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Features / Case Studies (Stories from around the wildlife film-making world!) Page 11
from 2018

Wildlife Winners and Losers - Brock Initiative

Go back to Features home or check out Pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide

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Award-Winning Wildlife Film-maker Releases New Rewilding Documentary
From Lisa Marley
10 December 2018

Award-winning independent filmmaker Lisa Marley has today (Monday, December 10) released Project Wolf, a new documentary following an experimental ‘human wolf pack’ in the Scottish Highlands.

The 30-minute documentary – which is now available to watch online for free – examines Project Wolf, a study run by charity Trees for Life. The scheme saw volunteers spending weeks in the Caledonian Forest, mimicking the behaviours and disturbance patterns of large predators, like wolves, in an effort to curb overgrazing of saplings and new growth by the native red deer population.

Lisa (27), originally from Aberdeenshire and now based in Bristol, was immediately drawn to the project after her mother sent her a newspaper clipping. After meeting with the charity, she knew that this was a story she had to tell and successfully funded the documentary through a crowdfunding campaign in early 2017, which was supported by BBC star and conservationist Chris Packham.

Lisa said: “It’s been over a year since I launched the crowdfunding campaign for Project Wolf, and since then I have been living and breathing this film. I am so thrilled to finally be able to share it.

“Although I’ve always had a strong affinity with the natural world, making Project Wolf has really opened my eyes to the history of the woodlands that I encounter, most prominently how many non-native species are widespread even in older areas of forest. It has been fascinating to follow Trees for Life’s efforts to preserve the ancient Caledonian Forest – maintaining our landscape’s wonderful natural heritage – in such an unusual way.

“When I ventured out into the forest to join the ‘human wolf pack’ I really didn’t know what to expect. I had no idea about the diversity of reasons that compelled the volunteers to become involved in the project, and how profoundly their time in the Highlands would affect them.

“Rewilding is a topic that is often misunderstood. It’s not always about reintroducing a species to an environment; it’s also about reflecting on the way we look at and interact with the landscape around us. All too often we become consumed by our phones and technology, however there is so much to be gained from reconnecting with natural world around us.

“Meeting the people involved in the study and uncovering the conversations that are happening around rewilding in Scotland has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I am so excited to be able to share that journey.”

Trees for Life chief executive Steve Micklewright added: “Trees for Life undertook Project Wolf in 2016 and 2017 with the aim of mimicking the behaviour of large predators to reduce deer browsing pressure on young seedlings in the Caledonian Forest fragments at our Dundreggan Conservation Estate.

“Early monitoring results showed that the volunteers were successful in disturbing the deer and moving them on – an important feature of the predator-prey relationship.

“We are grateful to the volunteers who gave up their time to work on this pilot project – and to Lisa Marley, whose film shines a light on the experiences of the volunteers during their time at Dundreggan.”

Project Wolf follows on from Lisa’s last film, Red Sky on the Black Isle. The acclaimed short documentary about the mass poisoning of red kites in the Highlands has been translated into multiple languages and screened around the world at scientific conferences and film festivals, including in Spain, France and the USA.

Watch Project Wolf for free online at Vimeo.com/lkmarley/projectwolf


Project Wolf

For more information, visit www.lisamarley.co.uk, follow Project Wolf on Facebook at www.facebook.com/projectwolffilm or follow Lisa on Twitter @procuriosity

Visit/support: treesforlife.org.uk

See the Feature Page here...

Also see: BBC Star Supports Independent Wildlife Filmmaker as Crowdfunding Campaign Enters Second Stage

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New Series Secret Life of Farm Animals by Oxford Scientific Films Coming to BBC Four
by Jason Peters
3 December 2018

Documentary series looking at the secret life of farm animals coming soon!


We all think we know about farm animals; that sheep are stupid, pigs are smart and that cows lie down when it’s going to rain. But there’s a lot more to them than that. In this series we’re bringing together some of the country’s best farms to create one sun-dappled ideal where we will test animal intelligence, discover unlikely relationships and uncover a side of farm animals you’ve never seen before.

This news series starts on Thursday the 6th of December, 8pm on BBC Four. Music by Brollyman!

Episode 1 – Sheep

It’s Springtime on the farm and the focus is on sheep. We follow the first 12 weeks of a lamb’s life on a Welsh Hill farm.

Along the way we find out that sheep are highly social animals with not only a remarkable ability to recognise each other, but to recognise human faces too. We meet a ram that has befriended a shy four-year-old boy and we take a drone’s eye view of some multi-coloured sheep to show that despite being sociable, flocking is actually all about self-preservation.

Other animals we meet on the farm include Charlie, a lonely goose looking for company in his own reflection.

Episode 2 – Cows

It’s Summer and we follow the first twelve weeks of a Hereford calf’s life as he makes friends and settles into the herd.

We discover that cows are much more than mother nature’s muck-spreaders. They’re highly social animals with complex personalities. They’re brilliant problem solvers with a love of music and given freedom to roam, thanks to the matriarch, they can thrive in the wild just as their ancient ancestors did. Is it any surprise that Hamish the Ram wants to be one?

But it’s not just about cows. We also discover that chickens use twenty-four different vocalisations to communicate.

Episode 3 – Pigs

It’s harvest season. We follow a litter of piglets from birth as they grow up in the Brecon Beacons.

We test the theory that every piglet always returns to the same teat to suckle; show that pigs love mud to keep cool because they have practically no sweat glands and we show how intelligent they are with a series of puzzles. We also reveal that they are masters at the art of deception. Pigs tell porkies!

Along the way we meet a pair of kunekune pigs raised as domestic pets in the heart of London. We visit a farm that uses llamas to guard its sheep and meet a pet rabbit with a remarkable identity crisis.

Member Richard Hughes was the Shooting Director on this episode.


‘Secret Life of Farm Animals’ by Oxford Scientific Films

Visit www.oxfordscientificfilms.tv and the BBC programme website: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0btyjts

OSF is a BAFTA- and Emmy-award winning producer of contemporary factual, natural history, science and history productions, with a passion for storytelling and they are proud of the company’s heritage as a technological pioneer.

They have earned an international reputation for producing a broad range of high quality factual television from pure and popular natural history to specialist factual and documentary television.

Founded on 8 July 1968, by noted documentary filmmaker Gerald Thompson, the independent film company broke new ground in the world of documentaries, using new filming techniques and capturing footage of never before filmed activities of its various subjects.

OSF had their 50th birthday this year ... Find out more about that here: www.wildlife-film.com/features/Oxford-Scientific-Films-Turns-50-Years-Old.html

Like/Follow on facebook.com/pages/Oxford-Scientific-Films/114908148572062 & twitter.com/oxfordsf

See the Feature Page here...

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Love Nature 4K Announces Season 2 Greenlight of Popular 4K Natural History Series Orangutan Jungle School, Produced by NHNZ
By Blue Ant Media
29th November 2018

Orangutan Jungle School’s Season 2 will bring back fan-favourite characters and introduce new personalities to showcase the fascinating life of the endangered orangutan in Indonesia.

Blue Ant International oversees licensing for Orangutan Jungle School, with Season 2 now available for pre-sale.

Love Nature 4K, a joint venture between Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks, announced from Content London today that it has greenlit Season 2 of its popular 4K natural history series, Orangutan Jungle School (10x60; HDR and 4K). The follow up season will air on Love Nature’s linear and streaming video platforms internationally and Smithsonian Channel in the US. Orangutan Jungle School is produced by New Zealand-based factual television production house, NHNZ. Blue Ant International oversees the docu-soap’s licensing, now available for pre-sale.The announcement arrives on the heels of Orangutan Jungle School’s Season 1 success, which has seen the series premiere on linear television in Asia earlier this year via Love Nature 4K; and on Channel 4 in the UK. Season 1 is also set to launch on Love Nature in Canada this December and Smithsonian Channel in the US next year.

Orangutan Jungle School, Season 2 kicks off with high drama at the Nyaru Menteng Sanctuary in Borneo, Indonesia, where the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation’s (BOSF) highly skilled team manages the largest primate rescue and rehabilitation project in the world. Together, the team of experts continue their work rescuing orangutans that have been displaced from their habitat because of forest destruction, separated from their mothers or kept illegally as pets, while teaching them the skills necessary to return to the wild.

The new season is packed full of exploits from the school’s fan-favorite characters: Big Boy Beni; class clown Valentino and his two sidekicks Yutris and Madara; curious Cinta; and one-handed Kesi as they progress through the facility’s unique school system, which begins in nursery school, continues through middle school and culminates when the animals are 10 years old and graduate to the university-like, pre-release islands in the picturesque Rungan River.

Orangutan Jungle School has captured the hearts and minds of Love Nature 4K’s audiences around the world, because it has truly shown the remarkable ways these beautiful creatures are similar to us, while shining a light on the horrific environmental conditions they must endure,” said Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Programming & Development, Love Nature 4K. “The inspiring BOSF team act as our guides onsite, sharing their experiences and giving viewers a front row seat to some of the amazing work being done to save the lives of endangered animals.”

“The returning season of Orangutan Jungle School builds on all the fun, drama and emotion from Season 1, while following fan-favourite characters, like Beni and Valentino, and some new faces. It’s such a privilege to work with BOSF and share these stories with viewers from all around the world,” said Kyle Murdoch, Managing Director, NHNZ

"From pure entertainment to new scientific findings on primate behaviour (including never-before filmed moments with these ingenious little apes) to emotional scenes that hold up a mirror to our own lives as humans, wildlife and nature fans can expect multiple levels of enjoyment from our latest installment of Orangutan Jungle School,” said Judith Curran, Writer and Executive Producer, Orangutan Jungle School.

Story arcs which resume from last season include:

  • Big Boy Beni continues his frustration with his low fat milk diet, consisting of minimal bananas due to his ongoing weight problem. He begins a spurt of athleticism, which sees him take to the trees regularly, while potentially aiding in his weight loss. This progress is soon derailed when a dramatic accident at forest school sees his friend Lala fall 10 metres from a tree, landing on top of him. Lala fractures her arm and Beni’s femur is broken. While this serious accident leads to three months out of class, it also results in major hilarity for audiences as they watch Beni and Lala experience extreme boredom and invent ways to entertain themselves.
  • One-handed Kesi‘s resilience and cleverness has won a special place in viewers’ hearts around the world. Missing one hand, which was hacked off by a machete when villagers killed her mother, Kesi has struggled to fit in on crowded Bangamat Island, where she has become a target for a dominant female bully. A devastating attack almost drowns her, which rocks the orangutan's confidence and may lead to her returning to the Nyaru Menteng Sanctuary. She eventually finds her self-assurance again in a remarkable connection with one of the dominant males who becomes her protector and potential boyfriend
  • The three amigos Valentino, Yutris and Madara continue to provide comedy every time to they go to class. Sometimes it’s a new way to get to school, like a “cuddle-roll”; other times it’s a “water-sharing” kiss, which goes on for 10 minutes. But the boys are also doing well with their lessons including foraging for a wasp nest and learning how to eat termites
  • Little Wine, who suffered from asthma in Season 1, is now full of confidence and strikes up a remarkable friendship with a macaque monkey

New characters include:

  • 11 year old Dilla, the oldest female at the jungle school, is pregnant. This turn of events has changed things for her as she prepares to give birth at the sanctuary instead of graduating to the pre-release islands, where most young mothers live. The emotional story of how Dilla gives birth is sure to captivate audiences as she struggles with accepting her baby Delilah
  • Sampit and Sawadee, a mother and son rescued from a horrific life performing in a Thai circus, are transported to a free life on Palas Island
  • Orangutan Jungle School will introduce fans to three “un-releasable” orangutans who live at Nyaru Menteng’s sister sanctuary in East Kalimantan. Shelton is blind, Kopral has no arms (but a killer smile) and Romeo, 31 years old and one of the largest males, shares his own island with two Juliets. Sun bear cubs Denny Bear and India also continue their adventures when they are transferred to the new sanctuary

The tireless, expert BOSF staff go to extreme lengths to show these orangutans nurturing care, while teaching them the lessons required for their survival. Season 2 will show the team tackle a variety of challenges: infection, lack of resources, environmental issues and the inevitable emotional attachments and devastation they feel for these endangered animals.

The season culminates with an epic release back into the wild for mother and baby, Clara and Clarita, who were reunited in Season 1 after a traumatic separation. Now back in the jungle where they belong, their story represents the true mission for the Nyaru Menteng Sanctuary and the hopes and dreams of its students.

Orangutan Jungle School, Season 2 is created, executive produced and written by Judith Curran. Kyle Murdoch serves as Executive in Charge in Production and Anya Durling is Head of Development. Alison Barrat, VP, Development & Production and James Manfull, Executive Producer will oversee the series on behalf of Love Nature 4K.

Visit: orangutanjungleschool.com & facebook.com/orangutanjungleschool

Love Nature's channel distribution has grown significantly over the last 12 months with 4K channel launches in The UK and Ireland on Virgin TV, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papa New Guinea, Fiji, Qatar, Thailand and The Maldives; and HD channels also airing in Nigeria and Singapore. The brand’s streaming video service, available in 60+ countries worldwide, has also notably launched on Amazon Channels UK, Amazon Channels Germany and Austria and Vodafone TV in New Zealand in the last 12 months.

Love Nature 4K, a Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks joint venture, creates and distributes the largest library of 4K wildlife and nature content in the world. Love Nature is available on linear television internationally and via streaming video in 60+ countries worldwide. LoveNature.com

NHNZ, a Blue Ant Media company, is an international production company that sees the world a little differently, perhaps because its located on the edge of it. Based in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s south-east corner, NHNZ collaborates with some of the world's best filmmakers to make factual TV for the biggest global broadcasters. Over the years, the company has made original content for PBS, Discovery Channels, Animal Planet, A&E Bio Channel, Smithsonian Channel, National Geographic Channels, NHK, CCTV, Travel Channel, Arte and France Télévisions. NHNZ has also picked up over 300 awards along the way, including the Wildscreen Panda and a number of Emmy Awards. NHNZ.tv

See the Full Press Release here...

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Vegan 2018 - The Film ... Out Now!

Plant Based News say it is delighted to announce the release of its' new documentary Vegan 2018.

The feature-length film, which premiered on their youtube page on the 28th November, paints an exciting portrait of our changing world and features leading names in the animal advocacy movement, as well as top media figures, environmentalists, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.

We attended the VEGAN 2018 PREMIERE + Q & A with Earthling Ed, Heather Mills & Maria Chiorando in London on the 27th of November, a day before it's release on YouTube. The Prince Charles Cinema, just off Leicester Square, was packed full, with a largely if not exclusively vegan crowd. Plant Based News have been making an annual end of year VEGAN film, directed by Klaus Mitchell, since 2015 ... See the the past three in the playlist below. Each film has improved in line with the growing, more confident and essentially more successful movement. The 2015 film was 24 mins long, with 2016 at 35 mins, 2017 at 47 mins and this years' comes in at a feature-length 57 mins and has a slicker feel, is very comprehensive with input from people right across the celebrity vegan world (including Saudi Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, James Cameron, will.i.am, Lewis Hamilton, Miley Cyrus, George Monbiot and Dr Jane Goodall) and is undoubtably inspiring. It tells of the rise and growth of the vegan movement right across the world, featuring leading names in the animal advocacy movement, as well as top media figures, celebrities and entrepreneurs, Vegan 2018 paints an exciting portrait of our changing world. We recommended it as a good and entertaining place to start if you are not vegan but are interested in finding out what veganism is all about or, if you are vegan, for reassuring you that you are in the right camp and things are getting better (for the animals, the planet and likely your health) year on year!

Visit: plantbasednews.org

They say: "Plant Based News is an award winning resource for the latest up-to-the minute plant-based-interest content. It is stuffed with news, blogs, reviews, and more. Our aim is to use our platform to create awareness about animal rights, environmentalism, ethical consumerism and the plant-based lifestyle. Not a false narrative - but information that empowers people to make better choices. Whether you’re interested in health, the environment, or video interviews with the biggest names in the vegan world, you will definitely find something to entertain or inspire you."

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Enter the Back from the Brink Film and Photography Competition!
by Jason Peters
28 November 2018

Back from the Brink is one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever undertaken. Its aim – to save 20 species from extinction and benefit over 200 more through 19 projects that span England; from the tip of Cornwall to Northumberland. It’s the first time ever that so many conservation organisations have come together with one focus in mind – to bring back from the brink of extinction some of England’s most threatened species of animal, plant and fungi. Explore the diverse projects to find out more about the special species they’ll be saving, the places they’ll be working and how you can get involved and make a difference. naturebftb.co.uk

And, they have a film and photography competition!

Do you see yourself as a photographer or filmmaker? Maybe you are a promising presenter, personality or innovator? Perhaps you just love being a creative enthusiast on your phone?

The Back from the Brink Film and Photography Competition is a great opportunity for you to get involved - help us to inspire a nation to celebrate and care about their local wildlife and habitats.

We’re all about the threatened and endangered species here at Back from the Brink, but they’re not always on your doorstep!

So, through this competition, we want you to focus on the wildlife you care about - the local animals and plants that you feel are threatened, or are recovering, or maybe thriving. The landscapes that inspire you, the places that are special, the stories of people and nature that give you hope. We want you to share these stories with us so that we can share them with everyone else - with the whole world…

Let the journey begin!

Call for Entries:

We are looking for innovative films and inspiring images that entertain, raise awareness, or celebrate the beauty of our precious wildlife and landscapes.

There are 8 different film categories available to enter, including a Young Person’s Award for those between 13 and 18 years old; a Presenter Award for those who want step in front of the camera; and an Innovation Award encouraging creative new approaches to create and present stories about our natural world. Check out all of the categories below.

This competition has been developed in partnership with Wildscreen, the charity behind the internationally-renowned Wildscreen Festival, and will culminate in an exciting Back from the Brink Festival in the autumn of 2019.

The winning films and images, selected by a panel of illustrious judges, will be screened and displayed here. Also up for grabs for the category winners are a goody bag of prizes donated by Back from the Brink project partners and Wildscreen.

Film Categories:

  • Impact Award: For the film that most effectively communicates an issue affecting the natural world and either:
    explores the results of actions taken to address the issue(s) such as campaigns and conservation work.
    Or
    is intended to deliver tangible impacts as a result of making and showing the film, such as behaviour change, audience participation or increased viewer knowledge from sharing a solution or action which audiences can take.
    Additional material: Entrants are required to submit a brief narrative (maximum 500 words) outlining the tangible impacts and outcomes of the production. This can include numerical information.
  • Innovation Award: For the film that best uses creative new approaches to create and present stories about the natural world. Eligibility: This could include innovative storytelling, an imaginative use of new technology, creative filmmaking processes such as stop motion and animation.
  • Nature Near Me Award: For the production that most effectively communicates the natural world within a 1km radius from the entrant’s home, school or workplace. Additional information: Entrants will be required to submit the location(s) where the film was shot if they are successful and the film proceeds to the final round of judging.
  • People & Nature Award: For the production that most effectively explores and tells stories about the social, cultural or economic relationships people have with the natural world.
  • Presenter Award: For the production that most effectively uses on-screen presenter(s) to engage audiences with the natural world. Eligibility: This award is directed at on-screen presenter(s) and as such films solely using narration are not eligible. Productions with a combination of narration and an on-screen presenter(s) are eligible.
  • Threatened Environments & Species Award: For the production that most effectively explores the concept of ‘threatened’. Eligibility: This award explores perceptions of ‘threatened’ as a concept; looking at narratives on threatened animals, plants and environments.
  • Young Person’s Award:
    For the best overall production by a young person. Eligibility: Entrants must be between 13 and 18 years old at the time of making the film.
  • Just a Minute Award:
    For the best overall production on the natural world that has a maximum length of one minute. Eligibility: Entries must have a running time of one minute (60 seconds) excluding end credits.

Photo Categories:

For those who prefer photography, there are 4 categories to tackle, including a Storytelling Award which encourages entrants to develop a collection of six to ten images that cover an important natural world story, woven together with a strong narrative.

  • Biodiversity: Portraits and images that display the natural beauty and behaviour of animals, plants and fungi.
  • Spaces for Species: Celebrating the wonder and importance of the UK’s landscapes and habitats.
  • People and Nature: Focussing on human relationships with nature, including:
    Reacting to challenges or conflict.
    Or
    Experiencing, celebrating or enjoying the wonder of nature.
  • Storytelling: A collection of six to ten images covering an important story of the natural world, weaved together with a strong narrative.
    Eligibility: Each sequence of six to ten images should be a story told through the progression of images. At least half of the images should have been created since 17 November 2017, the start of the Back from the Brink project, the remainder can be created prior to this if appropriate to the narrative of the entry, e.g. showing change in a local environment or species.
    Additional material: Entrants are required to submit a brief synopsis (maximum 500 words) to outline their photo story.

Find out more (incl rules) & enter here: naturebftb.co.uk/competition

Diary dates:
Wednesday 28 November 2018: Categories, guidelines and entries open
Friday 30 August 2019: Official submission deadline
October 2019: Winners announced

Like Facebook.com/NatureBftB & Follow Twitter.com/NatureBftB/Instagram.com/naturebftb

See the Feature Page here...

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British Wildlife Photography Awards 2019 - Tenth Anniversary Call for Entries Open!
by Maggie Gowan of British Wildlife Photography Awards
23 November 2018

Maggie Gowan, BWPA founder and director, says "Thank you to everyone who has supported BWPA and all the photographers who have entered". See the 2018 winners here.

The 2019 Awards are now open for entry.

BWPA Tenth Anniversary 2019

To mark our tenth anniversary and help raise awareness about our coast; its incredible biodiversity and the threats it is facing we have expanded the Coast and Marine category to include British and Irish Coastlines within four separate categories and prizes for; Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.

Mark Carwardine, conservationist broadcaster and author has written about our coast in the ‘People’s Manifesto for Wildlife’

“Our island nation has 32,018 kilometres of coastline overlooking the English Channel, Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, North Sea and, of course, the open North Atlantic Ocean. We are surrounded by some of the richest seas in the World, teeming with an astonishing abundance and diversity of marine wildlife.
We provide a home to some 8 million sea birds, wide variety of cetaceans, along with everything from otters and grey seals to basking sharks and white-tailed eagles.  There are estimated to be 8,500 marine species living in UK seas altogether. But we do a shockingly bad job of looking after them. The good news is that we can turn the tide. With proper management we can ensure that our seas are brought back to full health and remain healthy for generations to come”
 

Read his full article here including the damage we cause and his proposals for future management of our coast.

