Exciting Update from Lazarus Training: Additional FARL Training Dates Coming Soon!
We are thrilled to announce that following the recent endorsement of our First Aid in Remote Locations (FARL) course by the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, demand has been higher than ever.
Our next course, FARL 67 (16th–18th September 2025, Blagdon), reached capacity faster than expected—and thanks to your enthusiasm, we are now scheduling additional dates for later this year and into 2026.
This is fantastic news for anyone who missed out on securing a place in September. Keep an eye on our channels, as we’ll be releasing new dates shortly.
As a reminder, FARL is designed for those working in challenging and remote environments—particularly media professionals, natural history crews, and documentary filmmakers. With refreshed scenarios, updated content on managing illness and injury, and the option to add a fourth day covering evacuation planning, travel health, and crisis response, it continues to be one of our most comprehensive training programmes.
We are also still exploring venues closer to London to make attendance easier for our delegates—so if you're looking to complete our FARL or FAOL training course we’d love to hear from you......0800 242 5210 or email info@lazarustraining.co.uk
SCOTLAND: The Big Picture (SBP) is a charity that works to make rewilding happen
across Scotland, in response to the growing climate and biodiversity crises.
Our vision is of a vast network of rewilded land and water, where wildlife flourishes and
people thrive. Visit: scotlandbigpicture.com
Meet the 2025 Jackson Wild
Media Awards Finalists!
Jackson Wild are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 Jackson Wild Media Awards. This year’s entries showcased an inspiring range of stories, perspectives, and creative approaches from around the world—highlighting the power of media to connect us with the natural world and one another..
The panels of preliminary judges carefully evaluated over 1,000 hours of incredible submissions to determine the finalists across each category. We offer our sincere congratulations to all who have been recognised.
Award winners will be announced during the Jackson Wild Awards Gala on October 2, as part of an energizing week of conversations, community, and celebration at the 2025 Jackson Wild Summit (September 29th - October 3rd).
Whether you join us in person or virtually this fall, we look forward to celebrating these stories with you.
“Ocean with David Attenborough,” “Yanuni” among nominees for Jackson Wild Media Awards
Disney+/National Geographic’s Ocean with David Attenborough (pictured), PBS Nature’s Wild Hope series and the feature doc Yanuni, exec produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, are among the nominees for the 2025 edition of the Jackson Wild Media Awards.
Each project has received multiple nominations for the awards, to be held during the Jackson Wild Summit, which takes place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Nominations were made from close to 1,000 category entries representing 48 countries.
This year’s awards program also marks the debut of the Content Creator award, recognizing social media creators active in the wildlife and conservation space; the Branded Content award, recognizing work done with brand partners; and the Investigative award, honoring journalism that probes environmental issues
“This year marks a historic milestone for Jackson Wild, with more films entered than ever before — an inspiring testament to the global power and urgency of storytelling for the planet,” said Christie Quinn, interim executive director of Jackson Wild. “In a time when the natural world faces unprecedented challenges, these films are beacons of hope, truth, and creativity. We are honored to celebrate such bold, visionary voices from around the globe.”
Below is a select list of nominees, with credits supplied by Jackson Wild. For the full list, visit the Jackson Wild website at this link.
Animal Behavior
A Real Bug’s Life: Love in the Forest
National Geographic Channel, Plimsoll Productions
Sea Lions of the Galapagos
Disneynature
Secrets of the Penguins: Heart of Emperors
Talesmith, National Geographic
Underdogs: Total Grossout
Wildstar, National Geographic
Ecosystem
Our New World
Boréales, Terra Mater Studios, Federation Studios, Lionfish film, Distributed by Autentic
Secrets of the Forest
A NOVA Production by Windfall Films Ltd, (part of the Argonon Group) for GBH in association with France Télévisions, ABC Television, and ZDFinfo
The Birds
A Passion Planet and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios Production in association with Ammonite Films
The American Southwest
Fin and Fur Films, Natives Outdoors, American Rivers, Northern Jaguar Project, Peregrine Fund, Glen Canyon Institute, Freshwater Illustrated, Salmonfly Project, ProNatura Noreste, Walton Foundation, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Horizon Foundation
Conservation: Long-form America’s Wolf
National Geographic Society Impact Story Lab
Reindalen
Neon Raven Story Labs, University Centre in Svalbard
Wild Hope: Pangolin Protectors
An HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and NEWF Production for PBS Nature’s YouTube Channel
Wild Hope: Stork Sisters
An HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Red Rock Films Production for PBS Nature’s YouTube Channel
Planet in Crisis: Long-form
Ocean with David Attenborough
Silverback Films, Open Planet Studios Productions, All3Media, National Geographic
The White House Effect
Actual Films, Department of Motion Pictures, Impact Partners, Far Star, Cinereach, Cinephil, Bird Street Productions
Wild Hope: Mission Impossible
An HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Red Rock Films Production, in association with Camera One Productions for PBS Nature’s YouTube Channel
Yanuni
Malaika Pictures, Appian Way, Nia Tero, Age of Union, Tellux, ÖFI+
NEWF 2025: Fellows Summit & Congress. Webinar with co-executive director Pragna-Parsotam Kok
Pragna Parsotam-Kok is co-executive director with Noel Kok of NEWF, Africa’s Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers Congress.
Pragna shares her insights into the success of the 2025 edition of NEWF Fellows Summit and Congress.
The key takeaway: NEWF is expanding its unique role in training and mentoring filmmakers from all over Africa.
National Geographic Society‘s Storytelling Program is NEWF’s key funder.
In 2025, NEWF and National Geographic Society launched AFRICA REFOCUSED to tell the continent’s rich bounty of stories from an African perspective.
¨I take a particular interest in NEWF because I backed Noel and Pragna’s vision when it wasn’t much more than a few scribbles on the back of an envelope. And attending the NEWF Congress in Durban is a highlight of my conference life.¨ Peter Hamilton
Africa Refocused is a collaboration between NEWF and the National Geographic Society, supporting the expansion of NEWF, to elevate African storytellers in global media and conversations about Africa, and ultimately addressing the need to refocus the stories of Africa so they are told by and from the perspective of African people.
Pablo Behrens is a London-based film director and producer.
His latest film ¨London´s Last Wilderness¨ is about the ecology of a fantastic region close to London.
London’s Last Wilderness is the visual experience of an explorer landing on an undiscovered planet.
Every shot in the film was captured using truthful documentary techniques—no retakes, no setups. What you see happened once, and only once.
Like the first Europeans in the Amazon or astronauts orbiting the moon, there was no time for rehearsals or scripted reflections. The camera moved with the explorer—fast, focused, in the moment.
A mere 30 miles crow's flight from Piccadilly Circus lies a place London largely ignores: the Greater Thames Estuary. It's an ecological and cosmological force hiding in plain sight.
One of its secrets is scale. The estuary rivals London in size. To truly cover it, you need years — exploring north and south banks. From land, sea and sky.
Beyond the coast lies a maze of creeks and shifting islands, shaped by rivers and tides that change everything, twice a day. Half the terrain vanishes and reappears with the North Sea. No two days are the same. No tide repeats.
To be honest with this place, you have to film it all. Across four seasons, in all weather, under every tidal condition. Nothing could be skipped. Nothing faked.
The film has no presenters. This is not exactly a human story.
Lazarus Training – First aid, medical & safety training based in Essex & London.
Lazarus Training specialises in delivering
realistic, scenario-based first aid and safety
training designed for the unique challenges of
the media and production industry. We offer
tailor-made courses to meet your specific
operational needs, whether on location or in a
studio setting. Training can be arranged in
country or on location.
Our training uses professional casualty actors
and real-life scenarios to create immersive,true-to-life experiences, preparing your team to
respond effectively in high-pressure situations.
With a highly experienced training team drawn
from medical, armed forces, and emergency
services backgrounds, we bring unrivalled
expertise, practicality, and realism to every
session—ensuring your crew is ready for
anything.
First Aid on Remote Locations is designed for production teams working away from the office or studio. Whether filming or recording, this course is aimed at groups who will experience a delay in accessing medical care for a colleague injured or taken ill.
Specialist Medical Training for Media Production Teams
When Your Crew is Hours from Help, Preparation is Everything
Filming overseas?
Working in remote deserts, dense jungles, icy mountains, or distant villages?
When you’re out of range of immediate medical support, knowing how to respond in the first minutes after an injury can save lives — and save your production.
Lazarus Training’s First Aid in Remote Locations course is explicitly designed for media production companies operating in areas with limited access to hospitals or rescue services.
This isn’t generic first aid — it’s tailored by professionals, for professionals who face real risk in remote environments.
As a full member of the site, you get a listing in all appropriate sections, a profile page, access to our members' private Facebook Group 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 and appreciated!
Submissions are officially OPEN for PWFF!
The Pridelands Wildlife Film Festival (PWFF) officially opened their call for entries on the 21st of July. Regular entries are open from August 2nd to September 12th.
Are you telling bold, raw, beautiful stories about wildlife, nature, or the people who live alongside it? Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just getting started — we’ve built a space for your voice.
With brand new categories like Best Innovative Wildlife Storytelling and Digital Indie Voices, alongside festival staples like Best Short, Feature, Emerging, and African Film — there’s a place here for every kind of conservation storyteller.
PWFF is more than just a festival, it’s a movement. A platform for reclaiming narratives, dismantling colonial frameworks, and building a future where African and BIPOC storytellers lead the global conservation dialogue.
Mangrove Action Project Announces Winners for the 11th Annual Mangrove Photography Awards
By MAP
26th July 2025
On the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, also known as
World Mangrove Day, Mangrove Action Project (MAP) — a global leader in community-led
mangrove conservation — is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Mangrove
Photography Awards.
Celebrating its 11th edition, the Mangrove Photography Awards serves as a powerful storytelling
platform, offering audiences a glimpse into worlds they might never otherwise experience. This
year saw a record-breaking 3,303 entries from 78 countries, including new entries from Samoa,
Yemen, and Dominica.
The winning images capture the urgent race to save these endangered but precious
ecosystems, found in 125 countries and territories around the world.
Mangroves are ecological powerhouses. They sequester up to five times more carbon than
terrestrial forests, protect over 15 million people from flooding, support the livelihoods of millions
of fishers and coastal communities, and provide vital habitats for countless marine and
terrestrial species.
Despite these widespread benefits, 50% of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of
collapse by 2050, with urban development, deforestation, aquaculture, and sea level rise
contributing to worrying rates of decline.
Visual storytelling as conservation action
The Mangrove Photography Awards give professional and amateur photographers around the
world a chance to weave narratives of urgency and hope in equal measure, inspiring action and
fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between people, wildlife, and
mangroves.
"By intriguing people about the important role mangroves play in everyone's lives, we want to
instill an emotional and deeper connection for people to take action,
” said Leo Thom, MAP’s
Creative Director and founder of the awards.
Judged by experts in the field who are passionate about merging photography with storytelling,
this year’s panel includes Thai photojournalist and marine biologist Sirachai “Shin”
Arunrugstichai; award-winning wildlife photographer Chien Lee; and underwater photographer,
videographer, and shark naturalist Tanya Houppermans.
This year’s awards introduced exciting new elements designed to expand the initiative’s reach
and impact.
The Emirates Award and Arabian Gulf Award were launched in partnership with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, celebrating photographers and conservation efforts in the
United Arab Emirates and wider Gulf region.
New subcategories in the Wildlife, Landscape, and People categories were also created,
expanding its recognition of the diversity of mangrove ecosystems, offering photographers a
chance to tell stories from a different perspective.
“One of the most impressive aspects of this year's competition is the remarkable diversity of
images and shooting styles among the submissions,
” Lee said.
“Although an often overlooked
ecosystem, these images show that mangroves not only hold a wealth of fascinating stories
about the lives of people and animals that are inextricably connected with this habitat, but that
mangroves also contain great beauty.
”
“I believe that these photographs will go a long way in educating the public about mangroves
through the brilliant visual stories they tell and will hopefully inspire people to do what they can
to save these critical habitats,
” Houppermans added.
Overall Winner: ¨Birds’ eye view of the hunt¨ by Mark Ian Cook, USA
2025 Winner: A story of urgency
This year’s overall winner and Mangrove Photographer of the Year, is avian ecologist,
restoration scientist, and conservation photographer Mark Ian Cook with his photo,
View of the Hunt’
.
At first glance, this scene of Roseate Spoonbills gliding over a lemon shark hunting mullet in the
mangrove-lined waters of Florida Bay may give the appearance of a peaceful and balanced
habitat. But Cook’s aerial shot documents what could be the last of the Everglades’ iconic birds,
whose very health and survival is intrinsically linked with the health of the Everglades.
Despite years of successful restoration and recovery efforts — bringing Florida’s Spoonbill
population back from a mere 15 pairs in the 1800s — rising sea levels are now significantly
impacting the behavior of these birds in an area where a few centimeters makes the difference
between a species thriving or leaving.
“Historically, Florida Bay was the primary nestling region of the Roseate Spoonbill in the US, but
this species is becoming increasingly rare there as sea level rise negatively impacts their important mangrove foraging habitat,” Cook said.
“Spoonbills are tactile foragers, meaning they
feed by touch. However, for this foraging method to be successful, the birds need relatively
shallow water with very high densities of fish. This becomes particularly critical during the
energetic bottleneck of the nesting season.
“With climate-change induced sea-level rise, these critical lower water depths in the mangroves
are increasingly failing to be met, fish densities are insufficient for effective foraging, and fewer
birds are able to breed.”
