Albert Karvonen

Albert Karvonen began his life-long love affair with nature while growing up in northeastern Alberta on his family's homestead. Surrounded by the ever-changing landscape of the boreal forest, Karvonen gained a profound respect for the wilderness. After a twenty-three year career as a principal and schoolteacher, he could no longer resist the call of the wild. He began channelling his energies towards his first love -- production of independent wildlife motion pictures. Over the past 30 years, Karvonen has overseen production of more than eighty film, television and multimedia titles. His passion for the natural world and creative vision has given life to several series including Wild Encounters (13 half-hours), Treasures of the Wild (13 half-hours), In Wildness (6 one-hours) and Wilderness Journeys (in production). He has completed 4 one-hour co-productions with The National Film Board of Canada. The Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association recognized Karvonen's substantial contribution to filmmaking by honouring him with the coveted David Billington Award. The award is a benchmark in a career devoted to the production of outstanding wildlife films. The City of Edmonton also recognized his lifetime contribution to the arts with a Salute to Excellence Award. Relying largely on private financing, Karvonen's films have achieved commercial success enjoyed by few independent filmmakers. Although he is intimately involved with all aspects of his productions, from inception to completion, financing and distribution, Karvonen prefers to be on location filming wildlife.