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And The Winners of UWOL 45 Are ...

1. Winter into the Forest by Per Johan Naesje
2. Sojourn by Andrew Hood
3. Following the Call of the Wild by Bob Safay

A few comments, shout outs and thank you-s:

UWOL’s Got Talent: Judging for the first time this round has proven to be a remarkable challenge because UWOL has grown in talent. As wildlife filmmakers you are getting really good at what you do, and I am actually a bit relieved that other routine pillars of this community did not have the occasion to submit this time and add to the difficulty of this position.

You all are technically adept with your craft, both behind the camera and in production and your improvements are palpable.

So when each submission is grounded in solid technical skill, adept at storytelling and production-savvy, how does one quantify one from another? The answer to this will be different with each judge and I have chosen grit to be my viewing filter.

Grit is a mixture of passion and perseverance that when developed will beat out raw talent every time. We are born with talent, but true grit we can grow by pushing ourselves. I have chosen to look for gritty moves in your own works as a determining factor discerning between mutual achievements. Are you trying new things? Are you pushing yourself to grow? Are you risking falling flat in a new attempt? Are you passionately out there, enduring uncomfortable situations to come up with what you are after? If you have done any of these this time, it just may have given you a slight edge.

I promise you that if you didn’t make it in the top three this time, you are oh so close, more than you think. There are no stand-alone giants in this group anymore.

Shout outs:

1. Vishal, the phenomena of bird murmuration completely astounds me, and I am forever in your debt you brought it to us on a silver platter.
2. Mick Jenner, for making the time and effort to support your UWOL community when you didn’t submit this time. That is the true UWOL spirit.
3. Geir Inge, for doing the right thing and creating the shark tank thread and diving in for a swim. I hope you and Trond are only missing a hand or foot? Nothing too grave?
4. Calling Andrew Hood. You submitted and then haven’t been seen again. Are you okay?

A big thank you to Trond, who keeps this forum alive and faithfully encourages us into the fold, time and again. You’re the best.

And now that this round has drawn to a close, if we were all in the same place, I would suggest we all go down to the local pub and quaff a brew together: to friends, to wildlife and wild places, to the pursuit of excellence and best of all, to chat about the new collaborative film UWOL is about to embark on. The honor has been all mine. Cheers!