Winners have also been announced in six categories — People, Landscape, Underwater,
Threats, Wildlife, and Conservation Stories — as well as the Young Mangrove Photographer of
the Year, Emirates Award, and Arabian Gulf Award.
Category Winners
WILDLIFE:
Birds
Wildlife - Birds - Winner: ¨Avian Impressionism¨ by Mark Ian Cook, USA
This image was taken last autumn after the summer rains had sent much needed freshwater flows into the Florida Bay estuary. The odd yellow colour is entirely natural and is a consequence of the mangroves lining the bay; the first flush of freshwater from the Everglades gains this rich whiskey hue as it passes through the swamp and extracts the tannins leached from decaying mangrove leaves. The migrating teal are feeding just downstream of the mangroves dabbling and filtering high densities of algae and other microorganisms from the shallow edge of the bay. It can be a challenge to produce creative aerial images of the topographically flat Everglades so it’s often necessary to find subjects that are willing to interact with their habits in strange and wonderful ways, like these artistic teal. Here my aim was to capture something of the ecology or essence of the ducks while also attempting to fit that into a visually appealing composition that incorporates, to the extent possible, the patterns, textures, and colours of the environment. It’s this combination of animal behavior and a captivating habitat that I believe make for the most compelling images. @lightswitchaddict
Mammals
Wildlife - Mammals Winner: ¨A Snack in the Mangrove Forest¨ by Satwika Satria, Indonesia
This juvenile proboscis monkey is seen savoring an avicennia fruit it found. The avicennia fruit is one of the primary food sources for proboscis monkeys. This image highlights the vital role of mangrove ecosystems in supporting the survival of this endangered species. @ian_satwika
The first time I visited the location was several years ago. Having never seen fireflies before I was amazed at the brilliant strobes of light they emitted, but I was also equally frustrated about not bringing a tripod. This time arriving at low tide and with a tripod in hand I intended to capture an image that could convey the size of the colony and how they move around. I quickly discovered a challenge to capturing their movement: they only emit light in short pulses and they move slowly across the frame -- even when using a shutter speed of 30s. As such I ended taking 20 exposures of 30 seconds each and stacking them to form the final image, that captures the trail of both fast and slow moving individuals. Interestingly the stroke of each line can be seen as an indicator of how fast the individual was moving. For instance the fireflies that move quickly have trails where the individual strobes of light can be seen, whereas the strobes blend into a solid line for the individuals that move slowly. @christian.legaard.photography
THREATS:
Threats Winner: ¨Paradise Buried¨ by Tom Quinney, Indonesia
I took this photo near Pesanggaran in southern Bali while on a birding tour looking for shorebirds at low tide. As we walked along the sand beside a chain of mangrove forests, I stumbled upon this towering pile of trash. It was a jarring sight, rising above the canopy of one of the island’s struggling mangrove ecosystems, in plain view but somehow hidden in plain sight. This appears to be a long-standing trash site, possibly once formal but clearly unmanaged. In the past, a major fire burned through the rubbish here, and to this day the landfill continues to grow, pressing against the edge of this delicate mangrove system. I was struck not only by the scale of the waste, but by the number of birds congregating around it, seemingly feeding from it, and the unexpected presence of people walking along the crest of the trash mound. Their small figures in the distance gave the scene a bizarre scale. Closer to my feet, among the sand and the crabs, were tyres, cans, and plastic debris. I noticed dead mangrove trees tangled in the middle layer of the forest, with young shoots planted in the foreground, likely part of a reforestation effort to combat the damage. The image felt layered in more than just its composition, the sky, the looming waste, the collapsing and regenerating trees, and the fragile shoots clinging to the tide line. I wanted the photo to serve as a wake-up call: an example of how mass tourism, consumerism, and poor waste infrastructure can collide in places that sell the idea of paradise. Shot on a Nikon Z8 with a 180–600mm lens to compress the layers I saw. This wasn’t what I intended to shoot, but it’s what I took away from this scene. @tom_quinney
LANDSCAPES:
Black and White
Landscapes - Black & White Winner: ¨Take a Bow¨ by Vladimir Borzykin, Indonesia
This image steps into the realm of fine art photography. Using a long exposure, I transformed the moving sea into a motionless, reflective surface—like an ice skating rink. Against this backdrop stands a single, bent mangrove tree, its shape uncannily resembling a person taking a bow after a performance. It’s the only tree on this stretch of coast, and I found myself wondering what happened to the others. In that context, the bowed form became symbolic: a final act, a solitary performer acknowledging the end. @vladslandscapephotography
From the Air
Landscapes - From the Air Winner: ¨Mangroves and Modernity¨ by Ahmed Badwan,
United Arab Emirates
The harmonious blend of mangrove nature with the modernity of the city — a captivating contrast where urban innovation meets the timeless rhythm of the wild. @badwaan_
On the Ground
Landscape - On the Ground Winner: ¨Mangrove Under the Milky Way¨ by Gwi Bin Lim, Indonesia
This is Walakiri Beach. Not long after sunset, a breathtaking view of the Milky Way unfolded overhead. It's pristine where you can experience the spectacular night sky in all its glory. @gwibinlim
PEOPLE:
Conservation and Restoration
People - Conservation & Restoration Winner: ¨Mangrove Honey Bees Make Land¨ by Ian Rock, Costa Rica
After a winding route through many narrow canals, fisherman Manuel carries a heavy bee hive off a boat to its new home within the buffer zone of the Terraba-Sierpe mangrove forest, the start of a new mangrove honey project for the community. Manuel and the others are local fishermen who live within the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetland, the largest mangrove forest in Costa Rica. For the local communities that live in this wetland, one of the poorest regions in Costa Rica, their primary source of income comes from fishing. Sadly fish and clam populations are declining from overfishing, loss of habitat, and climate change putting economic pressure on the communities. In order to build resilience for the community, Osa Conservation is working alongside the community to kick start a mangrove honey project, training fishermen like Manuel in beekeeping and business development. Flash to the moment this photo was taken. After months of training it was time to bring the bees to their new home within the buffer zone of the protected wetland. The only access is by boat and very difficult work transporting the heavy hives on unsteady vessels, particularly under the oppressive humid heat of tropical wetlands. Fast forward 6 months and the first batches of honey have been harvested, totaling close to 30kg. Excitement and pride is palpable in the mangrove beekeepers. The community members are working with a Costa Rican branding agency to develop their Mangrove Honey brand. Eventually the honey will be available commercially, first in the local lodges and shops of the Osa Peninsula and then further around Costa Rica. The honey is delicious and unique, with a distinct salty sweet flavor. Ideally in the future, this project has ripple effects, creating even more opportunities for a community with limited options, opportunities that are dependent on a prospering mangrove ecosystem rather than an over-harvested one. A resilient people and a resilient ecosystem. @ianinthewild
Livelihoods
People, Livelihoods Winner: ¨Bhoben Biseash and his Otters¨ by Freddie Claire, Bangladesh
There are only a handful of otter fisherman left and their unusual method of fishing has been handed down from father to son for centuries. The trainer adult otters are teathered and the younger otters swim free. The otters chase fish from the muddy banks into the awaiting nets and after each fishing session get their share of the catch. @shuttersoundfreddie
UNDERWATER:
Underwater Winner: ¨Low tide on hermit crab island¨ by Alex Pike, Australia
While Clibanarius taeniatus is one of Australia's more common hermit crab species, very little is known about it and I'm not sure it even has a common name. A study from 2003 found that its presence in large numbers generally indicates an environment that experiences higher freshwater flow than other marine intertidal regions. This is certainly true of the mangrove island I found at the entrance of Lake Macquarie which was absolutely teeming with these creatures. I visited this island at both low and high tides, and at low tide there were literally thousands of C.taeniatus feeding within the matrix of mangrove roots. @alexjpike
CONSERVATION STORIES PORTFOLIO:
Conservation Stories Winner: ¨A Woman’s Fight in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest¨ by Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, Bangladesh
Shorbanu Khatun, a 45-year-old widow whose husband was killed by a Royal Bengal Tiger during honey hunting, never dares to enter the Sundarbans Forest to collect honey for her survival. Shorbanu, along with three other women who are also tiger widows, collectively hunts for honey in the deepest parts of the Sundarbans Forest. This perilous area is frequented by Royal Bengal Tigers, known for attacking and killing people, as well as pirates who kidnap honey collectors known as Mawalis. Karuna Rani, one of the few women in the Sundarbans who ventures into the forest to collect honey since her childhood, leads the way through the dense mangroves with Shorbanu. Aware of the ever-present threat of tigers, she prepares for the arduous task ahead. Alongside her fellow tiger widows, Karuna exhibits remarkable resilience and bravery, confronting both the dangers of wildlife and the challenging environmental conditions of their homeland. Karuna Rani holds a bowl ready to catch the honeycomb as her companion climbs a tree to cut the hive. Using a torch made from Gol leaves to smoke out the bees, these tiger widows bravely collect honey deep in the Sundarbans, facing numerous dangers from wildlife and environmental challenges. Shorbanu climbed up a tree in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest to cut a beehive. She and her fellow women collaborators borrow money from the village Mahajan, who lends money to the Mawalis at high interest rates. Using smoke to ward off the bees, she carefully cuts the hive, her face shielded by a protective mesh. This dangerous task is a testament to her courage and determination as she works to support her family despite the ever-present threats of wildlife and environmental challenges. A fresh honeycomb rests in a bowl as Shorbanu and her fellow honey collectors take a moment to rest in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest. This precious honeycomb, carefully cut from a tree, represents not only a vital source of income but also the immense risks these women undertake. @mohammadrakibulhasan
YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER:
Young Photographer Winner: ¨Crocodile Galaxy by Nicholas Hess, United States
This image is one I’ve hoped to capture for the past 4 years living in Florida. Never whilst visiting this site did I get the chance before. But this day the stars literally aligned. At 2 AM, the Milky Way rose behind not one, but two crocodiles conducting some courting behavior. Seeing my opportunity I set up my tripod to utilize a long exposure to capture the Milky Way in my image. I then used a flash to freeze the crocodile’s subtle movement. After perfecting my settings, I shot a few images as the female appeared to circle the male and below. This one turned out to be my favorite. @greatwhiterattlesnake
EMIRATES AWARD:
Emirates Award Winner: ¨Morning Serenity in Abu Dhabi¨ by Ahmed Badwan, United Arab Emirates
A serene morning kayak journey through the lush mangroves on one of Abu Dhabi’s tranquil islands — where nature whispers in stillness, and sunlight dances gently on the water’s surface, creating a scene of pure harmony. @badwaan_
ARABIAN GULF AWARD:
Arabian Gulf Award Winner: ¨Cormorants welcoming the sunrise in the embrace of the mangroves¨ by Dr Mahdi Mohammad Gholoum, Qatar
This photo was taken on the shores of Qatar, where cormorants were resting after a long day of hard work and searching for food. As the sun rose, the birds stayed under the mangrove trees to rest and dry their wings from the water. The weather was very humid during the summer, which made photographing challenging, and my lens was malfunctioning at times. However, thankfully, we succeeded in capturing these beautiful and peaceful moments that reflect the natural balance of wildlife in the coastal mangrove environment. @kuwait_environmental_eye
We invite audiences to explore the stories behind the winning images to learn more about the
importance of mangroves and global efforts to protect them. All winners will be live on our
website on 26th July. Visit: photography.mangroveactionproject.org
The Mangrove Photography Awards is organized by Mangrove Action Project (MAP), a
US-based non-profit dedicated to reversing the degradation and loss of mangrove forests and
their associated coastal ecosystems around the world by giving a voice to coastal communities,
restoration practitioners, and partner NGOs.
Through its grassroots, bottom-up approach, MAP strives to provide mangrove restoration and
conservation, education, training, and consulting that promote community-based, sustainable
management of coastal resources. Through this combined approach of action, advocacy, and
education, MAP can ensure mangrove forests are healthy for current and future generations.
'THIS IS THE STORY OF OUR OCEAN AND WE MUST WRITE ITS NEXT CHAPTER TOGETHER. FOR IF WE SAVE THE SEA, WE SAVE OUR WORLD. AFTER A LIFETIME OF FILMING OUR PLANET, I'M SURE THAT NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT.'
From the icy seas of our poles to remote coral islands, David Attenborough has filmed in every ocean habitat on planet earth. Now, with long-term collaborator Colin Butfield, he shares the story of our last great wilderness - the one which shapes the land we live on, regulates our climate and creates the air we breathe.
Dive into eight unique saltwater habitats, swim through kelp forests, mangroves and coral reefs and down almost 11,000 feet to the deepest corners of the most unexplored ecosystem on our planet.
Experience a journey of wonder and discovery, populated by green turtles and blue whales; clownfish and bioluminescent jellyfish; the vampire squid and the 'head-less chicken monster' - a strange form of sea cucumber that lives at the very bottom of the ocean.
With the warmth, intelligence and awe that characterises all of David Attenborough's landmark series, Ocean shows us a world which is both desperately fragile yet astonishingly resilient, with an extraordinary capacity to repair itself. It's not too late to restore our most vital habitat. If we treat it with respect, our marine world will be even richer and more spectacular than we can imagine.
A book almost a century in the making, but one that has never been more urgently needed.
** THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER **
¨Gripping... the wildlife is so fantastical that the images on the page feel like works of the imagination.¨ — Evening Standard
¨Determinedly positive . . . There seem to be real grounds for hope. You can just hear [Attenborough's] voice. The lilt and rasp of it . . . Passionate. The great naturalist's latest book, written with Colin Butfield, explores the Earth's last wilderness, from octopus gardens to booming fur seal numbers.¨ — The Times
¨[Sir David Attenborough] is a one-off . . . a genius.¨ — Daily Mirror
¨Educating and inspiring the next generation on the importance of the oceans is a key message. It reveals that the ocean is the part of our world that can, and in some cases has, recovered the fastest, and in our lifetimes we could see a fully restored marine world, even richer and more spectacular than we could possibly hope, if we act now to protect it.¨ — Daily Express
¨The great naturalist's latest book explores Earth's last wilderness, from octopus gardens to booming fur seal numbers. [It] is determinedly positive. There seem to be real grounds for hope. Given a chance, the authors insist, sea life is astonishingly resilient.¨ — The Times
The Bough Breaks, produced by Mousehole Films and sponsored by us is now being distributed by Good Docs.
Good Docs is a leading documentary distributor representing a wide collection of films that do GOOD in the world.
Their award-winning collection champions creative expression and complex films that provoke critical thinking. Featuring stories about individuals and communities working towards a more equitable world.
THE BOUGH BREAKS has at its heart, the work of visionary conservationist and ecologist, Alan Watson Featherstone and his charity Trees For Life, but it also explores the wider Rewilding movement; how its model of large-scale forest restoration, can mitigate some of the global conservation and climate crises, currently threatening life on Earth. Alan's personal journey also illustrates the urgency for more individual responsibility in the stewardship of our planet and the enormous legacy one man can gift to the future, by staying true to his personal vision.
Life in the Sonoran Desert | A Cinematic Wildlife Journey ... from Alan Lacy
Experience the Sonoran Desert like never before.
In this cinematic wildlife journey, we follow life across one of the world’s harshest environments—where river otters glide through desert streams, caracaras hunt to feed their young, rattlesnakes track prey in silence, and saguaros burst into bloom after years of drought.
Shot primarily on the Sigma 300–600mm f/4, this film is a personal exploration of survival, adaptation, and beauty in the Sonoran Desert.
Ever wonder how a solo wildlife film gets made? In this behind-the-scenes breakdown, I walk you through how I created Life in the Sonoran Desert, a 14-minute cinematic wildlife journey, while field testing the brand new Sigma 300–600mm f/4 DG DN OS Sports lens.
From field challenges and story development, to narration and sound design, I share how this project evolved from a simple lens test into a full-fledged short documentary.
5 Mistakes I Made Filming My First Wildlife Documentary
I made my first wildlife documentary with passion... but also a lot of painful mistakes.
In this video, I break down the 5 biggest mistakes I made making my first wildlife documentary, so you don’t have to go through the same struggles.
If you’re working on a wildlife film, planning your first doc, or just curious about the reality behind the scenes, this episode will help you save time, money, and frustration. These are the hard lessons I learned over the past 15 years of trial and error.
Want to learn how to make your own wildlife documentary?
I'm building a full course on wildlife filmmaking. Sign up for early access here: filmingthewild.com/courses
Legendary Conservationist Valmik Thapar, Called India's 'Tiger Man', Dies
One of India's best-known wildlife conservationists, Valmik Thapar, has died at his home in Delhi at the age of 73.
For Valmik Thapar, the tiger was never just a symbol of wild India. It was a living, breathing force—majestic, imperiled, and, to him, essential. His death on May 31, 2025 in New Delhi, from cancer, marks the end of a five-decade crusade to ensure that the world’s largest cat did not vanish from the subcontinent it had long ruled.
Born in 1952 into a politically connected family in Delhi, Thapar’s early years offered him proximity to power, but it was a chance encounter with a tiger in the wilds of Ranthambhore in the 1970s that changed his life. Under the mentorship of Fateh Singh Rathore, the architect of India’s Project Tiger, Thapar became an unlikely but relentless advocate for the species. He was not a trained biologist, but he brought to the cause a potent mix of storytelling, conviction, and unyielding moral clarity.
Over the years, he authored more than 30 books and presented acclaimed wildlife documentaries, including Land of the Tiger for the BBC. Yet it was not the cameras or accolades that defined him—it was his relationship with the cats themselves. He named them, tracked them, mourned them. His detailed chronicles of Ranthambhore’s tigers, particularly tigresses like Padmini, Machli, and Krishna, read less like field notes and more like family histories. In these accounts, he observed behaviors that helped rewrite scientific understanding of tigers: Males caring for cubs, hunting in water, and even complex territorial dynamics.
Valmik's last film was My Tiger Family, a BBC documentary focusing on the tigers of Ranthambore National Park. The film highlights the lives of several tigresses and their families, showcasing Thapar's decades of observation and dedication to these magnificent creatures. It was produced by Mike Birkhead.
I was lucky enough to meet the great man myself a couple of times ... the first time was at the first (and only!) Asian Wildlife Film Festival, held in Singapore back in 2007, and I couldn´t´ve been more impressed. His intellect, passion and commitment to conservation. Potentially initimidating but he was kind and generous with his time. Thoughtful and encouraging. He was a giant of a man, in more ways than one. RIP Valmik. JP
The 48th International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) is happy to announce the 2025 Award Winners. Every year, the IWFF Jury votes on a pool of films to be highlighted in 12 categories, pulled from submissions, and celebrated during the week-long festival. This year, the event will run from Saturday, April 19th, to Thursday, April 24th, with special screenings of award-winning films and festival favorites on Saturday, April 26th. The Virtual Festival plays online from April 26th to May 2nd.
After deliberation, one winner was selected in each of the 12 categories, and an additional Special Jury Prize was awarded. The 2025 jury included Brad Forder, the Director of Programming for the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, Ian Withrow, the Marketing and Communications Manager of the Flathead Lake Biological Station, and Jess Swigonski, a Freelance Film Curator and Screening Strategist.
Lost Wolves of Yellowstone, the Best of Fest Award-Winner, is a powerful testament to wildlife resilience and the commitment of people who dedicate their lives to help restore the balance of nature in our ecosystems.
Jury statement: This epic, emotionally resonant film captures one of the most ambitious and controversial wildlife reintroduction efforts in modern history. Through immersive archival footage and the deeply human story of biologist Mollie Beattie, the film brings the return of wolves to Yellowstone to life with both grandeur and intimacy. For its masterful storytelling, emotional resonance, and profound exploration of ecological restoration, the jury is honored to award it Best of Fest.
The Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival, exclusively dedicated to documentaries about wildlife, and therefore considered “the first of its kind” in Türkiye, was held between the 15-18th of May 2025!
The festival had a packed program, over four days, including documentary film screenings, discussions with film crews, workshops, and seminars.
The festival will included a competition section in which documentary films from around the world were assessed in two categories: feature-length and short films.
The documentary competition within the scope of the Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival is organised into two categories:
Short Documentary Category - Documentaries with a duration of 20 - 51 minutes including credits Feature Documentary Category - Documentaries with a duration of 52 - 90 minutes including credits
The directors of the winning documentaries received a statuette and a plaque.
Two Special Jury awards were given in each category.
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Special Jury Awards – Feature
Special Jury Awards – Short
The finalists were announced on the 10th of February ... the festival organisers said ¨The long-awaited moment has arrived! Many thanks to all the documentary filmmakers who supported us in the first year of our festival and submitted their works. Congratulations to the finalists! We can't wait to see you at the festival!¨
A land of sacred peaks and secret creatures, lost in the mists of time, somewhere between folklore and magic. A land that has challenged conventional notions of wilderness and showcased nature's remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a new wilderness. This is a story of India's very first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - the Nilgiris - one of Asia´s most intensively studied areas. This is the first feature length documentary about this region, that takes us on a journey of discovery and uncovers the many secrets that makes this region incredibly special.
Wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Fellow Sandesh Kadur is known most recently for his work on “Our Planet” by Netflix and “The Okavango Experience” - a 360 degree, virtual reality series that follows National Geographic Society’s Okavango Project. Kadur creates award-winning wildlife documentary films and photography books exposing the need to conserve threatened species and habitats around the world. His documentary films have aired worldwide on National Geographic, the BBC, Netflix, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet, and have won prestigious international awards, including a 2017 EMMY nomination and the 2017 BAFTA award for his work on BBC “Planet Earth II”.
Wind was the weakest cub in the fox family. By chance, he becomes the only one who survived the bear onslaught. Overcoming the challenges of his first winter, he earns the affection of the enchanting Lava. But spring returns, so do the bears.
Dmitry Shpilenok graduated from Moscow State Art and Cultural University, majoring in film and TV directing. He is a documentary filmmaker, and was the lead operator of the film “Kamchatka Bears - Life Begins” (24 awards, 2018 Golden Eagle award in the category Best Documentary, Russian Geographical Society award in the category Best Media Project). Among his other documentaries are “Saiga - Karma of the Steppes” (2005, 26 min), and “Sockeye Salmon - Red Fish” (2020, 51 min).
A true coming-of-age story about three orphaned desert lion cubs who discovered a most remarkable way of survival along the mystical shores of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. A story as surprising as it is inspiring: a true-life drama about resilience and survival. Documented over eight years, we follow the ground-breaking work of lion researcher Dr Philip Stander as he witnesses the orphaned cubs’ incredible journey, from their first unsteady steps in the heart of the desert, to their remarkable discovery of an extraordinary life along the hostile Skeleton Coast.
After more than a decade in the wildlife and environment television industry, Will and Lianne Steenkamp ventured on their own in 2009 and started on an adventurous journey that brought about character-led, behavioral driven wildlife films with captivating stories. Having received international recognition for their films including two Emmy nominations, Best of Festivals, and multiple awards, they continue to reach wide audiences. Their work has broadcasted worldwide on channels such as BBC, National Geographic, Smithsonian, ORF, Arte, WDR, NDR, RTL and many more.
The documentary explores a border village in North Khorasan where tranquility is shattered by the disappearance of dogs and the fear instilled by a brazen panther. Villagers, instead of taking drastic measures, seek help from environmental authorities and experts. After ten days of struggle, they capture an old panther, shedding light on the mystery behind the dog-eating behavior. However, an unfortunate incident occurs after the panther is transported to Tehran, adding a tragic twist to the story.
Fathollah Amiri, a distinguished Iranian documentary filmmaker, was born in 1981 in Ilam. His passion for art and cinema began at a young age, leading him to Tehran to pursue his studies at the IRIB University where he obtained both a bachelor's and master's degree in cinema. With his impactful and realistic documentaries, he has vividly portrayed the lives of animals, people, diverse cultures, and social issues. His works have been showcased multiple times at prestigious international festivals and have won numerous awards. He is also committed to educating and training the new generation of documentary filmmakers in Iran. Nima Asgari is a graduate of environment and natural resources. He studied filmmaking at the Youth Cinema Association - one of the most prestigious filmmaking associations in Iran. He started his work in 2007 in the Iranian Cheetah Society as a researcher and cinematographer on endangered species, such as the Iranian cheetah. His films are mostly about the relationship between humans and nature, and the effects of humans on the extinction of wildlife species. Nima is now the main member of the Wildlife Pictures Institute. He has made more than 30 films and received numerous awards at international festivals.
“Nika, the Pilot Whale”, is a documentary where Felipe Ravina, documentary filmmaker, scientist and graduate in Marine Sciences, establishes a connection with a pilot whale named Nika, on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands). This unusual bond with the animal makes him increasingly concerned about the current state of the island and its biodiversity. He cries out to heaven for the protection, conservation and defense of the natural spaces and their fauna of this region where the largest population of pilot whales, unique in the world, is found.
José Hernández is a Spanish director and filmmaker and an unconditional lover of the sea. Everything José films bears the stamp of his subtle artistic direction accompanied by powerful visual narratives that give each of his works an exceptional character. With a long professional career behind him linked to advertising work for renowned brands, he made his great debut in the documentary genre with “Iballa” (2021). The autobiographical film has become a banner for the fight for women's equality in sports and won the Silver Viznaga award for best documentary direction at the Malaga Film Festival.
The film sheds light on how even completely destroyed forests, for example after a forest fire, can quickly become an oasis of life. The reason why disturbance and openness of the forest ultimately lead to more life becomes clear when we look at woodland grazing - an ancient form of land use that has long been fought against and is now experiencing a renaissance. An integrative forest management that not only focuses on trees and timber yield, but also on biodiversity, climate and the inclusion of animal products in the harvest… A turning point that marks the preservation of biodiversity?
Jan Haft has written and directed more than 70 wildlife documentaries for televison and 4 theatrical films, and has received 270 awards worldwide. He has published 5 books with Penguin Random House. His current publications address the possibilities of halting the extinction of species and the loss of biodiversity and show how this can be achieved. Together with his wife and his three children he lives on a small farm where they keep water buffalos, horses and donkeys. With these animals they practice rewilding and then document the success of this practice – the return of species and biodiversity.
The inaugural Ankara International Wildlife Film Festival was an huge success ... friendly, well organised and meaningful. We congratulate Ece Soydam for her most excellent festival organising skills and wish her and the festival all the very best for the future!
Produced in partnership with the Endangered Species Coalition, Welcome Home tells a powerful story of habitat restoration, community action, and what it means to help endangered species return to the places they once called home.
The film was released to the public on Friday, May the 16th, in celebration of Endangered Species Day.
NB. We’re currently developing Diaspora, a new film that follows the endangered Mexican gray wolf and the effort to reconnect it with the habitat it once called home. This story will combine powerful visuals, expert insights, and on-the-ground conservation work to explore what it takes to support the wolves’ return.
We’ve raised a portion of what we need, but there’s still a big gap to close before we can bring this film to life. If you believe in the power of storytelling to protect wild places, I hope you’ll consider making a gift.
Support Diaspora
Thank you for being part of this work. Your support continues to make stories like these possible.
