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.
Filmography
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: (cinema) 91 min - Narrator: Siegfried Rauch
2008: Kamchatka[1] – Land of fire and Ice (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADWO for NDR Naturfilm, WDR, Parthenon Entertainment, NGCI, Animal Planet US
2006: The Falls of Iguacu (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADWO 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
Awards
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
References
External links
Light & Shadow Productions
Viva Vikunja – Die Kamele der Anden
Wildes Rio: DVD at Amazon
https://www.facebook.com/christian.baumeister.146
https://www.facebook.com/Light-and-Shadow-29822877366/
http://www.wn.de/Muensterland/Kreis-Coesfeld/Havixbeck/2015/12/2202404-Festliches-Wintermahl-Der-Natur-auf-der-Spur
https://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendungen/expeditionen_ins_tierreich/baumeisterportraet101.html
https://www.greenscreen-festival.de/festival/regisseure/detail/baumeister/
https://www.instagram.com/lightandshadowtv/
German documentary film directors
Film people from North Rhine-Westphalia
Living people
1971 births
People from Münster