 Wildlife Film News Our 25th Anniversary Edition!!
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Massimiliano (Max) Finzi – a Marine Supervisor – Assistant Underwater Camera – Water Safety Diver Max is a professional Marine Supervisor and Safety diver in Media, Film and HATV at Netflix, Prime, Lionsgate, Disney, BBC amongst others. Based in both the UK (Devon) and Italy. He says" "I have great experience in water diving safety. I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, an SSI Divemaster Instructor and the HSE Scuba L.4 and I’m also Instructor of many diving specialties; I’m an underwater camera assistant and also operate independently. I also have experience of training cast and crew in scuba diving to facilitate underwater sequences. I have done over 10,000 dives in extremely different places and locations such as sea, ocean, river, altitude, lake, caves, under ice, deep and wrecks using all different equipments; I have worked as a dive instructor and dive manager for 21 years and in the last 5 as part of a team in the Marine department in film and TV. Before becoming a diver in 1996 I was a studio still-life photographer a profession that I brought with me underwater; I have the Gates STO (Setup/Test/Operate) certification made by Esprit Film; RYA PowerBoat L2, VHF Radio Operator, Day skipper. I also have the IRATA Rope Access certification L1 and A1/A3 Drone open category. Some of my credits include: Go here!" Profile Page: Wildlife-film.com/-/MassimilianoFinzi.htm |
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The international Working in Wildlife Film Survey 2024 is looking for people to particpate ... Calling everyone in wildlife film and TV: have you taken part in the international Working in Wildlife Film Survey 2024? Survey closes on 31 August. It's been developed through FF:W insight and feedback from the industry. The survey will reveal new insight into opportunities and obstacles to working in sector, as well as how the industry is approaching sustainability. We hope to find out about the good as well as the not so good - all in a safe, completely anonymised way that adheres to strict ethical guidelines. If you haven't taken the survey yet, please, spare a few minutes to share your experience and help gather urgently needed data on inclusion and sustainability in our industry. Depending on your answers, it can take as little as 2 minutes, at most, 15. It is open to anyone who works in wildlife film & TV, or film and TV that might not traditionally be considered wildlife/ natural history, but has a significant interest in the natural world. New entrants to the industry and recent leavers can also take part. Please share far and wide! Contact the lead researcher jane.dawson@uwe.ac.uk if you have any questions or want to learn more. Massive thanks. Supported by FF-W, UWE Bristol and University of Bristol. Here: uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b2RiiKsNmuhC5Wm Get involved! Survey closes 31st Aug |
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All Hands On Deck: #FreePaulWatson On July 21, 2024, Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd and many decade long anti-whaling activist, was arrested by Danish police upon arrival in Nuuk, Greenland, on board the ship John Paul DeJoria. Danish authorities claim the arrest was made due to an international arrest warrant issued by Japan, related to his anti-whaling campaigns in the Antarctic more than a decade ago. Paul faces the very real possibility of extradition to Japan, where he could potentially serve a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
We need your help to free Paul Watson! The Paul Watson Foundation has prepared an email action which can be sent to the Ministry of Justice in Copenhagen. You can access the email here: paulwatsonfoundation.org/freepaulwatson Paul Watson in Brock Initiative's Are Whales Winning? Captain Paul Watson features in Brock Initiative's Wildlife Winners & Losers Film Series film Are Whales Winning? ... check it out! Are Whales Winning? Our attitude to whales and dolphins is confused. We love them in their home, the sea. We (some) love them in SeaWorld performing tricks. But SeaWorld and its money is now threatened by public opinion, and Japan, Norway and Iceland are the latest survivors still fighting not to save whales and dolphins in the wild. Who will win in this whale of a triangle? On the arrest of Paul Watson, Richard Brock says:
His film How To Beat The Big Boys speaks to this idea: Examples of huge corporations hit by bad publicity e.g. in Dubai, SeaWorld, Coca Cola, John Lewis, Unilever, Volkswagen, Shell. Every win for conservation adds to the power of film-makers in the future. Watch more Brock Initiative films on the Marine World: brockinitiative.org/category/habitat/marine |
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An update on ¨The Bough Breaks¨, from Mousehole Films ¨The Bough Breaks¨, from Mousehole Films, of which we are a proud sponsor alongside the Scottish Wild Beaver Group, is continuing its´ festival successes. It has been made an official selection at the Montrose LandxSea Film Fest, a little closer to home for the film-makers, than some of the festivals we have been selected for (from the Arctic to South America!). It is Scotland's premier environmental film festival and leading event for films and discussions that spark green ideas and actions. The film-makers, including member Danny Strong Ecologist & Filmmaker, say they ¨are honoured to have been selected as part of this year's exciting festival line up and one of only ten feature documentaries to be selected from films released in 23/24 - including ¨Billy & Molly - An Otter Love Story¨ (Silverback) and ¨Eagle with the Sunlit Eye¨ (Scout Studio). Here is the link to the feature in the programme: landxsea.org/theboughbreaks2024 ¨The Bough Breaks¨ will be screened on Saturday 14th September 2024 at 2.50pm.
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Metro readers side with Packham – he’s only saying what Sir David already has ... John (MetroTalk, Tue) says the BBC should send Chris Packham ‘packing’ after its presenter described the jail sentences for the Just Stop Oil protesters as a ‘grotesque miscarriage of justice’. I disagree. Packham should be able to speak his mind. He is one of the ‘crown jewels’ of the BBC and is only reminding us of what Sir David Attenborough has already clearly stated – that we’re in a desperately serious climate and nature emergency, and all governments must take urgent action for the sake of all life on Earth and our children’s future. Of course this is a miscarriage of justice. How is locking up five peaceful climate protesters for a total of 21 years proportionate for having a Zoom call [to plan the protests that closed the M25]when violent offenders and drug dealers serve less time? As the United Nations secretary general António Guterres said in 2022, ‘We are on a fast track to climate disaster… Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals, but the truly dangerous radicals are the countries increasing the production of fossil fuels.’ – Helen Elwes, Oxford
Read more: metro.co.uk/2024/07/24/metro-readers-side-chris-packham-saying-sir-david-already-21290261 Sign "Stop jailing climate truth tellers!" on Avaaz: secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/uk_climate_activists_loc To PM Starmer and the new UK Government: We condemn the gagging and jailing of peaceful climate protesters in UK courts. We call on you to stop silencing and jailing truth tellers. Repeal the Tories’ repressive legislation immediately, hold to account the corporate polluters who threaten life on Earth for profit, and restore the UK’s influential role in upholding democratic rights and international law. This sentence is a gut-punch for us all. Peaceful climate activists will spend the next four to five years in jail. Why? For leading a video call about a protest against the last government’s failure to act on climate change and its plans to “max out” on oil and gas. This is the tragic result of repressive Tory laws which treat peaceful climate protesters as violent offenders. Activists can now be jailed for up to ten years! Meanwhile, big polluters destroy our planet with impunity. Let’s demand the new Labour government repeals these anti-protest laws and holds corporate polluters accountable! Sign this urgent call to PM Starmer. |
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Too Wild Film School: Become a wildlife film maker – Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa Dive into the Timbavati wilderness with WildEarth and the Too Wild team. This immersive wildlife filmmaking course trains you like a professional wildlife filmmaker. Capture the stunning beauty of South Africa's diverse flora and fauna as you learn from seasoned experts in the field. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or an experienced videographer looking to hone your skills, this course will elevate your craft. This learning adventure gives you hands-on experience while you create captivating wildlife stories. |
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Jackson Wild Selects Finalists for 2024 Media Awards Jackson Wild has announced the films selected as finalists for the 2024 Jackson Wild Media Awards. Considered the highest bar of achievement in natural history filmmaking, the Jackson Wild Media Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in nature, science, and conservation storytelling. The 2024 Media Awards has been a record-breaking year with close to 500 films entering the competition, making this year's program one of the most exciting and competitive yet! Finalists were selected by more than 200 international judges, who collectively screened over 1,000 hours of media.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, September 5 during the Jackson Wild Media Awards Gala at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring Maryland. To learn more and attend, visit jacksonwild.org/awards-gala. Animal Behavior
Ecosystem
Conservation
People & Nature
Planet in Crisis
Trailblazer
Limited Series
Feature
Global Voices
Onscreen Personality
Cinematography
Editing
Original Music Score
Writing
Sound
Social
Student
Shorts - Wild Heroes
Shorts - Wildlife & Environment
Shorts - Impact Stories
Impact Campaign
Honorable Mention
Visit: jacksonwild.org/2024-media-awards About Jackson Wild For over 30 years, Jackson Wild has been a catalyst for accelerating and elevating impactful storytelling at the nexus of nature, science, and conservation. Through innovative and collaborative community gatherings, skill-building initiatives, and mentorship programs, Jackson Wild creates an inclusive forum for storytellers to more deeply illuminate connections to the natural world and our collective responsibility to the wild. Jackson Wild’s international board members include: ARRI, ARTE France, BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media / Love Nature, Conservation International, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Doclights, GBH, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Jane Goodall Institute, Lucky 8, NHK, National Geographic Content, National Geographic Society, Nature/WNET, Netflix, NEWF (Nature, Environment, Wildlife, Filmmaking), Off the Fence Productions, ORF Universum, PBS, RED Digital Cinema, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Sony Electronics, Terra Mater Studios, Wanda Films, Waterbear, Wildstar Films, and World Wildlife Fund. |
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Attend the 2024 Jackson Wild Media Awards Gala! It’s been a record-breaking year for the 2024 Media Awards. With close to 500 films entering the competition - over 1000 hours of content screened by more than 200 international judges to recognize 81 finalists – this promises to be one of the most exciting programs in Jackson Wild’s 32-year history! Join us on Thursday, September 5 for the 2024 Jackson Wild Media Awards Gala, a night dedicated to honoring excellence in wildlife filmmaking. Celebrate the extraordinary talent and dedication of our finalists as we recognize their achievements in captivating and impactful storytelling. This inspiring evening will culminate in the announcement of the winning films, followed by an after party to reconnect with friends and colleagues. The event will take place at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland. Seating is limited, so please be sure to get your tickets NOW! Get your ticket: jacksonwild.org/awards-gala |
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The 10th Anniversary Edition of WFFR is coming ... but also the WFFR 2024 Industry Days! The 10th Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam (WFFR) will take place from 4 – 10 November 2024. The 2024 festival will feature the best films from all over the world. We will be screening all of our official selections in the heart of Rotterdam at Cinerama Movie Theater. The WFFR Industry Days ’24 will take place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 November 2024. Here you can meet/catch-up with other film professionals and participate in workshops, pitch sessions and social events. Filmmakers can pitch their (planned) project on Friday, November 8th in front of commissioners, producers, broadcasters and distributors from the wildlife film industry. Registration for the Pitch sessions is required. More info: wffr.nl/professionals-en/industry-days-overview Agenda for 2024:
Filmmakers (or representatives) of selected films receive:
Visit: wffr.nl |
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MCAT Community Media Publishes Archive Footage from past International Wildlife Film Festivals At this year's closing party IWFF dusted off the archives to show film footage from 1989 ... Missoula Community Access Television, located in the Missoula Public Library, shares more from the 90's. The mission of the International Wildlife Film Festival is to promote awareness, knowledge, and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people, and nature through excellence in film. The long-standing festival champions wildlife filmmakers and challenges conventional expectations about how we conserve wildlife and habitat. See the playlist for highlights of early festivals, workshops and wild walks!
