ORF-E
1 x 52 min
English
Worldwide except France and Germany

A confident and powerful leopardess named Olimba, rules over an exceptionally large area along Zambia’s Luangwa river. She is a formidable hunter, a courageous ruler, and a devoted mother. She’s just given birth to two tiny cubs, and as she faces the challenging task of motherhood, it’s a constant battle to hunt successfully, to defend her prime territory, and to protect her cubs against her enemies. During their first few months, the cubs go from strength to strength, as Olimba introduces them to the world of a carnivore. But whenever she goes out hunting, she leaves them vulnerable. One day, Olimba discovers a nomadic male leopard near her cubs, and without hesitation, she attacks him. He makes a lucky escape, but when Olimba returns to the den, one of her cubs is gone. As she comes to terms with her loss, Olimba forges on as a devoted mother, and passes on all her knowledge to her blue-eyed boy, named Makumbi. When he’s a year old and succeeds in hunting his own prey, Olimba parts ways with her son. But their final hostile encounter leaves the youngster vulnerable, with a dreadful eye injury. His resilience and fighting spirit see him through, and despite his blind eye, he turns into a strong-willed hunter. Award-winning filmmakers Will and Lianne Steenkamp (Vanishing Kings I & II; Emmy-nominee and Winner: International Big Cats Film Festival) have filmed Olimba over three years, capturing the life of a leopardess in her prime.

Awards:
Deauville Green Awards (2021): Trophée Argent (won)
Festival de Menigoute (2021): Grand Prix (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best International Feature Film (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Cinematography (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Director (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Editing (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Musical Theme (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Nature/Environment/Wildlife Film (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Original Score (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Producer (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Production Company (won)
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021): Best Sound Design (won)
Matsalu Nature Film Festival (2021): Best Editing (won)
Matsalu Nature Film Festival (2021): Special Mention (Nature) (won)
Nature Without Borders Wildlife Film Festival (2021): Best of Show: Wildlife & Nature (won)
NaturVision Filmfestival, Ludwigsburg (2021): Best Camera Award (won)
New York Festival (2021): Silver Award (won)
New York Festival (2021): Silver Award (Documentary: Nature & Wildlife) (won)
Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula/Montana (2021): Best Animal Behavior (won)
World Media Festival Hamburg (2021): Intermedia Globe Gold (won)