A Peoples Manifesto for Wildlife

THIS MANIFESTO . . . Was conceived to publish a set of informed ideas from a parliament of strong, independent voices. Ideas which, if implemented today, would make a huge difference for wildlife tomorrow.

THIS MANIFESTO . . . Presents a series of essays by 18 Ministers highlighting some of the most critical concerns affecting the UK landscape and its species, each accompanied by ten commandments – ‘no-brainer’ solutions to the problems. More here ...

Download and pass on the manifesto by Chris Packham: a brilliant initiative we can all act upon and support.

New dates

The 2019 competition has different dates to previous years. The 2019 competition is open now, and closes on 6th April 2019.

Prize Draw

We are offering a prize draw for 5 entrants who purchase an entry package worth £30 or more by 10th December. (NB Your images do not need to be uploaded until closing of the competition). The prize worth £35 is the latest BWPA book no 9 and 2019 Calendar, which will be posted in time for Christmas.

Exhibition tour

Exhibitions: The full list of venues can be seen here: bwpawards.org/c/galleries/exhibitions

The travelling exhibition is currently on show at these galleries.

  • Nature in Art, Gloucester to 6th January 2019
  • Canterbury Museums & Galleries to 3rd February 2019
  • Astley Hall, Chorley: 24th November 2018 to 31st December 2018.

Book: British Wildlife Photography Awards 9

Naturalist, Author and Wildlife TV Producer Stephen Moss comments;

“Once again, this collection of images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards leaves us in awe of the skill, patience and artistry of the photographers whose work is showcased here. The extraordinary range of subjects, species and habitats, and the imaginative way they are portrayed, leaves us in no doubt that we in Britain are fortunate to be home to some of the most talented photographers in the world. But stunning though this book is, it is not simply a collection of beautiful images, preserved like museum specimens for us to enjoy. It is also a snapshot of Britain’s diverse and beautiful wildlife, at a time when these wild creatures – and the places where they live – are under threat as never before.”

Buy the book for £25, with free postage and packing: Order via PayPal.

British Wildlife Photography Awards 2019 Calendar

Discover the wonders of British wildlife with this 2019 calendar!

Great British wildlife photography from the British Wildlife Photography Awards can be found every month, each accompanied by a spacious date grid.

Buy the 2019 calendar for £9.99, plus postage and packing. Order via PayPal.

Thank you to all the sponsors and supporters

The competition is sponsored by: Canon, RSPB Wildlife Explorers, WWF UK, The Wildlife Trusts, Buglife, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Wildlife Worldwide, Shetland Nature, Paramo, Outdoor Photography Magazine and Countryside Jobs Service

Supporters: Natural England, Wildlife-film.com, Wildeye, Kristal Digital Imaging Centre.

Sponsorship: If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or hosting the exhibition please get in touch.

The British Wildlife Photography Awards were established in 2009. The key aims of the Awards are to:

  • Recognise the talents of photographers practicing in the UK, while at the same time highlight the great wealth and diversity of Britain’s natural history.
  • Celebrate British wildlife, in all its beauty and diversity, through a collection of inspirational photographs.
  • Showcase the very best of our nature photography to a wide audience and engage all ages with evocative and powerful imagery.
  • Encourage discovery, exploration, conservation and enjoyment of our natural heritage.
  • Raise awareness about British biodiversity, species and habitats.

The Awards and Prizes*

The winning pictures and best entries will be included in a touring exhibition across the UK and a stunning coffee table book.

Overall Winner, British Wildlife Photographer

The title of British Wildlife Photographer is given to the photographer whose single image is judged to be the most striking and memorable of all the entries. The photographer of the overall winning image is awarded a first prize of £5,000.

Adult Categories

Each adult category winner for still images will win a prize with a value of around £1,000.

Each category winner (except British Seasons, Habitat and Behaviour) will receive a Canon EOS M50 with the EF-M 15-45mm and EF-M 55-200mm lens. Tell unforgettable stories in rich colour and detail with the compact and connected 4K EOS M50. Its sleek design is packed with innovative technologies including cinematic 4K and 5-axis image stabilisation, with DSLR image quality in a lightweight mirrorless body. This modern camera combines a 24.1 Megapixel DSLR sized CMOS sensor with powerful DIGIC 8 processing for outstanding low light performance and depth of field control. A large central electronic viewfinder provides an intuitive shooting experience, with a 7.5cm vari- angle touchscreen to shoot from every perspective

The Behaviour category winner will receive a £1,000 voucher from category sponsor Shetland Nature - to be used against any Shetland Nature tour, subject to availability.

The winner of the Habitat category will win a single place on Wildlife Worldwide’s Skomer’s Perfect Puffin photography tour. Staying on the island for two nights, you can enjoy the wildlife without the crowds and build up an impressive portfolio of puffin images. Other species include short-eared owls, razorbills, guillemots and even grey seals. Accompanied throughout by award-winning photographers, this 3-day trip is the perfect way to get up close and photograph Skomer Island’s puffins.

Coast and Marine categories TBA.

Wildlife in HD Video

The prize in the Wildlife in HD Video category is a Canon XA11 Full HD Camcorder. The XA11 is a Full HD camcorder which feature stunning 20x 26.8mm-576mm optical zoom lenses to flexibly capture a variety of scenes with superb image quality. A Hi-UD lens supports the reduction of chromatic aberration and drives vivid imaging. Canon’s HD CMOS Sensor and the powerful DIGIC DV4 image processing platform deliver great performance in low light and the ability to capture superb Full HD images in 50P at 35Mbps

The XA11 offers a range of various interfaces including HDMI, XLR professional audio terminals, headphone jack and optional GPS support.. Comprising compact and lightweight bodies, the XA11 is ideal for high-action shoots when both speed and mobility are essential. Dynamic Mode provides 5-Axis image stabilization - roll axis, horizontal roll, vertical roll, up-down and left-right - to ensure smooth image capture in various styles of fast-paced shoots

WildPix Categories

There are two special awards to encourage participation by young people. These are free to enter.

  • Young British Wildlife Photographer (Up to 11) - £300
  • Young British Wildlife Photographer (12 - 18) - £100

*Prizes correct on publication but subject to change.

Also see: BWPA 2018 Wildlife in HD Video Winner, Sam Oakes, on his Winning Entry

The film is based on the idea of showing how wildlife can thrive in the most unlikely corners of the UK, specifically industrial areas. I grew up in North Yorkshire only a stones throw from Teesside, one of the UK's largest industrial complexes. Teesside is unique in its volume of "waste-ground" and abandoned areas between the large factories, the closure of steel & chemical works is a loss to local people but a gain for the areas wildlife. More here ...

Highlights of all the Winning and Commended films of 2018:


BWPA Highlights from 2018 from BWPAwards

BWPA 2018 Winners Announced!

Enter: bwpawards.org/competition/submission-guidelines-and-how-to-enter

See the Full Feature Page here...

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World Wildlife Day Living Oceans Film Showcase announced
from JHWFF, CITES & UNDP
20 November 2018

Stories about marine species and ecosystems will hit the big screen and your mobile phone when the planet celebrates World Wildlife Day 2019

Global marine species have never come under the international spotlight as a group. This will change in 2019. The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Jackson Hole WILD announced today that they will team up again to organize an international film showcase, this time focused on marine species. Winning films will raise global awareness of the importance of life below water to our everyday lives, explore the critical challenges facing the marine ecosystems that comprise two-thirds of our planet and highlight inspiring solutions in meeting them.

The Living Oceans Film Showcase will be one of the global events that will anchor next year’s UN World Wildlife Day (3 March) celebrated around the theme Life Below Water: For People and Planet. Winners will be announced at UN Headquarters in New York at a high-level event on Friday, March 1 to observe the Day.

Covering two-thirds of the planet and making up more than 99% of earth’s livable habitat, our oceans remain the least understood ecosystems on Earth. In fact, we know more about the moon than we do about the deep sea. Nonetheless, life on our planet began in the ocean and we rely on a healthy ocean for our very survival. Life below water has sustained human civilization and development for millennia, from providing food and nourishment, material for handicraft and construction to the very air we breathe.

CITES, the world’s wildlife trade regulator, protects marine species listed on its Appendices from over-exploitation by ensuring that international trade in these species is sustainable, legal and traceable.

“CITES has a long history of regulating international trade in many marine species to help ensure their survival in the wild, including since 2013 several commercially harvested sharks and rays, such as hammerhead, porbeagle and oceanic whitetip sharks, and the devil and manta rays. For marine species, this places CITES at the interface between sustainable use and international trade, focusing on species that have declined to a level that requires sound trade and management measures to maintain or rebuilt stocks,” stated David Morgan, Officer-in-Charge of CITES.

As UNDP Head of Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Midori Paxton, notes: “Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods and primary source of protein; the estimated market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is $3 trillion per year; and oceans help to mitigate the impact of climate change. If we are to ensure that ocean ecosystems are sustainably managed for current and future generations, a comprehensive global response is needed that scales up successful nature-based initiatives.”

Yet, the capacity of life below water to provide these services is severely impacted, as our planet’s oceans and the species that live within it are under assault from an onslaught of threats, including climate change, marine pollution and trash, habitat destruction, and unsustainable fishing practices.

“While we still stand at a juncture in which crisis can still be averted, it is essential to take action that empowers local engagement and personal commitment,” explained Lisa Samford, Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. “Our aim is to galvanize the power of media to inspire wonder, catalyze change and move the dial on the conservation of marine species and ecosystems.”

The CITES Secretariat is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the global facilitator for the celebration of the World Wildlife Day each year in collaboration with organizations in the United Nations system. UNDP is co-organizing this year’s set of World Wildlife Day events and activities together with UN Environment, Jackson Hole WILD, Wildlife Conservation Society, and other organizational partners.

Timeline and planned activities

The call for entry will close on January 1, 2019 and finalists will be announced February 1, 2019. Winners will be presented at a high-level event to coincide with the global celebration of UN World Wildlife Day at UN Headquarters in New York on 1 March 2019.

Winning and finalist films will be subsequently showcased extensively throughout the world.

Competition categories

Participants are asked to submit media in one or more of the following categories:

  • Ocean Heroes: Awarded to the film that most effectively celebrates noteworthy work of individuals or groups committed to protection, raising awareness or understanding, and sustainable use of marine species or ecosystems.
  • People and Oceans: Awarded to the film that best communicates humanity’s social, cultural, economic and/or environmental interdependence with marine species and ecosystems including sustainable commercial use.
  • Ocean Issues and Solutions: Awarded to the film that most effectively explores current challenges and communicates solutions to the environmental, social-economic and sustainability issues facing marine species and ecosystems.
  • Marine Life: Awarded to the film that most effectively showcases the rich diversity and complex behavior of one or more marine species.
  • Ocean Short: Awarded to the best marine species or ecosystem film less than 15 minutes in length.
  • Ocean Micro Movie: Awarded to the best marine species or ecosystem film less than 5 minutes in length.

Programmes created after January 1, 2012 are eligible for consideration.

Submission Guidelines

There is no entry fee for submission. Entries must have been completed after January 1, 2012 but need not have been broadcast/exhibited prior to submission. Entries for competition are invited from media producers from around the world. Media submitted may be of any length, may originate in any digital media format and be fictional or non-fictional. Programs must have mixed (mono/stereo) audio track on both channels, must be an English version (dubbed or subtitled), and programs with visible time-code will not be accepted.

Submissions in all official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) are welcomed. Programmes in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for the Living Ocean Showcase presentation. Eligible entries are required to complete submission form via www.JHFestival.org. Entries will be uploaded to a private and secure Vimeo channel for judging.

Interested in being a preliminary judge for the Living Oceans Film Showcase? Email your resume to dana@jhfestival.org


Call for Entry: Oceans Film Showcase from Jackson Hole WILD

Visit: www.jhfestival.org/living-oceans.html

See the Full Press Release here...

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BWPA 2018 Wildlife in HD Video Winner, Sam Oakes, on his Winning Entry
by Sam Oakes
6 November 2018

The film is based on the idea of showing how wildlife can thrive in the most unlikely corners of the UK, specifically industrial areas. I grew up in North Yorkshire only a stones throw from Teesside, one of the UK's largest industrial complexes. Teesside is unique in its volume of "waste-ground" and abandoned areas between the large factories, the closure of steel & chemical works is a loss to local people but a gain for the areas wildlife.

Spread across a large and interconnected coastal habitat the area holds large numbers of Foxes, Roe deer, Grey & Common seals along with vast numbers of waders & wildfowl. Crucially these creatures are left undisturbed, protected from the public by the uninviting and imposing scale of the waste areas they inhabit. They are able to simultaneously live life in the shadow of our industrial landscape yet far from human disturbance.

This juxtaposition between wildlife and landscape has always intrigued me and driven me to film in the area as much as possible, aiming to capture the unique stories and the creatures that live there. With such an unusual backdrop on offer this industrial landscape allows me to be really creative with the shots I try to capture, compressing that distance between creature and chimney in a way that is seldom possible elsewhere in the UK.

This film includes clips that I have shot over a long timescale, from the days when I just started out filming in 2016 up until present. In a way the film and the area captures my progression in filmmaking from the beginning until present, Teesside has been an ever-present habitat throughout the last 2 years and it felt natural to create a homage to this wonderful area, one that has nurtured me and helped me so much over the last few years.

Teesside is home to a Grey seal population that disappeared at the turn of the last century due to land reclamation and has now only recently returned. The success of returning seals is only one of many boosts to local wildlife in recent years however, the opening of the RSPB's centre at Saltholme, the arrival of breeding Avocets and the presence of Otters in the River Tees are all indicators of positive change on Teesside. In the face of urban sprawl and the squeezing of wild habitats across the country I hope Teesside can show that there is room for wildlife all around us if we learn to love it as the local people have done here. I'm incredibly grateful to the organisations working to make Teesside a wild place and allowing people to indulge in the hidden gems of this landscape, without their hard work I would never have had the filming opportunities and encounters I have experienced making this film.

I filmed "Industrial Evolution" solo, it has been an amalgamation of many days spent lying on a cold muddy marshes and beaches waiting for those fleeting moments when an animal allows you a glimpse into their life. On a freezing winters day the motivation to get out an film is never left wanting when Teesside is on my mind, I don't think it is an area I'll ever grown tired of and I certainly won't stop filming there after this film!

I used a Panasonic GH5 during filming. Combining this small camera body with a Sigma 150-600 has provided me with a very lightweight and mobile setup that is capable of producing beautiful 4K images at an affordable price. Due to the lightweight nature of this kit I was able to shoot in relatively inaccessible locations perched on the tide line of marshes or in the swash of breaking waves on the beach, knowing I could up sticks quickly and react to wildlife sightings at the drop of a hat.

The proliferation of cheap 4K cameras has certainly helped people like myself to get into wildlife filmmaking and develop the skills required to operate high end cameras.

I feel very lucky to be entering the wildlife filmmaking at the time I am, and I'm eternally grateful for all the opportunities I have been given by people in the industry.

Maybe one day we'll get to see Teesside in a landmark wildlife series, but until then I'll keep crawling around the undergrowth of this magical place in search of encounters with wonderful wildlife.

WILDLIFE IN HD VIDEO WINNER: “Industrial Evolution”, Teesside, Sam Oakes


Winner of the Wildlife in HD category 2018 from BWPAwards

Industrial areas might not spring immediately to mind when searching for a wild encounter, but while Teesside in the north-east of England is best known for towering factories and vast steelworks, something stirs in the shadows. Nature is creeping back and finding a foothold between the smoking chimneys and bustling ports. Waders forage through healthy mudflats, grey seals have returned to their daily roost, and foxes and raptors stalk prey between iconic landmarks and relics of the industrial revolution that in the past claimed so much of this estuarine habitat for man.

See our feature on all 2018 winners here: wildlife-film.com/features/BWPA-2018-Winners-Announced.html

See the Full Feature Page here...

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BWPA 2018 Winners Announced!
by British Wildlife Photography Awards
5 November 2018

The British Wildlife Photography Awards 2018

A Celebration of British Wildlife

The British Wildlife Photography Awards proudly announce the winners for 2018.

The awards celebrate both the work of amateur and professional photographers and the beauty and diversity of British wildlife.

Winning images are chosen from thousands of entries in fifteen separate categories including a category for film and two junior categories to encourage young people to connect with nature through photography.

The Overall Winning Image:

Contrails at Dawn (Daubenton’s Bats), Coate Water Country Park, Wiltshire by Paul Colley

Ghostly contrails reveal the flight paths and wing beats of Daubenton’s bats. An infrared camera and lighting system that were 14 months in development overcame the challenge of photographing the high- speed flight of these small mammals in the dark. The in-camera double exposure caught the foreground bat milliseconds before insect intercept. As these bats are a protected species they were photographed in the wild following advice from the Bat Conservation Trust and Natural England.

“No other image in my portfolio had been so clearly conceived and yet so difficult to achieve. My artistic intent was to capture this extraordinary little bat’s speed of movement and hunting flight path, but the journey to success was littered with disappointing failures. Fortunately, fellow photographers encouraged imaginative experimentation and taught me to anticipate setbacks as a reasonable price for ultimate success. In hindsight, I experienced a huge gradient of emotion. There were the lows felt during months of long, cold and exhausting dusk-to-dawn sessions, sometimes waist deep in water and often without getting a single useable image. And then the natural highs of those light bulb moments, when new ideas blossomed, problems were solved and the project inched closer towards the potential to win this exceptional accolade.” – Paul Colley.

The Category Winners:

BLACK AND WHITE: Contrails at Dawn (Daubenton’s Bats), Coate Water Country Park, Wiltshire, Paul Colley

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR: Life and Death at the Edge of the World (Great Skua and Puffin), Fair Isle, Shetland, Sunil Gopalan

ANIMAL PORTRAITS: Bean (Badger), Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, Tesni Ward

URBAN WILDLIFE: Magpie in the Snow (Magpie), Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, Christopher Swan

WILD WOODS: Seasonal Overlap (European Beech), Aviemore, Highlands, Scotland, James Roddie

HABITAT: Spectacular Isolation (Mountain Hare), Cairngorms National Park, Highlands, Scotland, Andrew Parkinson

HIDDEN BRITAIN: Waiting for her Prey (Nursery Web Spider), Dunchideock, Devon, Andrew McCarthy

CLOSE TO NATURE: Goose Barnacles (Goose Barnacles), Sanna Bay, Highland, David Bennett

COAST AND MARINE: Storm Gull (Lesser black-backed gull), Newhaven, East Sussex, Craig Denford

BOTANICAL BRITAIN: Kelp Bed at Dawn (Oarweed), Kingsgate Bay, Kent, Robert Canis

DOCUMENTARY SERIES WINNER: Rehabilitated Grey Seals Being Released into the Wild, Cornwall, Ben Watkins

BRITISH SEASONS: Seasonal Scottish Red Squirrels (Red Squirrel), Rothiemurchus Forest, Highland, Neil Mcintyre

WINNER 12-18 YEARS: Eye of the Spawn (Common Tadpoles), Walmer Castle, Kent, Ivan Carter, Age 17

WINNER UNDER 12 YEARS: Who Says Bugs aren’t Cute (Cockchafer), Borrowdale, Cumbria, Lucy Farrell, Age 9

WILDLIFE IN HD VIDEO WINNER: “Industrial Evolution”, Teesside, Sam Oakes


Winner of the Wildlife in HD category 2018 from BWPAwards

Industrial areas might not spring immediately to mind when searching for a wild encounter, but while Teesside in the north-east of England is best known for towering factories and vast steelworks, something stirs in the shadows. Nature is creeping back and finding a foothold between the smoking chimneys and bustling ports. Waders forage through healthy mudflats, grey seals have returned to their daily roost, and foxes and raptors stalk prey between iconic landmarks and relics of the industrial revolution that in the past claimed so much of this estuarine habitat for man.

Highlights of all the Winning and Commended films of 2018:


BWPA Highlights from 2018 from BWPAwards


BWPA Compilation 2018 from BWPAwards.

Highly commended entries:

No Room At The Top by Danny Bean
A Woodland Tale by Russell Savory and Robin Lowry
The Uninvited Guests by Caroline Tout
Water Rails Golden Moments
by Dean Bricknell
Starlings – Be Part Of The Conversation by Steven Fairbrother
The Offspringers by Dora Nightingale
Morning of the Moorland Matadors by Danny Bean
Endangered by Caroline Tout
Moorhens by Owen Carter

See all HD Video Commended Entries here: www.bwpawards.org/videowinners2018

View all the winning Images, including the video winner and a selection of highly commended entries here: www.bwpawards.org

The Prizes

First prize: £5,000

Category winners will receive prizes with a value of around £1,000. The prize fund includes: Canon EOS M5 Cameras with 15-45mm lens.

Wildlife in HD Video category winner will receive a Canon XA-11 Professional Camcorder

The Young winner (under 12) will receive: £300
The Young winner (12 -18) will receive: £500

The Exhibition Tour

Over 100 images including the winning and commended entries launches at the Mall Galleries, London, commencing Tuesday 6th November and is open until 1pm Sunday 11th November. A full list of exhibiting galleries is at the end of this press release or alternatively please visit the website for more information about the venues: www.bwpawards.org/c/galleries/exhibitions

The Book

The British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 9 showcases the very best entries from the British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2018. This stunning coffee table book is a celebration of British wildlife as captured on camera by today’s best amateur and professional photographers.

Naturalist, Author and Wildlife TV Producer Stephen Moss comments;

“Once again, this collection of images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards leaves us in awe of the skill, patience and artistry of the photographers whose work is showcased here. The extraordinary range of subjects, species and habitats, and the imaginative way they are portrayed, leaves us in no doubt that we in Britain are fortunate to be home to some of the most talented photographers in the world.

But stunning though this book is, it is not simply a collection of beautiful images, preserved like museum specimens for us to enjoy. It is also a snapshot of Britain’s diverse and beautiful wildlife, at a time when these wild creatures – and the places where they live – are under threat as never before.”

Published by Ammonite Press • 5th November 2018 • RRP £25.00
The book is available here: www.bwpawards.org/competition/book

Exhibition Tour. (Check with the venues for their opening times)

The Mall Galleries, London – 6th November 2018 to 11th November 2018
Astley Hall, Chorley – 24th November 2018 to 31st December 2018
Luton Stockwood Discovery Centre – 21st January 2019 to 24th March 2019
Nunnington Hall, Yorkshire – 11th May 2018 to 7th July 2019
Nature in Art, Gloucester – 6th November 2018 to 6th January 2019
St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery – 19th January 2019 to 17th March 2019
Canterbury Museums & Galleries – 10th November 2018 to 17th February 2019
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust – 11th May 2018 to 10th September 2019

The Sponsors

Canon, WWF, RSPB Wildlife Explorers,The Wildlife Trusts, Shetland Nature, Countryside Jobs Service, Buglife, Paramo, BBC Wildlife Magazine and Outdoor Photography Magazine.