Visit: mcat.org, theroxytheater.org/series/iwff-presents & wildlifefilms.org |
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CALL FOR ENTRY – A NEW WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL IN ANKARA TURKIYE July 1st, 2024 was a very exciting day for me! It was the date when submissions started for the Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival, the first of its kind in the country. I am Ece Soydam, a long-time wildlife filmmaker and the very recent founder of this new festival in Türkiye. Having participated in many international wildlife film festivals since the past 20 years, I have always been thrilled to watch great documentaries, meet with and learn from colleagues from around the world and exchange information. Every time I came back from a festival to Ankara, I always talked about it for days and wished the team, my colleagues, the emerging wildlife filmmakers in Türkiye, my friends and my family could experience that atmosphere I so much enjoyed. As I can’t take everyone with me to these festivals, it just dawned upon me one day - “Why not bring the festival to them”? And “Why not introduce wildlife filmmakers to Turkish wildlife?” The first wildlife documentary film festival of Türkiye will be held in the capital Ankara. Please mark the dates May 15 – 18, 2025! Submissions are open until December 16th, 2024. You will find more information on our website very soon. Details about the festival, the city of Ankara and the wildlife of the region and the country will be available at www.aywff.com.tr. We invite you all to submit your documentaries through filmfreeway.com and wait for more announcements about the festival. We are looking forward to receiving your submissions! Hope to welcome you all and meet many new colleagues in Ankara! ANKARA INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL The capital Ankara will host a brand-new festival in 2025. For the first time in Türkiye, a documentary film festival about wildlife will be organized. Submissions for the competition section of the 1st Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival, which is planned to take place between May 15 - 18, 2025, opened on July 1st, 2024. Thanks to the interest of many filmmakers, 130 submissions from 36 countries have been received just in the first month. The festival is organized to draw national and international attention to Anatolia's wildlife, contribute to nature conservation efforts and support the developmen t of wildlife documentary filmmaking. It is aimed to bring together wildlife documentaries and teams from many countries of the world with both the audience and professional or amateur wildlife documentarians, to follow the innovations in the world, to be a pioneer in some areas and to be instrumental in collaborations and co-productions. The festival, which will include four days of documentary film screenings, Q&As with film crews, workshops and seminars, will also have a competition section where wildlife documentaries from all over the world will be evaluated in short and feature categories. Founded by director and producer Ece Soydam, who has been producing wildlife documentaries at TRT for nearly twenty years, the festival is organized in partnership with Çigdem Education, Environment and Solidarity Association and Nature Conservation Center, with the support of United Nations GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), European Union Sivil Düs¸ün Programme and Ayten & Aycan. The search for resources continues in order to make the organization, to which various embassies will also contribute, more comprehensive. Submissions for the festival competition will be open until December 16th, 2024 through filmfreeway.com. Inviting all wildlife documentary filmmakers from Türkiye and across the globe to apply to the festival, the festival team continues to work to present a full program for the 1st Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival on May 15 – 18th, 2025. FESTIVAL PROGRAM
CATEGORIES
AWARDS
Enter here: filmfreeway.com/AnkaraUluslararasiYabanHayatiBelgeselFilmFestivali Follow: instagram.com/ank_yabanwildff, x.com/Ank_YabanWildFF & facebook.com/Ankyabanwildff |
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Astonishing story of 20-year South Downs National Park campaign told in riveting new book The extraordinary story of the 20-year campaign to protect the treasured South Downs with National Park status is told in a new book by Midhurst author Robin Crane. The former wildlife film producer was one of the original seven who founded the South Downs Campaign and he chaired the meetings throughout the long fight. Robin said his recently-published book, The Fight for the South Downs, tells the 'almost unbelievable' story of the campaign. He added: "The story of our 20-year fight to get a National Park is a significant event in local, and national, history. This is a story that I believe needed to be told, how a swathe of south-east England became a National Park, protected for future generations for them to enjoy and nurture. "All of us who were involved are proud of what has become the South Downs National Park. John Templeton, one of our doughty campaigners, said of our story that ‘you couldn’t make it up, it is something too astonishing to be believed!’. "I have received rave reviews about the book. I’m greatly encouraged by people who knew nothing of our history, who have said that once they began reading the book, the story was so gripping they couldn’t put it down.” Robin was ‘thrilled to bits’ to have the cover picture by Gordon Rushmer, as it encapsulates the South Downs, featuring downland, woodland, river, fields and community in one stunning painting. The Fight For The South Downs – The long struggle to protect one of Britain's most treasured landscapes Those who have a deep affection for Britain’s countryside will be totally absorbed by this extraordinary history of environmentalists’ efforts to conserve the glorious South Downs. After describing the special qualities of the area and earlier attempts to safeguard it, the story of a twenty-year campaign to secure National Park status for this special part of England is recounted. Strong forces opposed, but the South Downs Campaign, which eventually grew to represent 159 national, regional and local groups, won through and the national park was established in 2010. Author Robin Crane chaired the meeting of seven people who founded the South Downs Campaign in 1990. He remained chairman until the South Downs National Park was finally designated. From the outset the campaign was run by a team of both volunteers and professionals. The Campaign for National Parks, The Ramblers Association, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Sussex and Hampshire CPREs were the lead organisations. Margaret Paren, who took a prominent role in the last half of the Campaign has edited this book. She chaired the South Downs National Park Authority for its first ten years. AUTHOR ROBIN CRANE - After seven years as a regular army officer Robin Crane joined Guinness as a maltster. This led him to Lincolnshire where he became actively involved with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. A film he made for the Trust resulted in the BBC Natural History Unit recruiting him to make programmes for the “World About Us” series. He moved to Sussex in 1967 where he established his own production company and made environmental, scientific, equestrian, training and public relations films which won several national and international awards. He became chairman of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and then chairman of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation In 1999 he was awarded the CBE for services to nature conservation. Meanwhile in 1990 he chaired the first meeting of the South Downs Campaign. He remained as chairman, treasurer and fund-raiser until the South Downs National Park was confirmed. In recognition of this work he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Sussex in 2010. The book, published by Brown Dog Books on the 18th of April 2024, is available at: Amazon.co.uk |
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How Disney scientists are shaping the future of sea turtle research — and how you can help Sea turtles spend 90% of their lives in the ocean. Where do they go and how can we help them? We spoke with Disney’s Dr. Mark and Dr. Zak to find out. Sea turtle talk “There’s a lot of sea turtle research that goes on beaches, but over 90% of a sea turtle’s life is spent in the ocean. They will hatch out of that beach and then come back decades later, and we don’t know that much about what they’re doing over those decades and where they go. To have a complete picture of the sea turtle’s life and really know how to protect them, we need to know what’s happening with that 90% of their life when they’re out at sea.” This is the vision of Disney’s support of sea turtles, as described by Dr. Zak Gezon, conservation director at Walt Disney World. We spoke with Dr. Zak and Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Disney’s Animal, Science, and Environment unit, about the incredible migration of sea turtle mothers, the company’s interest in nature that began with Walt Disney, and the ways families can get involved in their own backyard. Tracking sea turtles Tour de Turtles is an annual event organized by Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and participated in by Disney. Each year, female sea turtles naturally make landfall on the ocean shoreline outside of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club property on Florida’s east coast, just over 100 miles from Walt Disney World in Orlando. As part of Tour de Turtles, different organizations sponsor the attachment of radio telemetry devices to a handful of these mother turtles. The tracking of the turtles as they return to the sea helps fill in that missing 90% Dr. Zak mentioned. That is an understudied and critically important piece of their natural history that we need to have more insight about how to do our best job protecting them,” Dr. Zak told us. One of Disney’s sponsored turtles from 2023, for example — Madame Leota, named such to tie in with last summer’s release of the “Haunted Mansion” movie — has traveled 4,500 miles since her Tour de Turtles debut, making her way from Florida up the Atlantic coast toward Delaware and Maryland. For 2024, Disney Conservation Fund sponsored a turtle named Ebb, while Disney Cruise Line sponsored Flo. They both departed from Vero Beach on July 27. All are welcome to track the migration journey of Ebb and Flo on STC’s website. Read more: attractionsmagazine.com/sea-turtle-migration-disney Check out Brock Initiative's The World Of Turtles The World of Turtles - these dinosaurs still visit beaches and must compete with tourists for space. Can they win? Yes, maybe, but only with a lot of help from their friends - right now! Watch more Brock Initiative films on the Marine World: brockinitiative.org/category/habitat/marine |
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VMI’s Scalable Portable AC Power Station Without local site power or polluting generators, until now, your options were limited. Either you could use portable battery stations with limited capacity or expensive, heavy systems, (some were so large, that they were built into a trailer). However a new cost-effective modular and scalable option now exists, which uses small, portable battery power stations connected to a hotswap device featuring an auto changeover feature to offer uninterrupted power across multiple batteries to extend their performance. The 240V AC Power Station Consider these as having a mains socket in the field, enabling the powering of video villages and high-power lighting but instead of using a generator, you use a large battery that you can carry. This marked a significant leap in convenience and efficiency for film and video production crews, as one battery could now deliver up to 3.6KW of sustained power from a single location power station battery. Whereas none of our conventional batteries were able to supply sufficient power to light an Aputure or Nanlight 1200, a power station battery like an Instagrid One or EcoFlow Delta was now able to power it for 2-3 hours on full power. Impressive. That’s great, providing you only need a powerful light for perhaps 2-3 hours but what if you need more than this? Instagrid LINK Solution For these applications, VMI stock the new Instagrid LINK, which allows up to 3 x Instagrid 2.1KWh Instagrid AC batteries to be connected and work together to effectively create a single 6.3KWh battery in order to create a new ‘virtual’ 6.3KWh mega AC battery small enough to wheel around on a regular film trolley. This allows up to 3 x 2.1KWh Instagrid AC batteries to be connected and work together to create a new ‘virtual’ 6.3KWh mega battery capable of 3.6KW output, using batteries which individually only weight 20KG. The combination would weigh 65KG which is small enough to wheel around on a regular film trolley and best of all, you can swap out empty batteries with full ones whilst in use, meaning that the battery capacity is limited only by the number of charged batteries you have brought to location.
