Jackson Wild has announced the winners of the 2022 Jackson Wild Media Awards and Special Jury. 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.

This year’s competition saw over 600 film entries from 26 different countries, competing for 24 content, craft, program and special jury awards, as well as the Grand Teton Award, recognizing the overall best film in competition.
“Personal, innovative, and purpose-driven global stories inspire a deep connection to the species and places that surround us. Equally important, they amplify the urgency of our need to restore and protect our planet while the opportunity still exists,” said Executive Director of Jackson Wild, Lisa Samford.
Winners were announced at the Grand Teton Awards Gala during the Jackson Wild Summit in Burgenland, Austria. For more information, visit www.jacksonwild.org.
2022 Jackson Wild Media Awards Finalist Trailer
2022 Jackson Wild Media Awards Winners:

Grand Teton Award
Sponsored by Land Burgenland
The Territory
National Geographic Documentary Films, Protozoa Pictures, Passion Pictures, Real Lava, Documist and Associação Jupaú. In association with Time Studios, XTR Doc Society Climate Story Fund
CONTENT CATEGORIES
Animal Behavior Film
Awarded to the film that most effectively examines animal behavior in an innovative and illuminating way.
Long Form – Sponsored by Love Nature
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Titans of the Sea: A Family Affair
Les Films en Vrac, Label Bleu Production, in association with France Télévisions. International distribution: KWANZA |
Short Form – Sponsored by National Geographic Content
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How Sperm Whales Learned to Outsmart their Hunters
Terra Mater Studios GmbH |
Ecosystem
Awarded to the film that most effectively explores a habitat and the interconnectivity of its unique ecosystem.
Long Form – Sponsored by Nationalpark Neusiedlersee - Seewinkel
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Path of the Panther
Grizzly Creek Films, Wildpath & Common Pictures |
Short Form – Sponsored by ORF Universum
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Eco-Hack!
Speculative Films |
Conservation
Awarded to the film that most effectively relates conservation issues and/or solutions and the individuals, groups or projects dedicated to the protection of a species, ecosystem, resource or any other aspect of the natural world.
Long Form – Sponsored by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
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The Territory
National Geographic Documentary Films, Protozoa Pictures, Passion Pictures, Real Lava, Documist and Associação Jupaú. In association with Time Studios, XTR Doc Society Climate Story Fund |
Short Form – Sponsored by Global Conservation
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sym-bee-o-sis
A Day’s Edge Productions and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios production
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Changing Planet
Awarded to the film that most effectively illuminates the forces affecting both our planet in the face of catastrophic climate change and biodiversity collapse, including social and environmental issues, equity and justice, public policy, community conservation and sustainability.
Long Form – Sponsored by Marco Polo Film AG
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Into The Ice
Hansen Og Pedersen, Kloos & Co. Nort |
Short Form – Sponsored by Land Burgenland
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Adaptation: Coral Reefs of Vanuatu
Terra Carrère, PBS, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), The Front |
Human Planet
Awarded to the film that best encompasses the role of humanity as an interdependent part of nature, and how our relationship with nature is critical to our spiritual, social, cultural and personal identity as well as our health and prosperity.
Long Form – Sponsored by GBH
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The Green Planet: Human Worlds
BBC Studios production for BBC, PBS, bilibili, ZDF, China Media Group CCTV9, France Télévisions & The Open University |
Short Form – Sponsored by EcoAlf
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Kumu Niu
QuickActCasual Productions for The National Association of State Foresters |
PROGRAM CATEGORIES
Breakthrough Film – Sponsored by PBS
For outstanding achievement in nature related filmmaking in the face of adversity or limitations. Prioritizing films that are non-commissioned and not currently in commercial distribution, judging will be based on ingenuity, imagination, passion, and overall quality of the work. There is no fee for entry but along with the film, entrants must submit an essay (500 words or less) detailing the experiences confronted during the creation of the film including but not limited to: budgetary restraints, traditional, political, or cultural barriers, physical, technological and regional limitations. etc.
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Exposure
PowderKeg Studios and Blumhouse in association with The Redford Center and Fieldhouse Productions |
Limited Series – Sponsored by Doclights
Awarded to the limited series that most effectively advances a natural history theme. Individual episodes may be entered into other categories. Entrants submit two episodes that best represent the series.
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The Green Planet
BBC Studios production for BBC, PBS, bilibili, ZDF, China Media Group CCTV9, France Télévisions & The Open University |
Global Voices – Sponsored by African Wildlife Foundation
For excellence in wildlife, conservation, science, social or cultural storytelling from less represented geographical and cultural perspectives. Prioritizing productions led by media makers in non-Western regions including but not limited to Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, Micronesia and Indigenous communities around the world.
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Planting Coral Forests
Vivid Features Ltd, WildlifeDirect |
On-screen Personality – Sponsored by National Geographic Society
Awarded to the host, presenter, onscreen investigative journalist or collection of expert onscreen commentators that best engage the viewer while communicating the knowledge, message, mission and spirit of a film related to our natural world. Judging will be based not only on excellence and clarity in communication but also on tenacity, originality and ability to engage with new audiences.
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My Garden of a Thousand Bees
A production of Passion Planet, The WNET Group, and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios in association with Ammonite Films, featuring Martin Dohrn |
Micro-Movie – Sponsored by Waterbear
Awarded to the most effective and compelling film under five minutes in runtime that best advances an understanding or appreciation of the natural world.
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Deep Look: Barnacles Go To Unbelievable Lengths To Hook Up
KQED, PBS Digital Studios |
Feature – Sponsored by ARRI
Awarded to the feature-length film, 75 minutes or longer in runtime, factual or narrative, that best advances an understanding or appreciation of the natural world.
