2021 UN World Wildlife Day Film Showcase
Winners announced by Jackson Wild
3 March 2021
The Winners of the 2021 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase were unveiled during the
first-ever virtual World Wildlife Day Celebration at UN Headquarters.
The CITES Secretariat, Jackson
Wild™ and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), announced today the winners
of the 2021 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase on the theme of “Forests and Livelihoods:
Sustaining People and Planet.”
The eleven award-winners were picked from 38 finalists, out of a total of 275 entries in five categories, four of which comprised both long form and short form winners. In addition to the
finalists, 12 programs were selected for recognition as “Honorable Mentions.”
The winning films were unveiled during the high-level virtual event marking the World Wildlife Day celebrations, in the presence of representatives of UN Member States, UN System
organizations, major civil society groups and representatives of Indigenous and local
communities.
Winners and finalists submitted films that helped shed further light on the state of the planet’s forests, the impacts of global challenges like biodiversity loss on the livelihoods of communities
that rely on them and their species, and the ongoing efforts of groups around the world to
preserve these livelihoods and restore endangered forest habitats and conserve their wildlife.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: "The laureates of this year’s Film Showcase
have provided us with a deep insight into the profound relationship between people around the
world and forests, forest ecosystem services and forest species. By recording the stories and
experiences of people involved in all manner of efforts to preserve their forest-based livelihoods
and to conserve endangered forested areas and wildlife, our outstanding laureates will help
inspire our own work and that of all stakeholders involved to steer our relationship with nature
towards sustainability.”
Jackson Wild™ Executive Director Lisa Samford added: "The power of personal storytelling to
inspire individual, community and systemic change has never been more important. As we’ve
been increasingly isolated during this pandemic, the global impact of media to share these
compelling stories has helped connect each of us to our planet and to one another to address the
massive impacts of climate change and accelerate equity in our world."
Midori Paxton, Head of Biodiversity, UNDP said: “The 2021 World Wildlife Day Film
Showcase highlights the importance of forest ecosystems for indigenous peoples and local
communities, as well as for our broader societies and economies. The stories captured by the
winners of this year’s Film Showcase offer powerful examples of the critical role that forests
play in helping countries accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda, including goals to eradicate
poverty, reduce inequalities, protect biodiversity, and mitigate the risk of climate change.”.
The Man Who Planted a Forest 101India Digital Services
For artfully expressing the healing power of forests, a lifelong commitment to conservation and
reminding us all that each individual person can make a difference in the fight to protect nature
and the resources it provides for future generations.
Honorable Mention films include:
Alianza Ceibo: Equator Prize Winner of 2020 (UNDP Equator Initiative, What Took You So Long), Can Farms and Forests Coexist? (Produced by
Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios), Clatter (Rémi Rappe), Eeya (House Tiger Productions), If We
Plant 1 TRILLION Trees Can We Stop Climate Change? (Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital
Studios), Jungle Guardian (Doclights GmbH / NDR Naturfilm), Moss Man (Tilapia Film, Topic
Studio), Primary Forests (Rojo Visuals and Wild Heritage for IntAct - International Action for
Primary Forests), Rearing Giants (Green Hub (NEN - DFF)), Rise of the Warrior Apes (KEO
Films for Discovery Network International), Sungai Utik -The Fight for Recognition ( If Not Us
Then Who), The Ogieks; Guardians of the Mau Forest (Maurice Oniang'o)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 183 Parties
(182 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for
wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 38,000 species of wild
animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily
lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES
seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and
contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national
economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people in support of UN Sustainable
Development Goals.
About Jackson Wild
For 30 years, Jackson Wild has hosted extraordinary convenings for science, nature and
conservation media stakeholders, celebrating the finest and most innovative media in the genre.
The World Wildlife Day Film Showcase brings together stakeholders from all over the world to
focus on a single global theme. Jackson Wild’s international board members include: ARTE
France, BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media / Love Nature, Borealés, Conservation International,
Discovery, Doclights, FujiFilm Optical Devices - Fujinon Lenses, Gorongosa Restoration Project,
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal
Welfare, National Geographic Partners, National Geographic Society, Nature/WNET, Netflix, Off
the Fence Productions, ORF/Universum, PBS, Saint Thomas Productions, San Diego Zoo,
Seeker, Smithsonian Channel, Sony Electronics, SVT - Swedish Television, The Nature
Conservancy, Terra Mater Factual Studios, Wanda Natura, WGBH, and World Wildlife Fund US.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty,
inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170
countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn
more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
About the United Nations World Wildlife Day
On 20 December 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3
March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and
flora. The date is the day of the signature of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. World Wildlife Day has quickly
become the most prominent global annual event dedicated to wildlife. It is an opportunity to
celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of
the various challenges faced by these species. The day also reminds us of the urgent need to
step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and
social impacts.
Since the late 1990s Wildlife-film.com has been the leading source of information for the wildlife filmmaking industry worldwide. For over twenty years the site has been Google's number one ranking site for 'wildlife film' and related searches. Our site is viewed in over 195 countries. Our newsletter, Wildlife Film News, is read every month by thousands of people involved in wildlife filmmaking - from broadcasters and producers, to cameramen - we encourage readers to submit their news. We also serve as an online resource for industry professionals and services. Find producers, editors, presenters and more in our Freelancer section, and find out about festivals, training and conservation in Organisations. We encourage amateur and professional freelancers to join our network and welcome all wildlife-film related organisations to join our team.
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