Best of all, VMI’s electricity is 100% from its own solar 55KW of PV solar panels and topped up from renewables, so all batteries hired from us have zero emissions. Learn more: 1-Max 2.1kWh Portable AC Battery |
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Cartoon Network Climate Champions Publish Survey on Kids’ Uunderstanding of Electronic Waste According to the UN, electronic waste (e-waste) is the world’s fastest-growing domestic waste stream, with production expected to reach 82 million tonnes globally per year by 2030, this includes items such as mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players, plugs and batteries. With e-waste increasingly impacting lives across the globe, and the World Health Organisation calling e-waste the ‘next growing threat to the environment’ Cartoon Network has partnered with Envision Racing to launch a cross-platform EMEA wide campaign toinform, engage, and empower children about e-waste. E-waste is very relevant to Cartoon Network’s audience as it has an increasing impact on kids’ lives. As digital and tech natives, electronics play a fundamental role in their everyday life. All kids around the world can relate to e-waste with toys being a massive source: 7.3 billion e-toys (car racing sets, electric trains, music toys, talking dolls, drones etc) are now discarded annually. That’s an average of 1 per person on Earth! A research survey undertaken by Cartoon Network found that 70% of children aged 6-11 across the EMEA region, had not heard of e-waste or were aware but not sure / had no idea what it means. Results from the study show that:
In response to this data, Cartoon Network recognised the opportunity to benefit both the planet and children by using its combined platforms, reach, and the expertise of Envision Racing to highlight the issue of electronic waste. The e-waste campaign aims to raise awareness and understanding through new, fun, relatable, and inspiring content designed to encourage action via e-waste-themed Climate Champions challenges, informative videos, quizzes and trivia. Cartoon Network Climate Champions’ new e-waste video content will air on the Cartoon Network channel and includes a “Guide to E-waste” video that explains what e-waste is, why it’s an important issue and the basics of how we can help tackle it. Cartoon Network will also air e-waste promos, explaining issues around e-waste with a call to action on how kids can get involved in tackling it, and share weekly uploads to its social & YouTube channels to help broaden reach and drive key e-waste messages home. In addition, children can find new, fun and informative e-waste content in the Cartoon Network Climate Champions app and on the website. This includes new e-waste challenges, new facts and trivia about e-waste, new quizzes, new voting cards, and new videos featuring real kids talking about the issue of electronic waste. Among the many e-waste challenges available includes the ‘Device Rescue Mission,’ where children check their homes for old electronic devices that can be recycled, the ‘No Crossed Wires’ challenge, which involves taking care of chargers by preventing damage from wire tangles, and the ‘Phone Numbers!’ challenge, where kids count the number of mobile phones in their homes, including unused ones. Warner Bros Discovery, VP Brand, Comms and Digital Content Strategy, Monika Oomen says: "E-waste is highly relevant to children, yet our research indicates a notable gap between their intentions and actions, primarily due to a lack of knowledge on proper disposal methods. It is encouraging to witness the agency among kids, and our goal is to help translate their intentions into meaningful actions." Cartoon Network’s Climate Champions initiative empowers and inspires young people to act and help the environment. Kids aged 6-12 can become Climate Champions by taking on daily challenges and making a significant difference together. The collaboration with the world champion racing team, Envision Racing, underscores Cartoon Network’s commitment to educating young minds. Cartoon Network further expands the Climate Champions initiative by integrating it into Cartoon Network Game On! Through gamification on Roblox, tackling e-waste challenges is made available in the Metaverse. As previously announced, Cartoon Network and Envision Racing launched a Climate E-Racers mini-game, allowing players to race each other in vehicles customised with e-waste collected in the game, while completing Climate Champions challenges along the way. Incorporating the e-waste Climate Challenges ensures that this crucial message reaches children during their playtime. Launched in May, Climate E-Racers has amassed 1 million visits. As part of Envision Racing’s Race Against Climate Change programme, the team has long aimed to energise fans to help save the planet, with the growing problem of e-waste a recent focus. In 2023 the team unveiled the world’s first, fully driveable race car made entirely out of e-waste to highlight the growing worldwide problem. About Envision Racing Envision Racing is a racing team which develops electric racing technologies and is also one of the founding and most successful outfits in the FIA Formula E World Championship and the current World Champions. Owned by Envision, Envision Racing has sustainability running through its DNA and was created for one simple purpose, to inspire generations to tackle climate change and transition to e-mobility and renewable energy. Both on and off the track, Envision Racing focus on accelerating and promoting innovation and change that will help us to live more sustainably, using their Race Against Climate Change™ program to mobilise fans around the world to be part of this change. For further information visit envision-racing.com About Cartoon Network Cartoon Network is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery and the #1 global animated series network, offering the best in original content for kids and families with such hits as Apple & Onion, Ben 10, Craig of the Creek, The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe, The Amazing World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go!, We Baby Bears, and more. Seen in more than 185 countries, over 450 million homes and in 33 languages, Cartoon Network inspires the next generation of creators and innovators by engaging its audience at the intersection of creativity and technology. Its award-winning pro-social initiatives, Stop Bullying: Speak Up and Cartoon Network Buddy Network are acknowledged and often used resources for kids and adults looking for tools that can assist in dealing with the ongoing issue of bullying. From: wbd.com For anyone that heard the rumours or saw the #RIPCartoonNetwork hashtag: "Cartoon Network would like to clarify that there is no truth to the speculation that the network or the studio are shutting down. With a number of recently announced greenlights, we remain committed to continually investing in innovative content that entertains and inspires our viewers across the globe." |
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Accra to Host Inaugural Green Film Festival (GFF) Accra, Ghana, is set to host the inaugural edition of the Green Film Festival (GFF) on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, 2024. The event will feature a two-day event in multiple locations across the capital city. The Green Film Festival aims to combine powerful storytelling with urgent environmental themes, fostering meaningful connections between participants and the natural world. The initiative is designed to promote sustainability and environmental awareness, among individuals and institutions, through short films focusing on the effects of climate change and the significance of environmental conservation. As part of the event, GFF will host workshops and showcase films exploring five significant themes crucial to the earth's future: Biodiversity, Activism, Food, Climate Displacement, and Wildlife Conservation. The event is supported by key figures in the media and climate ecosystems, notably, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Addisi (aka Bola Ray), CEO of EIB Network, and Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Vice-Chair of the IPCC's Working Group, among others. The Green Film Festival is open to filmmakers, environmental enthusiasts, and the general public, offering a unique platform for storytellers, sustainability advocates, and individuals curious about ecological issues to engage with like-minded individuals and become part of a global movement towards a sustainable future. From: theaccratimes.com/accra-set-to-launch-first-green-film-festival Visit: accra.gffafrica.com |
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Documentary fest celebrates global voices in nature filmmaking The International Outdoor Documentary Film Festival of China Award Competition concluded on Sunday in Shanghai. Other winners included Daida Back to the Ocean for Best Documentary Short Award, Embracing the Grim for Best Adventure Spirit Documentary Award, Seven Days of Autumn for Best Outdoor Culture and Lifestyle Documentary Award, Fifth Tide for Best Visual Effects Award, and Fauna for Special Prize and Media Special Mention. Biodiversity on Earth — Zhuonai Lake, one of the first documentaries about the biodiversity of the Hoh Xil hinterland, received the Special Award: China Story. The film, produced over two years, showcases the landscape and wildlife of the region. OUTDOCS, established in 2017, is an international platform for outdoor documentaries. Since its inception, it has received over 4,000 works from more than 100 countries and regions, covering a wide range of themes related to outdoor activities and nature. The event was jointly organized by the Shanghai Media Group's Documentary Center and the OUTDOCS organizing committee. From: chinadaily.com.cn/a/202407/01/WS668296eda31095c51c50bbe2_2.html Visit: outdocs.cn/en Enter next years' fest: filmfreeway.com/outdocs Deadline: November 1, 2024 |
