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Sustainable Film Competition – Call For Entries!
Calling All Sustainably Minded Filmmakers!
Following last year’s success, VMI and Sustainable Film are excited to host our sustainability film competition again! Enter for a chance to win free camera and grip equipment for your project. We’re looking to support a film featuring sustainability themes in its on-screen content.
WE’RE LOOKING TO SUPPORT A PROJECT WHICH FEATURES SUSTAINABILITY THEMES IN ITS ON-SCREEN CONTENT
We had two winners last year.
“Washing Away” by Producer/Director, Sophie Nielsen, won the “She’s Got This” competition to realise her dream to produce a film to immortalize the fading beauty of London’s launderettes and celebrate their role as bastions of community and tradition in an increasingly digital world.
“Greensleeves” by Guy Taylor of Gatton Films, produced a short film to critically examine the harsh reality of greenwashing in corporate culture. It follows eco-influencer Fleur as she attends the launch of her new ‘green’ brand deal and encounters the truth behind the corporate machine. “Greensleeves” eloquently highlights the ethical challenges faced by those striving for sustainability.
Project winners will receive:
Up to 4 weeks rental of Camera and Grip Equipment from our stock as per the requirements below
Production Carbon Footprint (Via Albert or GPG, if required)
Bespoke Sustainable Production Methodology and Carbon Reduction Strategy
Projects must be able to complete their 4 weeks filming between the start of January and 31st March 2025.
Since all films will have a bespoke equipment requirement, we have not defined specific limits to equipment which could be made available for this prize.
However, camera packages based around a 1 or 2 camera Canon C500 II, Sony FX-9 or Sony Venice camera kits can be considered, together with primes, zooms, grip, monitors and camera accessories, which will also include a doco lighting kit for up to one month can be considered. Specialist cameras, optics and accessories on single day hires can also be considered. However, the camera hire must complete by latest 31 March 2025 and will be offered subject to change to ensure that it can be made available from our wide product range.
TO APPLY:
Please send the your application to hello@sustainablefilm.green by midnight on 10 December. The Winners will be notified by 31 December 2024
Pitch to explain more about the project and why it is eligible (250-400 words)
List of key Producers, HOD’s and any financing partners involved with IMDB links for all personnel mentioned
Include which project you are applying for in the subject line
Due to the short turnaround, we will not be able to provide feedback to those who are not successful in the competition.
Greensleeves, winner of the VMI/Sustainable.Film 2023 Sustainability Film Competition:
Award-winning wildlife film-maker Victoria Stone dies aged 66
Victoria Stone - In Memoriam - 1958-2024
We are very sad to share the news that Victoria Stone died on Sunday 17th November 2024.
The beautiful tribute below is from her partner in life and work, Mark Deeble, shared on their Deeble & Stone Facebook Page:
"Dear friends, Vicky died yesterday.
I can’t begin to condense a lifetime of love and shared experiences into just a few sentences.
For almost 45 years, we were inseparable - together almost every hour of every day, every week, every month… We traveled far and soared high because we were a team.
Vicky was determined, fair, and forthright, and beneath it, deeply creative. She made things happen. Never one to seek the limelight, she let her work, our films, speak for themselves.
Two years ago, Vicky was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Yesterday, she died peacefully at home, looking out over the cliffs and the ocean she so loved.
She was surrounded by love - family and friends she had brought together, relationships she had nurtured. Her life was one of giving out to others and giving back to the world.
I loved her so much and I can’t believe she has gone."
We send him and all of Vicky's family and many friends our sincerest and deepest condolences, with love.
"Victoria Stone and her partner Mark Deeble have worked together in Africa for over 30 years, telling wildlife stories that have been shown in more than 140 countries with audiences in excess of 600 million. "The Queen of Trees" was called 'a masterpiece' by Sir David Attenborough. Amongst its many awards are a Peabody and United Nations Award. Emmy®-winning "Mzima" joins a long filmography which includes "A Little Fish in Deep Water", "Tale of the Tides", "The Tides of Kirawira", and "Here Be Dragons". Their films have won over 100 international awards in recognition of their artistry and wildlife storytelling. At the prestigious 2020 Jackson Wild Media Awards, "The Elephant Queen" won four awards, including Best Feature. Victoria has an MA from the Royal College of Art and her work has included cinematography, producing, directing and editing." imdb.com/name/nm1564649/bio
A great legacy: The Elephant Queen: How a wildlife documentary inspired rural Kenya – Powerful, award-winning nature films like ‘The Elephant Queen’ have the potential to reshape attitudes and garner support for elephants in rural communities, according to a new study.
New study shows film can transform attitudes towards elephants. Powerful, award-winning nature films like ‘The Elephant Queen’, ??made by filmmakers Mark Deeble, Victoria Stone and Etienne Oliff, have the potential to reshape attitudes and garner support for elephants in rural communities, according to a new study. The findings are crucial at a time when Kenya and other parts of Africa are grappling with escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC). Read: savetheelephants.org/news/the-elephant-queen-how-a-wildlife-documentary-inspired-rural-kenya
RIP Vicky
Watch: The Queen of Trees by Deeble & Stone
One of the most amazing stories in the natural world -- a tale of intrigue and drama, set against grand Africa and its wildlife.
The fig tree and fig wasp differ in size a billion times over, but neither could exist without the other. Their extraordinary relationship underpins a complex web of dependency that supports animals from ants to elephants. Each fig is a microcosm -- a stage set for birth, sex and death.
One of the most amazing stories in the natural world -- a tale of intrigue and drama, set against grand Africa and its wildlife.
The Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival CALL FOR ENTRY is Open for Entries until December 16th!
Turkey's capital Ankara will host a brand-new festival in 2025.
The 1st Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival, will take place from the 15-18th of May, 2025. Entries opened on the 1st of July and will close on the 16th of December 2024.
The festival is organised to draw national and international attention to Anatolia's wildlife, contribute to nature conservation efforts and support the development of wildlife documentary filmmaking. It is aimed to bring together wildlife documentaries and teams from many countries of the world with both the audience and professional or amateur wildlife documentarians, to follow the innovations in the world, to be a pioneer in some areas and to be instrumental in collaborations and co-productions.
The festival, which will include four days of documentary film screenings, Q&As with film crews, workshops and seminars, will also have a competition section where wildlife documentaries from all over the world will be evaluated in short and feature categories.
Founded by director and producer Ece Soydam, who has been producing wildlife documentaries at TRT for nearly twenty years, the festival is organised in partnership with Çigdem Education, Environment and Solidarity Association and Nature Conservation Center, with the support of United Nations GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), European Union Sivil Düs¸ün Programme and Ayten & Aycan. The search for resources continues in order to make the organization, to which various embassies will also contribute, more comprehensive.
Submissions for the festival competition will be open until December 16th, 2024 through filmfreeway.com. Inviting all wildlife documentary filmmakers from Türkiye and across the globe to apply to the festival, the festival team continues to work to present a full program for the 1st Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival on May 15 – 18th, 2025.
I'm going to be a member of the jury for the Short Documentary Category! JP
On the 13th of November, I (Jason Peters!) was announced as a member on the Short Doc category at AWFF 2025.
The announcement read: "Jason Peters, who is responsible for managing wildlife-film.com, the platform uniting wildlife documentary filmmakers globally, has joined our festival jury for the Short Documentary category! Thank you, Jason!"
I am very happy to be involved, and so looking forward to hearding to Ankara next May!
Watch Brock InitiativeWildlife Winners & Losers films on Turkey!
Richard Brock has spent a considerable amount of time making films in Turkey.
In 2017 he released a quintuple of WW&L films about Turkey under the banner "Turkey's Treasures" ... "With a local guide Zafer we reveal rare monk seals, fishing conservation and local life."
Watch the promo below and if you would like to see more of this story please follow the links to watch the films 1-5:
When they're not delivering babies, what do white storks get up to? Seen through their eyes in fascinating Southwest Turkey we join the birds as they rear their own babies.
The Battle for Middlewick Ranges by Ross Birnie coming soon!
In Colchester, a battle is raging for one of the last great wildlife refuges in Essex. Middlewick Ranges is home to rare acid grassland—the largest in the county—as well as breeding Skylarks, Barbastelle bats, and the UK’s second-largest Nightingale population.
But now, the Ministry of Defence and developers are pushing to pave it over, risking everything these habitats support. This includes 1,500 species of invertebrates, many of which are threatened by local and national extinction.
The real story? Key ecological data, warnings from Natural England, and an essential 2017 report highlighting Middlewick’s value were withheld from councillors before a decisive vote. Reports were manipulated by commercial consultants to downgrade habitats, prioritising profit over wildlife-rich green spaces.
This isn’t just about one site; it’s a glimpse into a broken planning system where planning officers and developers ignore environmental guidelines; even legally safeguarded wildlife isn’t safe.
National organisations like Buglife, RSPB, and Essex Wildlife Trust have joined grassroots campaigners in this fight, which has now become a stand for nature across the UK.
In a time of biodiversity crisis, The Battle for Middlewick calls for action to save our wild spaces.
Will you join the fight? Watch, share and help protect the irreplaceable.
All winners were announced during the Flamingo Award Ceremony. After a careful selection, the jury members - Bero Beyer, Arjan Dwarshuis, Aniek Moonen and Cees van Kempen - have come to a decision... The winners of the Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam 2024 are:
Watch Wildlife Films from your Couch with WFFR Online
Until December 5, 2024, you can watch almost all films* from this edition online for a month!