With gratitude,
Alan Lacy
Executive Director
Reel Earth Films
www.reelearthfilms.org
Welcome to our Newest Full Freelancer Member:
Luana Knipfer – Wildlife and People Cinematographer ...
My Role on the Katavi Series – ¨Over several years, I had the privilege of working on the Katavi series during both the dry and rainy seasons, immersed deep in the bush. My primary role involved extensive long-lens cinematography from a vehicle, supported by my incredible local drivers – Naiti and Kahimba – whose tracking skills and instinct in the field were invaluable.
Alongside ground-based filming, I also operated drones to capture aerials and dynamic bird-following shots that helped bring the vastness and drama of Katavi to life from above.
During my time there, I picked up some “kidogot” Swahili, basic tracking techniques, and, more importantly, a profound respect for the land and its rhythms. I filmed intense and emotional wildlife behavior, including dramatic hippo fights, a rare pelican kill, and powerful sequences of infanticide – alongside many other unforgettable moments from this remarkable series.
A highlight of this experience was being mentored and deeply inspired by Owen Prümm – an extraordinary filmmaker, cameraman, and bushman. His passion and presence in the field made this one of the most meaningful and unforgettable chapters in my career.¨ Luana Knipfer
Nominations are open for the selection of films competing at the 41st Menigoute Festival, until June 20, 2025!
The International Ornithological Film Festival of Ménigoute present a selection of films about wildlife, animals and nature in general.
Films are received by submision between February and June.
The films are then selected by a selection committee and the festival team.
This selection of films in competition is shown during the festival in the form of screenings of 2, 3 or 4 films.
The festival invites a jury of professionals to award prizes to some of the films. These prizes, which may change from one year to the next, are announced on the closing night before the last day of the festival.
WHY NOT SCOTLAND? Across mainland Europe, nature is making a dramatic recovery -
could Scotland be next?
Already seen by over 65,000 people online and at screenings across Scotland, Why Not Scotland? is now freely available on the Scottish Rewilding Alliance's YouTube channel.
Produced by our team for the Rewilding Nation campaign, the documentary explores the Scottish landscape through the eyes of Flo, a young Scot from Glasgow. Struck by the depleted state of nature in her native Scotland, Flo journeys around Europe, where she encounters a different story, finding places where nature is making a dramatic comeback. Inspired by a sense of hope and renewal, she is prompted to ask: if this is possible elsewhere, then Why Not Scotland?
Join Flo, a young Scot from Glasgow, on an intensely personal journey, as she seeks out examples of nature recovery around Europe.
Like many of her generation, Flo is concerned by the state of nature and fearful about an uncertain future. But during her travels, she discovers places where nature is making a spectacular comeback, breathing life back into the landscape and revitalising human communities. Encouraged by these stories of hope and renewal, she is prompted to wonder: Why Not Scotland?
A Scottish Rewilding Alliance film, forming the central pillar of the Rewilding Nation campaign. Produced by rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.
Starring Flo Blackbourn. Produced and directed by Mat Larkin. Executive producer: Peter Cairns. Assistant producer: Tierney Lloyd.
Renato Siracusano has collaborated with several prominent film production companies, including Cometa Film (Bologna), Kamel Film, Terra Incognita Production, and Cinecittà.
In 2002, he composed the score for the short film Son of Pen, produced by Cometa Film, which won the Jameson Award at the Turin Film Festival and was the only Italian short selected for the Cannes Film Festival that year.
That same year, he founded Music Cinematic Creations (M.C.C.), a music production company specializing in original compositions for film and television. He also composed the soundtrack for the trailer of the Pridelands Wildlife Film Festival.
He currently collaborates with Italy’s national broadcaster RAI, composing music for a variety of documentary programs, including La Grande Storia by Paolo Mieli (Rai 3), Il Cacciatore di Paesaggi for Il Kilimangiaro (Rai 3), Geo & Geo (Rai 3), and Linea Blu (Rai 1).
He contributed to the soundtrack of the docu-fiction Sacrificate Cassino by Fabio Toncelli, which aired on La7 and is now also available on Amazon Prime Video.
In recent years, he has also composed music for various international production companies such as Matko Pictures and Contingent Films. His credits include the soundtrack for the documentary 33 Days Among the Bears and the TV series Saving the Wild, produced by Matko Pictures and AltAir Earth, broadcast on EarthxTV in the UK, Ireland, and the USA.
There’s something special happening at Reel Earth Films.
Over the past few months, our work has been quietly expanding—new partnerships forming, new opportunities emerging with national broadcasters, and a renewed energy behind the mission we share with you: telling powerful stories that drive real-world conservation impact.
While much of what we’re building is still under wraps, we’re thrilled to announce one project that marks a bold step forward.
It’s called Diaspora.
This film is a spiritual successor to Gray Area: Wolves of the Southwest, and it picks up where that story left off—following the path of one of North America’s most endangered mammals, the Mexican gray wolf.
Wolves once roamed vast stretches of the American Southwest, but their presence has long since vanished from much of their historical range. Diaspora explores the potential for these wolves to once again disperse into suitable habitat—reconnecting landscapes, reviving wild legacies, and showing us what’s possible when we make room for nature to return.
Through stunning cinematography, personal stories, and the latest conservation science, Diaspora will spotlight the delicate balance of coexistence, and the people working to tip the scales toward recovery.
This is just one piece of a much larger vision unfolding behind the scenes at Reel Earth. And it’s possible because of you.
If you feel inspired to support this next chapter—whether with a gift, a share, or just your continued belief—now is a truly meaningful time to do so.
Thank you for walking this path with us. Together, we’re not just telling stories—we’re changing outcomes.
With gratitude,
Alan Lacy, Executive Director, Reel Earth Films
www.reelearthfilms.org
Opportunities at Jackson Wild for Emerging Storytellers, OPEN for Applications!
2025 Jackson Wild Media Lab
Are you passionate about science, conservation, and storytelling? The 2025 Jackson Wild Media Lab is an intensive, all-expenses-paid, nine-day workshop designed to equip emerging filmmakers and science communicators with technical storytelling skills, hands-on experience with professional filmmaking gear, and a robust network of peers and mentors to create impactful stories about the natural world.
In partnership with Day’s Edge Productions and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, our program this year will bring a cohort of early-career media makers, conservationists, and scientists back to our home in the Grand Tetons.
Jackson Wild is proud to continue this impactful MY WORLD Film Grant program in partnership with Amberjack Films and Schoolyard Films:
- Supports early-career filmmakers from around the world
- Funds the creation of 10–20 minute nature or environmental films
- Provides mentorship through the editorial process
- Helps filmmakers distribute their work for broad and local impact
- Amplifies voices, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or ability
We are excited to empower the next generation of storytellers—one authentic voice at a time.
Join us in Grand Teton National Park for the 2025 Summit and be part of an inspiring community of storytellers, conservationists, and industry professionals. As a volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in making the Summit a success while gaining hands-on experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities meant for career building and personal growth in the nature storytelling scene.
Full-time volunteers receive: A pass to attend the 2025 Jackson Wild Summit Priority mentorship pairing during our Mentor/Mentee breakfast Networking opportunities with other volunteers and JW community members Shared cabin lodging discounts (see website for more details) Public recognition for your vital role at the Summit, including a bio featured on our website And much more! Find out more about the Summit Volunteer Program below.
The WSF Botswana programme will address topics from business, to scriptwriting, to cinematography, to pitching for funding.
We’re hoping to leave you with a wealth of knowledge to build your career in Natural World Storytelling and Wildlife Filmmaking.
Featuring eight informative panel discussions and masterclasses and three engaging 20-minute lightning talks, the festival aims to equip you with the tools needed to progress in the industry. Together, they will dive into insightful topics, including:
Participatory Storytelling
Platforming storytellers that seek to include and work with indigenous communities at the heart of their storytelling, within the narrative, alongside the production of, and looking into the future legacy. How can storytellers manage these relationships, making the partnership and participation fair, inclusive, impactful and ethical.
Mastering the art of Development
How do you turn your idea and story into a killer treatment? What makes a good idea into a great film? And do you come up with a golden idea in the first place? In this session we dig deep into development to get to the root of why some ideas become amazing films and some just don’t cut it.
Pitching, Feedback and Funding
You've got the idea, you've got the treatment, it's looking great, what next? How do you take your idea into pitching. How do you apply valuable feedback to hone this even further, where do you take it and how do you secure funding.
Starting Out: Breaking Barriers and Getting Good
Where do you even begin? How do you break into this industry? What are the myths that need debunking, and what are the realities, the good, the bad and the ugly, of working in wildlife filmmaking and natural world storytelling!
Entries for the Mangrove Photography Awards 2025 are officially open!
Powered by Mangrove Action Project, a global charity pioneering community-led mangrove conservation and restoration, the awards showcase the beauty and fragility of mangrove ecosystems, offering an insight into ways we can protect and repair these unique coastal ecosystems.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s competition:
Entries are FREE and open to photographers of all levels and abilities around the world
Winners will be awarded in each category with additional Mangrove Photographer of the Year, Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year, Emirates Award, Arabian Gulf Award, and People’s Choice prizes.
FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES – Wildscreen Panda Awards 2025!!!
The final deadline for Panda Awards 2025 is fast approaching! Don’t miss your chance to submit to this year’s world leading natural history film and television awards.
This year’s competition comprising of 17 categories and 3 special awards including the Golden Panda and 3 new awards for 2025.
Plus, brand new for 2025, we’re proud to introduce 3 new categories including our Short Film, Independent Film and In-Country Production Panda Awards.
Submitting your film for consideration has never been simpler, now accepting submissions exclusively through FilmFreeway!
On the 8th of May 2025, our most celebrated natural history broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, celebrated his 99th birthday!
The broadcaster and naturalist first appeared on our screens more than 70 years ago. He has had a huge impact on the natural world and has played a significant role in inspiring the next generations of conservationists.
Of course there was plenty of news coverage:
Attenborough at 99 delivers 'greatest message he's ever told'
Sir David Attenborough is launching what he says is one of the most important films of his career as he enters his hundredth year.
He believes his new, cinema-length film Ocean could play a decisive role in saving biodiversity and protecting the planet from climate change.
Sir David, who will be 99 on Thursday, says: "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea."
The ocean is the planet's support system and humanity's greatest ally against climate catastrophe, the film argues. It shows how the world's oceans are at a crossroads. The blue carpet was rolled out for the premiere the Royal Festival Hall in London. In attendance was the King, told Sir David he "can't believe" his 99th birthday was on Thursday.
OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean. Book Tickets: www.oceanfilm.net
Nine facts about Sir David Attenborough as he turns ninety-nine
He first appeared on TV in 1954 – Over the past seven decades, Sir David has hosted many different series looking at the natural world, but where did it all begin?
After starting his career at the BBC, he presented a programme in 1954 called Zoo Quest.
It involved filming animals in captivity and in the wild and launched Sir David's career as a wildlife presenter.
The series brought rare animals - including chimpanzees, pythons and birds of paradise - into living rooms around the UK.
It was considered the most popular wildlife program of its time and proved that wildlife programmes could attract big audiences.
Throughout his 70 years in broadcasting, Sir David Attenborough has helped created some truly remarkable moments. Here are 99 of his wildlife scenes, ranging from breathtaking hunts to touching moments:
Happy birthday, David Attenborough! 99 ways he has inspired us, by Barack Obama, Billie Eilish, Morgan Freeman – and many more
The Guardian asked 99 nature lovers – including Margaret Atwood, Jane Fonda, Bono, Kate Winslet and Michael Palin – how he has helped us see the world with fresh eyes
Chris Packham Presenter, nature activist – It’s all about truth. Ask yourself, “Has David ever knowingly lied to me?” No, never. He may have told us things 40 years ago that science has updated, but he’s always told us the truth. In an age when it’s hard to trust anyone, that stands as his greatest asset.
Dr Paula Kahumbu Conservationist, WildlifeDirect CEO – Through him, I discovered the power of storytelling to move entire nations to love, care and act to protect nature. He inspired me to tell African stories through African eyes, transforming conservation outcomes.
Also see ¨David Attenborough at the BBC¨: canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/attenborough70 Since 1954 the legendary documentary maker has been working with the BBC on some of the biggest and best-known natural history series on television. To mark more than 70 years in broadcasting, BBC History and BBC Archives have teamed up to celebrate his life in filmmaking.
Happy Birthday Sir David!
Register for the 2025 Jackson Wild Summit
For more than 30 years, Jackson Wild has been at the forefront of elevating conservation and wildlife storytelling, and fostering collaboration among filmmakers, scientists, conservationists, and the public. With our industry—and the world—facing unprecedented change, the 2025 Summit offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore new storytelling opportunities, understand and shape industry trends, build relationships, hear from influential speakers at the top of our field, and be inspired.
Whether you're a filmmaker, broadcaster, distributor, short-form content creator, digital activist, scientist, or immersive innovator—this is your space and your event. Jackson Wild will deliver four unforgettable days of thought-provoking, genre-defining sessions to elevate your work and its real-world impact.
A powerful convening of creativity, resilience, and diversity in one of the most spectacular and invigorating settings on Earth. It’s time to connect, create, and energize.
Join the festival in person ot virtually, from September 29th - October 3rd 2025
Earlybird registration through April 30 - their biggest discount!
NFTS announce new/upgraded qualifications, making their two year Master’s courses Master’s of Fine Arts, the highest possible ... MFA!
The National Film and Television School has recently announced an innovative slate of new qualifications for 2025/2026!
Their world-leading course portfolio is expanding to now include 2 year Master of Fine Art (MFA) courses, opening the door to even more opportunities for students.
