«Risky Routes» Wins the Bloomberg Green Docs Grand Prize

I am still in utter disbelief. Our short film Risky Routes won the Grand Prize at the Bloomberg Green Docs Film Festival in Seattle!

After four years in the making, this is an incredible moment for our whole team. What started as a wild idea between Jonas and me and turned into a passion project. To see it now recognised on a global stage feels unreal.

Watch Risky Routes HERE! *scroll

What is Bloomberg Green Docs?

Bloomberg Green Docs is a short documentary competition focused on climate storytelling. This year, they selected five international finalists and flew us out to Seattle for the big event.

The festival was part of a larger gathering called the Bloomberg Green Festival from July 14th to 16th. It brought together people from all kinds of backgrounds who work on climate issues. There were filmmakers, journalists, scientists, and activists in the crowd. Even Ryan Gellert, the CEO of Patagonia, was interviewed the day before. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy and inspiration.

A Night to Remember

I had the chance to attend the final screening and Q&A in person, because Jonas and Roman had other obligations. The other finalists’ films were powerful and inspiring, and I felt genuinely honoured just to be among them:

• ‘change Climate Change’ by world-renowned photographer Gideon Mendel from London
• ‘Mancolona’ by Nat Geo Explorer and documentary filmmaker Ángel Linares from Venezuela living in Mexico
• ‘Shaped by Ice’ by Emmy-nominated Canadian-American documentary filmmaker Dan McComb from Seattle, US
• ‘Silent Sanctuary’ by multiform artist and filmmaker Adam Combs & Carter Kirilenko from Canada

When they announced Risky Routes as the winner, I couldn’t believe it.

I’m usually more comfortable behind the camera or in a classroom than on a stage, but it was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

Huge Thanks to the Team and Bloomberg Green

This film wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing team behind it:

• Jonas Steiner – Director and co-producer
• Roman Willi – Cinematographer and co-producer
• Wildreach Production
• Jack McKenzie – Composer of the original score
• Etienne Kompis – Sound design wizard
• Matteo Clarke – Production support
• Our partners: Naturmuseum Olten, Foundation WaliDad, Pro Natura, and Tierschutz.ch

Also a big thank you to the entire Bloomberg team and jury:

Emily, Kristin, Lindsay, Tre, Aaron, and Katie!  You guys made me feel incredibly welcome, and your support meant the world to me. Kristin, I hope your upcoming fishing trip goes better than the previous ones!

What’s Next?

I am still working on teaching materials, so young people can learn about the toad migration in a fresh, engaging way. Check out this form, if you’d like to stay up to date.

As for the prize money, we’ll sit down together with the team and figure it out the Swiss way: democratically. One thing is certain: Jonas and Roman and I will put it to meaningful use, creating impactful stories, just as Bloomberg intended.

But honestly, being there, meeting everyone, and sharing the film, that was already a win for me.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

Tom