Jackson Wild has announced the films selected as finalists for the 2022 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.
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. Finalists were selected by more than 150 international judges with expertise in natural history filmmaking.
“This year’s judges have selected an outstanding slate of finalists, consisting of a multitude of perspectives and experiences from around the globe. 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.
First introduced in 2021, Jackson Wild's Special Jury Recognitions celebrate projects that push the frontiers of storytelling about nature, science, and conservation with categories that include impact campaigns, innovation in green production, and engaging platforms such as podcasts, games, and social media.
A distinguished panel of final jurors will determine the winners in the coming weeks. Winners will be announced and recognized at the Grand Teton Awards Gala during the Jackson Wild Summit at Vila Vita Pannonia in Burgenland, Austria on September 29th, 2022. For more information, visit www.jacksonwild.org.
2022 Jackson Wild Media Awards Finalists:
CONTENT CATEGORIES
Animal Behavior Film – Sponsored by Love Nature
Awarded to the film that most effectively examines animal behavior in an innovative and illuminating way.?
Long Form:
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Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story
Fin and Fur Films Productions |
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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 |
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The Mating Game
A Silverback Films Production for BBC, Discovery, and NHK co-produced with bilibili and France Télévisions |
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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:
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How Sperm Whales Learned to Outsmart their Hunters
Terra Mater Studios GmbH |
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How This Tracker Learned To Understand Gorilla Communication | #WildForAll
Freeborne Impact, Wild Space Productions, Higher Ground Productions, Netflix |
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The Sea Turtle Arribada
Kindhumans, GoPro For a Cause, WILDCOAST |
Ecosystem
Awarded to the film that most effectively explores a habitat and the interconnectivity of its unique ecosystem.
Long Form:
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Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story
Fin and Fur Films Productions |
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Path of the Panther
Grizzly Creek Films, Wildpath & Common Pictures |
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Wings Over Water
A Dorsey Pictures Film in Association with Archipelago Films, SK Films, Presented by the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and Audubon |
Short Form:
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Eco-Hack!
Speculative Films |
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The Secret Islands of the Everglades
PBS North Carolina, PBS Digital Studios |
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Want to Solve Wildfires and Drought? Leave it to Beavers!
PBS North Carolina, PBS Digital Studios |
Conservation – Sponsored by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
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:
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Earthbound
Ritual Arts, Amazing Owl and Hummingbirds Global |
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Eyes of the Orangutan
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH, Chris Scarffe Film and Photography |
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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:
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12 Cheetahs
Conservation Film Company for Cabela Family Foundation |
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Inside the Fight to Save an Ancient Forest and the Secrets it Holds
PBS North Carolina, PBS Digital Studios |
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sym-bee-o-sis
A Day’s Edge Productions and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios production
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The Power of Pollinators
A Day’s Edge Productions and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios production |
Changing Planet – Sponsored by Marco Polo Film AG
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:
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Arctic Drift
A NOVA Production by Wild Blue Media, UFA Show & Factual and Fremantle International for GBH |
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Carbon - The Unauthorised Biography
Genepool Productions, Handful of Films |
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Into The Ice
Hansen Og Pedersen, Kloos & Co. Nort |
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Path of the Panther
Grizzly Creek Films, Wildpath, Common Pictures |
Short Form:
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Adaptation: Coral Reefs of Vanuatu
Terra Carrère, PBS, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), The Front |
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Humanity Has Not Yet Failed (Ft. Greta Thunberg)
Moon Atlas, Crankbunny, New York Times, East Village Entertainment |
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Seagrass for Sea Change
Wild Elements Studios |
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The Ghost Rainforest
An Earthrise Studio and Vivien Cumming co-production in association with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest |
Human Planet – Sponsored by: GBH
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:
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Patrick and the Whale
Terra Mater Studios GmbH |
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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 |
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TIGER 24
W Films LLC, The Tiger Fund LLC, Elevation Pictures |
Short Form:
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Bring the Salmon
Home
Swiftwater Films |
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Herd