Supported by

Ammonite Press, Kristal Digital Imaging Centre, Wildlife-film.com

Contact:
Maggie Gowan
British Wildlife Photography Awards
Email: mail@maggiegowan.co.uk
Website: www.bwpawards.co.uk

See the Full Feature Page here...

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34th Festival de Ménigoute Winners Announced!

The 34th "International Festival of Ornithological Film" took place from October 30th to November 4th 2018 in Ménigoute (Deux - Sèvres - FRANCE).

The jury awarded the following prizes:

The Golden Lirou - Menigoute Grand Prix
Offered by the Community of Communes of Parthenay-Gâtine, it rewards the best film. The trophy is offered by the Groupe Ornithologique des Deux-Sèvres.
1 - Queen without land directed by Asgeir Helgestad
2 - Snakes in our heads directed by Marie Daniel and Fabien Mazzocco
3 - Flow of life directed by Krzysztof Sarapata and Tomasz Kotas

Paul Géroudet Award
Offered by the company Nos Oiseaux, in partnership with Asters - Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Haute-Savoie, the association Vautours en Baronnies and the Zoological Society of Geneva, this prize rewards the best bird-watching film.
1 - Eagle and Lammergey, the Masters of Heaven directed by Anne and Erik Lapied
2 - Birds of the lakes return directed by Matej Vranic
3 - The Naga pride directed by Sumanth Kuduvalli

New Aquitaine Region Prize for Creativity
Offered by the New Aquitaine Region, it rewards the best film treatment, chosen for its originality, its innovative and creative aspects.
1 - The Hidden Face of Moonfish directed by Sacha Bollet and Benoît Demarle
2 - Snakes in our heads directed by Marie Daniel and Fabien Mazzocco
3 - The wings of the maquis directed by Tanguy Stoecklé and Marie Amiguet

Nature Protection Award
Offered by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), France Nature Environment (FNE) and Foundation for Nature and Man (FNH)
1 - Parque Patagonia directed by Lucas Allain and Mathieu Le Mau
2 - A Garden between two worlds directed by Jean-Yves Collet and Christophe Lemire
3 - Origins, the fauna coming from the cold realized by Daniel Rodrigues

Prize of the Regional Natural Park of the Poitevin Marsh
It rewards the film that best promotes the natural resources of wetlands.
1 - Marais d'Irak directed by Aurélien Prudor
2 - The River directed by Robert Luquès
3 - Flow of life directed by Krzysztof Sarapata and Tomasz Kotas

Club Awards Know and Protect Nature
It rewards the best educational documentary.
1 - Snakes in our heads directed by Marie Daniel and Fabien Mazzocco
2 - The Hidden Face of Moonfish directed by Sacha Bollet and Benoît Demarle
3 - A garden between two worlds directed by Jean-Yves Collet and Christophe Lemire

Landscapes Awards
Offered by the Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Poitou-Charentes, it rewards the film best treating the dimension and the aesthetic, cultural and ecological roles of the landscape.
1 - White Wolves: Ghosts of the Arctic directed by Oliver Goetzl
2 - Ibex, in the footsteps of the ibex directed by Guillaume Collombet
3 - Scotland, the quest for the savage directed by Laurent Cocherel

Jury Prize
Offered by merchants and artisans of the canton of Ménigoute.
1 - The Hidden Face of Moonfish directed by Sacha Bollet and Benoît Demarle
2 - In the Land of the Bear Isabelle directed by Eric Dragesco
3 - Where spiders dwell: Tumultous ground directed by Adam Schmedes

Crédit Agricole Award
Offered by Crédit Agricole, it rewards the best short film
1 - The Bird and the Whale directed by Carol Freeman
2 - Ice song directed by Boris Jollivet
3 - Desolation follows directed by Burnham Arlidge

Visit: www.menigoute-festival.org/le-palmares-2018.html

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WFFR 2018 award winners announced!

On Saturday the 27th of October nine prizes were awarded at Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam’s Flamingo Award Ceremony: www.wffr.nl/winnaars-2018

Best Film: Queen Without Land

Best Short Film: Pangolin

Awareness Award: The Last Pig

Conservation Award: Wildlife Savers, Unsung Heroes

Environmental Award: Yasuni Man

Childrens award: Backyard Wilderness

Underwater Award: Sonic Sea

Virtual Reality Award: Orangutan School

Newcomer Award: STROOP

Audience Award: Jane

Congratulations to all!


WFFR 2018 - Trailers from Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam

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Wildscreen Panda Awards 2018 Winners Announced!
By Wildscreen
19th October 2018

Rise of the Warrior Apes, Blue Planet II and One Strange Rock lead the way at the 2018 Wildscreen Panda Awards

A gripping feature documentary, which follows a chilling political and social drama set amongst the world’s largest troop of chimpanzees, tonight walked away with the most coveted international prize in the international wildlife film and TV genre – the WWF Golden Panda Award.

RISE OF THE WARRIOR APES – produced by Keo Films, stood out amongst the 37 other finalists from 12 countries to claim not only the Golden Panda but also walked away with the Script Award and Films at 59 Sound Award. Set in Ngogo, Uganda, the epic story is told through the accounts of scientists who themselves witnessed and recorded the chilling events as they unfolded over two decades.

Elsewhere, National Geographic’s ONE STRANGE ROCK, which tells the extraordinary story of Earth, swept the board in each of the three categories for which it was nominated – Innovation, Music and the Doghouse Editing Award.

Despite receiving the most nominations, BLUE PLANET II walked away with three trophies – ORF Animal Behaviour, Panasonic Cinematography (large budget) and the National Geographic Series Award.

For the first time in the 36 year history of the Awards, the Outstanding Achievement Award was awarded to a women. Ellen Windemuth, Founder and CEO of Off The Fence Productions, received the award in honour of her dedication to and innovation within the natural world storytelling genre.

The 2018 roll of honour also included the first ever photography awards, immersing the craft fully within the 36 year old industry awards.  The Animal Friends Photo Story Award went to Australian photographer Doug Gimesy for his story documenting the plight of one of the world’s largest bats, the grey-headed flying fox. And twenty-six year old Brit, Luke Massey, walked away with the inaugural Emerging Talent Photo Story Award for his story following the lives of two peregrine falcons who have made their home amongst Chicago’s skyscrapers. The finalists and winners of the Animal Friends Photo Story Awards are currently featured in a free, large-scale outdoor exhibition located on College Green, Bristol, until 7 November.

Lucie Muir, CEO of Wildscreen, said: “Humanity’s impact, interaction and stewardship of nature, whether it be on a local or planetary scale, was a consistent message weaved throughout the entries, finalists and winners of the 2018 Panda Awards competition. And for the Panda Awards themselves, we are thrilled for a year of firsts, with the role of women and photography in the global storytelling community being recognised. But most importantly, the awards underline the power of authentic voices, whether they be of scientists, filmmakers or everyday people, to tell the most extraordinary stories, in their own words, and the power those stories have to reach the hearts and minds of others for the benefit of the natural world.”

The Wildscreen Panda Awards ceremony 2018 was hosted by television presenter Lizzie Daly and United Nations Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Pugh.

The ceremony, hosted at The Passenger Shed, concludes the 2018 Wildscreen Festival – the world’s biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers. Held in Bristol, the biennial event convenes more than 900 filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters and content creators, from over 40 countries, for an unrivalled programme of 130 events, featuring 180 industry thought-leaders.

Principal sponsors of the Wildscreen Festival 2018 are BBC Studios, Disneynature, Love Nature, National Geographic and Terra Mater Factual Studios.

Wildscreen Festival

The full roll of Wildscreen Panda Award winners is:

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

ORF UNIVERSUM ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AWARD

Blue Planet II - One Ocean
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit with The Open University and BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

CHILDREN’S AWARD

The Zoo - Poo Dunnit?
BBC Studios
United Kingdom

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

PANASONIC CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD (large budget)

Blue Planet II - One Ocean
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit with The Open University and BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom
Photography by: Alfredo Barroso, Chris Bryan, Patrick Dykstra, Tom Fitz, Ted Giffords, Steve Hathaway, Roger Horrocks, Roger Munns, Didier Noirot, David Reichert, Nuno Sá & Gavin Thurston

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

PANASONIC CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD (small budget)

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Panda Award Winner


Churchill
Storm Films Inc
Canada

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

DOGHOUSE EDITING AWARD

One Strange Rock - Gasp
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
United Kingdom
Editors: Sam Rogers, Doug Moxon & Brian Hovmand

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

ICON FILMS EMERGING TALENT AWARD

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards
Sadly, Mahmoud's UK visa application was declined, so he couldn't collect his award in person!

Mahmoud Mansouri For the film In the Realm of the Spider-tailed Viper
Wildlife Pictures Institute
Iran

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

INNOVATION AWARD

One Strange Rock - Home
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
United Kingdom

Member Karla Munguia Colmenero worked on the 'Survival' episode.

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

TERRA MATER FACTUAL STUDIOS IMPACT AWARD (large budget)

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

The Last Animals
Atlas Films and Foxtail Entertainment in association with Artemis Rising Foundation, The British Film Company and Diamond Docs
United States

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

TERRA MATER FACTUAL STUDIOS IMPACT AWARD (small budget)

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Toad People
Wilderness Committee
Canada

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

MUSIC AWARD

One Strange Rock - Gasp
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
United Kingdom
Music by: Daniel Pemberton

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

BBC STUDIOS PEOPLE AND NATURE AWARD

Jane
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic
United States

ANIMAL FRIENDS PHOTO STORY AWARD

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Rescuing the Night Gardeners - Doug Gimesy
Australia

ANIMAL FRIENDS PHOTO STORY AWARD FOR EMERGING TALENT

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

High Rise Falcons - Luke Massey
United Kingdom

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

UWE POPULAR BROADCAST AWARD

RARE: Creatures of the Photo Ark - Episode 1
A WGBH co-production with So World Media LLC in association with National Geographic Channels
United States

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

PRESENTER AWARD

My Congo
BBC Studios Natural World – a co-production of BBC and Thirteen Productions LLC in association with WNET
United Kingdom
Presented by: Vianet Djenguet

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

NHK SCIENCE AWARD

Naked Molerat - Nature’s Weirdest Superhero
Taglicht Media Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH
Germany

SCRIPT AWARD

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom
Script by: James Reed

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SERIES AWARD

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Blue Planet II
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit with The Open University and BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

NHNZ SHORT AWARD

M6NTHS
Eline Helena Film
United Kingdom

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

FILMS AT 59 SOUND AWARD

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom
Sound by: Ben Peace, Tim Owens & Kate Hopkins

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL THEATRICAL AWARD

The Serengeti Rules
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet
United Kingdom / United States

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

WWF GOLDEN PANDA AWARD

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

CHRISTOPHER PARSONS’ OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Ellen Windemuth

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards

Wildscreen Festival 2018

Wildscreen Festival 2018 - Pamda Awards
We are proud Wildscreen Festival Media Partners!

Panda Awards Photo's by Jason Peters with an iPhone!


2018 Panda Award Nominees


Wildscreen Festival 2018 Trailer

More on the Wildscreen Festival website.

See: Wildscreen 2018 Panda Award Nominees Announced

For more visit: wildscreenfestival.org ; facebook.com/wildscreenfest & twitter.com/WildscreenFest
+ instagram.com/wildscreenorg

See the Full Feature Page here...

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Love Nature Announces Greenlight and Commission of Gangs of Lemur Island via True to Nature at Wildscreen Festival 2018
By Blue Ant Media
18th October 2018

Gangs of Lemur Island will premiere on Love Nature’s linear and streaming video platforms internationally and via Smithsonian Earth in the US.

Blue Ant International oversees the five-part series’ licensing, which will be available for pre-sale at MIPCOM and Wildscreen this month.

 

Love Nature, a joint venture with Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks, announced from the Wildscreen Festival today its greenlight and commission of captivating new series, Gangs of Lemur Island (5x50’; UHD and HDR) with renowned Bristol-based production company True to Nature, led by former Head of the BBC Natural History Unit, Dr. Wendy Darke. The series will air on Love Nature’s linear and streaming video platforms internationally and via Smithsonian Earth in the US. Blue Ant International oversees the five-part series’ licensing, which will be available for pre-sale at MIPCOM and Wildscreen this month.

Responsible for over 1000 programmes, Dr. Darke brings decades of experience to this new production. She served as Head of the BBC Natural History Unit from 2012-2016 and is well-known for leading the development and successful delivery of many beloved character-based series. In Darke’s latest wildlife soap opera, Gangs of Lemur Island, we meet the lemurs of the Berenty, a small forest reserve in southern Madagascar where a lovable troop of ring-tailed creatures live. Studied for over 50 years by scientists, these lemurs are intelligent and highly social creatures that share a common ancestry with humans and, as the series reveals, remarkably like us.

The ground-breaking, new wildlife soap, created by a multi award winning team, follows four warring troops of ring-tailed lemurs in the fast changing, unique world of Madagascar, The Museum Gang, The Ruins Gang, The Yalygate Gang and The Hangar Gang: four tight-knit clans that fight with each other on a daily basis to protect their turf and family. Power struggles and in-fighting are rife, as matriarchal gang bosses strive to keep a firm, yet fragile, hold on their alpha status and stories of loyal friendships and coalitions unfold.

Aided by the latest cinematic technology, Gangs of Lemur Island gives viewers an unprecedented entry into the highs and lows of life as a lemur in the 21st century, which includes the extreme environmental challenges that threaten extinction. Drones are frequently deployed to illustrate the scale and geography of the reserve, with graphics included to indicate the locations of each lemur gang throughout their travels. On the ground, the latest gimbal technology allows viewers to follow the lemurs through their level of sight. Finally, miniature gimbals paired with mini-cams offer increased flexibility when capturing the profile and individual personalities of each troop member.

“Love Nature is committed to creating content that makes the natural world more relatable and relevant. Strong narratives in Gangs of Lemur Island pull viewers through the daily lives of the lemurs and we experience their struggles and triumphs through intimate stories of individuals and groups.  Viewers feel closer to nature because they have bonded with the characters and want to know how their stories end,” said Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Love Nature Programming & Development.  “Love Nature’s audiences will revel in the knowledge and expertise that Wendy Darke brings to this series, as one of the premiere talents in production and one of the most well-respected executives in the nature and wildlife space.”

“Working in partnership with Love Nature, while using the latest technology, scientific discoveries and storytelling techniques, has helped us realise new, premium factual creative ambitions within the popular animal soap opera genre,” said Dr. Wendy Darke, True to Nature.

We are excited to introduce viewers around the world to Gangs of Lemur Island’s charismatic cast of characters, including the ring-tailed lemurs and iconic dancing sifakas, while sharing how they are surprisingly like us!”

Highlights of storylines include:

  • Crystal is the dictatorial leader of the Ruins group, often flanked by her ‘sisterhood’ of Ornella and Clare. These alpha girls dominate the troop and their new pups have everything they could possibly need. At the same time, low-ranking Erika and Pam are pushed to the far edges of the troop, where even getting a glimpse of food is challenging and raising their babies is even tougher.
  • Despite the drought savaging the land, Crystal ensures her troop is well-fed. They have Berenty’s prime real estate and have positioned the heart of their home at the tortoise enclosure where the Ruins troop eat their fill of the daily fresh vegetables left for the tortoises, while always keeping one eye peeled for invading gangs!
  • Kati is the gentle leader of the Museum Gang. Faced with the daily dilemma of where to take her troop, she often takes her gang far out in the sisal fields. With the Ruins to one side and the Yalygate’s to the other, these planted crops are her best option for food, and the spikey plants have become a favorite that help these lemurs through the dry season
  • Low-ranking Juliette, with her unique blonde coat, has ideas above her station. With a new baby and aspirations of climbing the hierarchical ladder, she’s not afraid to chase and swipe at the higher ranking members
  • Morris is the Museum Gang’s lover and fighter. With an eye for the ladies, he’ll happily try to connect with anyone; and his search for lust often leads him into path of neighboring gangs, where he finds himself frequently facing fights to survive
  • The Yalygate Gang, the largest gang in the area with 25 members, live close to the Museum Troop. Aloof and boisterous, their numbers give them confidence and, although they roam far and wide, they have their eye on Museum Gang’s patch
  • The Hangar Gang is led by El, a young and tough mother of twins. (Only 1 in 100 females gives birth to a twin). She leads a powerful marauding gang and it would appear she has her sights set on gangland domination

Gangs of Lemur Island is created and executive produced by Dr. Wendy Darke. The series is written by Hazel Marshall. Andrew Graham-Brown is the Series Producer. Alison Barrat, VP, Development & Production and James Manfull, Executive Producer will oversee the series on behalf of Love Nature. Gangs of Lemur Island is due for delivery in Summer 2019.

Love Nature, creators of the world’s largest 4K natural history library, is seeking co-production and broadcast partners at Wildscreen Film Festival, where the brand is acting as Principal Sponsor. Love Nature is also seeking out new partnerships with premium natural history producers all over the world to program its platforms globally.

Love Nature's channel distribution has grown significantly over the last 12 months with 4K channel launches in The UK and Ireland on Virgin TV, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papa New Guinea, Fiji, Qatar, Thailand and The Maldives; and HD channels also airing in Nigeria and Singapore. The brand’s streaming video service, available in 60+ countries worldwide, has also notably launched on Amazon Channels UK, Amazon Channels Germany and Austria and Vodafone TV in New Zealand in the last 12 months.

Love Nature, a Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks joint venture, creates and distributes the largest library of 4K wildlife and nature content in the world. Love Nature is available on linear television internationally and via streaming video in 60+ countries worldwide. LoveNature.com

TRUE TO NATURE is a Bristol-based, independent production company founded by Dr. Wendy Darke, former Head of the BBC Natural History Unit.  We specialise in innovative, world-class natural history and specialist factual content and TV production using great storytelling to build lifelong relationships between people and the natural world. Recent commissions include The Gangs of Lemur Island (5x60’; UHD and HDR) for Love Nature; Expedition with Steve Backshall (4x60’ and 6x60’) for BBC, UKTV Dave and Fremantle; specialist factual documentary, Volcano 24 (1x60’), an international co-production between True to Nature , ZDFE Enterprises, PBS, WNET Thirteen, Nature, ZDF and ARTE. truetonature.co.uk.

See the Full Feature here...

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Blue Whale, the biggest animal that ever lived ... on the final Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 10!
From Scubazoo
11th October 2018

Epidode 10

Gigantic blue whale filmed in 4K underwater in Timor-Leste!

In all of time there has never been an animal larger than a blue whale.

Bertie and the …from Below team have one simple goal – to swim alongside one of these incredible creatures.


Blue Whale: Largest Animal EVER! [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E10) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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Win a digital copy of Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide 3 ... enter now!

The third edition of Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide is out, now available in print, eBook and Kindle versions! :)

  • Now in its third edition, fully updated with many new entries
  • 274 packed pages Available as paperback, eBook or Kindle edition
  • A complete tool-kit of information for all wildlife film-makers – established and newcomers
  • Listings of wildlife production companies, production services, stock footage and sound libraries, distributors, broadcasters/channels, location managers/fixers, film festivals/competitions, education/training, organisations, equipment sales/hire, publications/resources, freelancers and more, with contact details, weblinks and descriptions.
  • Including answers to those all-important questions such as whether companies take people on work experience or consider co-productions, how to submit proposals etc.
  • Invaluable information at your fingertips to save hours of trawling through the Internet and sending many emails
  • Latest review soundbites: Essential Resource … Its pages lead you to more doors than any other publication of its type … A must have for any wildlife filmmaker … Positively bursting at the spine with information … A fantastic, much-needed wildlife film resource
  • An Essential Piece of Kit!

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To win an eBook version of Wild Pages 3, please answer the following question:

We assume that you all know that the birds on the front cover are gannets, so our question is:

What is the species of gannet and what is the exact location of the colony shown on the front cover of Wild Pages 3?

We'd like the full species name, either common or scientific, plus the name and location of the colony.

Please send your answers to wildpages@wildeye.co.uk by the end of 28th of October 2018 ... The winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries and announced in the November edition of WFN. (NB. One entry per person. By entering you are agreeing that your name and location will be shared if you win!)

Otherwise, if you can't wait (or don't know the answer!?), please order your copy via an online store of your choice now! Visit: www.wildeye.co.uk/wild-pages Thank you!!

Paperback: you can order it as a paperback from many online bookstores all over the world (RRP £14.95). For example, it is available from The Book Depository and Wordery with free worldwide delivery . Also Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com for paperback and Kindle versions.

eBook Order:
‘Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers Resource Guide’ as an eBook is in the form of a PDF file (5Mb) with active email and weblinks for all entries. You can order it by PayPal for immediate download using the button found here.

Please also 'Like' the publication on Facebook: Facebook.com/WildPages and 'Follow' on Twitter: @Wild_Pages :)

Also See Wild Pages 3 is Out Now!!

Snake
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Crocodile Caller ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 9 is here!
From Scubazoo
4th October 2018

Epidode 9

Crocodile Caller… an expedition to Oé-Cusse in Timor-Leste.

An integral part of Timorese folklore, saltwater crocodiles inhabit the island of Timor-Leste in their thousands.

Some indigenous elders on the island still revere and communicate with these aquatic beasts, they are known as the croc callers.


Crocodile Caller [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E09) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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The UK in 100 Seconds: What if we made more space for nature?

I don’t think anyone really has a clue what Britain actually looks like.

It's just too big and complicated for us to get a proper sense of proportion.

And that’s a problem when people are making decisions about how we feed ourselves or how much more affordable housing we can build. Or, crucially, how much more space for nature we can have.

If we don’t have a proper sense of what the country looks like then how can we fix our problems?

– Dan Raven-Ellison, guerrilla geographer, National Geographic Explorer, filmmaker.

I had a simple idea

To go on a walk and make a short film that shows the United Kingdom in the correct proportions.

Every 1 second of the film represents what 1% of the UK looks like from the air.


The UK in 100 Seconds: TEASER

It’s difficult to get a picture of what the United Kingdom really looks like. Imaginations and assumptions can distort decisions that affect our lives. We often hear the idea that there is simply no more room in the country. In reality, just six per cent of the UK is built on.

'The UK in 100 Seconds' is a provocative and thought provoking film that rearranges the United Kingdom's land into 32 categories and divides them over 100 seconds. Each second equates to 1% of what the country looks like from the air.