You can buy a single ticket per film (€5) or a passe-partout for all films (€25).
How does it work? After purchasing a single ticket, you can watch the film for 48 hours, with a passe-partout you can watch all films unlimited until December 5, regardless of the purchase date.
Here you can find the complete online program and you can buy individual films and passe-partouts: wffr.filmchief.com/hub
*Only 'De Wilde Noordzee' cannot be viewed online. All other films from the physical festival can also be viewed online.
Is the International Whaling Commission (IWC) a ‘zombie’ organisation that should be disbanded?
As we approach the 40th anniversary of the moratorium on commercial whaling, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is more relevant than ever to the conservation of the world’s whales, dolphins and porpoises.
A recent article in Nature claims the International Whaling Commission has outlived its usefulness and should be dismantled. Absolutely not, argues EIA’s senior campaigner, Clare Perry, who has fought for decades to maintain and strengthen the moratorium on commercial whaling and broaden action within the IWC.
On 15th August, four authors led by Peter Bridgewater, a previous chair of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) published a comment in Nature entitled “Dismantle ‘zombie’ wildlife protection conventions once their work is done”. In it the authors argue that the IWC has outlived its usefulness and should be retired, devolving its responsibilities for managing commercial and subsistence whaling to national governments, while the Convention on Migratory Species could act as a ‘global whale observatory’ alerting the world to negative trends in any species.
Although they acknowledge the “huge achievement” of the moratorium on commercial whaling, the authors lament that since that time, the IWC has “done little to help conserve the great whales” and failed to “encourage the sustainable harvesting” of whale populations.
It’s hard to understand the motivation of the authors, but the argument to abandon a successful treaty is dangerously flawed – particularly given that more than a quarter of the 92 cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) species are threatened with extinction (i.e., critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable) and 11% are near threatened.
Are Whales Winning? Our attitude to whales and dolphins is confused.
We love them in their home, the sea. We (some) love them in SeaWorld performing tricks. But SeaWorld and its money is now threatened by public opinion, and Japan, Norway and Iceland are the latest survivors still fighting not to save the whales and dolphins in the wild. Who will win in this whale of a tangle? brockinitiative.org/category/poodunnit-a-wildlife-detective-story
Cary Grant Comes Home For The Weekend Festival Panel Discussion: Animal Magic!
Join us for an engaging conversation chaired by BBC Free Thinking’s Matthew Sweet.
This illustrated panel will explore the world of animals in cinema, spotlighting Cary Grant’s work with animals in films like Monkey Business, Bringing Up Baby, and The Awful Truth.
Experts Michael Lawrence from the University of Sussex and VFX Supervisor Theo Jones from Framestore will discuss the evolution of VFX in depicting animals on screen, from early practical effects to today’s sophisticated CGI.
We’ll explore how modern techniques would handle classic scenes, showcasing Framestore’s recent creature work alongside early VFX solutions.
This event will also address the outdated practices and ethical considerations of using real animals in films, reflecting on how digital technologies are reshaping our relationship with them.
This event follows a screening of I’m No Angel, where Mae West stars as a lion tamer, and leads into our showings of Monkey Business, featuring a chimpanzee, and Bringing Up Baby, with leopards Nissa and Princess.
We’ll spotlight leopard trainer and stuntwoman Olga Celeste, and delve into the visual effects of Bringing Up Baby, including Cary Grant’s fear of the leopard and Katharine Hepburn’s contrasting fearlessness.
Additionally, we’ll discuss Asta the dog’s roles in both Bringing Up Baby and The Awful Truth.
This event is perfect for film and VFX enthusiasts, offering insights into the evolution of animal representation in cinema and the ethical implications of these practices.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from industry experts and experience a blend of classic and contemporary filmmaking techniques!
We focus in documentary making on land and underwater, we do high speed, infrared and thermal filming. We can also help as fixers in Cyprus and Greece.
Victoria Clarke – an Australia-based Presenter/Host/Narrator
Victoria is a freelance television presenter, broadcaster, science communicator and narrator for documentaries and television series specialising in wildlife, science, natural history and adventure/travel.
She studied a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of Queensland, which she paired with formal training in television presenting and communications, and has since combined the two fields as a host for wildlife and natural history media.
Her work as a wildlife presenter has taken her to many interesting and remote places in the natural world, and she is an avid traveller and adventurer.
Victoria believes in the power of storytelling, and it's her objective to share information about our planet, and the scientific discoveries made here, to the wider community through compelling, entertaining and accurate stories.
Victoria knows that through the art of nature filmmaking, the importance of conservation and exposure to the beauty of the natural world can be truly understood and appreciated.
Massimiliano (Max) Finzi – a Marine Supervisor – Assistant Underwater Camera – Water Safety Diver
Max is a professional Marine Supervisor and Safety diver in Media, Film and HATV at Netflix, Prime, Lionsgate, Disney, BBC amongst others.
Based in both the UK (Devon) and Italy.
He says" "I have great experience in water diving safety. I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, an SSI Divemaster Instructor and the HSE Scuba L.4 and I’m also Instructor of many diving specialties; I’m an underwater camera assistant and also operate independently. I also have experience of training cast and crew in scuba diving to facilitate underwater sequences.
I have done over 10,000 dives in extremely different places and locations such as sea, ocean, river, altitude, lake, caves, under ice, deep and wrecks using all different equipments; I have worked as a dive instructor and dive manager for 21 years and in the last 5 as part of a team in the Marine department in film and TV.
Before becoming a diver in 1996 I was a studio still-life photographer a profession that I brought with me underwater;
I have the Gates STO (Setup/Test/Operate) certification made by Esprit Film; RYA PowerBoat L2, VHF Radio Operator, Day skipper.
I also have the IRATA Rope Access certification L1 and A1/A3 Drone open category.
"Mindful Moments in Nature" from our fabulous founder, Piers Warren, and a thanks!
Last month's Wildlife Film News (WFN300) was our 25th Anniversary Edition ... Twenty five years since Piers Warren launched Wildlife-film.com as an online community and much-needed resource, helping and connecting wildlife film-makers from all around the World.
I don't think Piers has ever really been given the credit he deserves for his services to the wildlife film-making community ... no wildlife film festival accolades ... for starting this resource and for nurturing the next, and then the next, generation of wildlife film-makers in the UK, and all around the World.
So, I'd like to say:
"Thank you Piers, for all you've done for our community, for wildlife conservation, and personally for me ... You're the best!" JP
If you have a story about any of your experiences with Piers, through this site, on a Wildeye course, on an overseas filming trip, through his books or at films festivals, and want to share, say thanks, please get in touch with your message: member@wildlife-film.com
Piers says "These days I still produce short videos on nature, wildlife, growing food and cooking, including a series of 'Mindful Moments in Nature' films." and I love watching them, so am sharing them here for you all to take a mindful few moments out of your day to relax in nature:
"Mindful Moments in Nature is a series of short films made in nature by Piers Warren with no narration or music but with sounds of nature. It has been scientifically proved that digital nature - such as watching these mindful moments - is good for our mental health - especially if we can't get out into real nature!"
Billy & Molly wins three at Wildscreen Panda Awards
Natural history festival, Wildscreen has named the winners of this year’s Panda Awards with the Golden Panda Award going to Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, made by Silverback Films for National Geographic.
A unanimous decision by the jury, Billy & Molly was considered the best production for its “level of emotion, ability to touch hearts, and how it illustrated the capabilities of the future of the wildlife genre.”
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story also won the Producer / Director Award and Scripted Narrative Award. Silverback Films, producers of Billy & Molly, also took home the Cinematography Award for Wild Isles: Ocean as well as being nominated in several categories.
Queens, from Wildstar Films, took home two wins: the Series Award and Production Management Team Award. The jury noted that the production team “set up an innovative working practice and production model with an ethos of mentoring and being parents and job sharing.” The programme took home the Series Award for its innovation in moving the genre forward whilst inviting a younger audience with its structure and use of modern/pop music, and the theme of motherhood as a unifying thread between the episodes.
Cinematographer and Director, Alastair MacEwen, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. With a career spanning more than 25 years, MacEwen has made significant contributions to the wildlife film and TV industry, with credits including Our Planet, Planet Earth II, Earth’s Tropical Islands, Perfect Planet and Wild Isles.
The Impact Award went to PATROL (Juli Films and Perpetuo Films – Nicaragua / USA), a powerful film examining the role of cattle ranching in deforestation; whilst the Sustainability Award was given to The Watches 2023 (BBC Studios Natural History Unit – UK) in recognition of the production’s innovative sustainability efforts.
Other winners include Raptors: A Fistful of Daggers (Behaviour Award), Erica Rugabandana for the film Living with Lions (Kuishi Na Simba) (Emerging Talent Award), and Chimp Empire (Editing Award and Music Award).