A David Borish production with the Nunatsiavut Government, NunatuKavut Community Council, and Torngat Wildlife Plants and Fisheries Secretariat |
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Kumu Niu
QuickActCasual Productions for The National Association of State Foresters |
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Wild Potential
Wild Elements Studios |
PROGRAM CATEGORIES
Breakthrough Film
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 |
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Finite: The Climate of Change
A film by Rich Felgate in association with Scout Films |
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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 |
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Valley of the Bears
Rob Murray Films |
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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Dynasties II
BBC Studios Natural History Unit, BBC America, bilibili |
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The Green Planet
BBC Studios production for BBC, PBS, bilibili, ZDF, China Media Group CCTV9, France Télévisions & The Open University |
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Welcome to Earth
Protozoa Pictures, Westbrook Studios, Nutopia for Disney+ and National Geographic |
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Wild Babies
Humble Bee Films, Netflix |
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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Gonarezhou, Return of the Rhino
Bad Rabbit Studio |
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Mkomazi Rhino Guardians
Ngoteya Wild, Original soundtrack by Douglas Issa |
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Planting Coral Forests
Vivid Features Ltd, WildlifeDirect |
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Reformed
Mosam Media |
On-screen Personality
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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America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston: Death Valley: Life Blooms
Twin Cities PBS and Part2 Pictures for PBS, featuring Baratunde Thurston |
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Evolve: Cure
Beach House Pictures for Curiosity in association with Blue Ant Studios, featuring Patrick Aryee |
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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 |
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Patrick and the Whale
Terra Mater Studios GmbH, featuring Patrick Dykstra |
Micro-Movie
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 |
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Deep Look: Silkworms Spin Cocoons That Spell Their Own Doom
KQED, PBS Digital Studios |
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Doing Nothing Is Crazier
A Conservation International production in association with Be Grizzlee, Finch, and TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles. Made possible thanks to support by SC Johnson. |
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YELLOWSTONE 88 - Song of Fire
Little Fluffy Clouds LLC |
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 |
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Patrick and the Whale
Terra Mater Studios GmbH |
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The Fire Within: Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft
A Werner Herzog Film, Brian Leith Productions, Bonne Pioche, Titan Films Production |
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The Territory
National Geographic Documentary Films Presents FFOA a Documist and Associação Jupaú FILM in association with Time Studios, XTR Doc Society Climate Story Fund |
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 |
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Sonora
Johnny Holder, Montana State University |
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The Good Dolphins
Pedro Furtado, University of the West of England |
CRAFT CATEGORIES
Cinematography – Sponsored by: American Society of Cinematographers
Awarded for the cinematography that most enhances the nature related film of which it is a part.
Long Form:
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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 |
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The Elephant and the Termite – Cinematography: Mark Deeble
A Deeble, Stone & Oliff Production with the WNET Group, Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with NHK |
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The Green Planet: Tropical Worlds – Cinematography: Tim Shepherd, Oliver Mueller, Todd Kewley, James Aldred, John Brown, Sam Lewis, Chris Field, Eric Huyton, Andrew Lawrence.
BBC Studios production for BBC, PBS, bilibili, ZDF, China Media Group CCTV9, France Télévisions & The Open University |
Short Form:
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12 Cheetahs
– Cinematography: Sean Viljoen, Keenan Ferguson
Conservation Film Company for Cabela Family Foundation |
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Beavers About Town – Cinematography: Yaz Ellis, Jack Mifflin
Yaz Ellis, Jack Mifflin |
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How This Tracker Learned To Understand Gorilla Communication | #WildForAll – Cinematography: Gordon Buchanan
Freeborne Impact, Wild Space Productions, Higher Ground Productions, Netflix |
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The Ghost Rainforest – Cinematography: Martyna Knitter
An Earthrise Studio and Vivien Cumming co-production in association with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest |
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Westward Wings – Cinematography: Jordan Hoffmaster, Joe Pontecorvo
Pontecorvo Productions |
Editing
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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Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story – Editor: Sam Klatt
Fin and Fur Films Productions |
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The Territory – Editor: Carlos Rojas Felice
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 |
Original Music Score
Awarded for the original musical score that most enhances the natural history story of which it is a part.