Made by guerrilla geographer Daniel Raven-Ellison and filmmaker Jack Smith, the film was made by travelling from Tongue in the north of Scotland to the New Forest in the south of England. Each second of the film covers roughly one metre of Raven-Ellison's walk through moorland and peat bogs, down a runway and over a dump.

Made in collaboration with Friends of the Earth, the film gives an honest reflection of what land looks like and how it is used in the United Kingdom and raises some challenging questions. A major inspiration for Raven-Ellison making the film is the amount of space that is used for feeding livestock and the question - what if we made more space for nature?

Visit: www.friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/space-nature-uk-100-seconds

'The UK in 100 seconds' premiered at the Prince Charles Cinema, London, on 24 September 2018... We attended the screening and Q&A with the filmmakers. There was a series of six micro-talks and a forum with the audience. We discussed what the UK could look like in the future and what the effects would be if we made more space for nature. We suggested that we should all go vegan and give the land that would be spare from not having to feed millions of animals back to nature. The panel was cautiously open to at least giving some of it back, cutting back on meat two days a week etc, but they are mainly funded by meat-eaters, so the idea wasn't embraced as a solve-it-all!

'The UK in 100 seconds' will very likely change the way you think about our country forever:


The UK in 100 Seconds

See the UK as it really is - 100 seconds, with each second representing a percentage of the different land uses of the UK. Can we make more space for nature?

Snake

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Thoughts on telling the truth, plastic pollution and making a difference!
by Richard Brock - Brock Initiative
28th
September 2018

For many years some concerned and observant wildlife filmmakers have urged television to draw attention to the real world that is our only home, Planet Earth. This plea has been largely ignored - thought to be "gloom and doom" by the powers that be - at least for BBC 1, for example.

Then, lo and behold, following the cautious "Planet" franchise, Blue Planet II revealed the plastic problem globally.

So, at last! That's what can happen if you tell the truth. And reach millions of people around the planet.... with even a 90-minute special on BBC 1, 1st of October at 8.30pm, "Drowning in Plastic". Such an event ten years ago would have been highly unlikely.

Tom McDonald, head of commissioning natural history and specialist factual at the BBC said: "This powerful and emotional 90-minute special signals our continued (?) commitment to exploring the challenges facing the natural world" (The TImes 24/9/18) Since when?

Anyway, keep it up - the viewers need to know.

Meet Richard Brock and Sophie Pierce (livingplanetproductions@gmail.com) at Wildscreen (15-19 October in Bristol) to try and make a real difference.

Like, Watch, Follow, Share: brockinitiative.org/use-these-films-to-help-save-the-planet
facebook.com/BrockInitiative & twitter.com/BrockInitiative
facebook.com/winnerslosersfilms & twitter.com/Winners_Losers_
youtube.com/user/brockinitiative & vimeo.com/brockinitiative


Drowning in Plastic: Trailer - BBC

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Jackson Hole Science Media Awards Announces 2018 Winners
From Abbey Greene - Science Media Awards & Summit
28th
September 2018

BOSTON, MA. - Sept. 27, 2018 — Jackson Hole WILD is delighted to announce the complete list of winners selected for its fourth biennial Jackson Hole Science Media Awards (JHSMA). JHSMA celebrates the world’s most effective science storytellers and stories. The winners were announced this evening at the MIT Media Lab.

This year’s competition saw more than 500 entries competing for 21 special awards. Over 100 international judges screened an aggregated 1,250 hours of media in order to select the finalists. The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of international judges.

The awards celebration concludes the three-day industry conference called the Science Media Awards and Summit in the Hub, or SMASH, in Boston. This unique forum allows more than 300 science media stakeholders to gather and celebrate exceptional media, cutting-edge discoveries and explore new ways of communicating the wonders of science to a global audience in a rapidly-changing media landscape.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2018 GRAND HELIX AWARD WINNER:

Laws of the Lizard
Day's Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel

CONTENT CATEGORY WINNERS:

Earth & Sky (sponsored by North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences)

One Strange Rock: Gasp
Nutopia Ltd, Protozoa Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment for National Geographic

Science of Life (sponsored by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios)

The Kingdom - How Fungi Made Our World
Smith & Nasht, Real to Reel Productions in association with CuriosityStream, Steve Burns; The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Sue Dando; ZDF/ARTE, Linde Dehner; SVT2 Sweden Anna Schytt; Screen Australia, Telefilm, Create NSW

Changing Planet (sponsored by Off the Fence)

POV: The Islands and the Whales
A co-production of Intrepid Cinema and Radiator Film in association with American Documentary | POV

Health & Medicine (sponsored by PBS)

Unseen Enemy
Sierra/Tango Productions, Vulcan Productions

Technology & Innovation (sponsored by Nat Geo WILD)

AlphaGo
Moxie Pictures

Being Human (sponsored by Vulcan Productions)

Jane
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic

PROGRAM CATEGORY WINNERS:

Short Form Series (sponsored by International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Deep Look
KQED, PBS Digital Studios

Long Form Series

Digits
Partisan Pictures for CuriosityStream

Short Program (sponsored by World Wildlife Fund)

Genes as Medicine
Barrat Media Inc. and Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Micro Movie

A New View of the Moon
Wylie Overstreet, Alex Gorosh

Virtual Reality/360° Storytelling (sponsored by University of Southern California--Jaunt Cinematic Virtual Reality Lab)

My Africa
A Passion Planet Production in association with Vision 3 for Conservation International

Interactive

Fisheries Collapse
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Cortina Productions

Science Journalism (sponsored by NATURE)

POV: The Islands and the Whales
A co-production of Intrepid Cinema and Radiator Film in association with American Documentary | POV

Science Ambassador (sponsored by Science Channel)

Myth or Science: The Power of Poo
Infield Fly Productions in association with The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, OMDC, CAVCO and Rogers Telefund Engaging

Young Scientists (sponsored by Disneynature)

Backyard Wilderness
Arise Media / Archipelago Films, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios

Student & Emerging Science Filmmaker (sponsored by Nat Geo WILD)

Illuminating Disease
Alain Douchinsky

Audible Science: Radio & Podcast

Undiscovered
Science Friday

CRAFT CATEGORY WINNERS:

Writing

Jane
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic.
Writer: Brett Morgen, based on the writings of Jane Goodall

Editing (sponsored by Terra Mater Factual Studios)

The Serengeti Rules
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet.
Editor: Andy R. Worboys

Visualization (sponsored by Fujifilm & Fujinon)

The Farthest - Voyager in Space
Crossing the Line Productions, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, and Irish Film Board for PBS.
Cinematographer: Kate McCullough. Production Designer: Joe Fallover. CGI Visual Effects: Ian Benjamin Kenny. Art Director, Tangled Bank Studios: Fabian de Kok-Mercado

Special Jury Awards

Vital Bonds
ID Docs, National Film Board of Canada


2018 Jackson Hole Science Media Awards Finalists Trailer

Wildlife-film.com says very well done to all winners, with special congratulations to members Smithsonian Channel and Crossing the Line Productions for their very well-deserved wins!

Check out the Full Feature here...

Snake

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Discovering Dive Sites ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Dive in to Episode 8!
From Scubazoo
27th September 2018

Epidode 8

Discovering Dive Sites… a scuba diving expedition to Oé-Cusse in Timor-Leste.

After finding their first dive site, Bertie and the …from Below crew of explorers are on a mission to map the uncharted coastline of Oé-Cusse, one dive site at a time.

Watch more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv!


Discovering Dive Sites [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E08) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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The People's Walk for Wildlife with Chris Packham was a HUGE Success!
By Jason Peters
22nd
September 2018

Around 10,000 wildlife lovers joined Chris Packham on 22nd September at Hyde Park, London for the Peoples Walk for Wildlife - for the missing millions. #peopleswalkforwildlife

In the news:

Wildlife lovers march on Downing Street to raise awareness of the plight of Britain’s nature: independent.co.uk/environment/chris-packham-peoples-walk-for-wildlife-uk-nature-animals-london-downing-street-a8550211.html

Thousands march on Whitehall to call for end to 'war on wildlife': theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/22/hundreds-march-on-whitehall-to-call-for-end-to-war-on-wildlife

People’s Walk for Wildlife demands spotlight on environmental issues: eveningexpress.co.uk/news/uk/peoples-walk-for-wildlife-demands-spotlight-on-environmental-issues

See Jason's photos/clips here: facebook.com/jasonpeters/media_set?set=a.10160550855385467

Sat, 22nd September ... What happened:
10am: We gathered at Reformers Tree, Hyde Park
12 noon: Infotainment ... Speakers & song.
1pm: We walked from Hyde Park
2pm: Finish at Richmond Terrace ... More great speakers & Chris delivered the first draft of the People's Manifesto For Wildlife to No.10 Downing Street!

Follow Chris on social media to stay informed:
Twitter: @ChrisGPackham Facebook: @ChrisGPackham

Make sure that you download and swot up on the Peoples Manifesto for Wildlife here: chrispackham.co.uk/a-peoples-manifesto-for-wildlife

Help cover the costs of the walk here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thepeopleswalkforwildlife


The Peoples Walk for Wildlife Crowdfunder

Visit here for more details: chrispackham.co.uk/news/the-peoples-walk-for-wildlife

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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The UK in 100 Seconds: What if we made more space for nature?
From Friends of the Earth
21st September 2018

I don’t think anyone really has a clue what Britain actually looks like.

It's just too big and complicated for us to get a proper sense of proportion.

And that’s a problem when people are making decisions about how we feed ourselves or how much more affordable housing we can build. Or, crucially, how much more space for nature we can have.

If we don’t have a proper sense of what the country looks like then how can we fix our problems?

– Dan Raven-Ellison, guerrilla geographer, National Geographic Explorer, filmmaker.

I had a simple idea

To go on a walk and make a short film that shows the United Kingdom in the correct proportions.

Every 1 second of the film represents what 1% of the UK looks like from the air.

'The UK in 100 seconds' premieres at the Prince Charles Cinema, London, on 24 September 2018.

Join us for the premiere of 'The UK in 100 seconds' and change the way you think about our country forever. Here's a sneak preview.


The UK in 100 Seconds: TEASER

It’s difficult to get a picture of what the United Kingdom really looks like. Imaginations and assumptions can distort decisions that affect our lives. We often hear the idea that there is simply no more room in the country. In reality, just six per cent of the UK is built on.

'The UK in 100 Seconds' is a provocative and thought provoking film that rearranges the United Kingdom's land into 32 categories and divides them over 100 seconds. Each second equates to 1% of what the country looks like from the air.

Made by guerrilla geographer Daniel Raven-Ellison and filmmaker Jack Smith, the film was made by travelling from Tongue in the north of Scotland to the New Forest in the south of England. Each second of the film covers roughly one metre of Raven-Ellison's walk through moorland and peat bogs, down a runway and over a dump.

Made in collaboration with Friends of the Earth, the film gives an honest reflection of what land looks like and how it is used in the United Kingdom and raises some challenging questions. A major inspiration for Raven-Ellison making the film is the amount of space that is used for feeding livestock and the question - what if we made more space for nature?

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers and a series of six micro-talks and a forum with the audience. We'll be discussing what the UK could look like in the future and what the effects would be if we made more space for nature. More here: www.friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/space-nature-uk-100-seconds Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-uk-in-100-seconds-what-if-we-made-more-space-for-nature-tickets-49208886103

Update: 'The UK in 100 seconds' premiered at the Prince Charles Cinema, London, on 24 September 2018... We attended the screening and Q&A with the filmmakers. There was a series of six micro-talks and a forum with the audience. We discussed what the UK could look like in the future and what the effects would be if we made more space for nature. We suggested that we should all go vegan and give the land that would be spare from not having to feed millions of animals back to nature. The panel was cautiously open to at least giving some of it back, cutting back on meat two days a week etc, but they are mainly funded by meat-eaters, so the idea wasn't embraced as a solve-it-all!

'The UK in 100 seconds' will very likely change the way you think about our country forever:


The UK in 100 Seconds

See the UK as it really is - 100 seconds, with each second representing a percentage of the different land uses of the UK. Can we make more space for nature?

Snake

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Diving into the Unknown ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 7 Has Arrived!
From Scubazoo
20th September 2018

Epidode 7

Diving into the Unknown… a scuba diving expedition to Oé-Cusse in Timor-Leste.

Heading west into the least explored part of one of the least explored provinces in one the least explored countries in Asia, Bertie and the …from Below team are on an expedition to find out what it takes dive where no divers have dived before.

Watch more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv!


Diving into the Unknown [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E07) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide 3 ... available now!

The third edition of Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide is out, now available in print, eBook and Kindle versions! :)

  • Now in its third edition, fully updated with many new entries
  • 274 packed pages Available as paperback, eBook or Kindle edition
  • A complete tool-kit of information for all wildlife film-makers – established and newcomers
  • Listings of wildlife production companies, production services, stock footage and sound libraries, distributors, broadcasters/channels, location managers/fixers, film festivals/competitions, education/training, organisations, equipment sales/hire, publications/resources, freelancers and more, with contact details, weblinks and descriptions.
  • Including answers to those all-important questions such as whether companies take people on work experience or consider co-productions, how to submit proposals etc.
  • Invaluable information at your fingertips to save hours of trawling through the Internet and sending many emails
  • Latest review soundbites: Essential Resource … Its pages lead you to more doors than any other publication of its type … A must have for any wildlife filmmaker … Positively bursting at the spine with information … A fantastic, much-needed wildlife film resource
  • An Essential Piece of Kit!

Please order your copy via an online store of your choice now! Visit: www.wildeye.co.uk/wild-pages Thank you!!

Paperback: you can order it as a paperback from many online bookstores all over the world (RRP £14.95). For example, it is available from The Book Depository and Wordery with free worldwide delivery . Also Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com for paperback and Kindle versions.

eBook Order:
‘Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers Resource Guide’ as an eBook is in the form of a PDF file (5Mb) with active email and weblinks for all entries. You can order it by PayPal for immediate download using the button found here.

Please also 'Like' the publication on Facebook: Facebook.com/WildPages and 'Follow' on Twitter: @Wild_Pages :)

Also See Wild Pages 3 is Out Now!!

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Whale: Largest Predator on the Planet ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Watch Episode 6 Now!
From Scubazoo
13th September 2018

Epidode 6

Once feared by sailors on the high seas, sperm whales hold a special place in human history.

However despite being the largest predator on the planet these ocean giants are greatly misunderstood.

Bertie ventures into the waters off Dili, Timor-Leste to try and encounter a real life Moby Dick!

Watch more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv!


Whale: Largest Predator on the Planet [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E06) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake
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Whale and Dolphin Superhighway ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 5 Out Now!
From Scubazoo
6th September 2018

Epidode 5

Blue whales, sperm whales, orcas, dolphins and more this narrow channel is most definitely a whale and dolphin superhighway!

Between Atauro and Dili lies the Ombai Wetar strait, one of the least known and most important migratory routes for cetaceans worldwide.

With superpods of dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, blue whales and more, this has got to be the best place for whale watching anywhere in the world.

Watch more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv!


Whale and Dolphin Superhighway [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E05) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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New New New Corporation and NHNZ say Cheers to Beers for Bears
By NHNZ
3 September 2018

Dunedin-based New New New Corporation (Fermented Beverage Division) and NHNZ’s Wild Studios are collaborating on a bold new online video and fundraising initiative; brewing beer to help threatened sun bears. This innovative project will help to support the Sun Bear Outreach charity in Borneo.

NHNZ’s short-form division, Wild Studios, is creating a web series to showcase how New New New (NNN) is crafting an American brown ale in the sun bears’ name. A portion of the proceeds from every beer sold will be donated toward Sun Bear Outreach. Wild Studios’ online webisodes will delve into the fascinating process of brewing beer and celebrate the people coming together to support the cause, including a launch party on Friday 2nd November, 2018.

NHNZ became aware of the sun bears’ plight while filming an upcoming series,Orangutan Jungle School, at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. While BOSF and the NHNZ film crew’s work focused on orangutans, the arrival of an orphaned sun bear cub, named Denny Bear, uncovered the struggles that this vulnerable species also faces in order to survive in the wilds of Borneo.


Denny Bear

BOSF cares for 16 sun bears at their existing facility. However, ideally the bears would be cared for at a sanctuary dedicated solely to sun bears. Fortunately such a place does now exist, called Sun Bear Outreach. Transporting the sun bears from Central Kalimantan to Sun Bear Outreach in East Kalimantan is expensive. This is the motivation behind NHNZ and New New New’s fundraiser; to support the transport of these precious bears, expand the Sun Bear Outreach facility and spread awareness about sun bears. These bears require sanctuaries due to the destruction of their habitat, including large-scale deforestation for palm oil plantations. Sun bears are classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable.

“NHNZ created the Wild Studios division to help use our award-winning production skills to promote awareness of true stories that are important to us. Once the seed of the ‘Beers for Bears’ idea was planted, the collaboration with New New New really took off. We are excited to taste the finished product, but even more excited to see the positive impacts of this online video and fundraising campaign for the sun bears,” says NHNZ Managing Director, Kyle Murdoch.

Close connections with NHNZ meant collaborating on a fundraising beer was quickly embraced. “After a couple of small batches were taste-tested and tweaked, the Sun Bear brew was born, in the form of an American brown ale, and with the label design in the conceptual stages, NNN is preparing to release a very delicious beer with a mission. Not just a superior product, but a way of raising both awareness and funds for the rescue and rehabilitation of sun bears in Indonesia,” explains New New New’s Dallas Synnott.

Tom Koykka, NHNZ’s Post Production Manager and a leader of this project, says “When looking at fundraising models, so many just have their hands out. We wanted something that would entertain, educate, have a global reach, and offer something in return. We wanted more than just feeling good. Have a beer and help a worthy cause. It’s all about the win-win.”

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the release of videos, information about how to help the cause, and something tasty to drink at New New New. NHNZ’s short-form video content about this project will soon be freely available online to spread the word.

Start watching below:


#Beers4Bears - Cute mystery animal is revealed at Orangutan Jungle School

#Beers4Bears Ep 01 "The Problem" This is the first episode telling the story of our Sun Bear fundraising campaign’. It outlines some of the problems facing Sun Bears in Indonesia and the beginnings of our efforts to help. For more info and to donate, please see the links here.

See the full feature page here!

Snake
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Wawata Topu: Mermaids of Timor-Leste ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 4 Released!
From Scubazoo
30th August 2018

Epidode 4

These are the ‘mermaids’ of Timor-Leste, known locally as the Wawata Topu (women divers).

In a small village in the back of beyond a team of ladies are challenging stereotypes.

Taking to the ocean to collect clams, shells and to spear reef fish, Bertie goes to learn more about the Wawata Topu (women divers), the ‘mermaids’ of Timor-Leste.

Watch more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv!


Wawata Topu: Mermaids of Timor-Leste [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E04) | SZtv

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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Japan must be stopped in it's push to resume Commercial Whaling Worldwide via EIA
28 August 2018

After spending more than three decades slaughtering whales in defiance of an international moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan is proposing a package of measures at an International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting next month that would effectively lift the global ban on for-profit whaling.Japan’s so-called IWC Reform Proposal calls for the formation of a Sustainable Whaling Committee to set catch quotas as well as the convening of a diplomatic conference to amend the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.

The change would lower the proportion of votes required to set catch quotas from three-quarters of the IWC membership to a simple majority.

Ahead of the 4 September meeting in Florianópolis, Brazil, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) have released a new report, Commercial Whaling: Unsustainable, Inhumane, Unnecessary, which exposes continued commercial whaling by Iceland, Japan and Norway and makes the case against any weakening of the moratorium.

“If Japan gets its way, it would be a massive victory for those rogue whalers who have time and again defied the international ban on commercial whaling and an absolute disaster for the world’s whales,” said Clare Perry, EIA’s Ocean Campaigns Leader.

“According to our research, Japan and fellow commercial whaling countries Iceland and Norway have collectively killed at least 38,539 great whales since the 1986 ban was put in place. Many whale species have not yet recovered from massive overhunting in the past and are also facing a wide array of mounting existential threats ranging from climate change to marine pollution by chemical, plastics and noise.”

Japan has killed more than 22,000 whales in the Antarctic and North Pacific as part of its sham ‘scientific’ whaling program, selling the whale meat purportedly taken for research. In March 2014, the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan’s Antarctic hunt had no scientific basis.

Japan, however, has continued to kill whales under the guise of scientific research and faced intense public backlash in May after reporting that its whaling fleet had killed 122 pregnant whales during its annual ‘research’ hunt in the Southern Ocean last winter.

Norway continues commercial whaling under an objection lodged to the 1986 IWC moratorium, while Iceland has a disputed reservation to the moratorium which it has used to justify commercial catch quotas since 2006.

“We’re only just beginning to grasp the vital role whales play in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans,” said Kate O’Connell, AWI Marine Wildlife Consultant. “Weakening the ban now would be a fatal mistake and would open the doors to increased commercial whaling around the world. This cruel and unnecessary industry is a relic of the past that has no place in modern society.

“All other contracting governments to the IWC must step up to vigorously defend the moratorium from this new assault by Japan and its allies.”


Commercial Whaling: Unsustainable, Inhumane, Unnecessary

Visit: eia-international.org/reports-mm/keeptheban

Snake
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The Most Biodiverse Reef on Earth: Scuba Diving Atauro Island ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 3 is Here!
From Scubazoo
23rd August 2018

Epidode 3

Is this the most biodiverse coral reef on Earth?!

A team of biodiversity boffins from Conservation International recently concluded that the coral reefs surrounding Atauro Island may be the richest of anywhere in the world.

To put this theory to the test Bertie goes on a mission to photograph all the resident reef fish.


The Most Biodiverse Reef on Earth: Scuba Diving Atauro Island [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E03) | SZtv

Watch more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv!

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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2018 Photo Story Nominees announced!
23 August 2018

Powerful stories of humanity’s increasing impact on nature, species on the brink of extinction and the dedication of wildlife carers, protectors and communities are told by the nominees of the first ever Wildscreen Photo Story Panda Award, announced today.

Wildscreen Photo Story Nominees

Doug Gimesy documents one of the largest bats in the world, The Grey-Headed Flying-fox. Rescuing the Night Gardeners raises awareness around The Grey-Headed Flying-Fox's importance as a keystone species and pollinator in the ecosystem and highlights some of the stresses they are under.

In A Complicated Conservation Story, Adrian Steirn has compiled a selection of images, taken from many different countries over the last 5 years to represent a body of work that has sought to tell every side of the story.

Ami Vitale's story Warriors Who Once Feared Elephants Now Protect Them outlines the work at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary - the first ever community-owned and run elephant sanctuary in all of Africa.