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Film About Murdered Wildlife Ranger Whose Story Moved Prince William Released on Anniversary of Death 'Rhino Man,' which tells the story of Anton Mzimba and fellow rangers who tackle the poaching and illegal trade of rhino horn, is out on July 26 ... A moving documentary that tells the story of a murdered wildlife ranger is set for release on July 26, the second anniversary of his death. Rhino Man tells the life-and-death struggle of rangers as they face poachers and illegal traders in wildlife in Africa. Central to the story was Anton Mzimba, a South African ranger who was murdered by wildlife traffickers in 2022 after dedicating his working life to protecting Africa's wild animals. Prince William, who connected with Mzimba months before his death, added his name to the tributes to the ranger a day later. Prince William also attended a special screening of the film in 2023 and added his voice in a recorded message that was played for supporters before the movie's premieres in South Africa, New York City, Atlanta and Toronto. Mzimba epitomized the battle that rangers undergo every day as they seek to protect rhinos hunted for their rhino horn. The Prince of Wales, who set up his United for Wildlife to build a consortium to tackle illegal wildlife trade, said in 2023 that Mzimba’s murder was "a stark reminder of the daily dangers that all rangers face around the world protecting the natural world from the international criminal organizations that seek to profit illegally from wildlife, and I’m proud to see his life and legacy recognized in Rhino Man." On the eve of the film being available to stream on Apple, Google Play and Vimeo (soon to be followed on Amazon and Fandango), director John Jurko tells PEOPLE that Prince William's support has been crucial. "We were a ragtag team putting this film together for seven years before William got involved," the director says. "It definitely gave us more credibility.” More here: people.com/rhino-man-movie-moved-prince-william-gets-streaming-release-8682677 For more about RHINO MAN: rhinomanthemovie.org Watch: Rhino Man – on Apple |
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Capturing the Grit and Glory of Anti Poaching Efforts with Blackmagic Design “Guardians” is the gripping new documentary series that sheds light on the courageous work of anti poaching rangers in the Zambezi Delta of Mozambique. Produced by Conservation Film Company for EarthXTV, the 7 x 23 minute docuseries tracks these unsung heroes as they protect endangered wildlife in one of Africa’s most challenging environments. Through stunning cinematography and intimate storytelling, “Guardians” offers a unique glimpse into the daily struggles and triumphs of these dedicated individuals. “‘Guardians’ is a character led factual series that goes beyond the headlines to show audiences the effort that goes into safeguarding wildlife in Africa through the eyes of the local people on the front line,” explains Sean Viljoen, series director (and camera operator). “We wanted to tell their story as cinematically as possible.” Wildlife under threat During the recent civil war in the country, wildlife across all species, including large mammals, declined by 90 percent. It was then protected and wildlife recovered, but as human populations grew, subsistence poaching crept back in, as well as poaching for bush meat markets. Conservation Film Company spent seven weeks filming alongside the 19 rangers employed to protect the vast 2,000 square kilometers of the Coutada 11 safari concession in Mozambique. With limited resources available in the field, the production team needed versatile tools to capture high quality footage while minimizing logistical complexities. For “Guardians,” they carried a broad kit list of digital film cameras including the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K, Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF and Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 alongside several Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pros. “Most of the content we were creating was handheld. We were often jumping on the back of motorbikes with the anti poaching guys so that limited the amount of kit we could bring with us, while there was also a number of different types of content we were trying to cover. All our cameras were rigged as lightly as possible for a run and gun type setup,” notes Viljoen. Read more: blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20240725-01 Jump into the gritty world of anti-poaching. Discover how Mfana Xaba and his elite anti-poaching unit track and take down big game poachers in the Zambezi Delta. Perilous patrols, family balance, and poacher pursuits come to life in this crime-fighting series that shines a personal light on saving wildlife. |
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Wildscreen Festival 2024 – Tickets on Sale! Wildscreen Festival, the biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers, is back. We’re excited to return to the heart of Bristol for a unique hybrid event. We expect to be welcoming more delegates in 2024 than ever before, so join our community for a jam-packed programme of headliners, panels, exclusive film screenings and face-to-face networking between 14-18 October. Go here: wildscreen.org/festival/tickets |
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First wave of speakers and sessions announced for WildPhotos 2024 Wildscreen and Wildlife Photographer of the Year have announced its first wave of speakers and sessions WildPhotos. The one-day event, taking place on Sunday 13th October in Bristol, UK, will span headliners, panels and lighting talk sessions, featuring a world-class line-up of wildlife photographers. Charlie Hamilton James is announced as Headliner. The world renowned National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and author, will share his latest project “End Times” which explores his evolution from photojournalism into an artistic exploration of global environmental collapse and how we consume information about the natural world. More here: wildscreen.org/first-wave-of-speakers-and-sessions-announced-for-wildphotos-2024 |
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We like to watch: How we see animals on screen Between 1974 and 2007 the ABC had its own Natural History Unit to share the wonders of this ancient continent in all its feathered, furred and scaled glory - an astonishing archive of our times and our changing regard for nature. That archive has been examined in Making Animals Public and looks at how changing attitudes and technologies have shaped nature documentaries and the way we see animals over the past 70 years of television. Image left: A Lyre bird captured in the early ABC documentary Dancing Orpheus Guest: Gay Hawkins, Co-author Making Animals Public and Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University Listen here: abc.net.au/listen/programs/drawingroom/gay-hawkins-making-animals-public-book/104045070 Get the book here: amzn.to/3At22Ut |
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Off The Fence co-pros for two major wildlife shows Off The Fence is producing two major wildlife co-productions, one of which is fronted by field biologist, wildlife filmmaker and TV presenter Dan O’Neill. A rising star in natural-history documentary, O’Neill has also been signed to present two further new OTF series. Wild Talk (5 x 50 mins), co-produced by OTF, its parent company ZDF Studios and ARTE, explores the rapidly evolving science of animal communication — and reveals that many species are just as talkative as human beings. In the new five-part series, leading scientists decode complex animal communication systems with the help of AI, and next-generation sensors and recording technology. The result is an insight into the world of non-human language, from the waggle dance of honeybees to the UV signals emitted by the wings of butterflies. Wild Talk is executive produced by Debbie Hinnigan and Andrew Zikking for OTF, Petra Boden for ARTE, and Nikolas Hülbusch and Ralf Rückauer for ZDF Studios. The series producer is BAFTA-winning filmmaker Guy Gilbert.. O’Neill, whose hit series Giants, produced by OTF for Curiosity Stream, premiered in May 2023, is front of a second ambitious co-production: Zombie Animals (2 x 60 mins), brought to life by OTF Studios and National Geographic International. The two-part documentary, which is set to transmit on Nat Geo Wild in the run-up to Halloween, examines the gruesome world of animal hosts and their invaders — the alien parasites, viruses and freaky fungi that cause their unfortunate victims to act like zombie slaves. The two-parter combines blue-chip and UGC archive material, dynamic graphics and on-location footage with O’Neill’s signature storytelling. Zombie Animals is executive produced by Andrew Zikking for OTF, and Sarah Peat for NGCI. The series producer is Aaron Paul. Two other O’Neill-fronted projects are also in OTF’s production pipeline: Snow Leopards with Dan O’Neill (2 x 50 mins) and a second series of Nature’s Ultimate Survivors (5 x 60 mins) In the former, the first openly LGBT wildlife presenter returns to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia to gather new information about the elusive ‘Ghosts of the Mountains’. The cinematic two-part documentary, co-produced by OTF and wildlife and nature brand Love Nature, follows O’Neill — the Snow Leopard Trust’s only ‘explorer in residence’ — to two remote locations: Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains, home to the highest density of snow leopards on the planet, and the Tost mountains of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, where entry is forbidden unless permitted by the Snow Leopard Trust. Read more: televisual.com/news/otf-co-pros-for-two-major-wildlife-shows |
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New Team Sayari Episode Now Available on YouTube – Wildlife Direct Animals can display incredible levels of intelligence in their quest to either find food, or escape predators ... This is explored in Wildlife Directs' latest Team Sayari episode. They say "We are so proud to inform you that our new Kids series, Team Sayari is available on the National Geographic Africa YouTube Channel. It is a collaboration between USAID, the US Department of State, and The Walt Disney Company with WildlifeDirect. It was produced by White Rhino Films for National Geographic. It was shot in 5 African countries and is the first children's wildlife series produced in Africa. The series is presented by children and this month we spotlight “Most Intelligent” - featuring octopus, dolphins, baboons, and giant rats!"
Help Them Expand Their Conservation Movement ... Donate: wildlifedirect.networkforgood.com/projects/58931-saving-africa-s-endangered-species |
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BURNING INJUSTICE: Latino Activists Battle to Shut Down California's Toxic Incinerator Burning Injustice is a powerful 15-minute short documentary that follows the inspiring journey of Latino activists, John Mataka and Bianca Lopez, as they expose the toxic pollution and devastating health consequences of one of the last trash incinerators in California in an effort to close the facility once and for all. Through their unwavering determination, they call for environmental justice and a safer future for their community and loved ones.
