Here some Steps in his moving Life:
at twelve
Matto wins 1st prize at Nationwide Young Artist Competition
and decides to become an artist.
He practises every day for hours in the Zoo of Heidelberg
sine he was fourteen
first solo exhibition
other Art Awards, including the UNESCO Photo Award
since 1987
“RockART” socially critical observations on the subject of environmental protection and interpretation of musicians’ careers like the heroes of the 60th in paintings
1989
Barefoot crossing of the Alps as a work of art for the protection and preservation of the Alps
1990
Founding of the Publishing House Matto Barfuss
1991
Opening of Europe’s first music art gallery accompanied with a wide press campaign internationally
from 1992 onwards
“Revolt of the Animals” multilayer artworks. The idea is that the animals demonstrate for their rights.
since 1995
over 105 excursions to Africa
numerous reports in established magazines like STERN, GEO and many others
for 25 weeks
Member of a wild family of cheetahs in the Serengeti
Living on his hands and knees as a “human cheetah”
from 1998
the bestselling picture book “Leben mit Geparden” is published, books are published in 8 languages
Founder and President of the non-profit association “Leben für Geparden e. V.”
Filming in the Serengeti for “The Cheetah Man”
1999
Books “Land of the Cheetahs” + „Secrets of Africa” and other excursions
from 2000
official representative of Baden-Württemberg
Opening of the “Art House” in Rheinau
2001
Initiator of the international art and culture project “Painting for Cheetahs”
Development of the art sign “G” as a symbol for global responsibility
Aug 2001
spectacular cheetah reintroduction in Namibia
2002
big TV special on ZDF and arte
“Ambassadors of the Mountains” in the UN International Year of Mountains
Nov 2002
Initiator and creator of the joint venture project Gepardenvilla under the motto “Culture meets business”
Founding of the initiative “Education for Conservation“. He develops a wildlife-schoolbook for Africans children. Until 2020 55.000 books were distributed free to schools and children in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia
Start of the ongoing documentation of the mountain gorillas in Uganda/Rwanda/D.R. Congo
2003
Autobiography “In Search of Paradise“ in German, and then published e.g. in China, Korea, the Czech Republic…
first creation of the “cheetah wine” under the motto “help and enjoy”
May 2003
Premiere of the first wildlife school book for Africa and distribution since then
of over 50.000 books in Africa
2004
first publication of the Magazine „G” which is since then published on an annual basis
2005
First expedition to the Congo and first television presentations
In addition (including exclusive film contribution in Stern TV) expansion of the project “Education for Species Conservation”
The photo book “Barfuss unter Berggorillas” is published
2006
Second Congo expedition and completion of the film work on the film “Gorilla Fever”, various book publications
Start of shooting for the film series “… With lions through Africa”
2007-2008
Founding of the “Gorilla Aid Fund” and active support of game wardens in the Congo
2009
Premiere of the documentary project “Barefoot with lions through Africa” as HDA V-Show
Premiere of the film “The Future of the Gorillas” on Swiss television.
2010
Picture book “…through Africa with lions” is published, start of filming „Spotted Hunters” and “The Forgotten Lions of Bushmanland”
The art project “House of ART and Diversity” is implemented in Germany
2011
First film in the series “Across Africa with Lions” is released. The project becomes international.
2012
Appointed as UN Decade Ambassador for Biological Diversity by Minister for Environmental Affairs
Book and film “The Cheetahs of the Kalahari”
2013
The art house Planet Go is launched
Matto Barfuss starts filming the first 5K wildlife cinema production in the Kalahari
Filming for the feature film project “Once I’m a Big Cat” begins in August
The film “The Wild Dogs of the Kalahari” is completed after 6 years of shooting
2014
Continuation of the long-term study of cheetahs and lions in the Kalahari
Months of film work in 5K for the feature film project “Once I’m a Big Cat”
Opening of an office in Maun/Botswana and distribution oaf school-books
2015
Completion of filming “Once I’m a Big Cat”
Founding of the Go wild Botswana Trust – wildlife education in Botswana and containment of human-wildlife conflicts
2016
Completion of shooting “Maleika” in December.
New Multivision “Wild Life – on the way to Maleika”
Founding of Maleika Film GmbH
2017
“Maleika” fashion collection based on single pictures of the movie with MARC CAIN
Illustrated books “Maleika” and “Maleika – The book for the cinema film” are published
October 4th – World premiere of the movie “Maleika” in the Zoopalast Berlin
2018
Making of Film “Maleika – A Little Boy’s Dream”
Spot for Birkenstock in Botswana
2019
Founding of Go wild Reisen und Event GmbH
Film series “Maleika tells” starts with “The Cheetahs in the Kalahari” and “Leopards – Ghosts of the Savannah”
Spot for TSG Hoffenheim
2020
Film series “Maleika tells” is continued with “The King of the Animals” – numerous film broadcasts worldwide
The focus of the shooting will be on the film “The Rolling Bones”. There is also a very important production in Kenya in October.
2021
Post-production of the feature film PAMBARA begins.
The 100th Africa excursion
Series of events in the Art House is launched