Emerging Talent Photo Story Nominees

The Panda Awards is also about celebrating the engaging voices of early career storytellers who we are recognising through the addition of an Emerging Talent Photo Story category.

Lifeblood by Austin Ferguson explores the story of wild salmon throughout Washington State and British Columbia, illustrating the critical role that they play in the ecosystem, while investigating some of the major causes of their decline.

Jen Guyton’s Salvaging Scavengers explores the symbiotic relationship between vultures and hyenas in Gorongoza National Park, Mozambique; highlighting the importance of this collaboration for the health of vulture populations throughout Gorongoza.

Luke Massey's High Rise Falcons follows Linda and Steve Perry, two peregrine falcons in the urban jungles and on the skyscraper ‘cliffs’ of Chicago, and the community of volunteers helping the Chicago Peregrine Program to study the falcons.

The full photo stories will be displayed as part of a large-scale outdoor photography exhibition in Bristol between 12 October – 8 November, and many of the nominees will be speaking at Wildscreen Festival!

Winners will be announced at the Panda Awards ceremony on Friday 19 October at The Passenger Shed, Bristol.

This year, the craft of wildlife and conservation stills photography will be entwined within the DNA of the Wildscreen Festival. 

A new two day photography pass will give you full access to an unrivalled programme of headliners, sessions, masterclasses, screenings and social events on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 October. Get your pass: www.wildscreen.org/festival/tickets

Visit: www.wildscreen.org/panda-awards/photo-story-panda-award

Snake
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Dili and the Dugong: Search for the Siren Sea Cow ... Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 2 Out Now!
From Scubazoo
16th August 2018

Epidode 2

Straight out from the country’s capital, Dili, it’s possible to dive with one of the most charismatic and rarest animals found in the ocean – the dugong. But simply stumbling across a sea cow in a large stretch of ocean is not easy! Bertie heads to dive site Tasitolu to try his luck.


Dili and the Dugong: Search for the Siren Sea Cow | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E02) | SZtv

Stay tuned for more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv.

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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Environmental Charity Launches National Youth Film Competition with Wildscreen
From EarthWatch
9th August 2018

This summer, environmental charity Earthwatch Europe has teamed up with the Bristol-based Wildscreen Festival to launch a national film competition for UK residents aged 14 to 17.

The Young Earthwatcher Film Competition invites budding environmentalists to make a short film highlighting an environmental issue and presenting a solution or action people can take to help meet this challenge. Through the process of making their film, participants will not only benefit from connecting with nature, getting creative and developing their communication skills, but will also play a valuable role in inspiring their peers.

Steve Gray, Chief Executive of Earthwatch Europe, said: “Young people today will inherit a world shaped by our actions over the next decade. Engaging young citizens in environmental issues is key to a sustainable future for all. We hope the competition encourages young people to explore the natural world around them and inspire each other to find innovative solutions to pressing challenges.”

In addition to goody bags and an official certificate, competition finalists will receive an invitation to the Earthwatch event at the Wildscreen Festival in Bristol in October, where their films will be screened and discussed. The overall winner will walk away with a prestigious Panda Award, the ‘Green Oscar’ of the wildlife film-making world.

Guidance:

The film must:

  • introduce an environmental issue
  • present a solution or action that people can take
  • be no more than two minutes long

Further details, rules and registration can be found at www.earthwatch.org.uk/filmcompetition.

Key dates:

Competition deadline: 19 September 2018
Finalists announced: 24 September 2018
Earthwatch event at Wildscreen Festival: 17 October 2018

See the Full Press Release here...

Snake
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The Best Dive Destination You've Never Heard Of: Timor-Leste from Below ... Episode 1 Out Now!
From Scubazoo
9th August 2018

Epidode 1

Nestled within the Indonesian archipelago, Timor-Leste may be the best dive destination you’ve never heard of. From sandy patches packed full of peculiar critters, spectacular cetacean sightings, and some of the most biodiverse reefs on Earth, from Below Timor-Leste is hard to beat.


The Best Dive Destination You’ve Never Heard Of [4K] | Timor-Leste from Below (S01E01) | SZtv

Stay tuned for more epic scuba diving videos in Timor-Leste from Below on SZtv.

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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4Ocean joins our clean-ups!
By Karla Munguia Colmenero
2 August 2018

“Are you from the government? What association are you from? Do you get paid for this?” are some of the many questions that Kay and I hear while cleaning the mangroves and beaches in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Some people even talk to me in English thinking I’m a tourist cleaning the beach, so I reply, in Spanish, “no, we’re not from the government, we’re not from any association, we’re citizens from Playa volunteering to clean our beaches”.

I would like to tell you a bit more about Kay and I. Kay wakes up every morning between 03:30 and 04:00 in the morning to arrange the tours that he offers in Kay Tours Mexico all over the Riviera Maya. He’s a proud father of 2 boys and husband of a lovely lady.

I don’t wake up as early as Kay, (only 2 hours later) and I work as Communication Manager at a US charity in Playa del Carmen called Keeping Kids in School, a charity that donates school supplies and gives scholarships to kids and teenagers in public schools.

So, Kay and I have full time jobs and for the past 6 months, both of us have been paying for the gloves and bags that we need for our clean-ups.

I wanted to tell you more about us so you can feel my excitement as I write these words.

Done!

Two months ago, when we were negotiating with the Mexican clothing brand SQUALO the sponsorship of our uniforms, the CEO of the brand contacted me with someone in the USA. When I saw the recipient of this email, I felt like my heart stopped for a second. The person was a representative of an Association that I’ve been following for months. Their feed appears on my Facebook and Instagram accounts every day. “I want to be like them”, “I want uniforms like these ones”, “I want our volunteers to have proper equipment so people stop asking if we´re from the government”, I thought to myself every single day.

Two surfers clean our Planet

Alex and Andrew, surfers from the USA, faced plastic problem while traveling in Bali, Indonesia. Devastated by the ammount of trash, they decided to speak to local fishermen and join efforts to clean both beaches and ocean. And there’s more. Andrew and Alex came up with the idea of making bracelets with recycled plastic in order to fund more clean-ups and replicate this model all over the World.

This is how 4Ocean was born. This association has turned into a global movement in which volunteers from around the Planet participate in beach and ocean clean-ups.

4Ocean has become a movement where communities work together in full time jobs as ship Captains, Logistics and Recycling. Today, 4Ocean has 150 employees around the World.

This is a clear example of how two friends who love the ocean take this love beyond contemplation and do something about the plastic and trash issue.

My dream came true

I’m aware that I’m not the ordinary woman. I’m 41, never been married, never wanted children and always knew I wanted to dedicate my life to the Planet, to my community, wherever I go. My dreams don’t include a house or a car of the year (I ride my bicycle and I love it). My dreams are things I can’t touch, but things I can see, and this is one of them.

That email that I received from someone in the USA, was a representative from 4Ocean inviting me to take part of this movement. I remember staring at the screen thinking I was having a dream, but no, I was well awake.

So, dear reader, I’m pleased to announce that we have 4Ocean t-shirts, bags, gloves and a scale for our clean-ups!

RECICLEMOS

As part of 4Ocean, is our responsibility to make sure that all the trash we collect during our beach and magrove clean-ups is properly disposed. This means separated and recycled.

To have a local recycling company was a requirement in order to take part of this community of volunteers for 4Ocean.

So, I found RECICLEMOS, a local recycling center in Playa del Carmen that separates and recycles glass, plastic, paper, cans and styrofoam.

Kay and I had a meeting with them to propose working together so, after our mangrove and beach clean up of July 21st, RECICLEMOS arrived with a truck to take, separate and recycle the trash collected.

I personally cleaned and crushed the 94 PET bottles we collected and sent them to 4Ocean to turn them into bracelets.

Because I respect you and I admire you

Weeks ago I was dating a man that during our last date (decided to never, ever see him again, will explain why shortly), said: “that thing you do, cleaning the beaches, well ‘chiquita’, is something that I respect, but I don’t admire”. I sat there in silence. I felt so sorry for him. He then said: “I don’t know, maybe, maybe I will come join you one day, but only one day, no more”. “Please, don’t. I’m not asking you to, and I don’t want you to”, I replied. I then blocked him and deleted him from my life. But, he left me thinking something I do thank him for:

I don’t clean the beaches and mangroves to have respect or admiration. I take part in this clean-ups because I respect and admire our Planet. To grab floating used diapers from the mangroves brings me relief. To know that reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, crustaceans and small mammals won’t be affected with trash that humans dispose in their home, brings me great relief.

So, wherever I go, either a beach or the bottom of any ocean, I will never, ever stop cleaning. I will never stop this mission of mine so that you, your children and future generations enjoy our Mother Earth as much as I’ve enjoyed her.

See you next beach and mangrove clean-up!

05 of August, 08:00 A.M., Punta Esmeralda, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Visit: www.4ocean.com

¡Sorpresa!

Llegó el momento de compartir con ustedes algo que llevamos preparando desde hace 2 meses. ¡Unimos fuerzas con 4Ocean!

Posted by Karla Munguia Colmenero on Thursday, 26 July 2018

"It's time to share with you something we've been preparing for 2 months. We join forces with 4Ocean!"
Karla and Kay excitedly opening the kit box from 4Ocean in Spanish ... A great watch, even if you don't speak it!

Visit Karla's Website: www.karlamunguia.com

Follow her on Social Media: twitter.com/Karmuncol, facebook.com/Karmuncol & instagram.com/karmuncol

See the Full Feature here...

Snake
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Timor-Leste from Below – The best dive destination you have never heard of!
From Scubazoo
2nd August 2018

With blue and sperm whales, super-pods of dolphins, dugongs, the most biodiverse reefs on the planet, amazing macro life and more, Timor-Leste may just be the best dive destination you’ve never heard of. Unspoilt, raw and magical, Timor-Leste’s marine world is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Cut off from the rest of the world for decades, the waters surrounding this isolated island are one of our ocean’s last frontiers.

Timor-Leste from Below will follow the epic journey of environmental photojournalist Aaron ‘Berie’ Gekoski around Timor-Leste’s most awe-inspiring underwater locations.

The first ever series on the underwater world of Timor-Leste, consisting of 10 episodes that cover the marine life, people and adventures in this country that could be the world's best kept secret dive destination. This unique web-series will be available for FREE viewing on scubazoo.tv and Scubazoo Facebook channels.

Coming on August 2.

To watch all weekly episodes of Timor Leste from Below for FREE, please ‘like’ their Facebook page!


Timor-Leste from Below | Official Trailer [4K] | SZtv

Timor-Leste from Below – a scuba diving web series set in the back of beyond… Unspoilt, raw and magical, Timor-Leste’s marine world is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Cut off from the rest of the world for decades, the waters surrounding this isolated island are one of our ocean’s last frontiers. Many globally endangered species seek refuge in Timor’s rich and bountiful underwater world including the largest animal to have ever lived, the blue whale. Join Aaron ‘Bertie’ Gekoski on a mission to explore the undiscovered, this is Timor-Leste from Below!

See the Full Feature here...

Snake

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2018 Jackson Hole Science Media Awards Finalists Announced!

On August the 1st, the Jackson Hole Science Media Awards (JHSMA) announced finalists in 20 categories spanning content, program and craft in the science media field. JHSMA celebrates the world’s most effective science storytellers and stories. This year’s competition saw more than 500 entries competing for 21 special awards. Over 100 international judges screened an aggregated 1,250 hours of media in order to select the finalists. The Jackson Hole Science Media Awards is a project of Jackson Hole WILD.

Award-winners will be announced at a gala celebration on September 27 in Boston as part of the the Science Media Awards and Summit in the Hub (SMASH). This three-day conference, September 25-27, will gather 300+ top scientists and science media stakeholders from around the world to share new work, new approaches and new ideas. Featured speakers include: Mary Lou Jepsen, CEO and Founder of Openwater; Deb Roy, Director of the Laboratory for Social Machines (LSM) based at the MIT Media Lab; David Pogue, Tech Critic at Yahoo Finance

Passes are now available for the Summit: sciencemediasummit.org/attend.html Follow all the news using #sciencemedia @scienceSMASH

Laws of the Lizard by Day's Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel is up for one award: Science of Life

Attenborough's Ant Mountain by Ammonite Films is up for three awards: Science of Life, Science Ambassador & Writng.

The Farthest--Voyager in Space by Crossing The Line Productions is up for four awards: Earth & Sky, Science Journalism, Editing & Visualization.

Congratulations to all the finalists: www.sciencemediasummit.org/2018-media-competition.html

Snake

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Wild Pages 3 is Out Now!!
By Wildeye Publishing
12th July 2018

Wild Pages
The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide 3
Edited by Jason Peters and Piers Warren

The wait for the third edition of Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide is finally over... We have just finalised publication and it is now available in print, eBook and Kindle versions! :)

  • Now in its third edition, fully updated with many new entries
  • 274 packed pages Available as paperback, eBook or Kindle edition
  • A complete tool-kit of information for all wildlife film-makers – established and newcomers
  • Listings of wildlife production companies, production services, stock footage and sound libraries, distributors, broadcasters/channels, location managers/fixers, film festivals/competitions, education/training, organisations, equipment sales/hire, publications/resources, freelancers and more, with contact details, weblinks and descriptions.
  • Including answers to those all-important questions such as whether companies take people on work experience or consider co-productions, how to submit proposals etc.
  • Invaluable information at your fingertips to save hours of trawling through the Internet and sending many emails
  • Latest review soundbites: Essential Resource … Its pages lead you to more doors than any other publication of its type … A must have for any wildlife filmmaker … Positively bursting at the spine with information … A fantastic, much-needed wildlife film resource
  • An Essential Piece of Kit!

Please order your copy via an online store of your choice now! Visit: www.wildeye.co.uk/wild-pages Thank you!!

Paperback: you can order it as a paperback from many online bookstores all over the world (RRP £14.95). For example, it is available from The Book Depository with free delivery worlwide. Also Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com for paperback and Kindle versions.

eBook Order:
‘Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers Resource Guide’ as an eBook is in the form of a PDF file (5Mb) with active email and weblinks for all entries. You can order it by PayPal for immediate download using the button found here.

Please also 'Like' the publication on Facebook: Facebook.com/WildPages and 'Follow' on Twitter: @Wild_Pages :)

See the Full Press Release here..

Snake

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Oxford Scientific Films Turns 50 Years Old
by Jason Peters
8 July 2018

Oxford Scientific Films, founded in 1968, is fifty years old today!

Founded in 1968, Oxford Scientific Films (OSF) is a leading producer of factual film and television programmes.

They have earned an international reputation for producing a broad range of high quality factual television from pure and popular natural history to specialist factual and documentary television.

Founded on 8 July 1968, by noted documentary filmmaker Gerald Thompson, the independent film company broke new ground in the world of documentaries, using new filming techniques and capturing footage of never before filmed activities of its various subjects.

In 1967, cinemicrophotography pioneer, professional film maker, and Oxford University lecturer Gerald Thompson, was approached by the Ealing Corporation of Harvard about expanding its catalogue of short educational films. Universal Education and Visual Arts, a New York City, company also was interested in talking with Thompson about the works he'd produced. Thompson and five of his associates and former students: Peter Parks, who worked with plankton; John Paling, a fish specialist who worked with Parks; recent Oxford graduate Sean Morris; zoologist John Cooke; and Eric Skinner, who assisted Thompson with his films, wanted to form an independent film company. Thompson and Parks travelled to America to meet with the two companies to show their work. At the end of the meeting, they told the head of the company about their desire to open their own company and, impressed with the films he'd seen, he offered to finance them for the first three years and give them the funds to build a place to work.

When they returned to the United Kingdom, Thompson sold them a quarter acre of his garden, at a steeply discounted price, to be the home for the new building. They formed Oxford Scientific Films, taking part of the name from Parks' existing company Oxford Biological Films. Thompson, Parks, Morris, Paling, and Thompson's son David, headed the new company, which began operating on 8 July 1968. Thompson remained at his position at Oxford University while the company building was being completed, while the other four travelled to America to make the film loops for Ealing. Thompson resigned from the university on 2 September 1969, taking on the work at Oxford Scientific Films full-time.

The company focused initially on filming nature at a microscopic level, including insect and aquatic wildlife. Using specialised equipment and camera techniques the developed themselves, the company gained fame for its ability to record never before seen footage of the natural world. Its cinematographers became experts in micro, macro, snorkel, slow-motion and time-lapse photography. As the company grew, it expanded into other innovating filming and post-production techniques, and moved from creating short loops to creating television programmes and series, commercials, and feature films.

Find out more about the founders on www.wildfilmhistory.org

Gerald Thompson: wildfilmhistory.org/person/83/Gerald+Thompson.html

One of the founding members of Oxford Scientific Films (OSF), Gerald first became interested in wildlife film-making whilst working as a lecturer for the Forestry Department at the University of Oxford. After several years of taking stills of his study species, he realised that moving images would be much better at showing other people how these insects behaved. Along with Eric Skinner, his skilled technical assistant, he developed novel techniques in filming insects without over-heating the subjects and overcoming the problems of vibration when using close-up photographic techniques. After the success of their first film - The Alder Woodwasp and its Insect Enemies, Gerald and Eric went on to produce many more educational films.

In 1967 Gerald joined forces with Peter Parks, who had developed similar techniques for filming minute subjects; and together with John Paling, Sean Morris, John Cooke and his son, David, set up Oxford Scientific Films. Since then OSF has become world famous for its wide range of specialist cinematography. Gerald Thompson was awarded an OBE for Services to the Film Industry in 1981 and received the Panda Award for Outstanding Achievement at Wildscreen 1998.

“OSF changed the way wildlife is filmed, introducing and honing a series of new techniques, especially cine-macro-photography. I was lucky to have been involved from the beginning, when most of the animals and plants we filmed had never been filmed before! That in itself was such a thrill, especially as were all biologists, and realised we were opening new windows into the natural world, for both scientists and the viewing public. The driving forces of the fledgling OSF were boundless enthusiasm, excitement, and a determination to “find a way”. For generations of OSFers, and for the millions who have enjoyed the artistry of wildlife camerawork, I raise a glass to Gerald Thompson, who single-handedly started it all.” Sean Morris

There's a great oral history with Gerald Thompson here: wildfilmhistory.org/oh/21/Gerald+Thompson.html

Oxford Scientific Films is now a BAFTA and Emmy-award-winning producer of contemporary factual, natural history, science and history. Known for outstanding and innovative programmes that rate. They have a passion for storytelling and are proud of the company’s heritage as a technological pioneer. Oxford Scientific Films supplies high-end factual programming to broadcasters in the UK and North America. Oxford Scientific Films is part of the Boom Cymru Group, an ITV Studios company.

The company’s most notable programmes include the global hit series Meerkat Manor for Animal Planet; Fatal Attractions also for Animal Planet; Bafta winning Saving Africa’s Witch Children; ratings hits Secret Life of Dogs, Secret Life of Cats and Secret Life of Babies, Animal Odd Couples, Animals in Love; and the award-winning Richard Hammond’s Miracles of Nature and Wild Weather with Richard Hammond.

From its early origins as an award winning producer of brilliantly crafted natural history films renowned for their extraordinary camerawork OSF has continued to build on its reputation for innovation. Examples of OSF’s creative innovation include highly stylized dramatic reconstruction (Fatal Attractions and Frankenstein and the Vampyre); developing new presenters (including Jim Al-Khalili, Philippa Gregory and Julian Clary); visual beauty (Secret Life of…, How to Win the Grand National, Plant Odysseys and Animal Odd Couples); use of archive (Frankel and Henry Cecil, Messages Homes: Films from the Forgotten Army); and 3D (Meerkats 3D and Pandas: The Journey Home).

OSF have won numerous awards over the years including a Bafta, Emmys, World Medals and Pandas. Recent awards include Saving Africa’s Witch Children (Bafta, Best Current Affairs Programme, Emmy, Best Current Affairs), Richard Hammond’s Miracles of Nature (Gold Medal, New York Festival, Best Hosted Programme Jackson Hole Wildlife Festival 2013) and Wild Weather with Richard Hammond (Gold Medal, New York Festival 2015) Based in London and Cardiff OSF continues to produce programming for broadcasters in the UK, the USA and around the world. The films we produced for theatrical exploitation in the large format/special venue market are currently on screens delighting audiences globally. OSF's passion for storytelling, technical innovation and playing with the specialist factual genre blending factual with drama, comedy, features etc continues to drive them.

Like/Follow on facebook.com/pages/Oxford-Scientific-Films/114908148572062 & twitter.com/oxfordsf

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Wildscreen 2018 Panda Award Nominees Announced
from Wildscreen
5 July 2018

Wildscreen, the not-for-profit behind the world’s biggest festival of natural history storytelling, today announced the nominees for the 2018 edition of international wildlife film, TV and content industry’s highest honour - the Wildscreen Panda Awards.

The ocean epic, BLUE PLANET II, leads the nominations picking up seven nods for the world-renowned BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, in recognition of its stunning cinematography and never-before-seen animal behaviour. Keo Films’ RISE OF THE WARRIOR APES, which brings a gripping investigative approach to natural history documentary, follows closely with five nominations, topping the craft categories for its technical excellence.

Intimate personal stories and the use of authentic voices, with them being integral to the over-arching narratives of a production, is a standout theme across the 17 categories. The expert testimony and passion of scientists is central to many productions including JANE and ONE STRANGE ROCK.

“Humanity’s relationships and interactions with the natural world is what truly stood out amongst the nominees this year”, said Lucie Muir, Wildscreen CEO. “We’re at a point in our history where we either choose to protect nature or we all suffer the consequences. Storytelling is a powerful tool for positive change and it was so encouraging to see a particularly strong field in the Impact award category in 2018. It was so strong in fact, that we took the decision to double the number of nominees, creating two sub-categories – small and large budget – recognising that big impacts and change is possible on any budget. These stories share hope and optimism for the future of our natural world and our place within it.”

The 2018 line-up also sees the first ever VR contender in the Awards’ 36 year history, with THE PROTECTORS receiving a nomination for the Innovation Award.

Oscar-winning Dame Judi Dench’s, MY PASSION FOR TREES, sees her nominated for the Presenter Award alongside Chris Packham and BBC wildlife cameraman, Vianet Djenguet.

The shortlist features productions from 12 countries, including Qatar for the first time, with each of the 37 nominees standing out amongst nearly 800 entries to Wildscreen’s international jury of more than 40 world-leading producers, broadcasters and craft professionals. But it’s not just the industry that decides the outstanding productions of the past two years. The Children’s Panda Award nominees were chosen by a 30-strong jury of 8-12 years olds from Easton in Bristol and a school in León, Mexico.

