Short Film by Toledo Zoo Staff Members Wins Film Festival
TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo Zoo videographer, Alex Goetz, and biologist, Justin Grubb, can now add the title award-winning filmmakers to their resumes. Goetz and Grubb’s film, “To the Explorers” took top honors at the Nat Geo Wild to Inspire short film competition in partnership with the Sun Valley Film Festival. According to the National Geographic Channel, participants in the third annual short film competition were asked to submit a short film that captured stories of individuals letting the wild into their own lives. Films were judged on the connection to the theme, quality of the storyline and script, creativity, originality, production quality and editing. As Goetz and Grubb stated in their submission information, they are filmmakers who focus on telling the stories of conservation and wildlife around the world in an effort to raise awareness of the issues that affect our planet. They went on to say that “To the Explorers” is an ode to all the adventurers, explorers and conservationists who dedicated everything they have to conservation, wildlife and the outdoors. It also serves a thank you to those who inspire the two men to tell their stories as filmmakers. The film follows Goetz and Grubb’s wildlife and conservation expeditions around the globe, from work with turtles and snakes in Central America and Aruba to documenting the spread of Devil Facial Tumour Disease in Tasmanian devil populations in Tasmania and the relocation of birds in the Mariana Islands. The film’s voiceover was scripted by Toledo Zoo social media coordinator, Lucas Stall. As finalists for the honor, Goetz and Grubb attended the Film Festival in Ketchum, Idaho from March 2-5. Their film was announced as the winner out of four finalists selected from over 350 entries at an awards ceremony on March 5. This was Goetz and Grubb’s second time as finalists and first win. “As soon as we won, we lost all train of thought and totally geeked out! To think that Nat Geo, that does incredibly impactful pieces, thought enough of our film seemed crazy but at the same time such a huge honor,” said Goetz.
Press Release Contact Name: Andi Norman
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-385-5721 ext. 2098
Organization Name: The Toledo Zoo