Full list of winners and nominees
Special awards
Warner Chappell Production Music Golden Panda Award:
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story A Silverback Films Production for National Geographic – UK
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Alastair MacEwen
Christopher Parsons Outstanding Achievement Award:
Jo Sarsby
Behaviour Award – sponsored by Off the Fence
Winner: Raptors: A Fistful of Daggers – EP1: Meet the Raptors Terra Mater Studios and Dandy Lion Films – Austria Lions of the Skeleton Coat
Into Nature Productions – Austria / Netherlands Wild Secrets – Between Water and Woods
Doclights – Germany Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough – Episode 2: Love and Rivals Humble Bee Films and Infield Fly Productions – UK / Canad)
Children’s Award – sponsored by Wildscreen ARK
Winner: A Real Bug’s Life, Ep. The Big City Plimsoll Productions – UK Dr Mark’s Animal Show
Wild Africa – Nigeria / South Africa Save Our Wildlife
Fresh Start Media – UK
Cinematography Award – sponsored by Films at 59
Winner: Wild Isles: Ocean Silverback Films – UK Unwavering
Chris Schmid Studio – Switzerland Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
A Silverback Films Production for National Geographic – UK
Editing Award – sponsored by National Geographic
Winner: Chimp Empire EP1
Key editor: Sam Rogers – Underdog Films and Keo Films – UK Earthsounds
Key editor: Alex Boyle – Offspring Films – UK / US Tiger
Key editor: Nigel Buck BFE – Wildstar Films – UK / India
Emerging Talent Award – sponsored by BBC Studios Natural History Unit
Winner: Erica Francis Rugabandana for the film Living with Lions (Kuishi Na Simba)
Curiosity Stream, Ouragan Films and Siima Media – Tanzania
Hugh Allen for the film The Thin Green Line
National Film and Television School – UK / Cyprus
Dan Short for the film Intercellular
UWE – UK
Field Craft Special Recognition Award – sponsored by Terra Mater Studios
Winner: Sammy Munene, Specialist Filming Driver
Impact Award – sponsored by Save Our Seas Foundation
Winner: PATROL Juli Films and Perpetuo Films – Nicaragua / USA We Are Guardians
Appian Way, Random Hood, Highly Flammable, Mídía Índigena, One Forest – US RHINO MAN
The Global Conservation Corps – US / South Africa
Music Award
Winner: Chimp Empire EP1
Composer: Willian Goodchild – Underdog Films and Keo Films – UK Mammals – Forest
Composer: Thomas Farnon – BBC Natural History Unit, BBC America, ZDF, Youku, France Télévisions for BBC – UK Living With Leopards
Composer: Paul Leonard-Morgan – A Wild Space Production In Association with Natural History Film Unit & Freeborne Media – UK / Botswana
On-Screen Talent Award – sponsored by University of the West of England
Winner: Malaika Vaz in Sacrifice Zone
Untamed Planet in association with the National Geographic Society – US
Eoin Warner in Ireland’s Wild Islands – Episode 3: Echoes of the Past
Crossing The Line Productions – Ireland
Hamza Yassin in Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey Silverback Films – UK
Bertie Gregory in Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory – Episode: Antarctic Killer Waves
Wildstar Films and National Geographic – UK
Producer / Director Award – sponsored by Passion Pictures
Winner: Charlie Hamilton-James and Jeff Wilson for Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
A Silverback Films Production for National Geographic – UK
Thomas Winston for Mollie’s Pack
Grizzly Creek Films and IMAX Original Documentaries – US
James Reed and Callum Webster for Chimp Empire EP4
Underdog Films and Keo Films – UK / US
Production Management Team Award – sponsored by Humble Bee Films
Winner: Queens
Wildstar Films and National Geographic – UK Frozen Planet II
BBC Studios – UK The Earthshot Prize 2023
Studio Silverback – UK
Scripted Narrative Award
Winner: Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
Key scriptwriter: Charlie Hamilton-James – A Silverback Films Production for National Geographic – UK WILDING
Key scriptwriter: David Allen – HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Passion Planet – UK / UK Tiger
Key scriptwriter: Mark Linfield – Wildstar Films – UK / India
Series Award – sponsored by Doclights / NDR Naturfilm
Winner: Queens
Wildstar Films and National Geographic – UK Planet Earth III BBC Studios Natural History Unit, co-produced by BBC America, ZDF, FTV and The Open University – UK The Great Rhino Robbery
BBC Studios Documentary Unit – UK Australia’s Wild Odyssey
Wild Pacific Media – Australia
Sound Award – sponsored by Films at 59
Winner: Secrets From a Forest
Sound Design: Joe Siddons, Simon Weir & Sound Team – Ravenwood Studios – UK Tiger
Sound Design: Kate Hopkins RDI, AMPS, Tim Owens, Ben Pearce, David E. Fluhr CAST- Wildstar Films – UK / India A Call from the Wild
Sound Design: Anders Tveten, Erik Watland and Re-recording mixer: Bent Holm, Anders Tveten – Artic Light co-produced by Doclights, in association with: NDR, Terra Mater Studios, SVT – Norway
Sustainability Award – sponsored by Aurum Kaleidoscope Foundation
Winner: The Watches 2023
BBC Studios Natural History Unit – UK Pirarucu, The Breath of the Amazon
Banksia Films – Brazil Common Ground
Big Picture Ranch – US Wild Isles: Saving Our Wild Isles
Silverback Films – UK
Missed out on Wildscreen this year? You can now purchase a Post-Festival Online Pass for as little as £15 (for WildPhotos)!
Brush up on your cinematography knowledge, delve into the world of digital content creation, find out how to fund your film and more at the touch of a button from now until January 31st 2025.
Our Online Pass gives you post-festival access to our delegate app, allowing you to catch up and watch back live streams of dozens of sessions from this year’s festival including Headliners, Masterclasses, Decision Maker Clinics and more!
PLUS access our full film library of this year’s Official Selection and Panda Award Nominees. That’s over 60 natural history films and episodes at your fingertips!
Must Read: Making Animals Public: Inside the ABC’s natural history archive by Gay Hawkins & Ben Dibley
Natural history television on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) has been one of the public broadcaster’s most popular formats. For many viewers, TV has been an important contact zone for engaging with animals they would never encounter in everyday life. These animals have also played a critical role in developing environmental awareness. But how did animals get to be on the small screen and what happened to them when they got there?
Making Animals Public: Inside the ABC’s Natural History Archive traces the cultural and political evolution of the natural history animal on the ABC. It explores different modes of capture from cages to cameras; what has come to count as a natural history animal over time; and the various sites they have inhabited – from nature, to the nation, to the environment, to the planet.
In early natural history programs audiences were invited to watch as sovereign humans there to learn or be entertained by animals that were exotic or aesthetic or scientifically interesting. Whatever the framing, these animals were resolutely other. In recent times, natural history animals have become more assertive. They are now posing uncomfortable questions to human viewers about exploitation, extinction and mutual implication in catastrophic whole earth processes like climate change.
Using a wide range of screen examples ranging from the 1950s to the 2020s, Making Animals Public focuses on shifting cultural and sociotechnical practices in ABC natural history television. Combining science and technology studies, screen studies and critical animal studies, this book develops an innovative interdisciplinary analysis of how televisual animality is crafted and made believable.
Making Animals Public analyses the significant role public television has played in filming and circulating a vast array of animals and habitats that had never been seen before. How these animals were visualised and accounted for has continually evolved. What has remined constant is the fact that natural history television has been a hugely important site for exploring the various politics of human-animal relations – good and bad – and for nurturing environmental awareness in audiences.
About the Authors:
Gay Hawkins is an Emeritus Professor at the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. She is a leading researcher in the fields of environmental humanities, STS and the politics of materials.
Ben Dibley is a visiting fellow at Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Australia.
Animal Activism On and Off Screen examines the relationship between animal advocacy and the film and television industries.
Leading scholars, activists, and film industry professionals critically analyse the ways in which animal activism has been represented inside and outside film and television programs in relation to the politics of celebrity, vegan, and animal activism.
Case studies include UK, US, and German television crime fiction, feature-length advocacy documentaries such as Blackfish (2013), The Ghosts in Our Machine (2013), The Animal People (2019) and Meat the Future (2020); fiction films such as Okja (2017) and Cloud Atlas (2012); as well as celebrity chefs, French activism and celebrity activists Pamela Anderson, Joaquin Phoenix and James Cromwell.
By exploring three key aspects of the current context for animal rights: representations of activism on screen; activist texts and their reception; and celebrity vegans and animal advocates, Animal Activism On and Off Screen evaluates the efficacy of advocacy narratives in film and on television, and offers important insights intended to inform animal advocacy strategies and campaigns.
“A great read for those interested in activism, how the media spreads messages, and how the cultural landscape around us is formed.” – Anthony Morris, Books+Publishing
Published by Sydney University Press on the 3rd of July 2024
New Book: Land of the Tiger and Beyond: A filmmaker's extraordinary journey with wild animals, wild people and wild places.by Mike Birkhead
Land of the Tiger and Beyond chronicles Mike’s remarkable journey from aspiring footballer to acclaimed filmmaker.
After an unsuccessful final trial for Leeds United, Mike pivoted to studying zoology, dedicating a decade to the field before founding and running a production company for thirty-five years.
Throughout his career, Mike has produced over 50 documentary films on wild animals, places, people, and science for renowned networks such as BBC, PBS, National Geographic, Terra Mater/Red Bull Media, and Pathé in Paris.
His fascination with Indian tigers began serendipitously over three decades ago, leading to acclaimed programs like “Tiger Crisis,” “Land of the Tigers” series for BBC, “Tiger” (a BBC special), and “Battle to Save the Tiger” hosted by David Attenborough.
Mike’s films resonate with scientists, conservationists, and anyone passionate about preserving our planet’s biodiversity. He earned his doctorate and post-doctorate at the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Oxford University.
Among his notable works are “H is for Hawk: The Next Chapter,” “The Tale of the Peacocks and Tiger,” “Thunderbirds,” “Ostrich: Life on the Run,” “Attenborough’s Wonder of Song,” “Attenborough’s Wonder of Eggs,” and “Attenborough’s Big Birds.”