The winners will be revealed at the Panda Awards Ceremony which will take place on 19 October at The Passenger Shed, Brunel’s Old Station, in Bristol. The gala is the climax to the Wildscreen Festival, the biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers, which sees over 900 of the world’s leading filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters and content creators convene in Bristol for a week of business, film premieres and an unrivalled programme of 120+ hours of content from more than 150 speakers from across the globe.

Wildscreen Festival Panda Awards


Wildscreen Panda Awards in 2018 Nominations

ORF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AWARD

Blue Planet II - One Ocean
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, The Open University, BBC Worldwide, Tencent, BBC America, France Televisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom

The Lions Rule - Death in the Glade
A Terra Mater Factual Studios production in co-production with Doclights / NDR Naturfilm and National Geographic Channel in association with ARTE France / Unité Découverte et Connaissance and Shibumi Films
Austria

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom

CHILDREN'S AWARD

Earth: One Amazing Day
BBC Earth Films & SMG Pictures
United Kingdom / China

Hedgehog Close
Zest Productions
United Kingdom

The Zoo - Poo Dunnit?
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit for CBBC, DHX
United Kingdom

PANASONIC CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD

LARGE BUDGET:

Attenborough’s Ant Mountain
A production of Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with BBC and ABC Australia produced by Ammonite Ltd
Austria
Photography by: Martin Dohrn & Jack Hynes

Blue Planet II - One Ocean
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, The Open University, BBC Worldwide, Tencent, BBC America, France Televisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom
Photography by: Alfredo Barroso, Chris Bryan, Patrick Dykstra, Tom Fitz, Ted Giffords, Steve Hathaway, Roger Horrocks, Roger Munns, Didier Noirot, David Reichert, Nuno Sá & Gavin Thurston

Wild Ireland: The Edge of the World
Crossing the Line Productions
Ireland
Photography by: Domenico Pontillo & John Murray

DOGHOUSE EDITING AWARD

One Strange Rock - Gasp
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
United Kingdom
Editors: Doug Moxon & Brian Hovmand

RED APE: Saving the Orangutan
Offspring Films, for BBC Natural World co-produced with Animal Planet
United Kingdom
Editor: Stefanie Watkins

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films United Kingdom
Editor: Sam Rogers

ICON FILMS EMERGING TALENT AWARD

Lindsey Parrieti For the film Blood Island
Lindsey Parietti in association with the University of the West of England
United Kingdom

Mahmoud Mansouri For the film In the Realm of the Spider-tailed Viper
Wildlife Pictures Institute
Iran

Karl Davies For the film Landscape of Consumption
Karl Davies
United Kingdom

INNOVATION AWARD

One Strange Rock - Home
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
United Kingdom

Our Blue Planet
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, BBC Worldwide and OceanX Media
United Kingdom

The Protectors
Here Be Dragons with Annapurna Pictures and African Parks for National Geographic
United States

IMPACT AWARD

LARGE BUDGET

Blue Planet II - Our Blue Planet
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, The Open University, BBC Worldwide, Tencent, BBC America, France Televisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom

Giraffes: Africa's Gentle Giants
AGB Films & Gripping Films, co-produced with Thirteen Productions LLC and BBC Natural World in association with WNET
United Kingdom

The Last Animals
Atlas Films and Foxtail Entertainment in association with Artemis Rising Foundation, The British Film Company and Diamond Docs
United States

SMALL BUDGET

Al Jazeera Investigations - The Poacher's Pipeline
Al Jazeera Media Network
Qatar

Hedgehog Close
Zest Productions
United Kingdom

Toad People
Wilderness Committee
Canada

MUSIC AWARD

Mountain: Life at the Extreme - Andes
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit for BBC Two and PBS
United Kingdom
Music by: Will Slater

Norway's Magical Fjords
nautilusfilm GmbH - Natural History Germany in collaboration with Doclights GmbH/NDR Naturfilm for NDR, ARTE, ORF, SVT
Germany
Music by: Jörg Magnus Pfeil & Siggi Mueller

One Strange Rock - Gasp
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
United Kingdom
Music by: Daniel Pemberton

PEOPLE AND NATURE AWARD

H is for Hawk: A New Chapter
A Mike Birkhead Associates production, co-produced with Thirteen Productions LLC and BBC Natural World in association with WNET
United Kingdom

Jane
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic
United States

Rodents of Unusual Size
A Tilapia Film and ITVS co-production
United States

POPULAR BROADCAST AWARD

Blue Planet II - One Ocean
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, The Open University, BBC Worldwide, Tencent, BBC America, France Televisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom

Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family - Asia
Offspring Films for Sky 1
United Kingdom

RARE: Creatures of the Photo Ark - Episode 1
A WGBH co-production with So World Media LLC in association with National Geographic Channels
United States

PRESENTER AWARD

Judi Dench: My Passion for Trees
Atlantic Productions
United Kingdom
Presented by: Judi Dench

My Congo
BBC Studios Natural World – a co-production of BBC and Thirteen Productions LLC in association with WNET
United Kingdom
Presented by: Vianet Djenguet

The Real T. rex with Chris Packham
Talesmith and Cineflix Productions in association with France Télévisions for BBC & CBC
United Kingdom / Canada
Presented by: Chris Packham


NHK SCIENCE AWARD

An Ocean Mystery: The Missing Catch
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation in association with Smithsonian Channel
United States

Naked Molerat - Nature’s Weirdest Superhero
Taglicht Media Film - und Fernsehproduktion GmbH
Germany

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom

SCRIPT AWARD

Attenborough and the Giant Elephant
A Humble Bee Films and Infield Fly Inc co-production
United Kingdom / Canada
Script by: Stephen Dunleavy, Sir David Attenborough & Christine Nielson

Wild Ireland: The Edge of the World
Crossing the Line Productions
Ireland
Script by: John Murray

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom
Script by: James Reed

SERIES AWARD

Blue Planet II
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, The Open University, BBC Worldwide, Tencent, BBC America, France Televisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom

The Lions Rule
A Terra Mater Factual Studios production in co-production with Doclights / NDR Naturfilm and National Geographic Channel in association with ARTE France / Unité Découverte et Connaissance and Shibumi Films
Austria

Planet Earth II
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, BBC America, ZDF and France Télévisions
United Kingdom

NHNZ SHORT AWARD

Blood Island
Lindsey Parietti in association with the University of the West of England
United Kingdom

Churchill
Storm Films Inc
Canada

M6NTHS
Eline Helena Film
United Kingdom

FILMS AT 59 SOUND AWARD

Blue Planet II - Coral Reefs
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, The Open University, BBC Worldwide, Tencent, BBC America, France Televisions and CCTV9
United Kingdom
Sound by: Graham Wild, Kate Hopkins & Tim Owens

H is for Hawk: A New Chapter
A Mike Birkhead Associates production, co-produced with Thirteen Productions LLC and BBC Natural World in Association with WNET
United Kingdom
Sound by: Graham Wild, David Yepp & Ewan Dryburgh

Rise of the Warrior Apes
Keo Films
United Kingdom
Sound by: Ben Peace, Tim Owens & Kate Hopkins

THEATRICAL AWARD

Jane
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic
United States

Queen without Land
Produced by Artic Light AS, in association with NRK, Doclights / NDR Naturfilm, ORF, SVT, France 3 and Smithsonian Channel
Norway

The Serengeti Rules
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet
United Kingdom / United States

Wildscreen Festival Panda Awards

The winners of the 2018 Wildscreen Panda Awards will be presented at the Panda Awards Ceremony on Friday 19 October 2018 at Passenger Shed, Bristol, UK. In addition to the above awards, Wildscreen will also present the Golden Panda Award for overall best production, and the Outstanding Achievement Award which is given to an individual in recognition of their significant contribution to wildlife filmmaking, conservation and the public’s understanding of the environment.

Congratulations to all Wildlife-film.com member nominations listed in bold above! :)


Wildscreen Festival 2018 Trailer

Visit: wildscreenfestival.org/festival/panda-awards/2018-wildscreen-panda-award-nominations

Wildscreen is an award-winning wildlife conservation charity. Our goal is to convene the world’s best filmmakers and photographers with the most committed conservationists to create compelling stories about the natural world and so inspire the wider public to experience it, feel part of it and protect it. We are powered by an ecosystem of projects:

  • Wildscreen Arkive - the world’s leading online natural world encyclopaedia;
  • Wildscreen Exchange - a unique global hub, empowering conservation organisations by connecting them with world-leading filmmakers and photographers to create ground- breaking communications about our natural world.
  • Wildscreen Festival - the internationally renowned festival that celebrates and advances the art of natural world storytelling. The next Festival takes place from the 15-19 October 2018.

Wildscreen is based in Bristol, UK – the south west of England city nicknamed ‘Green Hollywood’ because it produces more natural history film and TV than any other city in the world.

For more visit: wildscreen.org ; facebook.com/wildscreenfest & twitter.com/WildscreenFest
+ instagram.com/wildscreenorg

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Global Search For New Talent To Join The BBC Earth Presenting Team
from BBC
7 June 2018

BBC Earth has today (7/6/18) launched a global search for a fresh new presenter who can offer a different perspective on all things natural history and science, to join the team to film a four-part YouTube series.

If you’ve never before been a presenter and are;

  • Passionate about our planet and all the wonderful things that live on it
  • Fascinated in the wider world of science, space or the human race
  • Able to communicate your passion with eager and curious audiences all over the world

Then you could enter this international search to become BBC Earth’s newest online presenter!

From today, budding science storytellers can film and upload a short video to either YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, that shows off their unique and creative approach to educational communication, and be in the running to win the opportunity to create content for a BBC Earth YouTube channel.

The BBC Earth YouTube channels have collectively over 3 million subscribers and have amassed over 945 million views, connecting audiences around the world with factual content on demand, every day. The main channel is the home of BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s legendary archive; Earth Unplugged makes you think about animals and natural history in a new way; And Earth Lab is the best science classroom you never had – tackling burning questions about the science that affects us.

Alex Ayling, Head of Digital Studios for Global Brands, at BBC Studios “We have a great family of presenters already and we feel a great responsibility to make sure that the next generation of STEM professionals, whoever they are and wherever they come from, have someone to look up to that they can relate to. I’m so excited to see what kind of science communicator talent, and future role models, there are out there waiting to be discovered.”

Entry videos must be submitted by 23:59 (BST) on 5th July 2018. Entries will be judged on how fresh the approach to science communication is, how clearly the facts can be understood by an audience on the internet and how much of the presenter’s passion comes across in their presenting style.

It couldn’t be easier to enter if you think you have what it takes:

  1. First, make a video in English explaining your favourite science fact in under 60 seconds. (This should be a new video made just for this competition). Feel free to use vlog style, interview someone, intercut with animation, or use a (safe!) practical demonstration to get your fact across. We really want to see your creative approach to science communication.
  2. Post that video publicly (so we can find it) to either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
  3. Use the hashtag #BBCEarthPresenterSearch somewhere in the title / tweet / post.
  4. Fill in the entry form online and include a link to your video and a short statement about why you want to be the next BBC Earth presenter

Visit & Apply: www.bbcearth.com/presentersearch2018


BBC Earth Presenter Search 2018: How to Apply | Earth Unplugged

View full T&Cs: www.bbcearth.com/modal/presentersearch2018/terms From here.

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Offspring Tackles Animal Giants in New Sky One Series
By Pam Beddard
23 May 2018

Bristol-based independent TV production company Offspring Films is finalising a new series for airing on Sky One this summer which puts biologist Patrick Aryee eye-to-eye with some of Earth’s biggest creatures and sees him exploring the issues they face in our rapidly changing world.

The three-part series BIG BEASTS: LAST OF THE GIANTS mixes spectacular blue chip footage, from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia, with animated graphics to explore why size matters to individual animals, species and to biodiversity.

Some of Patrick Aryee’s close encounters are with gentle giants – among them, whale sharks, orangutans, giant pandas and giraffes – but there are plenty of thrill-filled ones, too, including a plunge into the murky Amazon to track a 7-metre long anaconda, meeting a venomous Komodo dragon armed only with a forked stick and free diving alongside a sperm whale as big as a bus.

Alongside today’s giants, the series also introduces a bizarre cast of even bigger prehistoric megafauna that once roamed Earth.  They are brought to life using antiquarian book-inspired CGI illustrated plates, created and animated by another Bristol, UK, company, Moonraker VFX.

Executive producer Alex Williamson says: “Filming on five continents in some of the world’s most remote locations, our crews have managed to capture rare and spectacular behaviours in ways never before seen by audiences, from anaconda breeding balls to elephant seal fights filmed at 1,000fps.  By contrasting today’s mega species with the giants of long ago, we’re able to explore the advantages of being big in the natural world while also showing the very real threats that our biggest animals face today as the planet changes faster than ever before.”

The series is the fourth to be made by Offspring for Sky with Patrick Aryee as the presenter.

Episode one of BIG BEASTS: LAST OF THE GIANTS is due to debut on Sky One on Wednesday 13 June with episodes two and three airing on the following Wednesdays. The series is produced by Sam Hodgson.

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‘Human swan’ is first woman to receive prestigious aviation award in 50 years ... WWT’s Sacha Dench received the Britannia Trophy in London on 17th May
from
WWT
22 May 2018

Conservationist Sacha Dench has been awarded the Britannia Trophy – one of the most prestigious honours in aviation – in recognition of her long-distance paramotor flight following the migration of endangered Bewick’s swans.

This Royal Aero Club accolade, previously awarded to the likes of Concorde’s first supersonic flight, Sir Richard Branson and the Red Arrows, has not been received by a woman since 1967.

Sacha was awarded the trophy for the ground-breaking ‘Flight of the Swans’ expedition, during which she flew 7,000km from the Russian arctic to the UK on a paramotor. During the adventure –  spanning 11 different countries – she also became the first woman ever to cross the English Channel by paramotor.

Sacha, a WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) Conservationist, said:.

“I was speechless when I was told I had won the Britannia Trophy. It’s an amazing accolade, particularly as it has been so long since it was awarded to a woman, and for a project that many said was impossible.

“A lot of women helped, but I’m also grateful to those few men that believed a woman could do this and stuck their neck out to back me.

“I learned a lot about the Bewick’s swans on my journey, and have developed a huge respect for them as aviators. That I’m receiving this award, for doing what each swan does at just 12 weeks old twice a year for their entire life, is testament to the complexity and hardship they must endure just to survive that journey, particularly in stormy autumn weather with the arctic winter on their tails.

“I am delighted that Flight of the Swans has touched so many people and helped the Bewick’s swans’ plight make mainstream news. We now have many people and organisations galvanised to help across a mass of countries.

“I am also more touched that fellow aviators have recognised this feat by awarding me the Britannia trophy, an award that will be invaluable in setting up future expeditions for conservation.”

Dave Phipps, RAeC General Secretary, said:

“We are so happy to be awarding this trophy to a truly remarkable woman. Paramotoring needs a lot nerve at the best of times and to conceive of a journey across such inhospitable terrain with huge logistical challenges - and then pull it off - is an amazing achievement. And of course, it is all enhanced by Sacha’s ability to communicate a great cause and enthuse young and old alike in the UK and around the world. She has provided immense inspiration to others and we are very proud to count her amongst these great aviators and the ‘Flight of the Swans’ project amongst great aviation achievements.”

Sacha was presented with the award by HRH The Duke of York at the Royal Aero Club awards ceremony on May 17th in Piccadilly, London.


Sacha Dench, A.K.A. ‘Human swan’, is first woman to receive prestigious aviation award in 50 years


Introducing Flight of the Swans

Visit: flightoftheswans.org & twitter.com/WWTSwanFlight & facebook.com/flightoftheswans

Bewick's flyby.

Majestic Bewick's flyby. You can witness Bewick's first hand at some of our WWT sites like WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre and WWT Welney before they head back to Russia to breed.

Posted by Flight Of The Swans on Tuesday, 24 January 2017

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UK PREMIERE: Dominion London Screener ‘followed by Director Q&A’
from
PLANT BASED NEWS
22 May 2018

Dominion, a new film exposing animal cruelty in modern farming practices, will have it's UK premiere in London on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM, at the Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square.

Exposing the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture through drones, hidden & handheld cameras, the feature-length film explores the morality and validity of our dominion over the animal kingdom.

The film is narrated by Sia and other celebrities, find out more here: dominionmovement.com

The film starts at 2:30pm and afterwards there will be a 30 minute Q and A with the directors.

PBN are hosting the UK premiere of this highly-anticipated documentary along with activism organisations Surge and The Save Movement.


WILL YOU WATCH DOMINION? The Latest Vegan Film. Interview w/ Director Chris Delforce

Tickets here: eventbrite.com/e/uk-premiere-dominion-london-screener-followed-by-director-qa-tickets-46128095375

There are 25 free tickets available for people who are unemployed. Email: dominion@plantbasednews.org

Find the film on: facebook.com/DominionDocumentary

Like/Follow PBN: facebook.com/plantbasednews, instagram.com/plantbasednews & twitter.com/plantbasednews

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Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story is Out Now!

This groundbreaking film reveals the truth surrounding Australia’s love-hate relationship with its beloved icon. The kangaroo ‘image’ is proudly used by top companies, sports teams and tourist souvenirs, yet as they hop across the vast continent they are often considered pests to be shot and sold for profit.

KANGAROO unpacks a national paradigm where the relationship with kangaroos is examined.

Direstor’s Statement: "Kangaroos are one of the most recognizable icons in the world and have always held a fascination for the directors of this film. We set out to explore the wonder of this magnificent and unique animal that we recognized was the heart of a complex and divided situation in Australia. We knew opinion was split around this famous icon and that would make an interesting story but once we started the research and interviews were surprised to learn that millions of kangaroos are shot each year as so-called pests and sold for profit. It seemed incongruous to us that Australians’ who are immensely proud to hold up the kangaroo, as their beloved national symbol would sanction their nightly killing. Key to the telling this story was investigating the details behind the largest wildlife slaughter in the world, to find out where it all started and why it still happens today. Where had the ideology come from that a native animal that has lived in Australia for millions of years could be a national problem? How and when did Australians start believing kangaroos are a pest and therefore must be eliminated? We have travelled thousands of kilometers across the magnificent Australian outback speaking with indigenous Australians, scientists, commercial shooters, farmers, politicians, artists, wildlife-carers, chefs and activist. We have weaved together an unsettling story for the world to see. Hearing from so many angles gives the audience the opportunity to come on the journey with us and make up their own minds. We learnt that the annual “cull” of millions of kangaroos is government sanctioned and that the shooting is done in the dead of night often miles from anywhere. Although there are humane killing codes of practice in place for farmers and shooters to prevent cruelty, in most cases this seems impossible to police. We came across many first hand eyewitness accounts of the brutal treatment of kangaroos and their young joeys. We visited one of the kangaroo slaughterhouses that process six semi trailer loads of kangaroos every day for pet food, gourmet meats and leather. The sheer size of this commercial industry was alarming. We found out that with the growth of the commercial kangaroo industry, road kills, pest mitigation and recreational shooting, there is very little national data available of the number of kangaroo deaths that occur daily. Some scientists and conservationists are reporting both local and regional extinctions. As Australians we do not want to imagine our country without kangaroos. It is timely that people across the world know what is going on with this internationally celebrated icon and ask the question why are Australians not responding to what is happening on their doorstep?"
Mick McIntyre & Kate McIntyre Clere

KANGAROO (2017)

Kangaroo hops into U.S. theaters starting January 19.

Posted by Kangaroo on Tuesday, 5 December 2017

“Kangaroos are what makes Australia. I see the kangaroo as our greatest natural asset. As Australians we take kangaroos for granted, that they’re always going to be there. What if they’re not?” – Chris Brolga Barns, Kangaroo Dundee/ TV personality

Read more on #KangarooTheMovie & join their e-list: kangaroothemovie.com
Follow & Like too! twitter.com/KangarooMovie & facebook.com/kangaroothemovie

See the Bristol Premiere of KANGAROO: A Love Hate Story on may the 26th at The Winston Theatre: eventbrite.com.au/e/bristol-premiere-of-kangaroo-a-love-hate-story-tickets-45709146287

See upcoming worldwide screenings here: kangaroothemovie.com/cinemas
Request to host a screening here: kangaroothemovie.com/host-a-screening

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Offspring Films secures its BBC debut with orangutan documentary
By Pam Beddard
25 April 2018

Bristol-based independent TV production company Offspring Films will make its BBC debut this Spring with an hour-long documentary about orangutans for BBC2.

RED APE: SAVING THE ORANGUTAN uses exclusive access to frontline conservation efforts in Borneo, expert testimony and previously unscreened archive footage to highlight why one of mankind’s closest relatives is being pushed towards the brink of extinction.

Offspring’s founder and executive producer Alex Williamson says: “We’re thrilled to be working with the BBC’s Natural World team on this really important film.  As a production company working in natural history we’re able to film some of the most incredible landscapes on Earth and the extraordinary animals that inhabit them – like the orangutan.  However, we also get to see how vulnerable our planet is and meet the extraordinary people working on the front line of conservation to protect them.

RED APE tells the story of a team of medics from International Animal Rescue (IAR) fighting to save Borneo’s critically endangered orangutans.  Armed with cameras, International Animal Rescue has documented their fight for 10 years: pulling apes from the devastated jungle and administering emergency medical care on the frontline, caring for orphaned babies and returning characters like Pelangsi, who lost an arm to a hunter’s snare, to the wild.”

Among the film’s expert interviewees offering ways to secure a future for orangutans are IAR founder and programme director Dr Karmele Sanchez; primatologist Dr Ben Garrod; John Sauven, director of Greenpeace UK and Gemma Tillack, of Rainforest Action Network.

The film will get its first airing on BBC2 on Thursday 10 May (9pm).

Offspring Films’ RED APE is written and directed by Rowan Musgrave. It was commissioned by the BBC’s Roger Webb, editor of the Natural World strand, as a co-production with BBC Worldwide and Discovery, overseen by John Hoffman and Jon Bardin.

The order is the latest in a line of recent successes for Offspring which was set up in 2014 by Williamson, an ex-BBC Natural History Unit exec. Other up-coming projects include a three-part series for Sky1 on giants of the animal kingdom due to be shown this summer.

Offspring Films  - www.offspringfilms.com  - is an award-winning production company specialising in factual programming and natural history. Founded in 2014 by executive producer Alex Williamson - the team at Offspring strive to make extraordinary programmes that stand out through their strong visual style and clear engaging storytelling.  Since its launch Offspring has delivered over 20 hours of high-end programming for the UK and international markets. Their output includes 4K landmark series, gritty access documentaries and children’s formats. @offspringfilms

See the Feature here..