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Carbon - The Unauthorised Biography
– Original Music: Jonathan Kawchuk
Genepool Productions, Handful of Films |
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Miami Wild
Days – Original Music: CLEOD9 Music
Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel and Terra Mater Factual Studios |
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The Green Planet: Water Worlds –
Original Music: Benji Merrison, Will Slater
BBC Studios production for BBC, PBS, bilibili, ZDF, China Media Group CCTV9, France Télévisions & The Open University |
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Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale
– Music Score: William Goodchild
Netflix, Wild Space Productions, Natural History Film Unit Botswana and Freeborne Media
Original |
Writing
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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Path of the Panther
– Writer: Eric Bendick
Grizzly Creek Films, Wildpath & Common Pictures |
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Secrets in the Scat – Writer: Ruth Berry
Terra Mater Studios GmbH in co-production with NOVA in association with ARTE FRANCE, Unité Découverte et Connaissance, Specialist Factual Unit |
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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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The Green Planet: Tropical Worlds – Writers: Paul Williams with Michael Gunton, Rupert Barrington and David Attenborough
BBC Studios production for BBC, PBS, bilibili, ZDF, China Media Group CCTV9, France Télévisions & The Open University |
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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Path of the Panther – Sound Recordists: Danny Schmidt, Jeff Reed, Eric Bendick, Ashley Siana – Sound Mix, Sound Designer: Brian Eimer, Images in Sound
Grizzly Creek Films, Wildpath & Common Pictures |
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Save Our Species: Elephants, Birds and Fish – Sound Editor: Andreas Pump
– Sound Mixer: Thomas Weichler
Doclights GmbH / NDR Naturfilm, in association with Atara Film and The Biodiversity Foundation
Sound Editor: Andreas Pump
Sound Mixer: Thomas Weichler |
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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 |
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Wings Over Water – Sound Recordists: Guy Francoeur, Garant Thomas
– Sound Editors: Michael Bonini, Josh Pichardo, Alyssa Eimer, Jo Caron
– Sound Mixer, Sound Designer: Brian Eimer, Images in Sound
A Dorsey Pictures Film in Association with Archipelago Films, SK Films, Presented by the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and Audubon. |
SPECIAL JURY RECOGNITIONS
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 |
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Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust, also "Converging Conversations"
Intersection Films in association with JUSTFILMS/ Ford Foundation. A co-production of Vision Maker Media & Center for Asian American Media for PBS |
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My Garden of a Thousand Bees (#PlantWildflowers)
A production of Passion Planet, The WNET Group, and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios in association with Ammonite Films |
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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Hippo King
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH & SKYLAND PRODUCTIONS / INTO NATURE PRODUCTIONS production in co-production with DOCLIGHTS/NDR NATURFILM, THE WNET GROUP, in association with PBS and CPB
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Sea Our Future X Attitude Magazine
Freeborne Impact, On Road Media, On Purpose Group, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Attitude Magazine |
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Surviving Paradise - A Family Tale
Netflix, Wild Space Productions, Natural History Film Unit Botswana and Freeborne Media |
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Wild Isles
Newyonder |
Engaging Platforms
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.
Podcast:
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End Game
Audio project by Kyla Brettle & Rob Law with support from ADAPT Loddon Mallee and Get Lost |
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Into the Depths
Podcast by National Geographic. |
Social Media:
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The Black Forager (TikTok)
Alexis Nikole Nelson |
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Intersectional Environmentalist (Instagram)
Leah Thomas and Diandra Marizet |
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Natural World Facts (YouTube)
Leo Richards |
VR/XR/Games:
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David Attenborough’s First Life (VR)
Alchemy VR |
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Merlin
Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
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 |
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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