Hamza Yassin calls for programmes to embrace nature
Presenter and cameraman says soaps should show characters ‘enjoying the natural world’
Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin has called for TV programmes to place more emphasis on showing people enjoying nature.
The Hidden Wild Isles presenter was speaking at the BBC Climate Creative Conference this morning when he urged programme makers of all genres to consider how they encourage people to care more about the environment.
“When we think about what people are sitting down to watch, let’s talk about how we can incorporate nature into that as well,” he said.
He pointed to the “doom and gloom” nature of news and suggested a return to the “Trevor McDonald days” - with a two- minute “joyful” news story at the end of the programme which could be a positive piece about nature.
“With the soaps, let’s see actors going out and being inspired in nature, rather than always focusing on who slept with who and who is arguing with who. Let’s see them enjoying the natural world and doing something useful to mother nature because representation is a massive thing in modern day TV,” he added.
“I want to reach the Strictly fans, the Emmerdale fans, the people who won’t turn on the Discovery channel. Let’s speak to the people who don’t know.”
Guardians of the Gibbons: can India save its only ape species from extinction?
The dad raising an endangered species ...
The Guardian's latest documentary, Guardians of the Gibbons takes you to the lush landscapes of Barekuri, north-east India, where the country’s only ape species – the hoolock gibbons – live in harmony with the local community. This fresh perspective on conservation centres on Mohit Chutia, a devoted father who is taking care of a gibbon family while raising his own, observing his close bond with this endangered species.
Mohit teams up with researcher Ishika Ramakrishna, combining their skills and knowledge to tackle the gibbons' urgent population decline, endangered because of severe habitat loss through deforestation and extractive industrial destruction from oil and gas.
The UN’s 16th Biodiversity Convention kicked off in Colombia on Monday, yet a staggering majority of countries failed to submit their plans on how to halt the destruction of the Earth’s ecosystems. I spoke to film-makers Raginee Nath and Chinmoy Sonowal about how this rare animal-human coexistence can offer a vital example to India and the world.
For over a century the villagers of Barekuri, north-east India’s biodiversity hotspot, have coexisted with the country’s only ape species, the hoolock gibbon.
But this harmony stands in fragile ecological balance. Mohit Chutia, a 55-year-old farmer and father, has been taking care of one gibbon family while raising his own. When researcher Ishika Ramakrishna arrives to study human-gibbon interactions, she joins forces with Mohit and the villagers to tackle the gibbons' urgent population decline, endangered by habitat loss, deforestation and industrial catastrophe.
Since 1991, the Bay of Somme is the place to be for nature lovers. Screenings, exhibitions, outings and children activities will be awaiting again from April 12th to 20th 2025.
Every year ever since, professional as well as amateur filmmakers are welcome to enter their latest productions about birds, wildlife or environmental issues.
THE FILM COMPETITION
The Festival offers a selection of films dealing mainly with birds in their natural environment, wildlife, natural history or environmental issues.
Professional films must be of 26 to 100 minutes duration.
This competition is also open to amateur wildlife filmmakers who do sound recording, shooting or editing as a hobby and on a non-profit basis. (max duration: 3 to 13 minutes).
Selected films will be screened by the Final Jury and the audience alike during the event, from April 12th to 20th, 2025.
Greenpeace been in the Arctic - a beautiful, fragile ocean on the top of the world that is home to incredible animals like blue whales, polar bears and cold-water corals.
And to say thank you for being a valued oceans defender, we brought back something just for you: a special live performance from Grammy award-winning musician Jacob Collier and Norwegian star AURORA.
The Arctic provided a magical setting for a unique musical experience. But that isn’t the only reason Jacob and AURORA joined us there. They were also helping us highlight the impacts destructive human activity is having on this site of astounding natural beauty.
With the ice melting and the oceans warming, sea life is struggling and the oceans’ ability to fight the climate crisis - through things like carbon storage and heat absorption - is being damaged. At the same time, Norway has become the first country to open up the Arctic to deep sea mining, putting unique ecosystems in this special place at risk.
To defend the Arctic and our oceans as a whole, Greenpeace is campaigning to stop the deep sea mining industry before it starts, and calling for governments to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
In September 2023, Greenpeace International published 30×30: From Global Ocean Treaty to Protection at Sea setting out the political process to deliver protection for the global oceans. The report explores how cumulative pressures on the high seas are increasing, and quantifies for the first time the growing fishing activity in areas earmarked for protection, using data from Global Fishing Watch.
Our global oceans and all life on Earth hang in the balance.
Add your name to call on leaders to create new ocean sanctuaries and protect our blue planet.
Watch Toxic Influence, the film exposing the dark side of Dove
As Dove prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their “Real Beauty” campaign, Greenpeace’s new film strips away Dove’s clean image to reveal two decades of ugly environmental destruction.
What is Dove’s Toxic Influence?
Dove, a brand that has long portrayed itself as a champion of ‘real beauty’, confidence, and environmental care, is hiding a dark secret.
Every single day, Dove floods the planet with millions of items of throwaway plastic. This plastic is choking our oceans, killing wildlife, and fuelling an environmental disaster of unprecedented scale. The very communities Dove claims to support are drowning in a sea of single-use plastic, their neighbourhoods transformed into unofficial dumping grounds for corporate waste. This needs to change.
A chance for real change
Dove doesn’t just have the power to change its own business – it can change the whole industry.
In just a few months, world leaders will gather to negotiate a Global Plastics Treaty, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end the age of throwaway plastic.
Unilever, Dove’s parent company, holds massive sway in these talks. If they feel the pressure from millions of people watching this film, they’ll be forced to back a strong treaty. This could mean all businesses phase out single use plastic in the next 10 years.
This is our chance to make real change, but we need your help to make it work.
Share the video in your group chats, on your social media – wherever people will see it!
The Puffin Picture is a film about this charming seabird, and also about its up and downs over the years as we affect its survival. Its food at sea varies with the climate, so we also explore the worrying connections with the tiny plastics out there. Called nurdles and produced in their billions they're linked to a huge factory and one of the country's richest men. Nurdles may sound amusing, and the puffin is often called "comical", "like a clown", but this picture is definitely serious as well.
Visit the website to see the many available Wildlife Winners & Losers films: brockinitiative.org
Richard Brock says: “There is still time to save the planet. My Wildlife Winners and Losers series is my contribution.
Now it’s your turn. Watch these free films. Choose from these 80+ films of different lengths to inspire you to take action.
They’re free to watch and share with as many people as possible. Use the Series to give you ammunition to help save the planet.”
Behind The Scenes Of A Nature Documentary | Mammals | BBC Earth
Filming a wildlife documentary takes a lot of commitment, whether it's living up a tree for two weeks or befriending a family of whales over 15 years...
Wildlife cameraman John Aitcheson on filming bats, AP Lillian Todd-Jones on echidnas, smooth-coated otters and spectral tarsiers, underwater cinematographer René Heuzey on sperm whales ...
Around 66 million years ago an asteroid struck the earth and wiped out around three quarters of all animal life. However, out of the darkness that followed one group of animals rose to become one of the most successful living today - and the Dark is where we chose to begin our story.
I was surprised when I learnt that more than two thirds of all mammal species living today are nocturnal, and only become active after dark. Like me, a warm blooded, hairy mammal, I had assumed that the majority went to bed at night, like the chimps making their tree top beds at the start of the Dark episode. But the dark is where mammals spent the majority of their early years, with fur coats to keep them warm.
It’s in the shadows that they honed some of the skills that helped them become so successful, including the leopard’s incredible night vision, letting it leap through tree top branches with ease in pursuit of baboons, or the remarkable hearing of the Fennec fox, like a detectorist, listening for hidden treasure in the sand, although in this case it’s for food not gold. More here ...
ZDF greenlights Off The Fence Iceland doc
ZDF has commissioned Iceland From Above (wt), a travel and adventure documentary from OTF Studios and Icelandic production company Sagafilm.
The documentary, which is currently in production, will air in the third quarter of 2025 on ARTE, before its official launch on ZDF’s Terra X strand.
OTF has also announced two new documentary series in its Wild… collection, again to be co-produced by OTF, its parent company ZDF Studios and ARTE. The two new documentaries — Wild Medics and Wild: Senses — follow Wild Talk (5 x 50 mins), which was unveiled in July.
The documentary has been produced on location in Iceland for the Terra X strand, which produces around 50 premium history, nature, archaeology and science documentaries a year. The two-part documentary will “showcase the Land of Fire and Ice as it has never been seen before — from high above its dramatic topography, which ranges from glittering glaciers, blue lagoons and steaming geysers to towering waterfalls, lunar landscapes and some of the world’s angriest and most active volcanoes. But Iceland is more than Volcanic amusement park: it is also home to a hardy and intrepid people, who choose to share a corner of the world with nature at her most unpredictable and extreme.”
BBC Factual has ordered three new natural history series from John Downer Productions, Offspring Films and the BBC’s NHU.
Spy in the Troop, from John Downer Productions, is a 4×60’ series for BBC One and iPlayer that “delves deep into the minds of primates to discover how like us our closest living relatives really are”; An Hour on Earth, a 4×60’ from Offspring Films “takes the audience on an immersive ride through the busiest moments in the natural world – nature’s rush hours”; and Matriarch, from BBC Studios Natural History Unit, puts the focus on the female chimpanzees of the Gombe for the first time.