• Achieve the highest qualification possible in your chosen discipline
• Raises the bar to more accurately reflect these practice-based degrees, for high-level creative and performance work
• Globally recognised as a teaching qualification within higher education
• Spend two transformative years training to shape the future of the creative industries
Gain the expertise needed to direct science and wildlife productions, the know-how to produce and direct entire shows and the confidence to generate and pitch ideas to commissioners with the Directing and Producing Science & Natural History MFA course at the NFTS.
We're also excited to announce that because several of our full-time Postgraduate Diplomas are evolving into our first ever one-year Master’s degrees. These changes come with significant benefits:
• UK students will now be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan (up to the value of £12,471)
• International students will qualify for a UK Graduate Visa, allowing them to stay in the UK for at least two years after graduation
Take your passion for film, television, and games to the next level by joining our new MA and MFA cohorts in September 2025 and January 2026! To ensure that our courses are accessible to all, there are no longer any application fees required, making applying easier than ever.
Europe's most highly endowed nature film competition is entering its second round: Since April 1, nature filmmakers and producers have been able to submit their works for the European Wildlife Film Awards (EWFA) 2026. Documentary films dealing with the topics of nature, wild animals, or the environment in Europe, which were completed no more than two years ago at the time of submission, are eligible for submission.
The winners will receive a total of €47,500 in prize money, a handcrafted wooden owl trophy, and the title of “Best European Nature Film 2026.” An independent jury made up of experts from conservation, media, science and culture will select the winners in the categories of Wildlife (worth €15,000), Biodiversity (€10,000), Nature Conservation (€10,000), and Storytelling (€5,000). There will also be an Audience Award (€5,000) and a prize for Best Short Film (€2,500). All films that make it into the Official Selection are automatically nominated for the Audience Award. The awards ceremony will take place in February 2026 at the prestigious “Embassy of Wildlife” in Hamburg’s HafenCity.
If possible, please submit a German-language version of the film. Alternatively, films should ideally be in English. Non-German movies are required to contain German or English subtitles.
The European Wildlife Film Awards are organized by the German Wildlife Foundation and are taking place for the second time. The first competition in 2025 was a huge success: 245 films were submitted for the best nature film. The awards were presented on February 15, 2025. The most highly endowed prize in the Wildlife category went to Finnish director Marko Röhr for his documentary "Tale of the Sleeping Giants". Jan Haft won the Biodiversity category with his film "Unsere Wälder – Mut zur Lücke". Christian Heynen impressed the jury in the Nature Conservation category with his documentary "Gute Nachrichten vom Planeten – wie wir Moor, Heide und Wiese schützen". The award for Best Story went to Irish director Kathleen Harris for her film "Birdsong". The best short film was "Pepe taucht ab", filmed and produced by Sven Bohde from Kiel.
Itching at having to wait two years for the next Wildscreen Festival? Join us this Autumn for our brand new 3-day event designed to help the wildlife film, TV, and content communuty navigate the evolving landscape of natural world storytelling.
Wildscreen Industry Summit will bring together industry leading producers, distributors, commissioners, innovators and more from October 20-22 2025 in Bristol, with a hybrid format allowing global participation online.
What will it include?
- Future-Focused Talks: Insights from commissioners, distributors, and producers on emerging trends and industry shifts. - Curated Networking: Dedicated 1-1 meetings, pitching sessions, and career development opportunities. - Practical Workshops: Hands-on skills-development sessions covering key skills such as editing, filming, and storytelling techniques.
¨We are launching the Wildscreen Industry Summit at a critical time for the global wildlife content industry. In a fast-changing, unsettled and ever-evolving industry landscape,?our historical model of gathering our community together every other year at the biennial Wildscreen Festival, is no longer fit for purpose. Our community is seeking year-round leadership, collaboration and bold ideas.
The future-focused Summit will convene the community together?annually?to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a world in flux, gathering together leading producers, distributors, commissioners and cutting-edge innovators in Bristol, the wildlife film and TV content capital of the world, to push the boundaries of the craft and the business that underpins it.¨ - Lucie Muir, Wildscreen CEO
The Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival is exclusively dedicated to documentaries about wildlife. Therefore, it can be considered “the first of its kind” in Türkiye.
From the festival: ¨In recent years, as the number of wildlife-related productions in Türkiye has begun to grow, a certain conceptual confusion has also emerged. Documentary, as an art form, is not only about capturing images. Documentaries that have a story, artistic and aesthetic concerns, and a purpose and coherence are very different from mere compilations of footage presented as video clips or programs filmed in a television format.
In order to draw attention to these differences, we would like to connect wildlife documentaries and their teams from around the world with both the audience and those who wish to create wildlife documentaries, whether professionally or as amateurs. Establishing new acquaintances, keeping up with innovations in the world, being a pioneer in some areas, and perhaps facilitating collaborations and joint productions are among our objectives.
The wildlife documentary film festival, which we started as our first step based on these thoughts, will take place in the capital city of Ankara. Please note the dates May 15 - 18, 2025! We aim to present a packed festival program over four days, including documentary film screenings, discussions with film crews, workshops, and seminars.
The festival will also include a competition section in which documentary films from around the world will be assessed in both the feature-length and short film categories. The awards given are primarily intended as incentives. Every documentary that reaches the finals is already selected from among hundreds of submissions to meet the audience. Awards aim to provide some moral support to the teams producing documentaries with great difficulties and patience, showing that their efforts are rewarded.¨
The documentary competition within the scope of the Ankara International Wildlife Documentary Film Festival is organised into two categories:
Short Documentary Category - Documentaries with a duration of 20 - 51 minutes including credits Feature Documentary Category - Documentaries with a duration of 52 - 90 minutes including credits
The directors of the winning documentaries will receive a statuette and a plaque.
Depending on the number of submitted and finalist documentaries, the Festival Committee may decide not to award certain prizes or to give various honorable mention awards.
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Special Jury Award – Feature
Special Jury Award – Short
The finalists were announced on the 10th of February ... the festival organisers said ¨The long-awaited moment has arrived! Many thanks to all the documentary filmmakers who supported us in the first year of our festival and submitted their works. Congratulations to the finalists! We can't wait to see you at the festival!¨
Santa Cruz Island is home to the world’s smallest species of fox. A few years ago, victims of predation, the number of these tiny foxes drastically reduced, also threatening the natural balance of the island. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, the species is once again flourishing. But for the tiny fox, survival is a constant battle. On the island, a couple are about to give birth to their last litter. Following the adventures of this adorable family of foxes, this 100% wildlife documentary plunges us into the heart of an exceptionally rich island and highlights the challenges of its preservation.
Emma Baus has written and directed about twenty Nature, Science and Discoveries documentaries. Shot and distributed worldwide, her films have won awards at festivals (“The Mystery of the Feathered Dragons”, Pariscience Innovation award or “Racoons, Survival Warriors”, Special Mention at Matsalu Film Festival). She loves to write and direct films exploring the links between animals, humans and their environments. Her multiple experiences give her a fresh look bringing together aesthetics and knowledge. To quote the press, Emma’s films are “fun, charming, captivating, poetic, and smart”. Her touch? Making real life look like a fairytale.
A documentary film about the adventures of a snow leopard in the severe Altai Mountains… Enchanting uncharted nature and the most elusive wild cat – the snow leopard... The independent life of a young snow leopard is challenging: it learns to survive, find shelter, and interact with other animals. The work of wildlife experts is also complex: many dangers push rare species of animals to the brink of extinction. The two storylines of the documentary film intersect in an exciting finale against the backdrop of the breathtaking beauty of the Altai Mountains.
Vadim Vitovtsev was born in 1981 in the Pskov region. He moved with his parents to Gorny Altai at the age of 7. In 1998, he became a student of the Faculty of Philosophy at Tomsk State University, then transferred to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at RUDN. In 2007, he completed courses in television directing at the Faculty of Film and TV Directing at the Humanitarian Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting named after M. Litovchin. He started his first job on television in 2008, and later began shooting documentary films and programs. Ilya Tsyganov was born in Moscow. He started his TV career in 2000. He worked as cameraman, director’s assistant, picture editor, reporter, anchor, producer, author, designer and director. He is the winner of various TV awards, such as TEFI, Golden Beam, MediaBrand, Golden Paramount, and others. Since 2015, he is the Chief Director of Living Planet TV Channel.
Wind was the weakest cub in the fox family. By chance, he becomes the only one who survived the bear onslaught. Overcoming the challenges of his first winter, he earns the affection of the enchanting Lava. But spring returns, so do the bears.
Dmitry Shpilenok graduated from Moscow State Art and Cultural University, majoring in film and TV directing. He is a documentary filmmaker, and was the lead operator of the film “Kamchatka Bears - Life Begins” (24 awards, 2018 Golden Eagle award in the category Best Documentary, Russian Geographical Society award in the category Best Media Project). Among his other documentaries are “Saiga - Karma of the Steppes” (2005, 26 min), and “Sockeye Salmon - Red Fish” (2020, 51 min).
A true coming-of-age story about three orphaned desert lion cubs who discovered a most remarkable way of survival along the mystical shores of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. A story as surprising as it is inspiring: a true-life drama about resilience and survival. Documented over eight years, we follow the ground-breaking work of lion researcher Dr Philip Stander as he witnesses the orphaned cubs’ incredible journey, from their first unsteady steps in the heart of the desert, to their remarkable discovery of an extraordinary life along the hostile Skeleton Coast.
After more than a decade in the wildlife and environment television industry, Will and Lianne Steenkamp ventured on their own in 2009 and started on an adventurous journey that brought about character-led, behavioral driven wildlife films with captivating stories. Having received international recognition for their films including two Emmy nominations, Best of Festivals, and multiple awards, they continue to reach wide audiences. Their work has broadcasted worldwide on channels such as BBC, National Geographic, Smithsonian, ORF, Arte, WDR, NDR, RTL and many more.
The waves crash against Cap Carteret, shaped over millions of years by marine erosion. It is here, between the sea and the vast wild expanses of the north, that an emblematic fauna that disappeared from the region in the last century has resettled. The Peregrine Falcon, that relentless hunter, has returned to territory occupied by its ancestral enemy, an animal of extraordinary intelligence, the Great Raven. As secret behaviours mark the existence of these free and wild animals, the landscapes and fauna of the island parade before the giant eye of the lighthouse.
After a master's degree in drawing and visual arts at the National School of Visual Arts of La Cambre in Brussels, Olivier Marin obtained his diploma in writing, techniques and directing of wildlife documentaries at IFFCAM in 2020 in France. His work as a filmmaker is characterized by an intimate approach to the wildlife of free individuals, where disturbance is kept to a minimum. At a time when the place left to the wild is diminishing immutably, the themes he tackles evoke a resilient nature in touch with its environment.
A land of sacred peaks and secret creatures, lost in the mists of time, somewhere between folklore and magic. A land that has challenged conventional notions of wilderness and showcased nature's remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a new wilderness. This is a story of India's very first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the Nilgiris – one of Asia’s most intensively studied areas. This is the first feature length documentary about this region, that takes us on a journey of discovery and uncovers the many secrets that makes this region incredibly special.
Wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Fellow Sandesh Kadur is known most recently for his work on “Our Planet” by Netflix and “The Okavango Experience” - a 360 degree, virtual reality series that follows National Geographic Society’s Okavango Project. Kadur creates award-winning wildlife documentary films and photography books exposing the need to conserve threatened species and habitats around the world. His documentary films have aired worldwide on National Geographic, the BBC, Netflix, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet, and have won prestigious international awards, including a 2017 EMMY nomination and the 2017 BAFTA award for his work on BBC “Planet Earth II”.
Filmmaker Asgeir Helgestad documents the state of nature at his home country Norway, where he has photographed all his life. From the lives of bees at his farm, to wild reindeer on the high mountains, and puffins at the ocean’s edge, he shows the beauty of threatened nature and tracks down human actions responsible for its decline. This is a personal story on our connection with the non-human world, the relations between the small and the big, and a reminder of nature’s strength and vulnerability.
Asgeir Helgestad is an award-winning director, cinematographer, writer and producer from Norway. He has over thirty years of experience with documentary and photo. Nature has always been his greatest love and inspiration and his work reflects deep passion and empathy for his subjects. His documentary “Queen Without Land” (2018) has been shown in more than fifty festivals, received over thirty international awards, and reached audiences worldwide. His photography has received prestigious awards and his first book, “Animals in the Forest” (2001), received the Norwegian Ministry of Culture debutante prize. Asgeir established the independent film production company Artic Light in 2006.
In eastern Nepal, the majestic Asian elephant has coexisted with humans since ancient times. Yet, today, they clash over grain and land, leading to rising casualties on both sides. Amid this turmoil, Shankar Chettri Luitel has dedicated 25 years to fostering harmony between the species. The documentary captures the struggle, fleeting moments of joy, and the enduring hope for peaceful coexistence. Through this story, the film envisions a future where humans and elephants thrive together, united by mutual respect and understanding.
Bigyan Sapkota is a filmmaker from Kathmandu, Nepal, with a passion for storytelling. Through his work, he explores diverse narratives and creative approaches, aiming to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. His dedication to the craft reflects his love for cinema and his desire to share compelling stories.
The film tells the remarkable true story of a rare snowy owl's visit to suburban Southern California—the first such sighting in over a century. This unexpected encounter captivated the community, fostering a profound sense of unity and wonder. Through breathtaking footage and deeply personal stories, the documentary explores how the owl's presence transformed lives and inspired a deeper appreciation for conservation. Featuring insights from world-renowned owl researcher Denver Holt, the film offers a powerful reminder of nature’s ability to connect and heal us, while highlighting the critical importance of protecting our shared environment.