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Jackie Chan’s Green Heroes Premieres on National Geographic Channels Network Asia
By NHNZ
24 April 2018

Jackie Chan’s Green Heroes recently premiered in South East Asia on 18 April and in Taiwan and China on 22 April, coinciding with Earth Day. This one hour special is produced by NHNZ as a commission for National Geographic Channels Network Asia.

Featuring world famous actor Jackie Chan and multi-talented entrepreneur Arthur Huang, Jackie Chan’s Green Heroes is an inspirational environmental story with some of China’s most dramatic scenery as a backdrop. Arthur and Jackie are on a mission to show the world what the new face of recycling can look like with the help of their co-creation: Trashpresso. Trashpresso is a unique factory on wheels, which can turn waste plastic into multi-use tiles on-site – even at the top of the world – the Tibetan Plateau.

Jackie Chan’s Green Heroes focuses on motivating younger generations to change the way humanity approaches environmental challenges such as plastic waste. Under Jackie’s supervision, the local children revel in helping operate the Trashpresso, including sorting rubbish and adding plastic to this revolutionary machine.

“Jackie is genuinely passionate about environmental protection and together with Arthur’s practical expertise; innovative inventions like the Trashpresso are making a positive impact on remote communities. NHNZ is a company that has been telling environmental stories for the last 40 years and we also are genuinely committed to helping others make sustainable choices. We’re incredibly proud to be able to help tell Jackie and Arthur’s story for NGC,” says NHNZ Managing Director, Kyle Murdoch.

Filming took place in October and November, 2017. Producer David Hay was impressed by the spectacular locations and felt privileged to have the opportunity to work with Jackie Chan. “It was inspirational to see someone as famous as Jackie behave so humbly. Every time we were between takes he was picking up trash. A girl asked him for an autograph and as she walked away she was picking up trash. That’s the power of the influence he has.”

See the Full Press Release here..

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41st Annual International Wildlife Film Festival Award Winners Announced
from IWFF
21
April 2018

Congratulations to the IWFF 41 award winning films.

We are pleased to announce the Award Winners for the 2018 International Wildlife FIlm Festival. The 41st IWFF Awards took place on Friday, April 20th at the Montana Natural History Center.

Broadcast Feature Film

Law of the Lizard
Directed by Neil Losin and Nate Dappen, US

When scientists ask big questions about the rules of nature, they often seek out unlikely creatures to find the answers. In LAWS OF THE LIZARD, two filmmakers embark on a year-long adventure to reveal the surprising story of anoles, the most important lizards in the world!

Best Feature Conservation Film

The Last Rhino
Directed by Rowan Deacon, US

THE LAST RHINO introduces viewers to Sudan, the very last male Northern white rhinoceros. His harrowing journey is told through the international cast of characters who have been involved in Sudan’s life, from when he was snatched as a calf from his mother’s side in war-torn Central Africa, to his captivity as a prized exhibit in a cold, concrete zoo behind the Iron Curtain while poaching devastated his kind back home. Now 43 years old and half-blind, Sudan is living out his days under the 24-hour watch of an armed guard on a protective sanctuary in Kenya. Meanwhile, a team of scientists and experts led by Professor Thomas Hildebrandt from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research turn to technology in a race against time to save this majestic rhino subspecies whose origins date back at least five million years.

Best Short Conservation Film

Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest
Directed by Colin Arisman, US

LAST STAND: THE VANISHING CARIBOU RAINFOREST is a cinematic journey into the tragically threatened world of endangered mountain caribou, their home in the world's largest remaining inland temperate rainforest, and the critical human choices that will ultimately decide the fate of this stunning ecosystem.

Best Environmental Films - a tie

Islands in Time
Directed by Paul Reddish, Austria

The richest seas in the world surround the islands that lie between Asia and Australia. The moon holds sway over these seas where fiddler crabs dance to the moon whilst bizarre fish run away from water, and even odder fish hide in trees. The power of the moon is still felt beyond the range of the tide. Manta rays and whale sharks feast on the plankton and mobula rays attack the millions of tiny fish that thrive in these rich tropical seas.

Queen without Land
Directed by Asgeir Helgestad, Norway

A beautiful film about a polar bear mother and her cubs living on the arctic islands of Svalbard. We follow Frost through five years and learn how she is affected by rising temperatures as ice disappears from her fjords.

Best Human Wildlife Interaction Film

Bears of Durango
Directed by Dusty Hulet, United States

Dive headfirst into bear dens with the biologists who study the effect of human urban development on bear behavior. "If we want our native biodiversity here, if we want these large carnivores to be back on our landscapes, ultimately we're going to have to figure out, how do we coexist? How do we share a single landscape?” — Heather Johnson, PhD, Lead Wildlife Researcher.

Best Independent Film

Bird of Prey
Directed by Eric Liner, United States

Wildlife cinematographer Neil Rettig embarks on what could be the most challenging assignment of his career: to find and film the rarest eagle on the planet. BIRD OF PREY explores the vanishing world of the Great Philippine Eagle and acknowledges the people determined to save it.

Best Newcomer Film

Camera Trap
Directed by Marty O’Brien, Canada

In this half-hour documentary, aspiring wildlife photographer Peter Mather puts everything on the line in his quest to capture one photo that will tell the story of the Porcupine Caribou herd’s migration, one of the greatest land migrations on earth.

Best Short Film

A Film About Animals (for my children to watch when they are older)
Director Eric Daniel Metzgar, United States

This harrowing film follows a team of armed Cambodian government soldiers charged with investigating illegal wildlife trade and enforcing national policy prohibiting animals from being taken from the wild. The director chronicles the experience in a “filmed letter” to his children to hear for themselves when they’re old enough to understand it.

Best Student Film


THE FIREFOX GUARDIAN - A Conservation Love Story

Firefox Guardian
Director Gunjan Menon, India

In a small village in Nepal, a native woman steps up as an unconventional warrior to change the unfortunate fate of the red pandas in her community forest. This film takes you on a mesmerizing journey with the first female forest guardian through remote bamboo jungles, scaling the mighty Himalayan wilderness into the hidden world of red pandas.

Best Children's Film

Tipping Point
Directed by Dylan D’haeze Director in Attendance, United States

TIPPING POINT explains climate change from a kid’s perspective, and shows kids what they can do to help solve the problem. Dylan is a 14 year old filmmaker from the San Juan Islands in Washington who has gone on a quest to make environmental films for his peers to help save the planet.

Special Jury Prize

Sky Migrations
Directed by Charles Post, Forrest Woodward and Max Lowe, United States

Each fall our skies fill with the wings of raptors, a migration that relies on two hemispheres worth of wild and healthy ecosystems. Join ecologist and filmmaker, Charles Post, as he shines a light on the network of backcountry scientists and sentinels at the front lines of raptor conservation.

Best of Festival

The Hollow Heart
Directed by Barend van der Watt, South Africa
This is the incredible story of a tree that has been around for eight hundred years. It can withstand the harshest condition, and is more loved by insects, birds and animals than any other: the enormous baobab.

Founder's Award

Bob Landis

Huge congrats to all winners from Wildlife-film.com, with a special mention to member Gunjan Menon! :)


International Wildlife Film Festival Award Show IWFF41

Watch the IWFF 41 Trailer!


IWFF 41 - Official Trailer

Visit: www.wildlifefilms.org

See more from the festival on Facebook and follow on Twitter!

See the Full Feature here..

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Wildscreen Launches New Photography Panda Award!
By Wildscreen
18 April 2018

For the first time in Wildscreen's 36 year history, the 2018 Wildscreen Panda Awards, widely regarded as the most prestigious accolade in the wildlife film and TV genre, will recognise the craft of wildlife photography, with the introduction of the Wildscreen Photo Story Panda Award.

The award is being launched to further cement the conservation charity’s commitment to and belief in photography as a powerful and impactful tool for raising awareness about and protecting the natural world across society. It will celebrate and recognise the very best in photographic narrative, uniting it alongside the world’s very best natural world film talent.

Call for entries

Entrants have between the 18 April to 8 June 2018 to submit photo stories comprising of between six to ten images that have an aspect of the natural world as a central focus, with a clear and powerful narrative weaved between the images.

The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide, over 18 years. The judges will also be looking for exceptional emerging talent photographers, under the age of 30, which will be considered for an ‘Emerging Talent Photo Story Panda Award’.

Entries can be made via the online submission portal on the Wildscreen website, available at: www.wildscreen.org/panda-awards

Find out more here: www.wildscreen.org/festival/panda-awards/photo-story-panda-award

Visit: www.wildscreen.org/festival ; find Wildscreen Fest on Facebook, follow @WildscreenFest on Twitter.

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The Japan Wildlife Film Festival 13th Edition Winners are...
From Japan Wildlife Film Festival
7th April 2018

The 13th Japan Wildlife Film Festival was held from the 2nd to 3rd of April 2018 in Tokyo Women’s Plaza. From 200 films 31 were nominated.

Congratulations to all of the 2017 Winners!

These movies show the struggles in nature and the determination to survive that cannot be observed in everyday life. The emotions they make us feel transcend both borders and speech. All the lives on our Earth are intertwined, and we only have this one blue planet. If we can understand this connection, this will definitely give us strength to pave the way for a future shared by nature, wildlife and human beings. This film festival has been held every 2 years since 1993. This year commemorates the 13th biennial festival. We believe that it will be a chance to think about the future of our planet. We want to show our planet’s present condition to as many people as possible, with the hope of entrusting a beautiful world to the children who will bear this burden in the next generation.

The theme was “Life, emotion. Connection... " and the purpose of the festival is:

1. To show people the many shapes of “life” in order to secure a beautiful world for future generations.
2. To convey through images of nature and wildlife, the magnificence of our planet, and spread the awareness of the need to protect the environment.
3. To strengthen the ties between the three main World Wildlife Film Festivals (England’s Wild Screen, America’s Jackson Hole Wild Life Film Festival, Japan’s JWF), and to use films as a medium for education about the global environment.
4. To promote the protection and revitalization of the environment within global society through the collaboration between citizens, governments and corporations.


THE LAST PIG - Official Trailer

1. Grand Award – The Last Pig (Directed by Allison Argo, Piggy Films, USA)
The Last Pig is a lyrical meditation on what it means to be a sentient creature with the power to kill. For over a decade, Bob Comis has provided a humane—even idyllic—life for the pigs he farms. But as he cares for the pigs, he develops a respect that begins to haunt him; weekly trips to the slaughterhouse become agonizing. With 250 pigs on the farm, Comis suddenly finds himself trapped in a life he can no longer live. Through this immersive and intimate journey, The Last Pig raises crucial questions about equality, the value of compassion and the sanctity of life. Comis’ soul-bearing narrative carries us through his final year of farming pigs, the struggle to reinvent his life, and the ghosts that will haunt him forever.

2. Special Jury – Sheltered in Oak (Directed by Mehdi Noormohammadi, Hiro Film, Iran)

3. Best Animal Behavior – The Great Elephant Gathering of Asia (Ceylon Sights (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka)


scene from the film KINGFISHER - laying egg

4. Best Animal Behavior – Returning: Kingfisher (Cees van Kempen, Caroline Brett & Alan Miller, Ispida Wildlife Productions, The Netherlands/UK)

The Ispida Wildlife Productions team said "Winning the Best Animal Behaviour award for Returning: Kingfisher at the 13th Japan Wildlife Film Festival was an honour and welcome surprise. We are very proud of the film. The kingfisher is a familiar bird but very few people get to see its intimate life secrets. The hours of dedicated filming, research, observation and crafting paid off.  We learned things about these iridescent streaks of blue that cannot be found in books and were are able to show viewers some amazing behaviour. When the team loves their subject, film making is a joy."

5. Best Cinematography – Making an Ancient (Forest Science Vision Filmproduction, Austria)

6. Best Nature and People – Samadhi We Are (One Frama Film Int., Switzerland)


wandering lions

7. Best Nature and People – India's Wandering Lions (Kosmik Global & Ammonite Films, India/UK)

8. Best Underwater – The Dark Side of the Ocean (WILD LOGIC, LLC, USA)


Sonic Sea — Trailer

9. Best Environmental – Sonic Sea (IFAW/NRDC/Discovery Channel, USA)

10. Best Educational – The Mystery of Bird Migration (ZDF, Germany)

11. Asia/Oceana – Black-necked Cranes (Shanghai Science & Techology Museum, China)


The little wood near where I live

12. Best Newcomer – The little wood near where I live (Robert Henno, Belgium)


Flying Rainbow

13. Best Newcomer – Flying Rainbow (Indian Wilderness, India)

14. Best Scientific – Superplants - How to Make Money By Saving The Environment (Florianfilm, Germany)

15. Best Series – Destination Wild: Europe Life Below Zero (Off The Fence, Netherlands/UK)

16. New Perspective – Behind the Cove (Yagi Film, Japan)


The Fabulous Story of Canelle the Chimp

17. Best Wildlife Contribution – The Fabulous Story of Canelle the Chimp (ZED, France)

18. Best Short Documentary – A passion of gold and fire (PINS Sebastian, France)

19. Best Eco-system – Magical Moors (Nautilus, Germany)


David Attenborough’s Light on Earth

20. Best Presenter – David Attenborough's Light on Earth (A Terra Mater Factual Studios/Ammonite Films Production, Austria/UK)

Wildlife-film.com congratulates all of the winners, especially members highlighted with links!

NB. The 2017 festival was meant to be held in November last year, but due to construction work delays at the organisations new headquarters which included a mini theater, dates had to be changed to 2018. The next festival will be helpd in October 2019. 

Visit: www.naturechannel.jp & www.facebook.com/JWFF & www.twitter.com/JWFF1

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NHNZ Announces Production of 4K Natural History Docu-Soap, Orangutan Jungle School, Commissioned for Love Nature
By NHNZ
2 April 2018

The 10-part docu-soap, filmed in Borneo, Indonesia, takes viewers inside the intimate and emotional journey of baby orangutans, and their caregivers, at the world's largest primate rescue and rehabilitation project managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF).

Blue Ant International oversees licensing of Orangutan Jungle School and will feature the docu-soap at MIPTV 2018.

NHNZ, Blue Ant Media’s New Zealand-based factual television production house creating original content for global broadcasters, announced today that it is currently in production on a new HDR natural history docu-soap, Orangutan Jungle School (10x60’HDR). Commissioned for Love Nature, home to the largest 4K wildlife and nature library in the world, Orangutan Jungle School follows the hilarious antics, triumphs and tragedies of a group of orphaned orangutans as they progress through a unique forest school system. The series is filmed at Nyaru Menteng, in Borneo, Indonesia, where the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) manages the largest primate rescue and rehabilitation project in the world. Blue Ant International oversees the docu-soap’s licensing, which will be featured at MIPTV 2018.

Orangutan Jungle School introduces audiences to BOSF’s highly skilled team who rescues orangutans that have been displaced from their habitat because of forest destruction, separated from their mothers or kept illegally as pets, and teaches them the skills necessary to return to the wild. Once in the care of BOSF, they have the chance for a future of freedom – but the road back to the wild is long as they embark on the various stages of their education. The nursery, five stages of forest school and pre-release islands teach the orangutans essential lessons for survival. The charismatic and intelligent orangutans have distinct characters and viewers are guaranteed to become emotionally invested in their journey to freedom. The docu-series is an entertaining and fascinating insight into the world of orangutans, which will foster awareness for the plight of this endangered species and the fragile ecosystem in which these charismatic apes lead their lives.


Orangutan Jungle School - Sizzle

“The individual storylines and overarching narrative of this series is comparable to anyone’s favourite long-running drama soap. The scope of material for our production team is a banquet of delights including edge-of-seat drama, tear-jerking moments and plenty of comic relief. The orangutans themselves take over the script development and come up with stories we would never even think of,” said Judith Curran, Writer and Executive Producer.

“It is an exciting time for NHNZ to see the engaging and visually vibrant results of Orangutan Jungle School,” said Kyle Murdoch, Managing Director, NHNZ. “We are anticipating a very positive response from viewers. The series combines light-hearted fun with the jeopardy of a real-life conservation mission; it strikes a great balance.”

Orangutan Jungle School is emblematic of Love Nature's new commissioning strategy. The series delights with rich characters and entertaining storylines that have broad audience appeal," said Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Programming & Development, Love Nature. "Our viewers will be captivated by the stories captured at Nyaru Menteng, anchored by the credibility that the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation brings to this important docu-soap.”

In the jungle classroom, lessons range from cracking open a coconut to nest building, snake awareness and how to become an expert climber. The youngest students are less than one year old and the oldest are the equivalent of human teenagers. Adolescent and adult graduates wait their turn for wild release on special river islands.

The docu-series’ “cast” includes an all-star line-up of best mates, rivals and prima donnas, including:

  • Valentino: the class clown who BOSF carers hope will smarten up enough to graduate.
  • Mema: a picky eater who thinks snack time is gross.
  • Malika: the clumsy toddler who doesn’t know how to climb.
  • Big-bellied Beni: the glutton who has to go on a diet.
  • Kesi: the inspiring amputee victim whose hand was cut off by a machete as she clung to her mother’s back. Nothing stands in her way and she’s always at the top of her class, even in climbing!
  • Cinta: one of Jungle School’s cleverest, boldest and most resourceful students. She is full of surprises!

Orangutan Jungle School is created, executive produced and written by Judith Curran. Kyle Murdoch serves as Executive in Charge in Production and Anya Durling is Head of Development. Anna Sand is the Executive Producer for Blue Ant Media.


Wild Studios

NHNZ, based in Dunedin (New Zealand) with an office in Beijing, has been in operation for 40 years and is one of the largest and most respected natural history and factual production houses in the world. NHNZ’s storytelling prowess has been recognized with more than 300 international honours including Emmy awards and the prestigious Wildscreen Panda. The production house’s highly anticipated blue chip series Big Pacific (5×60), co-produced with partners PBS, CCTV, ZDF Enterprises, Discovery International, Channel 9 and ARTE was met with critical acclaim. NHNZ’s roster of partners and buyers also include National Geographic Channels, Animal Planet and NHK. The company’s team is made up of over 100 highly-skilled filmmakers, craftspeople, media executives, researchers and a dedicated group of technicians. NHNZ is a Blue Ant Media production company. nhnz.tv

Love Nature, a Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks joint venture, creates and distributes the largest library of 4K wildlife and nature content in the world. Love Nature brings audiences closer to the beauty and wonder of nature, sharing awe-inspiring stories and shining a light on the fight for survival in a changing world. With commercial-free linear and streaming video platforms and original content shot in the highest quality, Love Nature offers viewers exclusive content from around the globe. Love Nature is available via linear television internationally and streaming video in 65+ countries worldwide. LoveNature.com

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Embark on a journey in sound under the surface of the ocean in Chris Watson’s No Man's Land this spring
By Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
21 March 2018

Chris Watson’s No Man’s Land is an audio installation that celebrates the sounds, rhythms and music from deep below the surface the world’s seas and oceans.

Taking place at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts from 27 March – 13 April and suitable for all ages, this city-specific edit of the sound work created by Watson (David Attenborough’s sound recordist), takes the listener from Brighton beach, through the soapy surf and out around the world, submerged on an oceanic journey for the ears and the imagination.

Audiences will experience the 40-minute long piece in the comfort of ACCA’s auditorium but will travel via sound from the edge of Brighton’s beach, out with the ebbing tide, to follow the waves and currents on a trackless voyage around the planet from the ocean floor.

Weddell seals singing under Antarctic sea ice, the snap crackle and pop of a coral reef in the South China Sea, the haunting songs of humpback whales in the Caribbean and the hunting pods of orca in the North Atlantic can all be heard in the piece, before the listener is swept back onto the pebbles by the remains of Brighton’s West Pier.

No Man’s Land is a unique spatialized audio journey into the deep ocean and the most ‘sound rich’ environments on the planet. The sounds that make up the piece have been collected by Watson over his 30-year career as a sound recordist specialising in natural history, including from his work on Frozen Planet and on documentaries and musical collaborations at far ends of the earth. Watson is also an experimental musician and a founding member of the group Cabaret Voltaire.

Chris Watson says, “My aim with No Man’s Land is to stimulate the imaginations of listeners and take them on a journey. There’ll be sounds from the starling roost in the West Pier, as well as the signature sounds of Brighton beach; that wonderful harmonic sound of the water withdrawing through the shingle and pebbles.”

Book: www.attenboroughcentre.com / 01273 678 822

Listen: Chris Watson on No Man's Land By Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts' Podcast

A city-specific edit of a sound work celebrating the sounds and rhythms of the world’s seas and oceans, No Man's Land takes the listener from Brighton beach and around the world, submerged on an oceanic journey for the ears and the imagination.

Watch: Chris Watson on No Man’s Land

Read: ACCA Conversations: Chris Watson

Chris Watson’s No Man’s Land is an audio installation that celebrates the sounds, rhythms and music from deep below the surface the world’s seas and oceans.

Taking place at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, from 27 March – 13 April and suitable for all ages, this city-specific edit of the sound work created by Watson (David Attenborough’s sound recordist), takes the listener from Brighton beach, through the soapy surf and out around the world, submerged on an oceanic journey for the ears and the imagination. We caught up with Chris to find out more about his work.

You say that you use the tape recorder as instrument. How much do you manipulate the recordings of nature or do you organically let them weave into a soundtrack?

Most of the sounds I recorded via my hydrophones for ‘No Man’s Land’ have a strange, exotic and engaging quality, and they are intact, as recorded. The composition process is to discover ways of creating a seamless narrative movement through the ocean.

Read more here: www.attenboroughcentre.com/news/1880/acca-conversations-chris-watson

facebook.com/attenboroughcentre
twitter.com/attenboroughctr

instagram.com/attenboroughctr

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Exciting new publication from our founder Piers Warren and his daughter Ella Bee Glendining: The Vegan Cook & Gardener: Growing, Storing and Cooking Delicious Healthy Food all Year Round
12 March 2018

Grow your own fruit and vegetables, herbs, salads and sprouts, and then turn your produce into delicious, no-fuss vegan meals that are healthy for you and the planet. Father and daughter team, Piers Warren and Ella Bee Glendining, share successful growing techniques and seasonal recipes, plus years of experience of animal-free, healthy living. They show you how to:

Discover the fun and huge sense of satisfaction that comes from cooking something you have produced yourself. Grow and eat for a more ethical, healthy and sustainable world!