Sreya Biswas, Head of Commissioning, Natural History, says “It’s so exciting to be announcing three incredible series that showcase a wide variety of natural history. From the amazing camera technology of Spy in the Troop to the compelling narratives of Matriarch to the real-time storytelling of An Hour of Earth, we are so thrilled to be making such a variety of series.”
Is nature-friendly farming a better way to grow food?
Meet Georgie Bray, the farm manager at RSPB Hope Farm. In this short film, she explains what nature-friendly farming looks like and what it means for the future of both food and wildlife.
What is nature-friendly farming? And can it secure our food production at a time when farms and farmers are really struggling? We asked RSPB Farm Manager, Georgie Bray, to tell us more.
Wildscreen: run towards creative risk says BBC's Moore
Natural history will continue to be a cornerstone of BBC programming, said BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore addressing the Wildscreen Festival conference, which is taking place in Bristol this week.
Pointing out that landmark BBC shows Wild Isles and Planet Earth III were the most watched factual shows in the UK market in 2023, Moore said: “we’re committed because it’s the story of who we are, what our place in the world is.” She added, “I don’t just believe in factual television, I believe in specialisms that fit within that.”
This week the BBC has announced several new natural history shows, including Secret Garden, a new blue chip series about our back gardens, from Plimsoll.
While this is good news, it comes at a low point for the industry, with audience behaviour changing and funding hard to come by. Moore described a TV industry in “crisis” and delivered a call to action: “This is our moment to be really inventive. Rather than run away from risk, we absolutely have to run towards it…to be courageous in our vision of what natural history filmmaking really means.”
“With what is happening to our planet, it matters more than ever before. We have to find a way to push at those boundaries.”
In conversation with Silverback co-founder Alastair Fothergill, Moore talked about her TV roots in the genre, having first worked for Bristol’s Icon Films. The fact that Icon has now closed underscored the on-stage discussion about the need for funding and how funding models need to change
Moore expanded on the evolution of natural history, with shows since Blue Planet now showing context, some of it presenting uncomfortable truths, plus revealing behind the scenes on wildlife shoots. More recently, finding “the courage to talk about climate and biodiversity issues.”
She talked about the BBC’s seven-year Our Changing Planet series, visiting fragile ecosystems and the Earthshot prize, with Prince William and David Attenborough; and the coverage of conservation stories in upcoming landmark Asia (pictured), produced by BBC Studios NHU.
Moore and Fothergill further explored how the genre has found new stories and new ways of telling stories.
Oxford Scientific to investigate spy whale for BBC2
Doc will shed new light on identity of beluga whale nicknamed Hvladimir
In April 2019 a seemingly tame beluga whale approaches a Norwegian fishing boat seeking help. It is wearing a harness fitted with a camera mount.
When the words "Equipment St Petersburg" are discovered printed on the buckle speculation breaks out that he has been engaged in some kind of sinister undercover activity.
International attention focuses on the small local community and visitors flock to the port of Hammerfest in the hope of catching a glimpse of the whale who is now performing tricks, including retrieving mobile phones from the seabed. They name him Hvaldimir – a play on the Norwegian word for whale and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, but is this enchanting animal really a spy?
This feature-length documentary explores the mystery of the strange whale and asks where he came from, who trained him and why; and what he was doing in a critically-important part of the Arctic, close to Russian waters.
It’s a story that delves into the history of military training of dolphins and whales, taking us on an extraordinary journey from the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War to Putin’s Russia and modern-day warfare.
With exclusive interviews and access to unseen footage, the film explores the secret world of marine mammal training and international espionage, and sheds new light on the true identity of Hvaldimir, the "Spy Whale".
BBC Studios series telling the story of the biggest continent on Earth through its epic landscapes and spectacular wildlife
One continent, endless wonders
If you think you have seen the best the natural world has to offer, think again! Join Sir David Attenborough as he takes you across our planet’s largest continent.
A continent steeped in beauty and intrigue. From the polar wilderness of Siberia to the coral seas of the Indian Ocean, revealing the breathtaking variety of Asia's wildest places.
France TV, ‘Nova’ strike copro deal with Pernel Media for “Origins of Mammals”
Paris-headquartered prodco Pernel Media has struck a copro deal with France Télévisions and its ‘Science Grand Format’ strand, as well as American public service station WGBH and its renowned ‘Nova’ strand, for the upcoming doc Origins of Mammals.
The project (available in 90-minute, 2 x 45-minute and 52-minute formats) explores the topic through the lens of a recent discovery. In 2023, after four decades of excavations in South Africa’s Karoo desert, paleontologists unearthed the oldest and largest deposits of therapsid fossils, the earliest known ancestor of mammals.
Pernel Media has had exclusive access to the 2024 expedition in the Karoo desert, which has seen paleontologists try to find further evidence. The doc also makes use of extensive CGI and VFX to bring the story to life
Love Nature Announces a New Slate of Original Productions Showcasing Stunning Wildlife Cinematography and Riveting Animal Stories
New Love Nature greenlights include Tusker, My Best Friend’s an Animal Season 2 and Enchanted Waters
Blue Ant Studios’ rights division oversees pre-sales and licensing outside of commissioning territories
Love Nature, a wildlife and nature brand with linear and streaming channels available internationally, announced today a new slate of original programming. The new greenlights span a range of captivating natural history from cinematic blue-chip content to unexpected animal stories of resilience and affection. This diverse slate includes fully financed returning series and a new original co-production, illustrating Love Nature’s commitment to investing and collaborating on quality programming. Tusker,from Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Allison Argo and Bob Poole, chronicles the life of a bull elephant and his pivotal role in the wilderness of Kenya. My Best Friend’s an Animal returns with a delightfully adorable second season, while the Enchanted franchise expands with a spellbinding new installment, Enchanted Waters, from Oscar-winning factual production company, Off the Fence.
“These titles demonstrate the breadth of Love Nature’s portfolio. Truly moving animal stories and fresh perspectives on wildlife give our audiences a fascinating look inside the natural world,” said Alison Barrat, SVP, Production & Development, Love Nature. “We’re continuing to work with natural history specialists on beloved returning series and ambitious new projects. This underscores our commitment to creating a line-up of high quality content that makes Love Nature a destination for natural history programming.”
In addition to premiering on Love Nature’s branded linear and streaming platforms, the new programming will also roll out on Sky Nature in the UK, Germany and Italy. The slate leverages Love Nature’s relationship with Blue Ant Studios’ rights division, which oversees licensing opportunities for the new titles outside of the commissioning territories.
BBC Earth first ever live stream from the Natural History Units’ Big Cats 24/7 camp in Botswana
For the first time ever, BBC Earth will be streaming live from the BBC Studios Natural History Units production shoot in Botswana.
For the first time ever, BBC Earth will be streaming live from the BBC Studios Natural History Units production shoot in Botswana. Fans will have the unique opportunity to ask questions to the on-screen talent directly from the Big Cats 24/7 camp.
The event is commissioned by the BBC Earth genre marketing and digital teams and scheduled to take place at 2pm (BST) on 29th September when BBC Earth will be live from camp in the Okavango Delta Botswana and live streaming exclusively to the BBC Earth YouTube channel with 12.9M subscribers (475.8M views across all videos in 2023). The live stream will feature four of BBC’s on-screen camera operators including, Anna Dimitriadis, Gordon Buchanan, Brad Bestelink and Sets Nthomiwa who are currently there filming series two of Big Cats 24/7. They will be ready to answer natural history enthusiasts’ questions during the live session.
On Wednesday 18th September at 2pm (BST) the BBC Earth Instagram page will open to fans to pre-submit their questions ahead of the live stream on 29th September. During the event, the team on the ground will be ready to answer questions from natural history enthusiasts live from the camp.
The Big Cats 24/7 live stream offers fans a unique experience with exclusive access to the NHU production teams and on-screen talent, deepening their connection with BBC Earth's natural history content through immersive, interactive engagement. By tapping into audiences' love for behind-the-scenes content, this initiative connects them directly to the on-location experience.
The first series of Big Cats 24/7 is currently available to view on BBC iPlayer and PBS in the US, where an elite camera team follow a group of African big cats, day and night, for six months. Filmed using the very latest technology, Big Cats 24/7 gives viewers an unprecedented insight into the lives of the lions, leopards and cheetahs of Botswana’s awe-inspiring Okavango Delta – a place described as one of Africa’s last great natural sanctuaries.
The team of camera experts, which includes wildlife cinematographers Gordon Buchanan, Vianet Djenguet and Anna Dimitriadis, and an award-winning local Botswanan camera crew lead by Brad Bestelink, must track the cats across unforgiving terrain, keeping their cameras rolling 24/7. It’s a mission that will push them to their limit, as they deal with wildfire and extreme weather in one of the wildest places on the planet.
Cutting-edge tracking technology means the team can follow the cats’ movements more closely than ever before, and state-of-the-art low-light cameras allow them to capture previously unseen nocturnal behaviour for the very first time.
Following on from series one, series two of Big Cats 24/7 will be broadcast in 2025 and continue to follow the stars featured in the first series, as well as introducing some new faces, allowing viewers a front row seat as the team document the lives of these beloved big cats.
Big Cats 24/7, a 6×60’ for BBC Two, iPlayer and PBS is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producers are Roger Webb and Tom Jarvis, the Series Producer is Rowan Crawford and the Production Manager is Gillian Goodlet. The Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas. The Executive in Charge for PBS is Bill Gardner.
Read: Creating a production hub in the Delta – bbc.co.uk – "I’ve been working in television production for longer than I care to remember, and, just when I was about to hang up my TV boots, I somehow stumbled across “Big Cats 24/7”. It has turned out to be one of the highlights of my career.