Christopher Angel, a lifelong birdwatcher, was captivated as a child by the release of three peregrine falcons near his home. Christopher went on to graduate from Yale University and the University of Southern California School of Cinema. He won a student Academy Award for his film, "Mr. October," and was nominated for an Emmy for his work for director James Cameron on the documentary "Expedition Bismarck". He has directed five feature films and completed the screenplay adaptation of Thomas Keneally’s ("Schindler’s List") book "To Asmara". He is adapting Stanford Professor Peter Stansky's biography of George Orwell as a feature film.
The documentary explores a border village in North Khorasan where tranquility is shattered by the disappearance of dogs and the fear instilled by a brazen panther. Villagers, instead of taking drastic measures, seek help from environmental authorities and experts. After ten days of struggle, they capture an old panther, shedding light on the mystery behind the dog-eating behavior. However, an unfortunate incident occurs after the panther is transported to Tehran, adding a tragic twist to the story.
Fathollah Amiri, a distinguished Iranian documentary filmmaker, was born in 1981 in Ilam. His passion for art and cinema began at a young age, leading him to Tehran to pursue his studies at the IRIB University where he obtained both a bachelor's and master's degree in cinema. With his impactful and realistic documentaries, he has vividly portrayed the lives of animals, people, diverse cultures, and social issues. His works have been showcased multiple times at prestigious international festivals and have won numerous awards. He is also committed to educating and training the new generation of documentary filmmakers in Iran. Nima Asgari is a graduate of environment and natural resources. He studied filmmaking at the Youth Cinema Association - one of the most prestigious filmmaking associations in Iran. He started his work in 2007 in the Iranian Cheetah Society as a researcher and cinematographer on endangered species, such as the Iranian cheetah. His films are mostly about the relationship between humans and nature, and the effects of humans on the extinction of wildlife species. Nima is now the main member of the Wildlife Pictures Institute. He has made more than 30 films and received numerous awards at international festivals.
The film sheds light on how even completely destroyed forests, for example after a forest fire, can quickly become an oasis of life. The reason why disturbance and openness of the forest ultimately lead to more life becomes clear when we look at woodland grazing - an ancient form of land use that has long been fought against and is now experiencing a renaissance. An integrative forest management that not only focuses on trees and timber yield, but also on biodiversity, climate and the inclusion of animal products in the harvest… A turning point that marks the preservation of biodiversity?
Jan Haft has written and directed more than 70 wildlife documentaries for televison and 4 theatrical films, and has received 270 awards worldwide. He has published 5 books with Penguin Random House. His current publications address the possibilities of halting the extinction of species and the loss of biodiversity and show how this can be achieved. Together with his wife and his three children he lives on a small farm where they keep water buffalos, horses and donkeys. With these animals they practice rewilding and then document the success of this practice – the return of species and biodiversity.
The sun provides the energy for life. Even in places where the sun struggles to penetrate the conifers, many inhabitants of the forest depend on light and warmth. When dusk comes, they become active - the animals of the night.
Clemens Keck is a filmmaker with a lot of passion, a fighting spirit and he is always searching for spectacular images and captivating stories. Clemens, born in 1998, discovered his passion for filming animals very early. After completing his Alevels, he worked for a year at the camera department at Nautilusfilm, which was a great enrichment. Following this, he went to Africa with Clemens Weishaar for a year to shoot his first independently produced film. After that, he founded the nature film production company "Animaliafilm." Tom Horak was born in 2000 in the beautiful region of Thuringia. Since the age of six, he has passionately photographed local nature. With over 13 years of experience in nature and wildlife photography and several awards in this field, he has a wealth of knowledge to draw from. His master's degree in forestry science provides additional expertise on the relationships and processes in the local natural environment.
Rivers can become a danger. This has been demonstrated by the flood disasters of recent years. Often because their natural course is itself endangered - straightened, channelled or dammed. This film tells of the amazing connections in a river that is still allowed to be a river of life. A river that can flow untamed and create... Here, otters, dragonflies and catfish are all links in a chain. Of life and death. There are no "disasters" in the river. As long as nothing flows in that doesn't belong there and destroys the natural balance…
Uwe Müller was born in Altenburg/Thuringia. After serving apprenticeship as a plumber he studied mechanichal engineering. He started his career as a nature filmmaker in 1990 with several short films. Since 1996 he is a professional animal filmmaker, author and producer of nature documentaries. He lives in Thuringia. “Gordos Reise ans Ende der Welt” was the first film he produced for cinema release. Many of his productions were awarded on national and international nature film festivals.
“Nika, the Pilot Whale”, is a documentary where Felipe Ravina, documentary filmmaker, scientist and graduate in Marine Sciences, establishes a connection with a pilot whale named Nika, on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands). This unusual bond with the animal makes him increasingly concerned about the current state of the island and its biodiversity. He cries out to heaven for the protection, conservation and defense of the natural spaces and their fauna of this region where the largest population of pilot whales, unique in the world, is found.
José Hernández is a Spanish director and filmmaker and an unconditional lover of the sea. Everything José films bears the stamp of his subtle artistic direction accompanied by powerful visual narratives that give each of his works an exceptional character. With a long professional career behind him linked to advertising work for renowned brands, he made his great debut in the documentary genre with “Iballa” (2021). The autobiographical film has become a banner for the fight for women's equality in sports and won the Silver Viznaga award for best documentary direction at the Malaga Film Festival.
We trace the essence of life shaped by the rugged mountains and ancient forests of Anatolia. We witness the survival struggles of wild goats adapting to harsh conditions at the peaks and chamois accustomed to life under deep snow. These resilient creatures navigate rocky terrains with incredible agility, sharing their habitat with brown bears. Meanwhile, in the forests, the resonant calls of red deer blend with the melodies of birds, revealing the richness of this ecosystem. Starlings, jays, and the ever-present songbirds of the pine forests showcase Anatolia’s biodiversity. As the seasons shift, we breathe in the enchanting atmosphere of these woodlands.
Born in 1978 in Bursa, he graduated from Robert College in 1996 and Marmara University (Business Administration) in 2000. A professional photographer since 2005, his photos and travel articles have been published in BBC Wildlife Magazine, National Geographic, Magma, and more. He has traveled to 64 countries across five continents. Since 2009, he has been filming wildlife and nature documentaries, aired in 70 countries. From 2011 to 2015, he coordinated a UN-backed vulture conservation project. Passionate about photography, camping, scuba diving, and martial arts, Burak is a member of international documentary and photography organizations. He is fluent in English, intermediate in German.
The documentary is about conservationists fighting to protect seagrass meadows in Bodrum against coastal destruction. Seeking support from Corsica, where coastal preservation has succeeded, they build a deep connection between the two Mediterranean regions, once linked by Ottoman pirates. Realizing that tourism and population pressures threaten both areas, they unite under a common goal to protect the Mediterranean. In solidarity with the French Embassy and local municipalities, Project Posidonia launches an underwater sculpture exhibition to raise awareness. More than an environmental fight, it becomes a beacon of hope, proving that international solidarity can safeguard the sea’s future.
Born in Ankara in 1978, Mert studied engineering at METU and completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical oceanography and marine biotechnology at Miami and Ankara Universities. He earned his PhD at Wageningen University in the Netherlands in 2021. As a writer and photographer for Magma Magazine, Mert has collaborated on projects with organizations such as WWF, Greenpeace, and UNDP. His documentaries have been broadcast on BluTV, Iz TV, and Yaban TV. He has played an active role in projects like the Kas-Kekova Marine Protected Area and Project Posidonia. Since 2022, he has been working as a scientific advisor at the Underwater Research Society, leading projects on marine ecosystems.
The two-layered structure of the Sea of Marmara allows corals, which live in deep waters of the Mediterranean, to thrive in shallow waters here. Corals are essential for enhancing local biodiversity. However, pollution, human impact, and temperature changes threaten them in the Sea of Marmara, which hosts major industrial zones. “Breath of Marmara” explores the state of these corals and conservation efforts. Featuring archival footage that showcases the sea’s underwater richness, the documentary was completed with support from the Underwater Photographers and Filmmakers Association. Scientific consultancy was provided by marine biologist Assoc. Prof. Nur Eda Topcu from Istanbul University.
Born in Ankara in 1970, Sibel graduated from Istanbul University’s Radio-TV Broadcasting Department in 1990. She interned at TRT Istanbul TV and worked as an assistant dubbing director. She held editing and promotion director roles at Interstar TV and atv. As an editing director, she contributed to Coskun Aral’s “Haberci” and Savas Ay’s “A Takimi”. After 2005, she worked as a director at Bein Iztv, Turkiye’s first documentary channel, producing political, nature, history, and underwater documentaries. She created independent films with support from institutions such as the EU, the Ministry of Culture, and the Koc Foundation. She participated in festivals as a jury member and contestant, winning several awards.
Turkiye is one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The unique nature of Anatolia hosts numerous living beings that are on their own journeys on a long and narrow path that stretches between birth and death. Some are big, some are small, some are flamboyant, some are scary. Some are in a hurry, some are not. At the end of the day, some become the hunter and some the prey. In this cycle, everyone does their job thoroughly and life continues a while longer for those left behind. These lands host extraordinary stories of many ordinary creatures.
Cihan was born in Eskisehir in 1978. He graduated from the Faculty of Communication at Marmara University in 2002. During his second year of university, he started working at Turkiye’s public broadcaster, TRT. For six years, he worked as an assistant director and camera assistant on documentaries focusing on biodiversity, such as “Nature and History in Anatolia”, “Living Treasures”, “Birds of Turkiye”. From 2009 to 2023, he worked at NTV Programs Department as a producer and director. During this period, he produced various documentaries on different subjects, including history, culture and arts, and Turkiye’s wildlife.
The 2025 Jackson Wild Media Awards are now open for entries!
The Jackson Wild Media Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in nature, science, and conservation storytelling.
Projects completed since June 1, 2024 are eligible to enter. The regular deadline for entries is May 15, 2025. Entries submitted before April 7th will receive an Early Bird discount on entry fees. Finalists will be announced in August.
Projects completed since June 1, 2024 are eligible to enter.
The regular deadline for entries is May 15, 2025. Entries submitted before April 7th will receive an Early Bird discount on entry fees.
Andreas Fiskeseth – Underwater filmmaker, drone pilot and DP based in Thailand.
Born and raised on the Western coast of Norway, I moved to Thailand at 23 to pursue a career in underwater filmmaking.
I'm a certified PADI Divemaster with 14 years experience and 3000+ ocean camera dives.
I've had the pleasure of working on various films, documentaries and tv-shows for clients such as the BBC, Disney+ & UFC.
Having dived all over Thailand I also offer consultations and location scouting, both for remote and underwater destinations.
I'm also an experienced drone pilot & timelapse photographer and have shot art films, music videos and promo videos.
While I'm experienced shooting with cameras from RED, Sony, & Canon my personal setup consists of a Panasonic Lumix GH7 for underwater – a great rig paired with the right glass.
Also the owner of a DPV rental company so I have access to some very handy DPV setups for underwater filmmaking to create unique images or keep up with fast moving subjects.
Located in Thailand but available to work anywhere. Speak Norwegian and English fluently.
I'm passionate about the ocean and marine conservation and this is reflected in my safe conduct around any subject or reef.
I also have a huge 6K/4K Stock library of mantas, whale sharks, macro, reef, turtles etc.
"A Real Bug's Life" won the Children's & Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single Camera Live Action Program.
The award was presented during the 2025 Children's and Family Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. The show also won three other awards, including Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Live Action Series.
Outstanding Cinematography for a
Single Camera Live Action Program A Real Bug's Life National Geographic [Plimsoll Productions]
Photography by Robert Hollingworth, Alex Jones, Nathan Small
Director of Photography Simon de Glanville
The show, inspired by Disney and Pixar's "A Bug's Life," explores the lives of tiny creatures in various microbug worlds, highlighting their unique behaviors and alliances. The series, narrated by Awkwafina, showcases the intricate world of insects through advanced filming technology. The show's cinematography was particularly praised for its ability to capture the beauty and detail of these miniature worlds. The series was a hit on Disney+, and has been praised for its creativity and innovation in children's entertainment.
A Real Bug's Life took home awards in the following categories:
Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Live Action Series – “The Big City”
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single Camera Live Action Program
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Action Program
Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam is open for entries. The festival focusses on the screening of wildlife, natural habitats, environment and conservation films to demonstrate the beauty of nature and to raise awareness about the collective responsibility we have to maintain it.
Entries must be submitted before 1 May 2025. The competition is free of fees!
The 2025 festival will feature the best films from all over the world. We will be screening all of our official selections in the heart of Rotterdam at Cinerama Movie Theater. The WFFR Industry Days ’25 will take place on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November 2025. Here you can meet/catch-up with other film professionals and participate in workshops, pitch sessions and social events.
As home to some of the top production labels in the business, ITV Studios has a reputation for pioneering, award-winning natural history programming – and is now attracting new audiences via streaming and digital innovations
With 160-plus owned and operated channels, delivering more than 10 billion views in 2024, ITV Studios is certainly no stranger to nature. With decades of quality programme-making under its belt, it produces a carefully curated natural history slate that includes hit shows like Magical Land Of Oz, Secrets Of The Elephants, A Real Bug’s Life and A Year On Planet Earth, to name just a few.
It is home to some of the best labels in the business, including Plimsoll Productions, the world’s leading independent producer of natural history TV. Speaking about its unique approach, Grant Mansfield, chief executive of Plimsoll, emphasises its commitment to innovation in the field.