TAKE ACTION NOW and tell the US Treasury: no bailouts for polluting waste incinerators: action.storyofstuff.org/letter/us-treasury-no-subsidies-waste-incinerators The Story of Stuff Project is transforming the way we make, use and throw away Stuff to put people and the planet over profit. Visit: storyofstuff.org |
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BAFTA's Albert has a New Biodiversity Resources Page Albert have launched a new Biodiversity Resources Page! This resource complements last year's Biodiversity Guide, offering up-to-date guidance on nature-friendly productions, legal requirements, supply chain biodiversity, and measuring the business impact of nature-positive decisions. They've also updated the Biodiversity Guide to provide extra support for industry professionals aiming to make their productions more nature-friendly. |
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Award-winning Raymond Besant handed honorary award Renowned Orcadian wildlife cameraman and photographer Raymond Besant has been recognised with an Honorary Degree at the University where he once studied. After graduating from Robert Gordon University (RGU) with a BSc (Hons) in Biosciences with Biomedical Science, he spent the early days of his career as a press photographer with The Press and Journal newspaper in Aberdeen before moving into capturing film and images of wildlife. His debut film, The Flying Dustbin, focused on the plight of Fulmars who were accidentally ingesting plastic and won two awards at the International Wildlife Film Festival in Montana in 2009. This production proved vital as it opened the door for Raymond to specialise as a long-lens wildlife cameraman and work with the BBC’ Natural History Unit as well as other production companies. Raymond worked on the BBC’s Wild Isles series which was presented by Sir David Attenborough and he went to the West Coast of Greenland to film for Frozen Planet II. He spent nine weeks working at heights of up to 16,000ft on the Tibetan Plateau as part of the Wild China series. Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “The images captured by Raymond shine a light on the fascinating creatures that live in our seas, skies and mountains as well as highlighting the ongoing climate crisis. It is fantastic for RGU to honour not only a notable alum, but also someone who making real strides to give us a better understanding of nature. “His work is a real source of inspiration for the University, and I am sure our own sustainability efforts can only benefit from his unique insight into this important topic.” Read more: scottishbusinessnews.net/award-winning-wildlife-photographer-handed-honorary-award |
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Botswana Wildlife Film School Graduates First Batch Of Filmmakers The Botswana Wildlife Film School in Kasane has this week graduated the first batch of 20 students, which is one of the key deliverables under the project Botswana Ignite, commonly known as the Steve Harvey Global partnership project. The Wildlife Documentary Academy aims to equip young Batswana filmmakers to meaningfully participate in the global space within this genre and is intended to train a minimum of 240 young people over the course of three years. The project is also intended to facilitate the creative industry in the film and television space. Another batch of 20 students has commenced training this week. Speaking during the official launch of the academy, Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs Boitumelo Gofhamodimo said the project is one of the flagships under the Economic Recovery and Transformation Program by which President Mokgweetsi Masisi is determined to boost the economy of Botswana by diversifying the economy and unlocking the value chains towards economic growth. Gofhamodimo added that the wildlife documentary genre represents a significant part of the global content market. “What is clear is that while Botswana’s animals and iconic images have graced many documentaries, there is very little participation by Batswana in the making of such. The main reason has been lack of skills, networking, and other opportunities for Batswana to participate,” she said. She stated that the partnership with Steve Harvey Global is meant to catalyse participation in this space through their networks and influence. Gofhamodimo noted that they expect that the graduates from the training will form the first cohort of highly trained and passionate producers of content in the wildlife documentary space. Read more: ngamitimes.co.bw/botswana-wildlife-film-school-graduates-first-batch-of-filmmakers |
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BRISTOL named WINNER, CITY OF FILM, 2024 Global Production Awards, Screen International We are the sum of all our parts - from the talented companies and individuals making the highest quality content viewed across the globe, to the festivals and venues continually enlightening and inspiring audiences. From the dedicated educators and mentors bringing forward the next wave of creative talent, to the incredible facilities & crew making filming happen in the city. It's all of this and more that makes Bristol a world-class UNESCO centre for film and the moving image. If you're proud to be Bristol-based, give this a share ... |
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BBC Greenlights ‘Evolution’ With Chris Packham & Reveals It Has Doubled Its Number Of Blue-Chip Science Shows Per Year The BBC has tied with PBS on a Chris Packham-fronted series about evolution, as the corporation reveals it has doubled its number of blue-chip science shows. Evolution will tell the story of the millions of generations that gave rise to animals today, tracking one animal per episode. Species in focus will range from the bat, whose ultrasonic hearing makes it one of the deadliest hunters on the planet, to the peacock and its magnificent feathers, to the kangaroo, which owes its impressive leaping not to its legs but to its teeth. Packham, who also hosted last year’s Earth for the BBC, will take viewers back in time to chart evolution utilizing advances in genetic analysis and CGI. “This is new, shiny and immediately accessible,” BBC Head of Science Tom Coveney told Deadline. “It’s full of animal-based facts but also because there are millions and millions of species it gives the opportunity for endless variety, twists and turns. So it is accessible but blue-chip.” With David Attenborough slowing down a tad, Coveney celebrated Packham as a “leading natural history and science presenter” for the BBC, whose communication skills plus zoology background make him the perfect fit for an evolution show. Evolution will stick to science, avoiding the Darwinian theory’s role in religion that has at times made it a controversial topic, Coveney added. The BBC’s head of natural history Sreya Biswas recently branded that genre “saturated” and beset by “huge” production costs. But, having recently brought back Walking with Dinosaurs, Coveney said BBC science is full steam ahead and has in fact doubled its number of blue chips of late to around one per year. Earth aired last year, Solar System with Brian Cox will premiere later in 2024, Human fronted by presenter Ella Al-Shamahi is slated for 2025 and Evolution should arrive on small screens in 2026. . Read more: deadline.com/2024/07/bbc-evolution-chris-packham-1236004615 |
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Wildlife film highlights AI use in industry Chinese director Lu Chuan's latest documentary on wildlife protection and rescue shows how artificial intelligence-powered personal computers can engage in and benefit content creators, according to industry insiders. Premiering at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival last month, the documentary Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park is the latest such effort of Lu, whose works include Kekexili: Mountain Patrol (2004) and Born in China (2016). The latest documentary allowed the in-depth involvement of AI solutions throughout its production by Lenovo Group, the world's largest personal computer maker by shipments. The Chinese name of the documentary, Xiye, is an abbreviation of xining yesheng dongwuyuan, or Xining Wildlife Park in Xining, Qinghai province. It offers insights into the park's efforts in rescuing and breeding wildlife. "With the help of Lenovo's AI PCs, the film's production efficiency has been greatly enhanced," Lu says, adding that the audio, video and image generation has become easier and the whole production process runs more swiftly at a lower cost. Read more: epaper.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202407/11/WS668f22ffa3106431fe82d0e4.html |
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Meryl Streep to Narrate Conservation Doc ‘Escape From Extinction Rewilding’ Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep will lend her voice to narrate the sequel to the 2020 award-winning documentary “Escape from Extinction.” Directed and produced by Matthew Brady through MRB Productions, the film will explore how “rewilding” — a conservation approach that aims to restore natural processes and increase biodiversity by reducing human influence on ecosystems — will ensure that conservation efforts are effective and sustainable. “This documentary, featuring the powerful narration of Meryl Streep, not only brings the significance of rewilding to light but also highlights that you can’t protect what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane and executive producer of the film, said. “At American Humane, we are profoundly thankful to Meryl for lending her voice to this critical story of survival, inspiring countless others to become advocates for animal welfare.” Besides her numerous accolades, which, in addition to her Academy Award nods, boast 32 Golden Globe nominations and eight wins, Streep is also a committed advocate for protecting endangered species. Read more: variety.com/2024/film/news/meryl-streep-narrate-escape-from-extinction-sequel-documentary-1236075775 |
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Western Films Acquires Environmental Doc ‘Escape from Extinction Rewilding’ “Escape from Extinction Rewilding” has been acquired by Western Films for U.S. distribution. The indie player made the acquisition in association with American Humane, the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices. Directed and produced by Matthew Brady through his company MRB Productions, the documentary showcases how “rewilding,” an innovative, ground-tested solution, ensures that conservation efforts are effective and sustainable. According to filmmakers, the documentary “takes you to the brink of extinction, offering a unique glimpse into a world shaped by what scientists and journalists refer to as the ‘Sixth Mass Extinction.’ It vividly brings to life the wildlife experts and conservationists who are rewilding endangered species from the jungles of Africa to the coastlines of California.” Read more: variety.com/2024/film/news/western-films-escape-from-extinction-rewilding-1236066725 |
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BBC Studios announces series two commission of Big Cats 24/7 ahead of series one debut BBC Studios Natural History Unit announces the eagerly anticipated series Big Cats 24/7 has been commissioned for Series Two for BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and PBS and is in production.
Big Cats 24/7 will launch on the BBC in August this year and PBS in September. It follows the lives of lions, cheetahs and leopards in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, a place described as one of Africa’s last wildernesses. With extraordinary, unparalleled access in a rarely visited area and the opportunity to film from the ground, the air and through the night, the Big Cat 24/7 team work together to follow the cats’ lives around the clock. Following on from this series two, which will be broadcast in 2025, will continue to follow the stars featured in the first series, as well as introducing some new faces, allowing viewers a front row seat as the team document the lives of these beloved big cats. Sreya Biswas, BBC Head of Commissioning, Natural History says “Big Cats 24/ 7 is a thrilling series following amazing animal behaviour, with great on-screen talent and set in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Being able to follow the cats for long periods of time has been a unique opportunity and so I’m really excited to commission a second series so we can dive straight back in and continue telling the incredible stories of the lions, leopards and cheetahs.” Tom Jarvis, Executive Producer says “It’s thrilling to be jumping right back into the dramatic lives of the big cats we have grown to love. What I’m most excited about in this series is that we are able to tell longitudinal and personal stories about the animals we are embedded with, and it feels like you are given a unique window into their world.” Big Cats 24/7, a 6×60’ for BBC Two, iPlayer and PBS is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS, with BBC Studios handling global distribution. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Tom Jarvis, the Series Producer is Rowan Crawford and the Production Manager is Gillian Goodlet. The Commissioning Editor is Head of Natural History Sreya Biswas. Diana El-Osta is the Executive in Charge for PBS. From: bbc.com/mediacentre/bbcstudios/2024/bbc-studios-announces-series-two-commission-of-big-cats-247 Watch on iPlayer: bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002262z/big-cats-247 |
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HBO sets four-part doc “Chimp Crazy” from “Tiger King” director The four-part HBO Original documentary series Chimp Crazy, produced and directed by Tiger King helmer Eric Goode, is set to premiere on August 18, and will also be available to stream on Max.The series recounts the story of Tonia Haddix (pictured) — a nurse-turned-exotic animal broker who bills herself as “the Dolly Parton of chimps” — who cares for seven captive chimps bred as talent for commercials and movies. Her bond with one particular chimp, Tonka, leads to a series of events that includes Tonka going missing, Haddix facing a lawsuit from PETA, and a years-long saga involving Haddix’s family, the authorities, an undercover clown, and actor Alan Cumming, who starred with Tonka in the 1997 film Buddy. Through the “chimp mom” experiences of Haddix and others, the docuseries explores the bonds that form between owners and their highly intelligent great ape pets, and reveals the risks humans take when they try to raise these animals as members of their family, as well as the risks to animals themselves. Chimp Crazy is an HBO Documentary Films presentation of a Goode Films production. The producers are Lissa Rivera, Evan Wise, Tim Moran, Adrienne Gits, Charles Divak, Doug Abel, James Liu, Carissa Ridgeway and Dwayne Cunningham. Jeremy McBride and Eric Goode are executive producers. For HBO, the executive producers are Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Tina Nguyen. From: realscreen.com/2024/07/17/hbo-sets-four-part-doc-chimp-crazy-from-tiger-king-director |
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Secret Lives of Orangutans coming to Netflix Orangutans are not just one of our closest relatives, they’re perhaps more relatable to us than any other great ape. Narrated by David Attenborough, this film follows a remarkable group of orangutans in the pristine jungles of Sumatra. At the centre of this story is 8 year old Eden, who’s about to embark on the most challenging moment of her life..
