, France, 2012: Finalist
 * TV Festival BAR, Montenegro, 2011: Best Author's Award
 * American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF), USA, 2011: Finalist
 * Darsser Naturfilmfestival, Germany, 2011: Best Film Category Tiere & Lebensräume (Animals & Ecosystems)
 * Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Estonia, 2011: Special Prize of the State Forrest Management Center
 * Greenscreen, Germany, 2011: Finalist for Best Ecological Film
 * NaturVision, Germany, 2011: Finalist for Environment and Sustainability
 * International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) Missoula/Montana, USA, 2011: Finalist
 * International Forest Film Festival, USA, 2011: Finalist for Issues & Solutions, and This is My Forrest

Wild Russia – Kamchatka

 * Banff Mountain Film Festival, Canada, 2012: Finalist
 * Neuquen Mountain Film Festival, Argentina, 2011: Mejor Película Medio Ambiente (Best Environmental Film)
 * China International Animal & Nature Film Festival, 2011: YA-AN Award
 * FIFAD, Switzerland, 2011: Jean Bovon Award (Best Photography)
 * International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF), Missoula/Montana, USA, 2011: Best Theatrical Release (Cinema version: Russia – Realm of Tigers, Bears and Volcanos)
 * Wildlife Vaasa, Finland, 2010: City of Vaasa Special Award
 * Torello Mountain Film Festival, Spain, 2010: Prize F.E.E.C. & Silver Edelweiss (Best Photography)
 * News and Documentary Emmy Awards, USA, 2010: Finalist
 * World Mountain Documentary Festival of Qinghai, China, 2010: Jade Kunlun Award (Best Photography)
 * New York Festivals, USA, 2010: Gold World Medal (Series)
 * Festival International du Film Animalier, France, 2010: Prix Du Public
 * Waga Brothers International Festival of Natures Film, Poland, 2010: Main Award
 * Orobie Film Festival, Italy, 2010: Prize Montagna Italia (Best Film)
 * OMNI Awards, USA, 2009: 2 Golden Omni Awards
 * Sichuan TV Festival, China, 2009: Gold Panda Award (Best Documentary)
 * Festival International du Film Ornitologique, France, 2009: Le Lirou D'or (Best Documentary)
 * Sondrio, Italy, 2009: Stelvio National Park Award and Students Award
 * Matsalu, Estonia, 2009: Best Film
 * Greenscreen, Germany, 2009: Best Series
 * Naturvision, Germany, 2009: Best German Series

Megafalls of Iguaçu

 * New York Festivals Television Broadcasting, USA, 2008: Silver World Medal Nature & Wildlife
 * Waga Brothers International Festival of Natures Film, Poland, 2008: Special Award for Best Photography
 * Amazonas Film Festival, Brazil, 2007: Finalist
 * Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Estonia, 2007: Best Photography
 * Durban Wild Talk, South Africa, 2007: Finalist
 * Ekotopfilm, Slovak Republic, 2007: Prize of the Major Hygiener of the Slowak Republic
 * Festival International du Film Animalier, France, 2007: Finalist "Prix Special de la Meilleure Image" and "Prix Special de la Meilleure Son"
 * GreenScreen Hamburg, Germany, 2007: Finalist
 * Japan Wildlife Film Festival, Japan, 2007: Finalist
 * Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Estonia, 2007: Best Photography
 * Nature Film Festival Darss, Germany, 2007: Goldener Kranich
 * NaturVision, Germany, 2007: Finalist
 * Sondrio, Italy, 2007: Stelvio National Park Award
 * The Shanghai TV Festival, China, 2007: Finalist
 * Torello Mountain Film Festival, Spain, 2007: Mountain Wilderness Prize
 * WildSouth, New Zealand, 2007: Finalist

Wild Rio

 * World Media Festival – Hamburg, Germany, 2005: Intermedia Globe in Silver
 * Shanghai Television Festival, China, 2005: Finalist Magnolia Award
 * Ekotopfilm – Bratislava, Slovakia, 2004: Special Prize of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Telenatura, Spain, 2004: Finalist Best Photography
 * Wildlife Vaasa, Finland, 2004: Finalist

Viva Vicuña

 * Festival de l'oiseau et de la nature – Abbeville, France, 2004: Special Jury Prize, Public Prize
 * IWFF Missoula, USA, 2004: Best Conservation & Environment, Merit Award for Photography
 * Festival International du Film ANIMAL Animalier – Albert, France, 2004: Prix Relation Homme, Finalist Grand Prix, Finalist Prix de la Meilleure Image, Finalist Prix Special du Jury
 * New York Festivals WINNER, USA, 2004: Finalist
 * Festival International du Film Ornithologique de Ménigoute, France, 2003: Prix Paysages, 3è Prix de la Protection de la Nature
 * Ökomedia, Germany, 2003: Goldener Luchs Best Nature Film
 * Jackson Hole, USA, 2003: Finalist Newcomer
 * Telenatura, Spain, 2003: Conservation Award, Special Jury Award Photography
 * Ekofilm, Czech Republic, 2003: Finalist
 * Ekotopfilm, Slowakia, 2003: Prize of Chamber of Commerce
 * Olomouc, Slowakia, 2003: Finalist
 * FIFAD, Switzerland, 2003: Prix de L'Enviremont
 * Envirofilm, Slowakia, 2003: Finalist
 * Sileiua, Kieaie,Kiee