There have been many challenges, but we are blessed with an exceptional team, both here in the UK and in Botswana. There has also been the opportunity to spend time in the glorious Okavango Delta; to see firsthand the prolific wildlife, richly coloured birds, the beautiful sunlit grasses infused with the smell of wild sage and, of course – the cats. It’s hard not to fall in love with the cats, and to root for them as they face the daily perils and pleasures of life in the Delta." Gillian Goodlet, Production Manager
Above: The terrifying moment a change in wind direction turns a raging wildfire straight towards camp
The Big Cats 24/7 team are on a six-month expedition following lions, leopards and cheetahs in the Okavango Delta. But a huge wildfire threatens both the big cats and the crew, and the team is forced to fight fire with fire.
Watch Dethroned by Aaron Gekoski – Free Online Screening
“Dethroned” is coming Soon! Join the international online screening on November 26th!
Join environmental photojournalist, Aaron Gekoski, as he examines mankind’s relationship with big cats. From Peru to Thailand, Aaron investigates our current relationship with big cats.
“Dethroned” tells the story of how we went from revering big cats to commodifying them.
Hope is not lost, however, as Aaron shows in the course of his journey.
Don’t miss out on this unique collaboration between FOUR PAWS, Four Corners Film & Photography, and Terra Mater.
Join the exclusive online screening and live Q&A on November 26th at 7 PM CET
The wait is over! Your chance to watch Dethroned—a captivating and deeply thought-provoking look into our connection with big cats—has arrived. Join acclaimed photojournalist Aaron Gekoski, Environmental Photojournalist, as he takes a powerful dive into how we treat these magnificent animals. Don’t miss out on this unique collaboration between FOUR PAWS, Four Corners Film & Photography, and Terra Mater.
Join the exclusive online screening and live Q&A on November 26th at 7 PM CET. Secure your spot now! https://brnw.ch/21wO66o
Astonishing story of 20-year South Downs National Park campaign told in riveting new book
The extraordinary story of the 20-year campaign to protect the treasured South Downs with National Park status is told in a new book by Midhurst author Robin Crane.
The former wildlife film producer was one of the original seven who founded the South Downs Campaign and he chaired the meetings throughout the long fight.
Robin said his recently-published book,The Fight for the South Downs, tells the 'almost unbelievable' story of the campaign.
He added: "The story of our 20-year fight to get a National Park is a significant event in local, and national, history. This is a story that I believe needed to be told, how a swathe of south-east England became a National Park, protected for future generations for them to enjoy and nurture.
"All of us who were involved are proud of what has become the South Downs National Park. John Templeton, one of our doughty campaigners, said of our story that ‘you couldn’t make it up, it is something too astonishing to be believed!’.
"I have received rave reviews about the book. I’m greatly encouraged by people who knew nothing of our history, who have said that once they began reading the book, the story was so gripping they couldn’t put it down.”
Robin was ‘thrilled to bits’ to have the cover picture by Gordon Rushmer, as it encapsulates the South Downs, featuring downland, woodland, river, fields and community in one stunning painting.
The Fight For The South Downs – The long struggle to protect one of Britain's most treasured landscapes Written by Robin Crane, Edited by Margaret Paren
Those who have a deep affection for Britain’s countryside will be totally absorbed by this extraordinary history of environmentalists’ efforts to conserve the glorious South Downs.
After describing the special qualities of the area and earlier attempts to safeguard it, the story of a twenty-year campaign to secure National Park status for this special part of England is recounted.
Strong forces opposed, but the South Downs Campaign, which eventually grew to represent 159 national, regional and local groups, won through and the national park was established in 2010.
Author Robin Crane chaired the meeting of seven people who founded the South Downs Campaign in 1990. He remained chairman until the South Downs National Park was finally designated. From the outset the campaign was run by a team of both volunteers and professionals. The Campaign for National Parks, The Ramblers Association, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Sussex and Hampshire CPREs were the lead organisations. Margaret Paren, who took a prominent role in the last half of the Campaign has edited this book. She chaired the South Downs National Park Authority for its first ten years.
AUTHOR ROBIN CRANE - After seven years as a regular army officer Robin Crane joined Guinness as a maltster. This led him to Lincolnshire where he became actively involved with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. A film he made for the Trust resulted in the BBC Natural History Unit recruiting him to make programmes for the “World About Us” series. He moved to Sussex in 1967 where he established his own production company and made environmental, scientific, equestrian, training and public relations films which won several national and international awards. He became chairman of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and then chairman of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation In 1999 he was awarded the CBE for services to nature conservation. Meanwhile in 1990 he chaired the first meeting of the South Downs Campaign. He remained as chairman, treasurer and fund-raiser until the South Downs National Park was confirmed. In recognition of this work he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Sussex in 2010.
The book, published by Brown Dog Books on the 18th of April 2024, is available at: Amazon.co.uk
"UK Butterfly Emergency Declared" by Butterfly Conservation
Wondering where all the butterflies have gone? You're not alone.
In 2024, we've seen butterfly numbers fall across the UK. With 80% of butterflies having declined since the 1970s and a third of moth numbers having fallen in that same period, the time has come to tell the Government enough is enough.
We're calling on the Government to:
1. Declare a nature emergency
2. Implement an immediate and permanent ban on butterfly-harming neonicotinoid pesticides, without exceptions.
If you agree, sign our letter and join leading conservation figures in calling on the Government to take action now: butterfly-conservation.org/emergency
Watch Brock Initiative films featuring butterflies:
White's Flight
Become a butterfly...visiting pretty gardens, veg patches, over streams, along hedgerows, across flower meadows and fly in a unique way over a typical piece of Somerset countryside in England, and how its changing for good and bad. And how you can help our white "guide".
DCEFF NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SETS 2025 DATES
Under new leadership, the Environmental Film Festival returns to the nation’s capital for its 33rd year next March
The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF), the country’s largest and longest-running showcase of films about issues affecting our planet, announced today that Monica Schorn has been named the organization’s new Executive Director. She will be responsible for guiding DCEFF’s overall strategy and vision heading into their 33rd Annual Festival, officially scheduled for March 20-29, 2025.
A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Schorn brings over 15 years of festival experience with her into the role, including seven in various positions with the Environmental Film Festival. The Silver Spring native’s festival résumé also includes communications, operations, programming, and production roles with Fusion Film Festival, Nantucket Film Festival, Annapolis Film Festival, and AFI DOCS.
“Monica Schorn has the experience, insight, and leadership that we celebrate at the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital,” shared DCEFF Founder Flo Stone. “Her clear instinct for teamwork and collaboration, as well as her knowledge of quality films, environmental issues, and strong public programs provide inspiration for our work and future plans.”
Those future plans include another 10-day festival in March 2025, for which DCEFF is now accepting submissions. In an effort to support and highlight the local film community, the Festival is offering a submission waiver code to DC-area filmmakers and films focused on local issues. As always, DCEFF is looking to present the very best in environmental filmmaking, including (but not limited to) films exploring climate change, social justice, conservation, public health, sustainability, and outdoor adventure.
“33 years in and we only have more to say,” shared new Executive Director Monica Schorn. “As an institution at the heart of the nation’s capital, the Environmental Film Festival couldn’t be better positioned to spotlight those on the frontlines of storytelling, activism, policymaking, and community-building. The calibre of filmmaking and the stakes of these conversations have only increased since our inaugural Festival in 1993. It’s an honor to carry on this work, in collaboration with our partners and on behalf of the planet, towards a more just and verdant future.”
How a 12K camera is capturing the heroic efforts of anti-poaching rangers
Blackmagic is helping the anti-poaching efforts in Mozambique with its eye-opening new documentary series, Guardians
If you're a budding filmmaker and love seeing the best cinema cameras being used in productions, then you are going to love this new documentary series.
Guardians showcases the valiant efforts of anti-poaching rangers in Mozambique's Zambezi Delta. Produced by Conservation Film Company for EarthXTV, the 7-episode, 23-minute docuseries highlights the daily challenges faced by these unsung heroes as they protect endangered wildlife in one of Africa's toughest environments.
Through breathtaking cinematography filmed with a Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 12K, along with numerous other bodies from the Australian manufacturer, director and camera operator Sean Viljoen' intimate storytelling offers viewers a rare glimpse into the lives and dedication of these remarkable individuals.
Below is a behind-the-scenes look at how this amazing docuseries was filmed:
WILD NINJA – Kristi Odom travels the world as a photographer and filmmaker to highlight wildlife stories and protect them. As an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, she has helped raise nearly $1m for conservation.
On a recent trip to Bolivia, Kristi Odom visited La Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary to raise money for Jaguars involved in illegal trafficking. She spent time with the team and captured remarkable close-up shots of the Jaguars and other wildlife.
“Being a one person show, who films, produces and edits videos to raise money for conservation is something that I am really proud of,” says Odom.
When roaming some of the world’s most remote locations, a compact, yet reliable set-up is a must. As a Nikon Ambassador, the Nikon Z8 and Z9 are often Odom’s first choice of camera, supported by a wide range of lenses and accessories. Among her equipment is the Atomos Ninja monitor-recorder which has proved to be an essential tool in her kit bag. With its ability to record in ProRes RAW, the lightweight and portable Ninja makes it the ideal accessory for mirrorless cameras.