Follow a multi-generational orangutan family through their treetop triumphs and travails in this immersive documentary narrated by David Attenborough. Watch on Netflix: netflix.com/title/81312307 Film releasing in the United Kingdom on August 22nd, 2024 at 8:00 AM BST |
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New Apple Immersive Video series, films, concerts, and more set to premiere on Apple Vision Pro Apple Vision Pro users will experience breathtaking series, films, and more spanning action-adventure, documentary, music, scripted, sports, and travel Apple is releasing all-new series and films captured in Apple Immersive Video that will debut exclusively on Apple Vision Pro. Apple Immersive Video is a remarkable storytelling format that leverages 3D video recorded in 8K with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio to transport viewers to the center of the action. Boundless, a new series that invites viewers to experience once-in-a-lifetime trips from wherever they are, premieres in the U.S. at 6 p.m. PT July 18, with “Hot Air Balloons” and will be available globally this fall. The next installment of Wild Life, the nature documentary series that brings viewers up close to some of the most charismatic creatures on the planet, and Elevated, an aerial travel series that whisks viewers around iconic vistas from staggering heights, will launch this fall. Later this year, users can enjoy special performances featuring the world’s biggest artists, starting with an immersive experience from The Weeknd; the first scripted Apple Immersive short film, Submerged, written and directed by Academy Award winner Edward Berger; a behind-the-scenes and on-the-court view of the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend; and Big-Wave Surfing, the first installment of a new sports series with Red Bull. “Apple Immersive Video is a groundbreaking leap forward for storytelling, offering Apple Vision Pro users remarkable experiences with an unparalleled sense of realism and immersion,” said Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications. “From soaring over volcanoes in Hawaii and surfing huge waves in Tahiti, to enjoying performances by the world’s biggest artists and athletes from all-new perspectives, Apple Immersive Video revolutionizes the way people experience places, stories, sports, and more by making viewers feel like they’re truly there. It’s the next generation of visual storytelling, and we’re excited to bring it to more people around the world.” Wild Life Apple releases the second episode of Wild Life, which takes viewers to Kenya’s Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where orphaned elephants find their footing in the care of their keepers, frolic in frothy mud baths, and form a chosen family with each other, their human companions, and the wild elephants that roam the lands beyond. Later this year, viewers will brave the deep with a bold group of divers in the Bahamas, who come face-to-face with apex predators and discover creatures much more complex than often portrayed.
Read more: apple.com/gw/newsroom/2024/07/new-apple-immersive-video-series-and-films-premiere-on-vision-pro |
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BTS: Little Shadow on Shark Attack 360 In a collaboration with Arrow Media, Little Shadow took on the ambitious task of creating the visual effects for “Shark Attack 360,” an 8-part series for Sharkfest 2024. This series, lead by acclaimed marine biologist, Diva Amon dives deep into the world of shark bites, with her team of specialists, investigating and unravelling the mysteries behind the creatures. Setting the Stage: The Vision and Approach The clear directive from Executive Producer Nick Metcalfe and Series Producer Laura Offer was to enhance the ‘360’ Lab’, making it larger, more immersive, and filled with dynamic shark encounters. With this vision in mind, Little Shadow utilised their hybrid Virtual Production (VP) technology to craft sequences that would elevate the visual impact beyond that of the previous series. The emphasis was on ensuring that the sharks looked breathtaking, but credible, both in terms of anatomical accuracy and movement. Collaborating closely with shark expert Stephen M. Kajiura, the team created a variety of anatomically correct sharks, complete with detailed internal anatomy. The VFX team developed advanced animation rigs to control muscle movement and soft body dynamics, resulting in lifelike swimming, turning, reacting, and attacking motions. Innovation in Interaction: Introducing C.O.R.A.L. As the project progressed, the need for a novel way to interact with data in the lab became apparent. Enter C.O.R.A.L. (Computational Oceanic Research and Analysis Logic), an AI system conceptualized by Little Shadow. This system, capable of accessing and analysing global data and examining shark anatomy, played a crucial role in the shot planning process. It allowed Diva, to interact with the environment and the sharks seamlessly throughout the series. Read more: televisual.com/news/bts-little-shadow-on-shark-attack-360 |
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Nat Geo teams with Sir David Attenborough for “Ocean” special National Geographic is teaming with iconic naturalist and television presenter David Attenborough for a feature-length special that will tackle the health of the world’s oceans. Produced by Silverback Films in association with All3Media International, David Attenborough: Ocean (w/t), marks the first collaboration between Attenborough and Nat Geo, and sports backing from Ocean Ten Media, Minderoo Productions, National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas, Don Quixote ASBL and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The special is slated for 2025, with a theatrical run set to precede its debut on the Nat Geo network and via streaming services Disney+ and Hulu. Billing the project as Attenborough’s “most powerful message yet,” Nat Geo says the special will dive deeply into incredible undersea habitats to not only shine a spotlight on the problems facing the world’s oceans, but also on discoveries that could provide opportunities for significant recovery. Doug Anderson (Our Planet, Blue Planet) will serve as director of underwater photography, with teams headed to the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania. The film is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield, and produced by Nowlan for Silverback. Executive producers include Louise Pedersen and Rachel Job for All3Media International; Tom McDonald and Janet Han Vissering for National Geographic; Jasper Smith and Arksen Ltd for 10% for the Ocean, Minderoo Productions Limited; Enric Sala for National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas; Kristin Rechberger for Dynamic Planet; Rolly van Rappard and Francoise van Rappard for Don Quixote ASBL; and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco for The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery,” said Attenborough in a statement. “Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man. In this film, we share those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can bounce back to life.” “There is no one better to deliver this landmark film than Sir David,” added Tom McDonald, Nat Geo EVP of global factual and unscripted content and former BBC factual exec. I have had the From: realscreen.com/2024/07/18/nat-geo-teams-with-sir-david-attenborough-for-%22ocean%22-special |
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Lifetime Achievement Award for Indian wildlife filmmaking pioneers Bedi brothers 16th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala to be held from July 26 to 31 at the Kairali, Sree, Nila TheatresThe 16th edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) will honour documentary filmmakers Naresh Bedi and Rajesh Bedi (Bedi Brothers), known for their pioneering work in Indian wildlife filmmaking, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award at the opening ceremony of the festival at Kairali Theatre on July 26 at 6 p.m. The award includes 2 lakh, a memento sculpture, and a citation. Naresh and Rajesh Bedi have dedicated over four decades to capturing the enigmatic beauty of India’s fauna through their documentaries and photographs. Their work, characterised by its educational and conservation-centric focus, has profoundly influenced public understanding of India’s natural history. Graduated from Film and Television Institute of India in 1969, Naresh Bedi, eschewed a career in Hindi cinema, joining forces with his younger brother Rajesh to venture into the then-uncharted territory of wildlife filmmaking in India. Their debut project, The Ganges Gharial, filmed with a hand-cranked camera, revealed previously unknown behavioural traits of this elusive crocodilian and garnered international acclaim, including the prestigious Panda Award at Wildscreen in 1984. Their subsequent documentaries on tigers, elephants, and other wildlife have been showcased globally on major television networks. Notable works include Saving the Tiger and Man-eating Tigers, both of which received BAFTA nominations. Rajesh Bedi’s photographic prowess has been equally celebrated. His book Indian Wildlife, illustrated with his photographs, was released in 1987. His images which are featured in the National Geographic, have also graced Indian postage stamps. In 1986, Rajesh was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the United Kingdom. |
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Wildlife filmmaking pioneers Bedi Brothers see their films as messages of conservation Wildlife films and books directly contribute to spread the message of conservation, says Rajesh Bedi. The Bedi Brothers received IDSFFK’s lifetime achievement awardMost people would run away from the prospect of spending harsh winters in the higher altitudes, but Bedi Brothers (Naresh Bedi and Rajesh Bedi), acclaimed wildlife filmmakers, spent three consecutive winters in the higher reaches of Ladakh, braving a difficult terrain, extreme cold, and eating the same canned food day after day, just to capture the elusivesnow leopardin its natural habitat. “We had local trackers in different valleys to report to us whenever they are spotted. Towards one evening, when the sun was almost setting behind the mountain range, a snow leopard walked barely 6 feet away from my hide. He would pull a yak and stare at the lens. By then, it was difficult to capture more material as the sun went down,” remembers Rajesh Bedi in an interview to The Hindu on Friday. The duo were presented with the 16th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK)‘s lifetime achievement award. |
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UWE filmmaker bags student BAFTA for documenting climate catastrophe in Pakistan Nyal Mueenuddin, a recent UWE Bristol graduate, has won the prestigious 2024 Yugo BAFTA Student Award which celebrates the next generation of talented and innovative filmmakers. Nyal won the BAFTA Student Award for his documentary, When the Floods Come which tells the stories of people living with flood and drought along the Indus valley in Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are the victims of “a grim calculus of climate injustice”, said the UN secretary-general António Guterres, reminding the “supersized price for man-made climate change” on the country. On the BAFTA success, Nyal said he is “unbelievably honoured”. The Pakistani-American filmmaker and photographer completed a MA Wildlife Filmmaking course at UWE Bristol in February 2024. With an educational background in environmental science and South Asian studies, he has been working on telling stories of Pakistan’s natural diversity and environmental challenges. In the aftermath of the 2022 floods in Pakistan, Nyal said he “felt bewildered that in all the coverage of this climate disaster, displacing tens of millions and crippling countless families and communities across the country, I did not see a single personal testimony of the real people impacted by this calamity.” Universities and colleges worldwide were invited to submit their best projects for consideration. It was no mean feat for BAFTA members as they viewed some 800 submissions from 109 schools across 37 countries, with Nyal’s documentary chosen as the overall winner from a shortlist of three.
