Jackson Wild has announced the films selected as finalists for the 2023 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 Jackson Wild Media Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in nature, science, and conservation storytelling. This year’s competition saw over 1,100 category entries filmed in 74 different countries, with films competing for 30 content, craft, program, and special jury awards, as well as the Grand Teton Award, awarded to the overall best film in competition. The judging process involved more than 200 international judges who collectively devoted over 1,000 hours to screening the submitted media.
“We received a record number of entries to this year’s awards competition, underscoring the power that storytelling has to connect each of us with the planet. The judges have selected an outstanding slate of finalists, consisting of richly woven films that highlight on-the-ground impact and share a multitude of perspectives from around the globe,” said Lisa Samford, Executive Director of Jackson Wild.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, September 28 during the Grand Teton Awards Gala at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts, the culminating event of the 2023 Jackson Wild Summit.
To learn more and attend the Jackson Wild Summit, visit jacksonwild.org/attend.
2023 Jackson Wild Media Awards Finalists:
CONTENT CATEGORIES
Animal Behavior – 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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NATURE: The Hummingbird Effect
A Production of Coneflower Productions and WNET Group in Co-Production with Terra Mater Studios |
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Once Upon a Time in Tsavo
A Deeble & Stone Film
Co-producers Waterhole Films, Terra Mater Studios, The WNET Group in association with PBS and CPB |
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Our Planet II
Silverback Films, Netflix |
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Super/Natural: The Mating Game
National Geographic, Earthship Productions and Plimsoll Productions |
Short Form:
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How Does the Mussel Grow its Beard? | Deep Look
KQED, PBS Digital Studios |
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KAPPE RAAGA The song of Kumbara - A Night Frog
Creative Capture Pvt Ltd, Goutham Shankar, Prashanth S Nayaka, Pradeep K Sastry, Ashwin P Kumar |
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Kingdom of Ice: Antarctica's Leopard Seals
SeaLegacy |
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 Rising
Deep Rising PTE. LTD. |
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Mollie's Pack
Grizzly Creek Films |
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NATURE: Treasure of the Caribbean
A Production of the WNET Group, Terra Mater Studios, Belugasmile Productions and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios in Co-Production with Doclights/NDR NATURFILM |
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Once Upon a Time in Tsavo
A Deeble & Stone Film
?Co-producers Waterhole Films, Terra Mater Studios, The WNET Group in association with PBS and CPB |
Short Form:
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Dawn Wright's Historic Expedition
Esri Creative Lab: Video Storytelling Studio |
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Heart of Maui
National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center for Interpretive Design |
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The Tundra
Build Films Inc. |
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Redwoods Shouldn't Be So Tall. Here's Why They Are
PBS Digital Studios, PBS Nature, Atlas Obscura |
Conservation
Awarded to the film or episode that most effectively shines a light on efforts to protect a species, resource or habitat.
Long Form – Sponsored by ORF:
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Mollie's Pack
Grizzly Creek Films |
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RHINO MAN
Global Conservation Corps and Friendly Human with support from Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Southern African Wildlife College, Thin Green Line, United for Wildlife and Tanglewood Foundation.? |
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Wild Hope: Does Nature Have Rights?
An HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Part2 Pictures production in co-production with Wild Elements. Worldwide distribution by Off the Fence B.V.; U.S. distribution by APT. |
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Wild Life
Little Monster Films, National Geographic Documentary Films |
Short Form:
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A Disappearing Forest
The Nature Conservancy and Tyler Schiffman Productions |
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Batsies
Fin and Fur Films Productions; Presented by H-E-B |
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Curupira
A Box Brownie film for WaterBear Network |
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Older Than Trees
A Good Story film, presented by Save Our Seas Foundation in collaboration with Sea Change Project. |
Climate Stories
Awarded to the film or episode that most effectively highlights the environmental issue of our time, climate change - this can include social inequity issues and environmental justice.
Long Form – Sponsored by Doclights:
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Chasing Carbon Zero
A NOVA Production by MOBIAS Media, Inc. for GBH |
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Razing Liberty Square
RLS Film, LLC funded by LinLay Productions, ITVS, Just Films I Ford Foundation, Shorelight Productions, the Redford Center, IDA, Black Public Media, Sundance, Kendeda, Vulcan, Catapult, Threshold Foundation, Fork Films, Chicken & Egg. |
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The Last of the Nightingales
Colorfool Films, Blind Films |
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The Letter: A Message for our Earth
An Off The Fence Productions and Laudato Si Movement Co-production for Youtube Originals, Earth X and PBS |
Short Form:
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Dream to cure water
TENT Film, National Geographic Society |
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Groundwork: A Family Journey into Regenerative Cotton
Presented by: The North Face & gnarly bay |
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Where the Sun Always Shines
Limpet Films Doc Society BFI Made of Truth Fund |
People & Nature
Awarded to the film or episode that best explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, and how nature is critical to our lives.
