MASIFF: Whispers in the Woods (2025)

An insanely beautiful and entrancing journey into the wild, this French box office smash features an original score by Warren Ellis.

Three generations of nature lovers set out to find the western capercaillie amid the densely wooded and visually spectacular Vosges, a French mountain range close to the German border. The men delve deeper into the woodland realms, where lynxes, bears, deer, owls, capercaillies and other creatures roam, the whispers of the woods echo those passed from Munier’s father to himself, and now to his own son.

After winning awards in the National History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition three years in a row in his youth, director Vincent Munier has also turned his hand to moving images. His first feature documentary, The Velvet Queen, charted his quest to find the elusive snow leopard; Whispers in the Woods brings him back to where he grew up, and to a far more personal quest.

While Munier’s images are extraordinary, what sets this film apart is how they combine with the sound design (winner of 2026 César Award for Best Sound) to highlight the unique aural vibrations of these woods – all underscored by Warren Ellis, Dom La Nena and Rosemary Standley’s score, which itself earned a Lumière Award for Best Music.

An exquisite love letter to family and to the wonderful world we live in and a stunning visual and aural immersion into the misty Vosges mountains. Best experienced on the big screen.

Winner of 2026 César Award for Best Documentary Film and for Best Sound.

Winner of 2026 Lumière Award for Best Music.

“A special kind of documentary … Whispers in the Woods is an incredibly immersive film that captures the magical beauty of nature while also showcasing its fragility. A film to take a deep breath and reflect.” – Out Now

Accompanying Short: IRITINGURU KUWARIKUTU, Old Ways - New Ways

Director: Leona Cichon | Year: 2026 | Rating: G | Runtime: 10 mins | Country: Australia | Genre: Documentary | Language: English, Pitjantjatjara

After many years of waiting, Fregon community finally received the new school they had been promised. During this process a documentary was filmed to appreciate the old and new ways in Fregon, Fregon Anangu School (located in Fregon/Kaltjiti), APY lands, SA