“We at Plimsoll have built a reputation for our modern take on natural history,” he says. “We pride ourselves on finding new and unique entry points to the natural world and then crafting compelling cinematic narratives around them.” Included in its compelling portfolio are acclaimed series such as Super/Natural, with James Cameron as executive producer and Benedict Cumberbatch as narrator; and A Year On Planet Earth, which was sold to more than 150 territories worldwide.
Innovative series
On top of that, there is A Real Bug’s Life. Narrated by Awkwafina and winner of multiple Emmys, it has been named one of the most ambitious and innovative natural history series ever made. Mansfield says: “With A Real Bug’s Life, we flipped the script and took the often overlooked ‘little guy’ and put him front and centre, which is no easy feat. The team uses cutting-edge technology to capture the daily duties and struggles of these tiny creatures, allowing viewers to be fully immersed and transported into their world.” Series two launched on Disney+ in January 2025.
Expanding on its innovative programming, Plimsoll introduces Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters for ITV. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws, the show will dare a group of ocean-phobic celebrities to go nose-to-nose with the likes of hammerheads, bull and tiger sharks in the Bahamas, coming to appreciate their valuable place in the food chain and ecosystem in the process.
In addition to the thrilling underwater adventures, Plimsoll Productions is bringing Secret Garden to the BBC – a new series showcasing British wildlife through advanced low-light, aerial and macro technology. The show emphasises the critical role of gardens in supporting wildlife, illustrating how our gardening efforts can provide vital lifelines for nature and enhance our own lives.
Another gem within the ITV Studios family is Oxford Scientific Films (OSF), the small label with a big reputation. Dating back to 1968, OSF is not only the oldest independent production company in the UK, it is also one of the most respected, delivering international hit after hit.
What we learnt at Science in Storytelling 2025 ... That’s a wrap on Science in Storytelling 2025! Featuring a plethora of amazingly talented speakers and scientists, we went on a journey discovering the greatest ways to keep science in the spotlight.
A huge thank you to all our wonderful speakers and sponsors, but for now, let’s reflect on the day and all the fascinating conversations that were had. Read on to find out our highlights!
“After today I feel so inspired and optimistic about where storytelling grounded in science is going. Not only because of how we can tell better stories but also because of how our relationships between the scientific and storytelling community can continue to improve.
This was a gathering of some of the most excited, passionate, interested and interesting minds and together everyone was bolstering each other about how we move forward and I think that will result ultimately in stronger stories and more impactful stories which is all the more important considering what’s happening to the planet.
Events like today are hugely important and I look forward to the next one.”
- Liz Bonnin, Host
“We are stronger together; we are stronger as a community. In these difficult times, considering what the planet is facing, coming together like this with a common goal is more important than ever.” Artificial Intelligence: an Altruist’s Guide – We delved into an ethical discussion of authenticity and the rising uses of AI as a tool in modern day productions, how we use it within storytelling and how it effects scientific media.
“AI doesn’t inherently threaten storytelling, AI is a tool, and as such, it doesn’t have it’s own motives, and so we need to look to ourselves about how we want to ethically manage the use of AI within this field.” - Dr Sam Reynolds
Into the Unknown: Science, Exploration, and Storytelling – We learnt that science and storytelling is a marriage but like all marriages they need work, breaking down the science into two or three key points can act as solid foundation for a narrative to unfold, filtering the rest to match the audience you are trying to reach is key in creating widespread impact.
“The marriage between science and comms is wonderful, but we need to ensure we are collaborative to keep it alive.” - Sheena Talma The Science of “Our Oceans” – Exploring the science and storytelling behind Netflix's “Our Oceans”, experts shared with us the impact of groundbreaking research, technology and conservation efforts that arose during and after the creation of the series.
“The biggest challenge throughout the series was noticing how much the world is changing and how much more extreme the environment is becoming.” - Jonathan Smith The Science OF Storytelling – Though a relationship crisis between humanity and nature, we learnt the importance of developing impact strategies and creating a step by step masterplan when utilising the creative process to inspire cultural, social and environmental change.
“We need to motivate the audience to take action, and that is what an impact strategy is trying to achieve.” - Reina-Marie Loader
Lightning Talks:
From Science to Screen – Bill Markham and Martha Holmes from Plimsoll Productions taught us how to take scientifically grounded ideas to the screen, and step away from traditional natural history formats relying solely on the awe and wonder of nature as the only way to tell natural world stories.
“Our industry relies on science, and it relies on good relationships with science and it’s a two way street I believe, the industries access to time, money and kit allows us to show 'scientists' what they cant typically see.” - Martha Holmes
Traditional Knowledge meets Modern Science – Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza offered a glimpse into her new book ‘The Spirit of the Rainforest’ and shared with us the ways she works to redefine what exploration looks like.
“I sit between two very powerful worlds. One that is based on modern science, on technology, on analytical thinking and an other one that is rooted in ancient wisdom, in oral stories, in intuition, in knowledge passed down through generations, and it’s not about one world being better than the other, it’s not about checking boxes, it’s not even about building bridges, in my opinion it’s about true unity, it’s seamlessly integrating these two worlds so that when we create spaces for local stories and local voices to lead, we can achieve something really unique, which is to unite human connection.” - Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza
Streaming Science: Crafting Stories for Digital Audiences – PBS’s Danielle Broza and Gabrielle Ewing joined us virtually from across the pond to share their wisdom on crafting compelling science content tailored for online platforms and standing-out against the crowd as scientific storytellers in this scrolling era.
“A title and thumbnail may be disharmonious, but this will make people curious and more likely to click.” - Gabrielle Ewing
Hip Hop MD: Sparking Curiosity – Science communicator Maynard Okereke rounded off the day with an exploration of new dynamic approaches to inspire diverse learners and breaks down barriers to science through a blend of digital entertainment and education and spark curiosity in a new generation.
“Nowadays with social media it is all about the hook and how you bring people in, storytelling is at the centre of everything I do.” - Maynard Okereke
‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ review: Rousing follow-up to Oscar winner ‘My Octopus Teacher’
With their covering of scales, long tongues and the habit of walking on their hind legs, pangolins are cute and curious. This winning combination makes for a fascinating choice of documentary subject, especially as few films have been made about them. By focusing on a single animal, as she did with her Oscar-winning My Octopus Teacher, Pippa Ehrlich offers an intimate and gripping fight-back story that eloquently reminds us of the importance of the connection between humans and the natural world.f Things,’ is retiring after 38 years with the Canadian pubcaster, 13 of those with the strand.
Nobody is sure how many of the endangered mammals are left in the wild. What is certain is that they are highly trafficked for Chinese medicine and, if rescued, rehabilitating them isn’t easy. Ehrlich follows baby pangolin Kulu as he is rewilded by South African volunteer Gareth Thomas – a job that is, essentially, 24/7 for six months and a lot more besides.
As with Ehrlich’s previous film, this is a story of the relationship between a human and an animal, but here the focus is much more animal-centric, which makes it, arguably, even more crowdpleasing than My Octopus Teacher. Premiering at Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, it should attract a wide audience when it released by Netflix on April 21.
Pangolins have been pottering about the earth for about 85 million years, which makes it appropriate that Ehrlich employs a mythic element. We hear that in many Southern African stories, it is believed that pangolins trigger thunder by rattling their scales. Described as being like both “unicorns” and “ghosts”, all the contributors, though working with pangolins for years, note that they have never just happened across one in the wild.
Three celebs, no plan... What could possibly go wrong?
Chris Packham says ¨I wouldn’t tackle a hike without a map. Fail to plan, plan to fail – that's a motto I live by. So why are we trying to tackle the climate crisis without a proper plan?
In 2024, for the first time ever, the planet’s average temperature was more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. A global limit world leaders vowed not to exceed.
That’s why this year is critical in our fight against climate breakdown. The UK government must show climate leadership now. So, I – and a few other faces off the telly – are showing why it all starts with a proper plan. Watch the video now:
After Friends of the Earth won twice in court, the UK government is legally required to deliver a new and improved climate plan later this year.
We need a bold climate plan that delivers cleaner air, lower energy bills, warm homes. And a fairer, healthier planet for thriving communities now and for future generations. But this will only happen if we pressure the government.
We need to build a groundswell of people calling for a Big Climate Plan¨.
As a full member of the site, you get a listing in all appropriate sections, a profile page, access to our members' private Facebook Group and priority on your news across the site, this newsletter and our social media accounts.
The Guardian ¨Other lives¨ Obituary for Richard Brock
My friend and colleague Richard Brock, who has died aged 86, was a BBC Natural History Unit producer for 35 years, and latterly a guerrilla film-maker trying to make a difference through his own means. He enjoyed sharing his passions about the natural world and our impact on it.
He had a long and successful working relationship with David Attenborough, starting with Eastward with Attenborough (1973). They worked together again on the groundbreaking series Life on Earth (1979), with Richard taking responsibility for the sixth episode and amphibian segment, Invasion of the Land.
He was then given the role of executive producer for the second part of Attenborough’s epic Life trilogy, The Living Planet (1984), surveying the world from an ecological point of view.
Richard’s love for nature started early on. The son of Arthur Brock, a teacher and businessman, and Eileen (nee Scudamore), he was born in Bristol, from where the family soon moved to the edge of Dartmoor. They all loved being in the countryside, but Richard was particularly in his element, collecting and housing creatures all over.
He boarded at Bryanston school in Dorset, where his teachers encouraged his interest in nature, taking him on trips where he studied migrating birds and other wildlife, which further embedded his passions. He went on to study zoology and botany at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he was also a successful squash and hockey player.
After graduation, he wanted to start communicating his passions, so he approached the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol for a job. Jeffery Boswall, a natural history radio producer, gave him his first job, as a general assistant. In 1964, when Boswall moved into television, he took Richard with him, giving him his first film to produce, Masters of Movement, which aired on Peter Scott’s Look series.
Several years later, Attenborough, then BBC director of television programmes, decided to move back into making films. Still in his early 20s, Richard met David in London to discuss producing a series with him travelling around Borneo and south-east Asia, which became Eastward with Attenborough.
A highly successful producer, Richard made many other films at the BBC NHU, including for the Wildlife on One and The World About Us series.
During his time there Richard became increasingly aware of worrying changes in the natural world. He was upset that this was not being reflected in the films they were making. He left the corporation in 2006 and set up Living Planet Productions and the Brock Initiative to produce his own films. He made more than 100 films for his Wildlife Winners and Losers series, and wrote a book called Planet Crunch (2021).
Richard will be greatly missed by the villagers of Chew Magna, in Somerset, where he lived. He made friends all over the world, through film-making and conservation, and inspired numerous young film-makers, whom he called “bright green sparks”.
In 1976 he married Gillie Day; they divorced in 2001. Richard is survived by his sister, Cherry, and his nephews, Julius and William, and niece, Emily.
Planeta Microbio available worldwide, now subtitled in English!
The wonderful ¨Planeta Microbio¨ series from member Rubén Duro/Science into Images is now available worldwide on the CaixaForum+ free streaming platform with subtitles in English!
Planeta Microbio (Planet Microbe) gives us the opportunity to discover the importance of microbes both in our daily lives and in the planet we share with them.
Thanks to the use of special imaging techniques, we will be able to see microbes live and observe how they reproduce, feed and move around.
Directed by Rubén Duro and with the help of different scientists, Planeta Microbio is an opportunity to learn more about microbes with an informative and accessible narrative and beautiful images.
The ultimate guide to storing and preserving your garden produce.
Even half-acre plots can grow enough to feed a family of four for an entire year, yet with most produce ready to harvest in the summer and autumn, many gardeners struggle to use all of their fresh fruit and vegetables before it spoils. With proper storage techniques, there's no need for any of your hard work to go to waste, and you can enjoy home-grown goodness all year-round while saving money, lowering your food miles and avoiding the plastic packaging of a typical supermarket shop.
Jam-packed with creative storage techniques and 92 delicious recipes, How to Store Your Garden Produce is beautifully organised to showcase the best ways to preserve your produce, including dehydrating, freezing, fermenting and pickling.
Illustrated with aspirational photographs throughout, this book features a useful A–Z of garden produce, with each entry detailing up-to-date recommended varieties, improved storage methods and vegan alternatives in recipes to make the most of your harvests.
From strawberry wine and peach chutney to mushroom ketchup and celeriac soup, learn simple and enjoyable techniques for preserving your produce with this handy guide.
"An essential read for anyone who is serious about consuming home-grown produce. I heartily recommend it." – Ian Mowll, Green Spirit
Third Edition Published – 13th February 2025
Wildscreen: Science in Storytelling 2025
Join us on March 24th at the Bristol Beacon, or online, for another day of networking, panel discussions, Q&As and collaboration, hosted by Wildlife Biologist and Science, Natural History and Environmental Broadcaster, Liz Bonnin!
By putting science in the spotlight, we’re once again highlighting the importance of nurturing relationships between those with knowledge, and those that want to share it. We want to platform successful case studies of scientists and filmmakers coming together to communicate science effectively and creatively.
After last year’s hugely successful premiere event hosting over 150 filmmakers, conservationists, scientists and communicators, 100% of surveyed attendees said they would return to a future Science in Storytelling event, online and in person.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s symbiosis of minds to learn, collaborate and share how best to keep science at the heart of our natural world stories!
CALL FOR ENTRIES – Wildscreen Panda Awards 2025!!!
You read that right, the Wildscreen Panda Awards are now annual!
We’re thrilled to announce that submissions for the 2025 Panda Awards are now open, with this year’s competition comprising of 17 categories and 3 special awards including the Golden Panda and 3 new awards for 2025.
