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.

Currently he is producing a 6-part series about Europe's nature and wildlife.

Filmography

Wildlife Series 2025: EUROPE - One Continent - Five Worlds 6 x 50 / 1 x 90 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for ARD, WDR, NDR, arte, ORF, hr, SVT, YLE, DR, NKR. 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 – Land of fire and Ice (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW for NDR Naturfilm, WDR, Parthenon Entertainment, NGCI, Animal Planet US 2006: The Falls of Iguacu (HD) 50 min - LIGHT & SHADOW 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 (Selection) Jackson Wild Film Festival 2025 - Nomination for Best Cinematography Link 40th NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARD Nomination, USA, 2019 * Outstanding Music & Sound * Outstanding Cinematography UNITED NATIONS - International Forest Film Awards, Special Jury Award 2010 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 Green Screen, Deutschland, 2011: SH:Z Publikumspreis Darsser Naturfilmfestival, Deutschland, 2011: Tiere und Lebensräume Durban Wild Talk Africa, South Africa, 2011, Drehbuchpreis FIFA / Albert, France, 2012, Wissenschaftspreis, Spezialpreis für das beste Drehbuch Sichuan TV Festival, China, 2011, Finalist (Beste Kamera) Namur, Belgium, 2011, Großer Preiis New York Festivals Television Broadcasting, USA, 2008: SILVER WORLD MEDAL NATURE & WILDLIFE Darsser Naturfilmfestival, Deutschland, 2007, Goldener Kranich