Nyal said: “I am unbelievably honoured to have won a Student BAFTA for my documentary and I’d like to thank the team who worked alongside me on this project. “I hoped that by tapping into the most intimate stories of the lives of Pakistanis, living in a rapidly changing world, and by sharing them as far and wide as we could, perhaps we could touch the remaining threads of humanity within the people who hold the power to make the changes needed to protect our people from an inhabitable future |
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On the trail of a filmmaking Manitoba naturalist Recently unearthed documentary showcases work of George Cotter George Cotter didn’t shoot to kill. He shot to preserve. Born in 1915 in Cumberland House, Sask., Cotter revered the natural world. He was driven to school by a team of sled dogs, as a teen he worked the trapline, and after moving to Winnipeg in 1933, he thirsted for the twitter of the whiskeyjack and the first sip of ice water from a winter stream. In 1950, as the Red River Valley flooded, Cotter climbed onto his St. Vital roof, watching the drama flow past his viewfinder. More than 100,000 residents were evacuated, over $1 billion in damage was caused and the career of one of the province’s foremost naturalist documentarians was launched. From the time George and Sally Cotter started Cotter Wildlife Productions in the late 1950s to George Cotter’s death at 96 in 2011, the longtime president of the Manitoba Naturalists Society filmed dozens of shorts with topics ranging from the great grey owl to cattails to the sealskin footwear of the Inuit. The Cotters’ reels were shown in schools across the province as supplements. With sharp scripts by Sally, the films were marked by Cotter’s devotion to conservation — of not just the terrain of his youth, but to the rugged ideals of a life in the bush, where animals came first and humans were required to stand at a remove. “Even in the winter, I prefer to stay outdoors all day, or for several days,” Cotter says in the feature-length documentary Wilderness Trails. “That way I become just one more animal moving through the woods.” Since its 1976 première, the film has languished in obscurity in the Library Archives of Canada. But on Thursday, a digitally restored version will screen at the Gimli International Film Festival for its first major public showing in 48 years, offering a pair of filmmakers making sense of a landscape they knew wouldn’t last forever. Read more: winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2024/07/23/on-the-trail-of-a-filmmaking-manitoba-naturalist |
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Rohit Varma Has A Film To “Humanize” Mangroves While mangrove forests are depleting globally, and India does not have a different story, its importance here has not been highlighted enough. To counter the same, wildlife filmmaker Rohit Varma is set to release his short film ‘The Last Frontier’ on July 26 – celebrated as the ‘International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem’. “All of us have witnessed cyclones and subsequent destruction in urban landscapes, especially in regions where mangroves have depleted,” he says, adding, “The forests make up the last barrier between the sea and land. Removing these barriers for construction activities will majorly impact people who stay close to the sea.” The filmmaker, who approached veteran actor Shabana Azmi to lend her voice to the film and the mangroves, says the decision to humanize mangrove forests was a conscious call. “And to do so, we needed an impactful voice.” Even as the number of documentaries made on the environment in the West outshines Indian productions, he says it would be unfair to say that Indian filmmakers are not focusing on environmental issues and that many films feature these issues in India too. “I agree that not many mainstream films spotlight environmental issues. That is probably because they are committed to the commercial angle and the former kind of films will always garner a limited number of viewers,” Varma adds.
Read more: indiawest.com/rohit-varma-has-a-film-to-humanize-mangroves/# |
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Mangrove Photography Awards 2024 Winners Announced Meet the winners of the Mangrove Photography Awards 2024 ... Explore the 52 winning shots from the landmark 10th edition. Purification rituals, climate refugees, SpaceX, and orange lagoons - these are just some of this year's powerful images. Following weeks of deliberation, we’re excited to reveal the winners of the 10th Mangrove Photography Awards, hosted by Mangrove Action Project. Today, less than half the world’s original mangrove forest cover remains, and it has never been more important to promote the conservation of these fragile ecosystems. The Mangrove Photography Awards is a vital platform for creatives to captivate our imagination and spark action. Every year, we’re inspired by the incredible submissions, which help raise awareness of the people and wildlife that rely on mangrove forests, the threats they face, and why urgent action is needed to protect them. This year’s awards saw a record-breaking 2,500 entries from 74 nations, showcasing the beauty and global significance of mangrove ecosystems around the world. In the end, it was India’s Supratim Bhattacharjee who captured the judge’s attention with his powerful photo of a young girl in the aftermath of a devastating storm. In addition, winners have been selected in 6 categories – People, Landscape, Underwater, Threats, Wildlife, and Stories (a portfolio category) – while photographers under the age of 24 competed to become the Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year. The photos are a compelling reminder of the importance of mangroves for the diversity of life across our coastlines as photographers captured unique relationships and moments from mangrove ecosystems both above and below the water line. They’re also a stark reminder of our need to protect these unique and precious ecosystems. Selecting our finalists was no mean feat, even for our international panel of judges. This year conservation photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee, wildlife photojournalist Morgan Heim, and photojournalist Christian Ziegler made up our expert jury. “I was particularly drawn to the Wildlife and Portfolio selections. There were many fascinating stories about life in the mangroves, ranging from scientific insights to restoration of the ecosystem and the difficult conditions people face.” Christian said. Visit here to view the winners, runners-up and highly commended in each category: photography.mangroveactionproject.org/winners/winners-2024 |
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Wildlife film lauds protection efforts to save Chinese pangolins The recent release of the documentary series Defenders of the Hidden brought attention to the preservation of Chinese pangolins. Actor Wang Yibo, present at the premiere, expressed his fondness for the endangered species and called for its protection.. From: chinadaily.com.cn/a/202407/30/WS66a8596fa31095c51c510bb9.html “Defenders of the Hidden” starring superstar Wang Yibo calls on the public to protect pangolins Conservation Association (CWCA), and Youku premiered the documentary series “Defenders of the Hidden”, which showcases efforts across China to conserve pangolins. The two-part docuseries is a firsthand look at the threats to pangolins, along with the rescue and protection work from both Chinese officials and civilians. “Defenders of the Hidden” follows actor and WildAid ambassador Wang Yibo’s journey in search of the Chinese pangolin. Through the real-life stories from scientists, forest rangers, community residents, conservation organizations, and science education workers he meets along the way, the audience learns of the efforts, challenges, and achievements of these ordinary heroes seeking to save the Chinese pangolin. With this docuseries, WildAid and CWCA hope to increase public awareness and understanding of pangolin conservation as well as create an emotional connection to the species, ultimately leading to a brighter future for Chinese pangolins. The Chinese pangolin was once widely found in the southern region of the Yangtze River, but due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction, the population has decreased by 80% over the past 20 years and in 2014 was listed as “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although the species’ situation is currently grave, there is still hope for recovery. Read more: wildaid.org/defenders-of-the-hidden-calls-on-the-public-to-protect-pangolins
WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to protect wildlife from illegal trade and other imminent threats. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn and shark fin soup. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and a global network of media partners, WildAid leverages more than $308 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. Visit: wildaid.org |
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Elephant Mother review – sensitive animal documentary with a happy ending Conservationist Lek Chailert helps elephants recover from gruelling working lives in Thailand with joviality and grit in this engaging film Have you ever had death threats?”, asks a voice behind from the camera. The question makes Thai conservationist Lek Chailert chuckle. “Many times. All the time!” Chailert is a tiny dynamo of a woman who has devoted her life to rescuing elephants exploited by the Thai tourist industry and illegal logging. With any luck, this documentary will find its way on to Netflix and reach a global audience, with the result that anyone planning to visit Thailand will cross an elephant ride off their bucket list. We meet Chailert at her elephant sanctuary Elephant Nature Park, home to more than 100 rescues. Inevitably, Chailert has been called the elephant whisperer, and you can see why, watching her march along, a little line of elephants trooping behind. Chailert is funny and playful, a real character; in one scene she snuggles down with a snoozing elephant, its snoring sounds like the world’s loudest hairdryer. The elephants often arrive at the park malnourished, emaciated, overworked and stressed; “Like zombies,” she says. |
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Planet Earth III Live in Concert: an “intensely impactful” show Breathtaking footage from the TV series becomes an immersive experience Mike Gunton is a TV producer and senior executive at the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the world’s largest production unit dedicated to wildlife filmmaking. In 2009, he became its first creative director. In this role, he is responsible for bringing new stories about the natural world to global audiences, including nature documentary series Planet Earth II (2016) and Planet Earth III (2023). Gunton is set to serve as the live host for the “intensely impactful and utterly memorable” Planet Earth III live concert coming to London and Manchester later this year. The show, he tells blooloop, aims to remind audiences “how diverse, in a biological sense, and how wonderful the natural world still is.” At the concert, guests will see a selection of breathtaking moments from the acclaimed TV series on a giant state-of-the-art LED screen, accompanied by music performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. “There is still so much to see and to understand. It’s hubris of us to think we know everything about the natural world. We do not,” he says. “In the natural world, the complexity of the ecology, of how the natural world actually works as a machine; we need to understand that, because it’s our salvation. Our lives depend on that, and our survival depends on understanding that.” Gunton has developed and produced series including Galapagos, Yellowstone, Madagascar, Life, Africa, Shark, Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur, Life Story, Dynasties and The Green Planet. Read more: blooloop.com/immersive/in-depth/planet-earth-3-live-in-concert-mike-gunton Also read: Planet Earth III Live in Concert Announces Executive Producer Mike Gunton as Live Host for UK Arena Shows – BBC Studios and FKP Scorpio Entertainment proudly announce that Mike Gunton will be the live host for the three UK-based performances in October 2024