In Bolivia, the Ninja played a fundamental role documenting a rare encounter with a hummingbird. Positioned on top of her Nikon Z9 camera, Odom set the monitor to record, waited patiently from a distance, and observed it capture the hummingbird’s fluttering movements as it drew closer to the birdfeeder at the edge of her cabin. “I love using my Ninja; it’s great that I can just hit record and let it do all the work,” she adds. Thanks to its compact size and recording ability, the Ninja enabled Odom to successfully capture incredible shots of animals in the rainforest at close range, without disturbing them in their habitat.
Odom works with conservation non-profits and delivers educational workshops to photographers. She teaches skills from using the right equipment to adjusting camera settings to emotionally connect with wildlife through their images. “It’s such a rewarding experience developing the next generation of storytellers. I love being able to use a camera to serve and protect the planet, while teaching others how to help protect the wildlife and animals,” says Odom.
‘From Catapults to Cameras’: Looking at the wild through children’s lens
It was in 2019 that filmmaker Ashwika Kapur got to know about the ritualistic hunting festivals, which take place in the seven south-western districts of West Bengal—also called jangal mahal, comprising areas such as Purulia, Jhargram and Bankura—between January and June every year.
The region, which is home to a number of threatened and endangered species such as the pangolin, fishing cat and elephants, wolves, Indian porcupines, Bengal foxes, civets, painted spurfowl, and more, sees a bloody massacre of wildlife when armed hunting groups, comprising thousands of villagers, set out to kill whatever animal they can find.
Kapur, who grew up in Kolkata, had been a long-term volunteer with the notfor-profit group, Human and Environment Alliance League, or HEAL, at that time. The latter, comprising passionate young individuals from Kolkata, including farmers, filmmakers, lawyers and homemakers, has been working on interventions, community engagement, wildlife and environmental crime investigations and filing of public interest litigations in pursuit of environmental justice in Bengal since 2017. The team has been filing PILs to get a ban on hunting festivals such as the Pakhibandh in places like Jhargram.
Sir David Attenborough: 'The world would be worse off without our stories'
Seventy years after he first fronted a wildlife programme, Sir David Attenborough is keenly aware of the impact they can have.
"The world would be in a far, far worse situation now had there been no broadcasting of natural history," he said.
"People have found it a source of fascination and beauty and interest, and this has become key to looking after the world."
The goal of programmes like Zoo Quest was to capture wild animals for zoo collections, the accepted practice at the time.
Now, Sir David's programmes all carry a strong message - that the natural world is at risk more than ever before.
"People are aware of the problems of conservation in a way which could not exist without broadcasting," he said.
"The perilous state that the natural world is in at the moment, these things are apparent to people all around the world.
"You don't watch a natural history programme, I hope, because you think it's going to be good for the natural world; you do so because it is rivetingly interesting, and complicated, and beautiful.
"The awareness of people around the world about ecological damage, that is due to natural history," he added.
Bristol's association with wildlife programming goes back to the mid 1940s, when The Naturalist was produced on the Home Service by Desmond Hawkins from the city.
"Desmond was the king of natural history broadcasting and an accomplished naturalist," said Sir David.
Ten years later, in 1955, wildlife programme Look, presented by Peter Scott, featured pioneering German filmmaker, Heinz Sielmann, the first person to film inside a woodpecker's nest.
"This was sensational, everyone in Britain was blown away by this, and because there was only one television network, it was all you talked about at the bus stop when you were going into work," recalls Sir David.
The switchboard at the Lime Grove studios was jammed with viewers ringing in to find out more, and it gave the BBC the nudge to set up the Natural History Unit in Bristol in 1957.
'Shows on green slime'
In 1979, Sir David presented Life on Earth, a landmark television programme made in Bristol, which attracted around 15 million viewers.
"Bristol led the world to be truthful," he said.
"It started this with radio, and when television came along, Peter Scott and Desmond Hawkins continued that tradition.
"The other big mega power in broadcasting was the United States, and in the 1970s, viewers there thought natural history was just lions attacking antelopes.
"Bristol's programmes taught them that termites could be just as interesting.
"When we first started trying to get the subscriptions to finance the plans I had, I remember making the mistake in pitching this to an American network controller.
"I waxed very eloquently about how the programme would be the history of life from the microscopic beginning, and the executive turned to me and said 'you mean it's going to be about green slime?'
"I replied 'more or less,' but we managed to flog it in the end."
In this report they say "it was the series "Life on Earth", made in Bristol, which gave the city's Natural History Unit Worldwide fame", of which our very own Richard Brock was a producer on!!
Sir David Attenborough remembers filming perhaps one of the most ground breaking and well loved nature documentaries in the world, 'Life on Earth'. Great video from Michael Palin's interview with Attenborough and his colleagues filmed for BBC show 'Life on Air'.
Welcome Home – The Inspiring New Film Celebrating The Return of Gray Wolves to Colorado
The film that captures the essence and spirit of Colorado wolf recovery efforts.
Following Sir Brian May over a decade-long journey to understand the crisis caused by bovine tuberculosis and his opposition to the controversial badger cull, implemented to curb the spread of the disease in cattle.
Welcome Home celebrates the incredible story of wolf reintroduction to Colorado. When the people of Colorado voted to return wolves to the state, they set in motion a unique conservation success story. Welcome Home shows the value of returning this iconic and beloved carnivore to Colorado and how the state is recovering wolves in a thoughtful way that cares for wildlife and people.
Welcome Home is directed by Alan Lacy, founder of Reel Earth Films. Alan’s first film, “Gray Area: Wolves of the Southwest” is an award-winning documentary that has screened internationally. Alan’s work has aired on National Geographic, Disney+, and PBS Nature, with more upcoming work soon to air on the BBC.
“Protectors Of The Wild” Features Wolf On The Cover Of Variety Magazine At The Venice Film Festival
Peace 4 Animals is thrilled to unveil the groundbreaking cover of Variety Magazine, featuring a wolf from the upcoming documentary Protectors Of The Wild, at this year’s prestigious Venice Film Festival. This momentous initiative aims to raise critical awareness about this majestic yet often misunderstood keystone species and their struggle for survival in an increasingly uncertain world.
Wolves play an indispensable role in maintaining the health and balance of our ecosystems. However, they currently face severe threats, including habitat destruction from cattle grazing on public lands and escalating conflicts with humans. Additionally, hunters often lure them out of the safety of national parks, leading to their untimely demise. With this historic cover, Peace 4 Animals seeks to reshape the narrative around these awe-inspiring creatures and foster meaningful discussions about their vital role in our natural world.
“By featuring a wolf on the cover of Variety, we are bringing attention to a species that deserves our utmost respect and understanding, instead of being unjustly vilified,” said Katie Cleary, President of Peace 4 Animals. “Our latest documentary, Protectors of the Wild, underscores our collective responsibility to safeguard wolves in North America and across the globe. It’s a call to action for coexistence between humans and our precious wildlife.”
"We are extremely concerned about the mass culling of wolves in Europe. We strongly urge you to uphold the current conservation status of wolves and to prioritise preventive measures to protect livestock from attacks."
Wolf hunting is back.
It’s a top priority project on Ursula Von der Leyen’s desk, and if we don't act fast, hundreds of wolves will soon be shot dead all over Europe.
Hunted for centuries close to extinction, wolves have recovered thanks to a strict conservation policy—with a positive impact on species regulations and biodiversity.
Now old fears and misconceptions have resurfaced, and the EU Commission wants to weaken their protection without reliable scientific data and despite effective alternatives to protect livestock.
But nothing is settled yet:
In weeks, EU member states will cast their votes. Insiders predict it’ll be tight and President von der Leyen is pushing hard for it. That’s why dozens of environmental organisations are mobilising people across Europe—add your name and share with your friends: We must coexist with wolves, not kill them!
Marine art deepens our understanding of the oceans – here’s how it has evolved through the centuries
From seascapes and ship portraits to underwater wildlife and coastal scenes, artworks on display this month at the Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2024 illustrate the diversity of marine art.
Over the centuries, this genre has moved beyond painting and encompasses visual media and even literary forms, such as drawing, etching, sculpture, textiles, photography, poetry and digital art.
Historically, in a western context, marine art played a significant role in documenting naval battles and celebrating maritime history. In the 19th century, artists such as J.M.W. Turner and Winslow Homer became well-known for their depictions of dramatic seascapes and maritime life.
Marine art illustrates people’s deep connections to the ocean beyond Europe and North America too. In the semi-desert Karoo region of South Africa, ancient rock art depicts merfolk.
Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai’s 1831 work Under the Wave of Kanagawa, also famously known as The Great Wave, shows the diminutive Mount Fuji set against the crest of a huge wave. Maori artist George Nuku’s more recent installation Bottled Ocean 2123 is an imagined underwater landscape made from recycled plastic.
Akshata Mehta’s Kelp: South Africa’s Golden Forests shed light on the environmental and social importance of kelp as a resource, a habitat, and a space of sanctuary for marine life and humans.
The new film is inspired by two real life animal rescues
Evanna Lynch is collaborating with the nonprofit Generation Vegan on a new animated short film titled Sanctuary, which is based on the real-life rescue of two pigs on their way to a slaughterhouse.
The animated short tells the story of a mother and daughter who run an animal sanctuary. The pair rescue a hurt cow who escapes when the livestock lorry carrying them to slaughter crashes in the rain.
The concept and script for Sanctuary were created by Generation Vegan (GenV) Brazil Marketing Director Isa Siano, who cited the real-life rescue of two pigs known as “the Marias” and Indigo the calf.