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All That Breathes
A Kiterabbit Films and Rise Films production in collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios |
Student – Sponsored by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
For outstanding wildlife, environmental or natural science focused film produced by a student currently enrolled or no more than two years out of an academic program.
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Growing Underground
Kate Colley, University of the West of England |
CRAFT CATEGORIES
Cinematography
Awarded for the cinematography that most enhances the nature related film of which it is a part.
Long Form – Sponsored by American Society of Cinematographers
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My Garden of a Thousand Bees – Cinematography: Martin Dohrn
A production of Passion Planet, The WNET Group, and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios in association with Ammonite Films |
Short Form – Sponsored by American Society of Cinematographers
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Beavers About Town – Cinematography: Yaz Ellis, Jack Mifflin
Yaz Ellis, Jack Mifflin |
Editing – Sponsored by Swarovski Optik
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the nature related film of which it is a part of.
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All That Breathes – Editor: Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, Co-Editor: Vedant Joshi
A Kiterabbit Films and Rise Films production in collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
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Original Music Score – Sponsored by Burgenland Tourism
Awarded for the original musical score that most enhances the natural history story of which it is a part.
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Miami Wild
Days – Original Music: CLEOD9 Music
Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel and Terra Mater Factual Studios |
Writing – Sponsored by Smithsonian Channel
Awarded for the writing that most enhances the natural history story of which it is a part through the union of imagery, storyline, dialog and narration.
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The Elephant and the Termite – Writer: Mark Deeble
A Deeble, Stone & Oliff Production with the WNET Group, Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with NHK
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Sound – Sponsored by Television Academy Sound Peer Group
Awarded for the writing that most enhances the natural history story of which it is a part through the union of imagery, storyline, dialog and narration.
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Welcome to Earth: The Silent Roar – Sound Recordists: Phil Bax, Sean Millar, Parker Brown, Connor Birch, Ryan Brooks – Sound Editors: Jay Price, Tom Foster
– Sound Mixer: Sam Castleton
Protozoa Pictures, Westbrook Studios, and Nutopia for Disney+ and National Geographic |
SPECIAL JURY RECOGNITIONS
Legacy Award in Media – Sponsored by Terra Mater Studios
Legacy Award in Conservation – Sponsored by Conservation International
Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Off the Fence Productions
Grand Prismatic – Sponsored by St. Martins Therme & Lodge
Impact Campaign – Sponsored by Terra Mater Studios
Jackson Wild recognizes innovative approaches to active impact campaigns that extend conservation beyond the screen to inspire measurable on-the-ground change through education, policy change and engagement and outreach.
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Can You Hear Us? Campaign (I Am Greta, Humanity Has Not Yet Failed Us)
Exposure Labs, DocSociety, B-Reels Films and YEA! Impact |
Innovation in Green Production – Sponsored by ORF Universum
For implementation of sustainable best practices to reduce the environmental impact through the entire lifecycle of a production.
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Surviving Paradise - A Family Tale
Netflix, Wild Space Productions, Natural History Film Unit Botswana and Freeborne Media |
Engaging Platforms – Sponsored by cWave labs
This recognition honors content that best integrates the interactive potential of digital media and technology that engage awareness and understanding of the natural world, including but not limited to apps, games, social media content, podcasts, extended reality, mobile and web-based experiences.
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Into the Depths
Podcast by National Geographic. |
Honorable Mentions
A special honor for entries that were not selected as category finalists, but stood out to our jury for a unique or important aspect outside the standard category criteria.
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Colonies in Conflict
Elephant Corridor Films |
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Going Circular
An Off the Fence production for Curiosity Studios, ZDF Studios, Arte |
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Hargila
Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
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Odrina the Lynx
Miguel Anton |
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Outsiders
Jehan Jeffrie, National Film and Television School |
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Pili Ka Mo’o
The Reciprocity Project |
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The Awakening of the Vietnamese Elephant
Animals Asia, Olsen Animal Trust |
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The Marvelous Wild World of the Vegetable Garden
Längengrad Filmproduktion GmbH, Grenouilles Productions, Commissioned by SWR in cooperation with ARTE, Distributor: Albatross World Sales |
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RHINO MAN
Global Conservation Corps, Friendly Human |
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Where the Butterflies Go
Fraser Jones |
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Wrought
Joel Penner & Anna Sigrithur, Biofilm Productions 2022, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, the National Film Board of Canada, Manitoba Film & Music & Winnipeg Film Group |
Congratulations to all of the winners!!
See all the Finalists here: wildlife-film.com/features/Jackson-Wild-Media-Awards-2022-Finalists-Announced.html
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: African Wildlife Foundation, ARTE France, BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media / Love Nature, Borealés, Conservation International, Discovery, Doclights, GBH, Gorongosa Restoration Project, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, National Geographic Partners, National Geographic Society, Nature/WNET, Netflix, NEWF (Nature, Environment, Wildlife, Filmmaking), Off the Fence Productions, ORF Universum, PBS, Saint Thomas Productions, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Seeker, Smithsonian Channel, Sony Electronics, The Nature Conservancy, Terra Mater Studios, Wanda Films, and World Wildlife Fund US.
Visit/Like facebook.com/jacksonwildorg & follow twitter/jacksonwildorg & instagram.com/jacksonwildorg

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