Planet Earth III Live in Concert is coming to UK arenas with 3 special performances in London and Manchester in October 2024. Featuring breath-taking footage from the sensational television series produced by the multi-award-winning BBC Studios Natural History Unit and the remarkable music score by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and Sara Barone for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed by the fabulous City Of Prague Philharmonic orchestra. Tickets are on sale now at PlanetEarth3Concert.com |
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Documentary 'Wilding' sells to major territories, crosses £500,000 in UK-Ireland Nature documentary Wilding has signed distribution deals for key territories, with the film crossing the £500,000 mark in the UK-Ireland as the highest-grossing documentary of 2024.MetFilm Sales has sold the film to France (Jupiter), Italy (Wanted), Germany, Austria, Switzerland (Polyband), Spain (Festival Films), Australia-New Zealand (Madman) and Scandinavia-Baltics (Nonstop Entertainment). All territories are planning theatrical releases from Q4 2024 onwards, while negotiations continue in other key territories. Wilding crossed £500,000 at the UK-Ireland box office yesterday (Tuesday, July 30), having been released on June 14 by MetFilm Distribution. It will continue to play theatrically in the territory across the summer. Directed by David Allen and produced by Gaby Bastyra, the film is based on Isabella Tree’s book of the same name. It tells the story of a couple who turn to nature to save their failing, 400-year-old estate, by setting the land back to the wild – a process called ‘rewilding’. The film is produced by Passion Planet, the human- and environment-focused division of the UK’s Passion Pictures; and US company HHMI Tangled Bank Studio. |
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CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: Are You an Animal Lover? On 3 July 2024, the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, attended by celebrities, royalty and over 300,000 spectators, became the scene of a bold Viva! protest. A Viva! campaigner, dressed as a chef and holding carving forks, revealed a realistic model of a dog being roasted on a spit alongside a banner reading "The Great Dog Roast". This shocking display launched Viva!’s latest campaign: Are You an Animal Lover? In the UK, where nearly 60 per cent of homes are now believed to have a cat or dog, companion animals have undoubtedly won their favour as cherished family members. Yet the cognitive dissonance persists – we raise and slaughter 1.2 billion land animals each year, almost all of whom have been proven to exhibit a remarkable capacity for deep emotional bonds and suffering, just like our beloved moggies and pooches.
It's time to face the facts: there’s no excuse to eat one and love the other. Learn more and find out how you can get involved: viva.org.uk/action-animal-lover |
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How Factory Farming Ends The fight against the meat industry has been rocky. Can it be won? What if we told you that there is a simple way for humanity to slash climate-warming emissions, help prevent the next pandemic, and simultaneously eradicate one of the most significant moral atrocities of our time — one that nearly all of us bear some responsibility for? We’re talking, of course, about factory farming. In 2024, it’s hardly a secret that the billions of animals raised for food are treated abysmally. They are, to name just a few standard industry practices, caged, mutilated without pain relief, and intensively bred to the point that they live in chronic pain and even struggle to stand up, before being slaughtered, often painfully. The sheer scale of this system defies comprehension. Every year, humans kill 80 billion land animals — 10 times more than there are people on Earth — and an even larger, poorly tracked number of fish. If the cost to animals wasn’t bad enough, industrial animal agriculture also spells peril for us: It fuels antibiotic resistance and zoonotic disease threats that keep scientists up at night. It’s a massive environmental liability, emitting what researchers estimate is between 14 percent and 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and devouring more than one-third of the planet’s habitable land. Yet factory farming is only expanding its reach around the globe, despite decades of animal advocacy striving to stop it, because it’s the most efficient way to produce lots of meat for a world of 8 billion people. We think there’s a better way. This week, Future Perfect is publishing How Factory Farming Ends, a package of stories on the past and future of the movement against factory farming; its struggle to change our culture, politics, and palates; and how it might yet make real progress. This series is supported by Animal Charity Evaluators, which received a grant from Builders Initiative. Some stories delve into the animal rights movement’s fraught relationship with the climate and public health communities, and the prospects for building meaningful coalitions. Others scrutinize the animal rights movement from its 19th-century glory days, when vegetarianism was popular among utopian social reformers, to its present-day alienation from other progressive causes, to the messy, often maddening but essential legacy of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). "Our hope is that these stories will challenge policy leaders and the broader public to imagine a kinder, saner, truly sustainable food system." — Marina Bolotnikova, deputy editor, Future Perfect Humanity is failing one of its greatest moral tests ... The long, maddening, glorious, vital fight against factory farming. Read: vox.com/future-perfect/364288/how-factory-farming-ends-animal-rights-vegans-climate-ethics |
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Groundbreaking Documentary ‘They’re Trying To Kill Us’ Exposes The Link Between Diet And Racism The hugely anticipated film is now available to watch online for free! While growing up in Ferguson, Missouri, John Lewis and his family lived on a diet high in animal protein and processed food. But after his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer almost two decades ago, he started a journey that led him to become a staunch and vocal advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Lewis’ groundbreaking documentary, They’re Trying To Kill Us, which explores structural racism within the US food system, is now available to watch for free online. The film is executively produced by NBA star Chris Paul and singer Billie Eilish. It looks at how people of color are disproportionately affected by high rates of chronic disease and premature death. This, the film says, is because of the racist design of the food system, and did not happen by accident. Lewis – known as “Badass Vegan” on social media – features as a protagonist and narrator of the film, traveling around the US uncovering the intersection of race and diet. Throughout the documentary, he makes eye-opening discoveries about the health disparities affecting minorities in the country. “It’s a film about food injustice and social justice through the lens of Hip Hop,” Lewis previously said in an interview. “People have been beat down for so long that they believe that most of the health problems that we suffer from are hereditary and not a choice of what we actually eat.” Read more: plantbasednews.org/culture/film/theyre-trying-to-kill-us-documentary Watch: Visit: theyretryingtokillus.com |
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Earthlings, the Iconic Documentary that Made Vegans All Over the World Discover how Earthlings became the groundbreaking film that inspired a global vegan movement In 2005, viewers around the world were introduced to Earthlings, a documentary that would forever change the way they viewed their relationship with animals. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and featuring a haunting score by Moby, Earthlings delves deep into the hidden realities of animal exploitation across various industries, from factory farming to scientific research. This powerful film exposed the cruel practices behind closed doors and sparked a worldwide movement toward veganism and compassionate living. Earthlings uses hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage — much of it graphic — to reveal the suffering endured by animals in factory farms, pet stores, puppy mills, and other industries. Directed by Shaun Monson and executive produced by Libra Max, the documentary exposes the suffering animal exploitation industries inflict on trillions of sentient beings and the profound consequences of our everyday choices on countless animals’ lives. Shaun Monson, the visionary behind the film, initially began filming in 1999 to provide public service announcements on the importance of spaying and neutering pets. However, the disturbing footage he captured led him to create a comprehensive documentary. “Joaquin’s narration for Earthlings was recorded four times,” Monson recalls, emphasizing the dedication and emotional depth required to bring the film to life. By the end of the film, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the urgent need to change the way we treat nonhuman animals. There have been many vegan documentaries since Earthlings premiered almost two decades ago, but – perhaps – no other film has turned more people vegan than this groundbreaking masterpiece. Read more and watch it free on, along with other important vegan documentaries such as Eating Our Way to Extinction on UnchainedTV: unchainedtv.com/2024/07/28/earthlings-the-iconic-documentary-that-made-vegans-all-over-the-world EARTHLINGS is a 2005 American documentary film about humankind's total dependence on animals for economic purposes. Presented in five chapters (pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research) the film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, featuring music by Moby, and was written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson.
Visit: nationearth.com |
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Building Muscle on a Vegan Diet: Expert Advice from Dr. Matthew Nagra In this interview with Dr. Matthew Nagra, a plant-based naturopathic doctor, we explore his journey into plant-based nutrition, sparked by personal health challenges and a desire to integrate lifestyle-based nutritional interventions with medical treatments. What you can expect:
Dr. Nagra's Website: drmatthewnagra.com |
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July's Hottest Day Ever Recorded, Rancher Fined $50M for Amazon Damage & more | Month in a Minute The July 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming. July sees the world’s hottest ever recorded day, due to the carbon pollution spewed from burning fossils and farming livestock A Brazilian cattle rancher is ordered to pay $50m for damage to the Amazon in the largest civil case brought for climate crimes in Brazil to date Meanwhile wild sharks off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine, scientists say, after dissecting the bodies of 13 sharpnose sharks caught in fishermen’s nets California’s factory farms are perilously close to your produce, a report finds, with a worrying 93 percent located within a mile of a water source for irrigating fresh produce Butter made from CO2 instead of cows tastes like ‘the real thing’, claims Bill Gates-backed startup Savor, as Britain approves Lab-Grown Meat for pet food, a first for Europe Hens appear to blush when scared or excited, researchers find Australia votes to end live sheep exports by 2028 And psychologist Jordan Peterson draws ridicule for suggesting to Elon Musk that a carnivore diet will fix his back injuries. Narration by Jasmine C. Perry Watch all this and more in the July media recap!
Have a little more time? Browse more top stories here: sentientmedia.org/the-month-in-a-minute-july-2024 |
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