“The title of this lovely book really says it all: but what it cannot convey is the sheer joy of learning so much about the beautiful vegan cuisine available to us, and how easy it is to make sensational dishes which will delight everyone eager to eat well and healthily. At once scholarly and entertaining, it is gloriously illustrated and the recipes are easy-peasy to follow. It’s for everyone who wants the world to be a better place for animals, for plants and for us. Delicious in every way.” Joanna Lumley (actress and activist)

About the Authors

Piers Warren and Ella Bee Glendining are both experienced vegan cooks. Piers is a conservationist, author and keen grower of organic fruit and vegetables. He is the founder and Principal of Wildeye The International School of Wildlife Film-making and has written a dozen books, including the bestseller How to Store Your Garden Produce. He has a long interest in self-sufficiency and permaculture and is convinced that growing your own food and following a vegan lifestyle are important contributions to lowering your carbon footprint and living more lightly on the Earth. Ella Bee is a passionate advocate of animal rights, having been vegetarian since the age of five and making the transition to veganism several years ago. She's spent much time since experimenting with different ingredients and developing delicious new recipes.

Follow on Facebook.com/thevegancookandgardener & Instagram.com/thevegancookandgardener

I say: Fabulous holistic vegan book that is bound to inspire!

This book is a must have for all people who care about the impact of their diet... vegans, aspiring vegans & omnivores alike... The book takes you on a gardening journey through the seasons from plot to plate. Learn about all the benefits of a plant-based diet in a fun, colourful and engaging way. So much fascinating information and very delicious-looking recipes... Can hardly wait to get planting, growing, cooking and eating!!

Just published by Permanent Publications Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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Science Media Awards Open for Entries & SMASH Dates Announced!
By JHWFF
6 March 2018

Science Media Awards Open for Entries!

Enter over 20 categories that cover various science disciplines, types of programs and crafts. Preliminary judging is thorough, with finalists announced in early August. Winners will be celebrated September 27, at an Awards Gala in Boston during SMASH18..

ENTER YOUR FILM.


Enter the 2018 Science Media Awards!

SMASH18 Dates Announced

Join Jackson Hole WILD and WGBH in Boston, September 25-27, 2018,for the Science Media Awards & Summit in the Hub (SMASH), where more than 300 science media stakeholders will gather to celebrate exceptional media, cutting-edge discoveries and explore new ways of communicating the wonders of science to a global audience in a rapidly-changing media landscape. Stay tuned in the coming months for information regarding programming and speakers!

Science Media Awards Preliminary Judging

Earn your pass to the Science Media Summit by watching Science Media Awards entries. Questions? Email dana@jhfestival.org
Apply: sciencemediasummit.org/2018-judging-application.html

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International Big Cats Film Festival Winners Announced
from JHWFF & CITES
3 March 2018

UN celebrates world’ s best big cats films for World Wildlife Day – Winners of International Big Cats Film Festival announced at UN Headquarters

The CITES Secretariat and Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival announced today winners of the International Big Cats Film Festival. Winning stories about jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, tigers and more will now hit the big screen and your mobile devices as the world celebrates World Wildlife Day 2018 under the theme “Big cats: predators under threat” .

"These films connect us in a very personal way to wildlife. They inspire us all to make sure these most magnificent creatures survive in the wild. Congratulations to all of the finalists and category winners, and thank you for making this such a memorable World Wildlife Day. By using the power of media we can catalyze a groundswell of support for big cats to help make sure they survive in the wild ", said John E. Scanlon, CITES Secretary General.

“We’re eager to partner with organizations around the world to raise local awareness and engagement through free public screenings and events,” said Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival’s Executive Director, Lisa Samford. These amazing films speak eloquently to the importance of saving big cats while we are still able to do so.”

The co-organizers are particularly grateful to the following final judges for their commitment of time (in alphabetical order of family name):

  • Inger Anderson, Director General of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
  • Andrea Heydlauff, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, African Parks Foundation
  • John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
  • Cécile Tang, Co-Director, Youth for Wildlife Conservation

Winners of the International Big Cats Film Festival in the 6 categories are:

Issues and Solutions – Awarded to the film that most effectively reveals current issues and challenges and communicates solutions to the environmental, socio-economic and sustainability issues associated with big cats around the globe:

Conservation – Awarded to the film that effectively celebrates innovative approaches and noteworthy achievements of individuals or groups committed to the conservation of big cats:

  • “Big Cats - Episode 3” - a BBC Natural History Unit Production for BBC and PBS with THIRTEEN Productions LLC, co-produced by France Télévisions

People and Big Cats – Awarded to the film that most effectively coveys the complex relationship between big cats and humans:

  • “Livestock Insurance Program” produced by Figet Films LLC, Pontecorvo Productions

Science and Behavior – Awarded to the film that greatly deepens our understanding of the science behind big cats and their behavior through its storytelling:

  • “Vanishing Kings – Lions of the Namib” A co-production by ORF, Interspot Film, ARTE, Smithsonian Networks, Into Nature Productions and Boksdocs - Edited by Alan Miller

Micro Movie (under 5 minutes) – Awarded to the Public Service Announcement (PSA), music video, media artwork or advocacy film that most effectively communicates an appreciation or understanding of big cats or their conservation issues. Limited to media under 5 minutes in length:

  • “Pavel” produced by World Wildlife Fund-UK

Local Voices:

  • “Gyamo - Queen of the Mountains” produced by Riverbank Studios

See the Full Feature here..

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BORN TO BE WILD – NHNZ launches wildest studio in the world
By NHNZ
20 February 2018

Video content has skyrocketed, and now accounts for nearly 74% of all online engagement ¹. Recognising this phenomenon, alongside global consumer trends of authenticity, raw humanity and a return to nature, award-winning wildlife filmmakers NHNZ has launched the new short-form division, WiLD Studios.

With international brand marketer and executive producer, Carolyn Managh, at the helm, WiLD Studios is on a mission to strengthen connections between brands, nature and wildlife. WiLD Studios produces cinematic short-form content– anything from 30 seconds to 30 minutes- by tapping into NHNZ’s remote production crews located in key wildlife destinations around the world.

“WiLD Studios celebrates the magnificence of our natural planet, with the mission of strengthening connections between brands, nature and wildlife. Whether it’s Antarctica, Mainland China, Siberian Desert or the Amazon, we can make it happen. With remote production crews experienced in cinematic 4k filming to international broadcast standards, ” explains Carolyn Managh.

Chief Creative Officer Wunderman UK & EMEA, Ian Haworth praises the timing and relevance of WiLD Studios, saying, “Authenticity and purposefulness are now an essential part of any brand’s communications, whether in campaigns or social media content. Using connections to nature is a powerful platform to do this, and when it comes to content in this space, the filmmakers at WiLD are wildlife whisperers.”

Right out of the gate, WiLD Studios’ first big initiative is a collaboration with WWF-New Zealand (spearheading the project for global). Project Extraordinary is a competition that will see one creative agency potentially make history. The challenge invites creative minds globally to develop a short-form video concept that demonstrates how sustainability is desirable and sexy; to encourage 1 billion consumers globally to make more than 50% of their purchases based on sustainability as one of the top 3 decision triggers, by 2020.

NHNZ Managing Director Kyle Murdoch says, “WiLD Studios is the natural next step in the evolution of NHNZ. We’ve had a love affair with wildlife for over 40 years, including 10 years producing long-form documentaries co-funded by brands such as Samsung and Buick. Combine this experience with a growing appetite for short-form content and then add Carolyn’s marketing and agency experience into the mix, and we have a world class offering. This is part of NHNZ’s long term strategy to be a best in class producer across a range of content offering.”

For more details, visit wild-studios.com

See: www.nhnz.tv/news/2018/2/21/introducing-wild-studios

See the Full Press Release here..

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International Big Cats Film Festival Finalists Announced
from JHWFF & CITES
9 February 2018

Winning stories about jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, tigers and more will hit the big screen and your mobile devices when the world celebrates World Wildlife Day 2018

Over the past century, the world has been losing the planet’s majestic big cats at an alarming rate. These iconic predators, the challenges they face, and how these challenges can be met, will be in the spotlight through the 16 films chosen as finalists in the International Big Cats Film Festival.

The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival have announced the International Big Cats Film Festival finalists based on the preliminary judging in the film festival, which is being organized as part of the global celebration of World Wildlife Day 2018 under the theme “Big cats: predators under threat.”

The judges – professional filmmakers, big cat biologists and stakeholders from around the world – chose the finalists from more than 200 entries in six categories: Issues and Solutions, Conservation Heroes, People and Big Cats, Science and Behavior, Micro-Movie, and Local Voices.

The full list of finalists is below. Winners will be announced at U.N. Headquarters in New York at a high-level event on 2 March. Both winners and finalist films will be subsequently showcased extensively to raise global awareness of the critical challenges facing big cat species at community screening events presented by partners throughout the world.

John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES, said: “A crisis can still be averted if we take action now and we are most grateful to all the filmmakers for submitting their wonderful works. By using the power of media, we can catalyze a groundswell of support for big cats to help make sure they survive in the wild. On 3rd March 2018, World Wildlife Day, let’s make sure that all of us – no matter who we are or where we are – give big cats the special attention and the big support they deserve!”

“We send our congratulations and praise to not only the finalists, but to all of the filmmakers who entered the International Big Cats Film Festival,” said Lisa Samford, executive director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. “These stories went beyond simply being visually mesmerizing and engaging. The stories show the challenges facing these iconic species, and they feature the heroes and solutions necessary if we are going to be able to save populations of big cats around the world.”

Big cats are among the most widely recognized and admired animals across the globe. However, today these charismatic predators are facing many and varied threats, which are mostly caused by human activities. Over the past century, we have been losing big cats at an alarming rate due to loss of habitat and prey, conflicts with people, poaching and illegal trade. For example, tiger populations plummeted by 95 percent over the past 100 years and African lion populations dropped by 40 percent in just 20 years. A range of measures are underway to arrest this decline, but more needs to be done.

In an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible, the expanded definition of big cats is used for World Wildlife Day 2018 and the film festival, which includes not only lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars – the four largest wild cats that can roar – but also cheetahs, snow leopards, pumas, and clouded leopards. Big cat species are found in Africa, Asia, and North, Central and South America, representing a virtually global distribution.

The CITES Secretariat is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the global facilitator for the celebration of the World Wildlife Day each year in collaboration with organizations in the United Nations system.


International BIG CATS Film Festival Trailer from Jackson Hole WILD

International Big Cat Film Festival finalists are:

Issues and Solutions – Awarded to the film that most effectively reveals current issues and challenges and communicates solutions to the environmental, socio-economic and sustainability issues associated with big cats around the globe:

  • “To Skin A Cat” produced by Scholars & Gentlemen, Panthera, Earth Touch, and Beyond, Durban Film Office, National Film & Video Foundation, Peace Parks Foundation
  • “Tribe versus Pride” produced by Terra Mater Factual Studios, Wildlife Films and Nat Geo Wild
  • “Looking for Sultan” produced by Riverbank Studios
  • “Broken Tail” produced by Crossing the Line Productions, Ltd.

Conservation – Awarded to the film that effectively celebrates innovative approaches and noteworthy achievements of individuals or groups committed to the conservation of big cats:

  • “Big Cats - Episode 3” - a BBC Natural History Unit Production for BBC and PBS with THIRTEEN Productions LLC, co-produced by France Télévisions
  • “Jaguars - Brazil's Super Cats” produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Nat Geo Wild
  • “Broken Tail” produced by Crossing the Line Productions, Ltd.

People and Big Cats – Awarded to the film that most effectively coveys the complex relationship between big cats and humans:

  • “Big Cats - Episode 3” - a BBC Natural History Unit Production for BBC and PBS with THIRTEEN Productions LLC, co-produced by France Télévisions
  • “Livestock Insurance Program” produced by Figet Films LLC, Pontecorvo Productions
  • “Tribe versus Pride” produced by Terra Mater Factual Studios, Wildlife Films and Nat Geo Wild
  • “Broken Tail” produced by Crossing the Line Productions, Ltd.

Science and Behavior – Awarded to the film that greatly deepens our understanding of the science behind big cats and their behavior through its storytelling:

  • “Big Cats - Episode 3” - a BBC Natural History Unit Production for BBC and PBS with THIRTEEN Productions LLC, co-produced by France Télévisions
  • “Africa's Hunters: The Misfit” produced by Plimsoll Productions, Blue Ant Media, Smithsonian Networks
  • “Vanishing Kings – Lions of the Namib” A co-production by ORF, Interspot Film, ARTE, Smithsonian Networks, Into Nature Productions and Boksdocs

Micro Movie (under 5 minutes) – Awarded to the Public Service Announcement (PSA), music video, media artwork or advocacy film that most effectively communicates an appreciation or understanding of big cats or their conservation issues. Limited to media under 5 minutes in length:

  • “Harimau Selamanya (Tigers Forever)” produced by Nuvista Media and Rimba
  • “Nat Geo Inspires: Collecting Data to Save Gorongosa's Lions” produced by National Geographic
  • “Pavel” produced by World Wildlife Fund-UK
  • “Singye” produced by World Wildlife Fund-UK

Local Voices:

  • “Ranger and Leopard” produced by Wildlife Pictures Institute for Jam-e Jam TV Network
  • “The Tiger Who Crossed the Line” produced by Earthcare Productions
  • “Gyamo - Queen of the Mountains” produced by Riverbank Studios


Threats Facing Big Cats from Jackson Hole WILD

See the Full Feature here..

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Industry friend Martin Hammod dies
7 February 2018

We are sad to report the passing of Martin Hammond who died from a heart attack this morning.

Some of you will know him from his 35 years at Kodak, his presence at many wildlife film festivals and his support for industry newcomers.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Martin.

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Oxford Scientific Films and Terra Mater Factual Studios explore Wild Korea
from OSF
6 February 2018

Following on from the success of major international series Richard Hammond’s Miracles of Nature, Wild Weather with Richard Hammond and Secrets of the Stonehenge Skeletons, Terra Mater Factual Studios (TMFS) and Oxford Scientific Films (OSF) have joined forces once again to co-produce, Wild Korea (2 x 1 hrs) a landmark series on the natural history of South Korea in association with Buzz, CJ E&M and the BBC.

For the past 60 years, aggression between North and South has defined Korea yet little is known about its wilderness areas where traditional relationships between man and nature thrive and remarkable creatures exist in abundance.

From the jagged mountains of the east to the vast estuarine mudflats of the south and west Wild Korea explores the rich and varied wildlife habitats of this mysterious peninsular. Most astonishingly of all the series lifts the lid on the haven that exists inside the demilitarised zone, the heavily fortified area between North and South where humans fear to tread but where wildlife threatened elsewhere in the country has forged a remarkable comeback.

Wild Korea is scheduled for delivery in January 2018 making the series available in time for the Winter Olympics which are being held in Seoul. The BBC has taken a 1 hr version South Korea: Earth’s Hidden Wilderness which they are due to transmit on 11th February at 8pm on BBC2.

Clare Birks, CEO, Oxford Scientific Films said “We’re delighted to be working with Terra Mater again on such an ambitious and prestigious series which we are co-producing with our Korean partners”.

Caroline Hawkins, Creative Director, Oxford Scientific Films said ”We have been given a unique opportunity to show nature’s incredible resilience in a country that is unfamiliar to most of us yet is rich in wonderful wildlife.”

Sabine Holzer, Head of TV, Terra Mater Factual Studios adds “We are very excited about these truly unique films about a region few of us would think of in terms of Natural History. This is a perfect match for Terra Mater’s documentary programme portfolio where we continue to combine fresh storytelling and outstanding visuals.”

The films were ordered by Sabine Holzer for TMFS and CS Lee for Buzz and Jae Hyuk Lee for CJ E&M. The Director is James Reed (Jago: A Life Underwater, Rise of the Warrior Apes). The Executive Producers are Caroline Hawkins for OSF, Martin Meszaros and Sabine Holzer for TMFS, CS Lee for Buzz and Jae Hyuk Lee for CJ E&M.

Worldwide sales are being handled by Terra Mater Factual Studios.


Bottlenose dolphins encounter a Haenyeo diver from South Korea: Earth's Hidden Wilderness

See the Full Feature here..

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British Wildlife Photography Awards 2018 - Call for Entries
by Maggie Gowan of British Wildlife Photography Awards
1 February 2018

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS – The British Wildlife Photography Awards 2018 are open for entries. Find out more here: www.bwpawards.org

With 15 separate categories covering all aspects of British Wildlife share your vision with us and compete for a chance to win a prestigious prize. The £20,000 prize fund includes £5,000 cash first prize and cameras from lead sponsor Canon.

Be featured in a touring exhibition and reach millions across the UK through a touring exhibition and a beautiful book.

Whether incredible behaviour, a characterful portrait, an atmospheric woodland scene, or the secret world that lives in the undergrowth we want to see your pictures and films.

Be part of a competition and community that is supported by the UK's major conservation charities and celebrates excellence in wildlife photography and film.

Be inspired by our recent FILM and PHOTOGRAPHY WINNERS winners:

Last years winners:
Stills: www.bwpawards.org/winners2017
Film: www.bwpawards.org/videowinners2017

Some 'Highly Commended' photo's from the 2017 competition on the left. More details here.

The 2017 Wildlife in HD Video Winner


Caddisfly Larva by Liam Marsh from BWPAwards

Highlights of all the Winning and Commended films of 2017:


BWPA Highlights from 2017 from BWPAwards.

Also see: BWPA 2017 Winners Announced!

See the Full Call For 2018 Entries Feature here..

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AU's Center for Environmental Filmmaking 2018 Report
By Chris Palmer
15 January 2018

The following report provides an overview of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking’s activities and events taking place during the 2017/2018 period. The Center’s programs are made possible by the generosity of the foundations and donors listed at the end.

With Dean Emeritus Larry Kirkman’s support, I founded the Center thirteen years ago at the School of Communication to address the world’s unprecedented environmental challenges, from climate disruption to species extinction.

Powerful films, images, and stories can play a key role in fostering conservation and bringing about change. We are committed to raising awareness and empowering action through the innovative use of media. Our campaign mantra is: Changing lives. Fostering creativity. Conserving our environment through the power of media.

Our mission is to inspire a new generation of filmmakers and media experts whose commitment to environmental stewardship drives them to produce creative work that is informative, ethically sound, and entertaining—and that makes a positive difference. Our signature initiatives include:

  • Creating partnerships with established organizations—Maryland Public Television, the National Park Service, The Humane Society of the United States, the Nature Conservancy, and others—that give students the opportunity to produce professional films.
  • Bringing world-class filmmakers to American University to talk, teach, and mentor.
  • Developing innovative, interdisciplinary, and experiential classes and programs.
  • Promoting the ethical treatment of wildlife and the environment.
  • Awarding student scholarships and fellowships.
  • Supporting and mentoring environmental and wildlife filmmakers in a variety of other ways.

More information about our programs can be found on our website www.american.edu/soc/environmental-film and at www.ChrisPalmerOnline.com.

See the Full Feature here..

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The 13th Annual Spring 2018 Film Series
An SOC Signature Series
Created and Hosted by Chris Palmer - AUCEF
12 January 2018

Free and Open to the Public, No Reservations Required, First Come, First Seated!

  • Tuesday, February 13 at 7 pm
    Reception at 6:30 pm with refreshments
    An Inconvenient Truth: The Sequel (104 min, 2016) followed by discussion and Q&A


  • Tuesday, February 27 at 7 pm—Part of SOC Week
    Reception at 6:30 pm with refreshments
    Sneak Peek at the 2018 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, March 15-25


Note: The March 20-23 events below are all part of Washington D.C.’s Environmental Film Festival: dceff.org

  • Tuesday, March 20 at 7 pm
    Reception at 6:30 pm with refreshments
    An Evening with Chris Palmer - The Best Environmental Feature Films from Hollywood
    Founder and Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking, School of Communication, American University.


  • Wednesday, March 21 at 7pm
    Student Short Environmental Film Festival


  • Thursday, March 22 at 7pm
    Ok, I’ve Watched the Film, Now What?
    An Impact Filmmaking Panel with Experts in the Field. Film clips and panel discussion, hosted and moderated by Chris Palmer.


  • Friday, March 23 at 7 pm
    Evolution of Organic (Dir. Mark Kitchell, US, 2017, 86min.) followed by a discussion


  • Tuesday, March 27 at 7pm
    Healing Baltimore’s Harbor: A Pipe Dream?


  • Tuesday, April 3 at 7pm
    Filmmaking for Decision-Makers: A case-study of American Resilience Project’s Tidewater, & The Burden

Also see: www.american.edu/soc/cef/upcoming-events.cfm

See the Full Feature here..

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New Brock Initiative website live and the focus is firmly on Wildlife Winners & Losers!!

Richard Brock says "Use these films to help save the planet."

And the Wildlife Winners are… I’m wildlife filmmaker and producer Richard Brock. For many years I worked for the BBC’s prestigious Natural History Unit alongside David Attenborough. My series “Wildlife Winners and Losers” looks carefully with well-documented evidence at these changes – past, present and particularly the future.

Using previously unseen footage from the recent past we bring the story right up to date and try to look forward as to the winners and the losers we might expect – and why. As far as I know, no one has done this so deliberately around the world with so many species and places. In the 80+ shortish films recently finished in 2017 we find many examples of winners, or, at least those trying not to be losers!

The natural world is changing very quickly now. The clock is ticking faster and faster. Some species are winning, some are losing.

So, here FOR FREE are films to use as AMMUNITION to help save the planet. Be the change that you wish to see in the world...

Wildlife Winners and Losers - Brock Initiative


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:


How To Beat The Big Boys - PROMO from brockinitiative

If you would like to see more of this story please watch the full film. Thank you RB.

Much more here: brockinitiative.org/use-these-films-to-help-save-the-planet

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GREEN SCREEN Internationales Naturfilmfestival Eckernförde is looking for amazing wildlife films from all over the world for its 2018 edition. Submission starts now!!

Wildlife films are welcome to be submitted from December 15th 2017 until March, 15th 2018.

Earlybird discount (25 % on the total entry fees) applies for submissions before February, 15th.
Submission deadline: March, 15th 2018

Regulations, submission forms and descriptions: www.greenscreen-festival.de/en/submission

Contact: film@greenscreen-festival.de

More information about the festival: www.greenscreen-festival.de/en

Wild Pages: The Wildlife Film-makers' Resource Guide

Wildlife Film-making: Looking to the Future

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The Green Hub Project

Wildlife Winners and Losers - Brock Initiative


Brock Initiative


Wildeye

Filmmakers For Conservation

Environmental Investigation Agency

About Wildlife-film.com

Since the late 1990s Wildlife-film.com has been the leading source of information for the wildlife filmmaking industry worldwide. For over nineteen 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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