Long Form – Sponsored by: Save Our Seas:
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Mollie's Pack
Grizzly Creek Films |
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Rhino Man
Global Conservation Corps and Friendly Human with support from Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Southern African Wildlife College, Thin Green Line, United for Wildlife and Tanglewood Foundation. |
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Silverback
An Off the Fence Production for BBC In co production with France Télévision in association with Featuristic Films. |
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The Elephant Whisperers
A Netflix Documentary and A Sikhya Entertainment Production |
Short Form:
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Dahican
A film by Boogs Rosales in association with Manila Media |
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Daughter of the Sea
Backroads Pictures, Patagonia |
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Judith: Porter, Protector, Pioneer
African Wildlife Foundation, Jackson Wild |
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Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area: Africa's first Marine TFCA
A Makhulu Production in association with The German Agency for International Cooperation |
Natural Science
Awarded to the film or episode that best explores the science of planet Earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy, Meteorology, Evolution and Biology.
Long Form – Sponsored by Terra Mater Studios:
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Ancient Earth: Dinosaurs of the Frozen Continent
NHNZ Worldwide and Giant Screen Films for Curiosity Stream in association with Blue Ant Media? |
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Deep Rising
Deep Rising PTE. LTD. |
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Prehistoric Planet 2 - Islands
BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Apple TV+ |
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The Last of the Nightingales
Colorfool Films, Blind Films |
Short Form:
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Breakthrough: Immortal Alligators
Curiosity Stream |
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Healy
Basecamp Creative in association with National Geographic Society and Silver Fir Media |
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Neon Nights | Diving into the World of Biofluorescence
SeaLegacy |
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The Reservoir
Day's Edge Productions for Illumina |
PROGRAM CATEGORIES
Limited Series
Awarded to the limited series that most effectively advances a natural history theme.
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Chimp Empire
Keo Films and Underdog Films for Netflix |
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Frozen Planet II
A BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production for BBC & BBC America co-produced with ZDF and France Televisions. A BBC Open University Partnership |
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Super/Natural
National Geographic, Earthship Productions and Plimsoll Productions |
Global Voices
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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Goni
Untamed Planet, Drik Picture Library |
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Keepers of the Land
Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation with Moonfish Media Inc. |
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Nkashi: Race for the Okavango
A National Geographic Society Impact Story Lab production, with support from Okavango Eternal? |
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The Elephant Whisperers
A Netflix Documentary and A Sikhya Entertainment Production |
Onscreen 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.
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Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory: Tracking Ocean Giants
National Geographic/Wildstar Films
Featuring Bertie Gregory |
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Footprint: The Urban Jungle
Day's Edge Productions for PBS
?Featuring Shane Campbell-Staton |
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Urban Jungles
SEETREE Gmbh, Pier to Pier Media
Featuring Maddie Moate
This film's green production strategy has been recognized by Jackson Wild. |
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Silverback
An Off the Fence Production for BBC In co production with France Télévision in association with Featuristic Films
Featuring Vianet Djenguet |
Micro-Movie
Awarded to the most effective and compelling film, episode or social media video content under three minutes that best advances an understanding or appreciation of the natural world.
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Animals in Therapy: Self-care ft. Kakapo
On The Edge and Passion Planet |
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Roots Will Remain
The Allotment Studio |
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The Tundra
Build Films Inc. |
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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Once Upon a Time in Tsavo
A Deeble & Stone Film
Co-producers Waterhole Films, Terra Mater Studios, The WNET Group in association with PBS and CPB |
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Orca - Black & White Gold
Terra Mater Studios GmbH |
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Silverback
An Off the Fence Production for BBC In co production with France Télévision in association with Featuristic Films |
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Wildcat
Amazon 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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Requiem for a Whale
Ido Weisman, The Steve Tisch School Of Film and Television, Tel-Aviv University |
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The Guardians of Mukogodo Forest
Daniel Green, National Film and Television School |
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The Thin Green Line
Hugh Allen, National Film and Television School |
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.
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America the Beautiful: Land of Heroes
Wildstar Films, National Geographic and Disney Branded Television
Cinematography: Jake Davis, Dawson Dunning, Alex Jones, Neil Anderson, Mark Emery, Nick Hawkins, Jeff Hester, Jonathan Jones, Justin Maguire, Pete Matthews, Kyle McBurnie, Florian Shulz, Greg Wilson |
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Chimp Empire: Others
Keo Films and Underdog Films for Netflix
Cinematography: Benjamin Sadd, Ben Cherry |
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Our Planet II: World on the Move
Silverback Films, Netflix
Cinematography: Tom Beldam, Brad Bestelink, Ralph Bower, Matthew Conor Robinson, Noah Falklind, Kyle McBurnie, Jesse Wilkinson, George Woodcock |
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Super/Natural: The Mating Game
National Geographic, Earthship Productions and Plimsoll Productions
Cinematography: Chris Watts, Jon Shaw, Jeff Hester, Graham Hatherly, Alfredo Barroso, Matthew Hood, Simon De Glanville, Robert Hollingworth, Matthew Norman, Mark Ó Fearghaíl, Mark Payne-Gill |
Editing
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the nature related film of which it is a part of.
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Chimp Empire: Paradise?