The Marias were rescued from an overturned truck while Indigo was famously carried out of a Los Angeles slaughterhouse by vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix. All three animals, along with Indigo’s mother Liberty, now reside in animal sanctuaries.
This slaughter of whales and dolphins can't go on – Megan McCubbin
Why The Faroese Whale Slaughter Must End ... Megan McCubbin says:
"Many of you will have seen the horrific footage shared on social media this year of the whale slaughter – or grindadráp as its known – that continues to take place in the Faroe Islands despite international outcry.
I wanted to visit the islands myself to find out why the Faroese are still continuing killing these beautiful whales and dolphins in the face of the climate and biodiversity crises, and failing ocean ecosystems.
I also wanted to draw attention to the relationship we have with this slaughter, right here in the UK. The free trade agreement in place between the UK and the Faroe Islands currently sees over £1 billion worth of fish products imported into the UK every year – in contrast we export little over £33 million of UK products to the Faroese.
I think that we have a right to choose where are money is spent, and which countries and economies we support. That’s why I’m calling upon the UK Government to suspend the free trade agreement with the Faroe Islands.
Join me and write to your MP today, asking them to back the campaign. Slash Trade, Not Whales!
Groundbreaking Documentary ‘They’re Trying To Kill Us’ Exposes The Link Between Diet And Racism
The hugely anticipated film is now available to watch online for free!
While growing up in Ferguson, Missouri, John Lewis and his family lived on a diet high in animal protein and processed food. But after his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer almost two decades ago, he started a journey that led him to become a staunch and vocal advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Lewis’ groundbreaking documentary, They’re Trying To Kill Us, which explores structural racism within the US food system, is now available to watch for free online.
The film is executively produced by NBA star Chris Paul and singer Billie Eilish. It looks at how people of color are disproportionately affected by high rates of chronic disease and premature death. This, the film says, is because of the racist design of the food system, and did not happen by accident. Lewis – known as “Badass Vegan” on social media – features as a protagonist and narrator of the film, traveling around the US uncovering the intersection of race and diet. Throughout the documentary, he makes eye-opening discoveries about the health disparities affecting minorities in the country.
“It’s a film about food injustice and social justice through the lens of Hip Hop,” Lewis previously said in an interview. “People have been beat down for so long that they believe that most of the health problems that we suffer from are hereditary and not a choice of what we actually eat.”
Earthling Ed tried to turn ChatGPT into a vegan activist.
In this video, Ed discusses veganism with ChatGPT.
They talk about whether or not we have a moral obligation to be vegan, if meat eaters are hypocrites, if the animal farming industries manipulate us deliberately and much more.
Insect Advocacy at the Animal Vegan Advocacy Summit
Did you know that there are over 10 quintillion insects alive in the world at this very moment? Find out how we advocated for them at the Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit!
In Defense of Animals’ Wild Animals Campaigner Katie Nolan attended the Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit in May where she participated in a panel focused on Crustacean and Insect Advocacy. Her focus was on the often-overlooked world of insects and how critical their protection is, not just for their own wellbeing but for the wellbeing of the environment and humans too!
The sheer number of insects on the planet is just one of the many reasons why it is so important to extend our advocacy to them. Insects also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, and they provide the food we humans need to survive as well through their industrious activities! According to the USDA, around one in every three bites of food we take is thanks to an animal pollinator.
More and more evidence is surfacing proving that insects are sentient, intelligent, feel pain, and experience other emotions like joy. In light of this, it is more important than ever that we extend compassion to these small beings by treating them with respect and thoughtfulness. There are so many ways we can do this in our everyday lives!
Eating Our Way To Extinction - Essential Facts (35mins) Documentary
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Narrated by Kate Winslet, this condensed version of ‘Eating Our Way to Extinction,’ addresses in a more concise manner the 'elephant in the room' that no one wants to talk about...animal agriculture! Will we be the next species on the path toward extinction?
"Eating Our Way to Extinction - The Essential Facts", condenses the original full cinematic film version into a powerful 35 minutes of evidence-based facts and information that were liked and recommended by most viewers. This powerful documentary sends a simple but impactful message by uncovering hard truths and addressing, the most pressing issue of our generation – ecological collapse.
On this channel, you will have access to a variety of different content, including the documentary itself as well as many videos and interviews addressing this pressing issue.
Want to learn more? Subscribe to our channel and make sure to turn your post notifications on so you don’t miss out on any of our content: youtube.com/channel/UCYNldGFnfcDE8ItayYf7izg
Earthlings, the Iconic Documentary that Made Vegans All Over the World
Discover how Earthlings became the groundbreaking film that inspired a global vegan movement
In 2005, viewers around the world were introduced to Earthlings, a documentary that would forever change the way they viewed their relationship with animals. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and featuring a haunting score by Moby, Earthlings delves deep into the hidden realities of animal exploitation across various industries, from factory farming to scientific research. This powerful film exposed the cruel practices behind closed doors and sparked a worldwide movement toward veganism and compassionate living.
Earthlings uses hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage — much of it graphic — to reveal the suffering endured by animals in factory farms, pet stores, puppy mills, and other industries. Directed by Shaun Monson and executive produced by Libra Max, the documentary exposes the suffering animal exploitation industries inflict on trillions of sentient beings and the profound consequences of our everyday choices on countless animals’ lives.
Shaun Monson, the visionary behind the film, initially began filming in 1999 to provide public service announcements on the importance of spaying and neutering pets. However, the disturbing footage he captured led him to create a comprehensive documentary. “Joaquin’s narration for Earthlings was recorded four times,” Monson recalls, emphasizing the dedication and emotional depth required to bring the film to life.
By the end of the film, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the urgent need to change the way we treat nonhuman animals. There have been many vegan documentaries since Earthlings premiered almost two decades ago, but – perhaps – no other film has turned more people vegan than this groundbreaking masterpiece.
EARTHLINGS is a 2005 American documentary film about humankind's total dependence on animals for economic purposes. Presented in five chapters (pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research) the film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, featuring music by Moby, and was written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson.
Prop 12 Divides Farmers, California's Dairy Crisis, WWF's 2024 Report & more | Month in a Minute
The October 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
The WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report reveals that over the past 50 years, wildlife populations have shrunk by 73%, due to habitat loss caused by unsustainable agriculture, with 82% of all agricultural lands used for grazing and producing feed for livestock.
As bird flu deaths mount among California dairy cows, with a higher than expected 10% to 15% mortality rate, two new human cases are diagnosed in California, with experts stating “we could have a major human outbreak."
Meanwhile bird-flu infected cattle are dumped at a California roadside.
Pork producers launch an ad campaign fighting for a federal solution to Prop 12, with adverts claiming small family farmers will be crushed.
Meanwhile, a new report highlights farmers supporting Prop 12, with some claiming “we tore all our gestation crates out… and we’re doing better."
And in the the UK, lab-grown meat could be sold in next few years, with applications for lab-grown steak, beef, chicken and foie gras already submitted.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the October media recap!
Would you like to participate in a "first of its kind" festival in Türkiye?
We set out to organize a brand new festival to attract national and international attention to Anatolia's wildlife, contribute to nature conservation efforts and support the development of wildlife documentary filmmaking.
The first of the Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival will take place in the capital city of Ankara between May 15 - 18, 2025. Over four days, we will present a rich program filled with documentary film screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, workshops, and seminars.
The festival, where wildlife filmmakers from different countries will have the chance to meet with the Turkish audience and filmmakers, will also host a competition.
Submissions to the festival opened on July 1st, 2024 through filmfreeway.com! We invite all wildlife filmmakers from Türkiye and across the globe to submit their films to the festival.
We look forward to welcoming you to our soon-to-be-launched website…
Festival Founder and President,
Ece Soydam
Highly endowed awards await the winning films in six categories:
Best European Film: Wildlife
Best European Film: Biodiversity
Best European Film: Nature Conservation
Audience Award
Best Story
Best Short Film
The first award ceremony will take place February 15th 2025.
All selected films will screen at the EWFA´s very own theatre in the ´Botschaft der Wildtiere´ (Wildlife Embassy) in Hamburg HafenCity over the course of the following year.
Our course is hosted by
industry professionals including
experienced naturalists, trackers, impact producers, cinematographers and natural
history editors to help you create your own story.
What’s included:
6 weeks of immersive training;
Live in the Timbavati Big 5 Game
Reserve;
Daily safaris to ethically film wildlife;
Use industry standard film equipment;
Small groups of up to maximum 8
participants;
Dedicated 1-2-1 mentoring;
A panoramic teaching style with expert
mentors;
Learn basic tracking skills and insights into animal behaviour;
Build your own showreel and wildlife documentary short;
As a full member of the site, you get a listing in all appropriate sections, a profile page and priority on your news across the site, this newsletter and our social media accounts.
Membership fees help to keep the site going too ... Your support is much-needed! Hoping to relaunch the site this year ... Updated for the new decade ... Will be looking for help from all over the world!!
Since the late 1990s Wildlife-film.com has been the leading source of information for the wildlife filmmaking industry worldwide. For over twenty years the site has been Google's number one ranking site for 'wildlife film' and related searches. Our site is viewed in over 195 countries. Our newsletter, Wildlife Film News, is read every month by thousands of people involved in wildlife filmmaking - from broadcasters and producers, to cameramen - we encourage readers to submit their news. We also serve as an online resource for industry professionals and services. Find producers, editors, presenters and more in our Freelancer section, and find out about festivals, training and conservation in Organisations. We encourage amateur and professional freelancers to join our network and welcome all wildlife-film related organisations to join our team.
