Richard Sidey is an award-winning conservation, adventure and wildlife filmmaker based in the South Island of New Zealand.
Living on this picturesque island, Richard naturally sources artistic inspiration from his surrounding environment. Environmental themes and a strong connection to nature are clearly evident in his work. A keen adventurer, bike-packer, pack-rafter, sea kayaker and paragliding pilot, he is rarely seen far from the wilderness.
Richard formed his career specialising in environmental filmmaking and nature photography, documenting the polar regions, remote wilderness areas and their wildlife for over a decade before co-founding the New Zealand based production company Galaxiid in 2016. Galaxiid aims to explore, uplift and reconnect us all with nature through immersive experiences.
In 2020 Richard completed the final chapter in his award-winning Speechless trilogy, with the release of Elementa to critical acclaim.
Recent works include a Humpback whale conservation documentary Whales in a Changing Ocean, a black-and-white poetic take on wingsuit flying in Spellbound, and an art/adventure short set in southern New Zealand, In the Theatre of the Gogs.
RECENT ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
Otago Daily Times • Testing kayak trip inadvertently generated award-winning film.
[News Feature]
Oceanographic Magazine • Fragile Realms – An interview with Richard about his recent conservation work in Dominica and Antarctica.
[Magazine Feature]
Radio New Zealand • Silent film-making in the age of lockdown – Richard talks to Lynn Freeman about the making of Elementa.
[Radio Interview]
Down in Edin • Elementa, a new film by Richard Sidey.
[Magazine Feature]
Otago Daily Times • Kilimanjaro flight film wins award.
[News Story]
Stuff • Richard Sidey and Aliscia Young document nature, together.
[Newspaper Feature]
Otago Daily Times • Pair’s documentary captures plight of rare turtles.
[News Story]
AWARDS
3rd Place (2022)
The Sea Calls for Whales in a Changing Ocean
Golden Nikau Supreme Award and Best Documentary (2021)
AllShorts Film Festival for Spellbound
Hiddleston/MacQueen Award for Best NZ Made Film (2021)
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival for In the Theatre of the Gogs
Best Short Film (2021)
Inkafest Mountain Film Festival for Spellbound
Best Short Film (2021)
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival for Spellbound
People’s Choice Award (2021)
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival for Whales in a Changing Ocean
Best Short Film (2021)
Destination Unknown Film Festival for Spellbound
Honorable Mention (2021)
Destination Unknown Film Festival for In the Theatre of the Gogs
Best Short Film (2021)
London Mountain Film Festival for Spellbound
Director’s Award (2021)
International Ocean Film Festival for Whales in a Changing Ocean
Best Short Film (2021)
China International New Media Short Film Festival – Mountain Film Unit for Spellbound
Special Jury Mention (2021)
International Air Film Festival – El Yelmo for Spellbound
Honorable Mention (2021)
Mountainfilm Graz for Spellbound
Special Mention (2021)
3rd International Mountain and Nature Short Documentary Film Festival for Spellbound
Best Visual Effects Award (2020)
OUTDOCS for Spellbound
Media Special Recommendation Award (2020)
OUTDOCS for Spellbound
Best Short Documentary (2020)
Carpathian Mountain International Film Festival for The KFC
Spotlight Award – Best Feature (2020)
Mosaic World Film Festival for Elementa
Best New Zealand Feature (2020)
Doc Edge Festival for Elementa
Best New Zealand Cinematography (2020)
Doc Edge Festival for Elementa
Hiddleston/MacQueen Award for Best NZ Made Film (2020)
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival for The KFC
Bronze Medal (2019)
Handle Climate Change Film Festival for The Last Turtle
Best Music & Nature Film (2017)
Wildlife Conservation Film Festival for Wild Antarctica
Winner, Aerial Category (2016)
New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year
Best Wildlife Film (2016)
San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival for Speechless – The Polar Realm
Runner-Up, Wildlife (2015)
New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year
Best Music & Nature Film (2015)
Wildlife Conservation Film Festival for Speechless – The Polar Realm
Best of Festival (2015)
Wolves Independent International Film Festival for Speechless – The Polar Realm
Best New Zealand Cinematography (2015)
Doc Edge Festival for Speechless – The Polar Realm
Youth Jury Award (2015)
XIV Baikal International Film Festival for Speechless – The Polar Realm
Finalist (2013)
Environmental Photographer of the Year for Speechless – A Disappearing World
Winner – Video Category (2013)
Connect4Climate, Washington D.C. for Speechless – A Disappearing World
Editing Competition Winner (2012)
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
Special Jury Award (2012)
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival for Bikes for Africa
Best New Zealand Cinematography (2011)
Reel Earth Film Festival for Landscapes at the World’s Ends
Special Mention (2011)
Doc Edge Festival for Landscapes at the World’s Ends
Best Student Film (2007)
American Conservation Film Festival for Aeon
Best Short Film (2005)
DocNZ Film Festival for Aeon
MORE INTERVIEWS & NEWS LINKS
Otago Daily Times • Testing kayak trip inadvertently generated award-winning film.
Oceanographic Magazine • Fragile Realms
RNZ • Silent film-making in the age of lockdown
The News • Film a meditation on wilderness, elements
Down in Edin • Elementa, a new film by Richard Sidey
Wilderness Magazine • Life through a Lens
National Geographic • Up Close With King Penguins and Elephant Seals
WildArk • One Thousand Words
D-Photo • Speechless: The Polar Realm / World Premiere
The Wanaka App • Wanaka filmmaker takes award