Keo Films and Underdog Films for Netflix
Editors: Sam Rogers, Gary Thomas, Dan Schwalm, Rupert Troskie, Matt Tickner |
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Frozen Planet II: Frozen Worlds
A BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production for BBC & BBC America co-produced with ZDF and France Televisions. A BBC Open University Partnership
Editors: Matt Meech and David Warner? |
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Human Footprint: The Ground Below
Day's Edge Productions for PBS
Editors: Angel Morris, Andy Laub, Adam Moffatt, Samantha Van Praet |
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Our Planet II: World on the Move
Silverback Films, Netflix
Editors: Paul Kiff, Robbie Garlands |
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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Frozen Planet II: Frozen Worlds
A BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production for BBC & BBC America co-produced with ZDF and France Televisions. A BBC Open University Partnership
Original Music: Hans Zimmer and Bleeding Fingers |
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Nkashi: Race for the Okavango
A National Geographic Society Impact Story Lab production, with support from Okavango Eternal
Original Music: Koolkat Motyiko (Mr. Seronga), Mikael Rosen, NEWF Compose Yourself Lab |
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The Elephant Whisperers
A Netflix Documentary and A Sikhya Entertainment Production
Original Music: Sven Faulconer |
Writing
Awarded for the writing that most enhances the natural history story of which it is a part.
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Human Footprint: The Urban Jungle
Day's Edge Productions for PBS
Writers: Neil Losin, Nathan Dappen, Andy Laub, Page Buono, David Hutchinson |
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Ireland's Wild Islands: Edge of the Abyss
Produced by Crossing The Line Productions for Love Nature in co-production with RTÉ, ARTE, and SVT. Produced with the support of incentives for the Irish film industry provided by the Government of Ireland.
Writer: John Murray |
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Mollie's Pack
Grizzly Creek Films
Writers: Avela Grenier and Thomas Winston |
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Once Upon a Time in Tsavo
A Deeble & Stone Film Co-producers Waterhole Films, Terra Mater Studios, The WNET Group in association with PBS and CPB
Writer: Mark Deeble |
Sound – Judged & Sponsored by the Television Academy Sound Peer Group
Awarded for the combined contribution of sound editing, production mixing and post-production mixing that most enhances the nature related film of which it is a part.
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Big Beasts: The Elephant Seal
Plimsoll Productions production company for Apple TV+
Dubbing Mixer: Chris Domaille
Dubbing Editor: Roy Noy |
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Frozen Planet II: Frozen Worlds
A BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production for BBC & BBC America co-produced with ZDF and France Televisions. A BBC Open University Partnership
Sound: Wounded Buffalo |
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Our Universe: Chasing Starlight
A Netflix Documentary Series and A BBC Studios Production
Wounded Buffalo Sound
Editors: Kate Hopkins, Tim Owens,
Halo Post Production -
Dubbing Mixer: Sam Castleton
Supervising Sound Editor: Jay Price
Sound Editor: Adam Johnson |
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.
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Between Earth & Sky
By the Creek Productions. Co-produced by It Doesn't Suck Productions. In association with American Documentary, IF/Then Shorts. Supported by The Redford Center, BRIClab, and Mountainfilm. |
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PATROL
Juli Films and Perpetuo Films in collaboration with Re:wild |
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Tigereyes
Martina Trepczyk & Kyle Armstrong Roepke |
Special Jury Award Winner for Impact Campaign
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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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
Impact Producers: Marianna Olinger, Will Miller, Alex Pritz, Gabriel Uchida, Txai Surui, Sarah Sparkman |
Special Jury Award Winner for Innovation in Green Production Award
For implementation of sustainable best practices to reduce the environmental impact through the entire lifecycle of a production.
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Jane Goodall - Reasons for Hope
Science North, Jane Goodall Institute, Cosmic Picture Distribution, FedNor, NOHFC, Arizona Science Center, City of Sudbury, Greater Grand Sudbury, Rivian |
Honorable Mention
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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A Note for Nature
Crossing The Line Productions, RTÉ, BAI, Creative Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service |
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Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper: Alabama
Nat Geo WILD and Lucky 8 |
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Hellbent
Wild Lens Collective, Running Wild Media
This film's green production strategy has been recognized by Jackson Wild. |
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Mongolia, Valley of the Bears
ARTE France, Lato Sensu Productions, YN Productions - La Cuisine aux Images, DCMP DreamCatcherMotionPictures, ZED |
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Tahlequah the Whale: A Dance of Grief
Meinart Animation Studio, Higher Purpose Productions |
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Wading for Change
Sofia Jaramillo & Jr Rodríguez
El Sol Productions
Orvis, New Belgium Brewing, Ford Bronco Wild Fund, Trout Unlimited |
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, ARRI, ARTE France, BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media / Love Nature, Conservation International, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Doclights, GBH, Gorongosa Restoration Project, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, 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, Smithsonian Channel/Paramount, Sony Electronics, The Nature Conservancy, Terra Mater Studios, Wanda Films, Wildstar Films, and World Wildlife Fund US.
Visit/Like facebook.com/jacksonwildorg & follow twitter/jacksonwildorg & instagram.com/jacksonwildorg
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