Brand new for 2025, we’re proud to introduce:
Short Panda Award: for productions less than 20 minutes in length. The award has been introduced to reflect the importance of connecting with younger audiences and the growth of digital and the creator economy within the genre.
Independent Film Panda Award: recognising productions that have had less input from major production studios and have a budget under £1.5 million. It also builds on growing success of Wildscreen’s Official Selection Programme, showcasing authentic storytellers and original independent stories from around the world.
In-Country Production Panda Award: recognising productions made on location in-country with at least 50 percent of the production team being in-country nationals.
So what are you waiting for?
Submitting your film for consideration has never been simpler, now accepting submissions exclusively through FilmFreeway, our Earlybird submission discount window closes February 25th 2025!
Before submitting your work, please review our competition Rules & Guidelines.
Submission Deadlines
January 23rd – Earlybird Window Opens
February 25th – Regular Window Opens & Earlybird Window Shuts
April 17th – Late Window Opens & Regular Window Shuts
May 13th – Final deadline for entries
Check out our website for more information or submit your film now on FilmFreeway.
A Tribute to Richard Brock, 1938-2024
By Jason Peters
January 2025
It is with great sadness that I share the news that Richard Brock died in the early hours of the 30th of December 2024, in hospital in Bristol, aged 86. I have been told he was peaceful.
I first met Richard in person at the 2006 Wildscreen Festival, where I joined him for a workshop entitled ¨How to make a difference on a shoe-string¨ (or some similar title) where he was keen to encourage a new generation of what he affectionally called ¨bright green sparks¨ to make conservation films — Not necessarily films for TV, but, rather, for wherever they could make the biggest difference. I’d recently completed a wildlife film course in southern Africa, some years after I’d embarked on a career in conservation, at a time when I was feeling like I was banging my head against a brick wall trying to make a difference in the field, and was very enthusiastic in my belief that it was telling stories through film that could really make a difference: Changing hearts and minds!
Years earlier I’d had work experience at the BBC Natural History Unit (NHU) and had been really inspired by Richard's story: A veteran producer who’d worked with David Attenborough making groundbreaking films about the natural world for many years before becoming frustrated that the corporation wasn’t telling the whole truth when it came to that money-making subject matter. He believed it was time to tell the whole truth about the state of the planet and he thought it was our (including the BBC’s) responsibility to do so: he thought it was urgent. He was way ahead of his time in this way of thinking. I’d worked on The Blue Planet (1!) in a very small way and was as frustrated as Richard that the episode that looked at man's influence on the oceans, called Deep Trouble, was not shown during primetime Saturday night on BBC 1 like the others, but was hidden away late on a Tuesday night on BBC 2. And the US (Discovery) didn’t even buy the episode.
It was great to meet him, after some correspondence, and I remember being wholly onboard with his plan to make a difference by any means possible “on a shoestring,” and being so inspired to make films about the real state of the planet, telling stories that would inspire change. We became friends and kept in touch, and then several years later, in 2010—after time living in Africa, and on the advice of many more wildlife film-makers who I’d met at wildlife film festivals around the world— I moved to Bristol, hoping to make it as a natural history TV researcher.
It was Richard, and Richard alone, who gave me any kind of chance there. Most of my contacts, people who had insisted I move to Bristol and then get in touch, ghosted me. I did some more work experience (at Icon Films for e.g., where I was titled their oldest ever work experience guy!) but Richard actually offered to pay me!
That early work helped me immensely, and it started a 15-year-long working relationship. I did everything from random research work, admin, website and media management, and setting up socials and other platforms, to help him get news of his work out there. Early jobs involved staying over for a week at his cottage in Chew Magna, sifting though piles and piles of papers and newspaper clippings trying to get them into some kind of coherent order. I’m not sure I really helped because soon after the piles were back to being mixed up and greatly enlarged! Richard was forever fascinated by what was happening to the natural world and what solutions there might be to help, so everything he kept, howsoever poorly filed, were his resources, his references; potentially a film idea. The first website consisted of photocopied newspaper clippings (which he’d send to me in the post), displayed like a scrapbook with his thoughts and ideas—a glimpse inside the mind of a man who wanted to share his unique understanding of what needed to be done to save the natural world, and us.
Of course, he rarely saw the website himself because of his refusal to become even a little bit tech-savvy. I spent a few years trying to convince him to get an iPad before giving up. I used to have to post him anything I needed him to read, before marvellous Moira Sage at Chew Magna Post Office came to the rescue!
I’d gone on to work for Piers Warren (who was the only other person who gave me a real chance!) at Wildeye—the wildlife film school—where Richard would join us sometimes as a star tutor on the conservation film courses in Norfolk, and Wildlife-film.com, which Richard was always an avid supporter of. I always kept working for Richard: through the release of his epic Wildlife Winners & Losers film series with Gareth Trezise (his editor) and the publication of Planet Crunch (both the book and the films) with Penny Delmon, Moira and our small team.
I always enjoyed hearing his take on other films, trends in wildlife film-making, the changes occurring in the industry, at wildlife film festivals—especially Wildscreen, which he boycotted in 2014—and much else.
We also collaborated on the ¨Films That Make A Difference¨ database, which aimed to be an online library of conservation films. We wanted to help prove that film-making can make a real and tangible difference to important conservation issues around the world. A favourite Richard quote of mine is ”Showing the truth on some minority channel is not the answer. Showing it where it counts is."
I will miss him immensely, and will be forever grateful to him for his mentorship, inspiration, wise words, kindness—and above all, his friendship. He really was a hero to me, as I know he was to many other people.
Some of their thoughts are below.
¨I was first introduced to Richard by one of his bright green sparks as they were affectionately known. He was looking for someone to do some macro filming of shrimps for his first egret film, The Egret Has Landed, narrated by the late great Tony Soper and I had the equipment to do the job, sort of...It was a lovely sunny day in Devon and once we were all done filming he said he would take us to meet Tony Soper. I was beginning to think we were lost. We were driving on the inside perimeter of a field but eventually at the end was this house overlooking the Kingsbridge Estuary. I couldn't believe I was actually going to meet one of my wildlife heroes and there I was, sat in his garden drinking a glass of squash listening to Richard and Tony having a catchup. I was made up and I think Richard knew I would be...
We kept in touch and it wasn't long before our next adventure. Richard knew about my love of butterflies. I had been fascinated with them since a child. A World About Us documentary got me hooked. Richard wanted to make a film about British butterflies. I had already filmed most of them and had good contacts at Butterfly Conservation. Richard came up with the storyboard and he said "I've also a good contact at Butterfly Conservation, the president, David Attenborough". Well that trumped me somewhat! The year was 2004 which coincided with Wildscreen and Sir David Attenborough would be there. David had agreed with Richard to spare a bit of his time and if we could get to the Natural History Unit during a break he would do a piece to camera for our Butterfly Conservation film. Richard asked if I would like to film it. I was lost for words. Me a nobody, filming Attenborough doing a piece to camera about butterflies. Richard quite easily could have just done that himself. Another example of his generosity and kindness. The most surreal moment actually was afterwards. Richard giving both David and myself a lift to the watershed where Wildscreen was taking place in his rather clapped out Ford Focus. Stop go traffic and many people doing a double take, is that really Sir David Attenborough waving and smiling...yes it was. Richard continued to make his films and I got gripped with filming wildlife in Kenya. Then one day I was having a quiet pub lunch in Chew Magna with my wife and tap, tap on the window "I thought it was you, how do you fancy a bit of editing this time?" Eleven years later, well over a hundred films, and we're still editing to the end.
Richard was a lovely, kind, remarkable and passionate human being. It was a privilege to have worked so closely with him, a real friend. I will miss him dearly.¨ – Gareth Trezise
¨I first met Richard 12 years ago in Bristol, from that moment I went on to work with him on loads of his films. It was a working relationship that very quickly turned into a great friendship. I've got many great memories of being away with him all across the UK. It was one of a very small number of jobs you get where it feels more like going away with a friend for a few days.
After moving back to Essex , I didn't see as much of him as before. But whenever I made the trip back down, he would be first on the list to catch up with. He had an amazing career, travelling around the world. But his passion for wildlife and conservation was his burning motivator. Speaking up for animals that didn't have a voice. His films were charming and powerful. One that stands out was a blue shark that had drifted into a port in Majorca. After receiving bad press from the media referring to jaws and monsters, Richard was on the next plane out to make a film about it. At the age of 84. Nothing would stop him making his films, he was always either in the process of making one, editing one with Gareth or planning his next one. His passion and dedication was infectious. I'm really glad I got to spend so much time with him over the years and will miss him.¨ – Ross Birnie
¨Very sad to hear we have lost Richard Brock who was always a huge inspiration to me and hero of conservation film-making. I first met him in the 1990s at a time when some of us were frustrated at the lack of conservation content on TV. But rather than just being another moaner he picked up a camera and just got on with it by himself. With nothing more than a camcorder in a lunchbox he travelled the world making hundreds of self-funded hard-hitting conservation films, never failing to tackle big corporations or issues whilst making films on a huge array of subjects. Later he would occasionally join us on our Wildeye courses as a special guest, and I remember him shaking his head with a smile as I tried to teach the value of tripods to achieve steady shots - happily telling students that he had made hundreds of films without ever touching a tripod! Making and promoting his films right until the very end, the world is a poorer place without him.¨ – Piers Warren
¨I didn't know Richard in his previous role at the BBC, only as a very kind thoughtful gentleman who was very passionate about many subjects and wanted people to know about the things he felt should be known. He was funny and always appreciative of the work/typing I did for him. We had a really good working arrangement over the past eight years and rubbed along very well together. I miss him massively, expecting him to come into the post office every day, as was usual. Actually I miss him way more than my ex-husband!!¨ – Moira Sage
¨I first worked with Richard at the BBC in Bristol in the early '90s, and became his colleague, friend and graphic designer. I continued to work with him when he left the BBC and set up his own company. What I loved about Richard was his tireless energy and passion for wildlife and the natural world. He never stood still and was always exciting to work with, even if he was sometimes difficult to keep up with!
He was old-school, with old-school humour – he could be funny, rude and risqué – titling a recent film 'Poodunnit' and adding farts to the soundtrack. He delivered handwritten copy in a world developing digital transactions, with Moira and I deciphering his unique thoughts delivered in pencilled script. He was the only client I had who insisted on paying by cheque.
One area where Richard had his finger on the pulse was current affairs. Reading four daily newspapers he was often ahead of the mainstream as he sifted out ideas for his next projects.
I will always have fond memories of lunch meetings where he supplied a cheese and wine-based feast.
He was a kind, up-beat, creative, deeply individual, independent and passionate man. I will miss him so much.¨ – Penny Delmon
¨I am lucky enough to have known Richard for over 40 years. When I started at BBC Bristol in 1983 he was just completing work on The Living Planet. But I remember
him even then as a friendly and rather suave figure. In 1985 when I moved to Chew Magna we became neighbours and over the years I got to know him much better. Having said that Richard was quite a private man, quietly going about his business, often seen in the village even on cold days wearing shorts and either flip flops or crocks. A very distinctive look! He was a real charmer, whether catching up with Moria in the post office or chatting with the staff in the Co-Op he had always time for a joke and a cheery wave as he picked up the papers to keep up with the latest news. He was a great supporter of the local branch of Avon Wildlife Trust and often showed his films at their monthly meetings. They were kindred spirits. He enjoyed sharing his passions, which were always about the natural world and our impact on it. In 2021, just before he published his book Planet Crunch I interviewed him for my YouTube channel and he was delighted to share his own story about how his love of wildlife developed, and his concerns and hopes for the future. Looking at it again now many of his comments ring even more true today, for example he was totally against the billionaire’s space race. As he said there is so much to fix down here, that’s where the energy and resources are needed.
In a 35 year BBC career that included Life on Earth and The Living Planet Richard went on to make many other films including some for The World About Us, The Natural World and Wildlife on One. It was on a Wildlife on One that our professional paths crossed in 1987. Richard went to Poyang lake in China to film Chinese cranes, but that year no cranes arrived. Unperturbed he decided to film local village life and show how the villagers celebrated these special birds. However the film camera they were using did not record sound and as the assistant editor one of my jobs was to put the soundtrack together. I had a silent 30 minute film full of Chinese people chatting away and not a frame of sound! So I organised 6 Chinese students from Bristol University to come into the BBC and give the villagers a voice. Richard was of course amusing, positive and supportive throughout. I often wonder what the locals would have thought if they ever saw it!
I now wish I had spent more time with Richard, I could easily have popped into his cottage by the river Chew more often but at least I have the memories of the times we did share and I know he would be glad that all his films are still available, and with that wonderful voice of his to keep his message going, it is a message that the world needs today more than ever.¨ – Peter Brownlee
¨In early 1978 I was a PhD student in the Zoology Department of Bristol University, researching thermoregulation in lower vertebrates. What had brought me there was a life-long passion for reptiles and amphibians, and my research involved a lot of fieldwork, surrounded by my favourite creatures.
Out of the blue I received a phone call ,“Hello, my name is Richard Brock from the BBC up the road, and we are making a series called ‘Life on Earth’, presented by David Attenborough. Episode 6, ‘Invasion of the Land’ covers how amphibians evolved a more terrestrial life. We hear you know a lot about reptiles and amphibians and wondered if you help us.” He had barely finished the sentence when I said “Yes!”
Two days later he, and Neil Cleminson, came to my home to discuss sequences and see my collection of weird and wonderful frogs. As well as filming some of my captive species, especially those that exhibited some sort of parental care, Richard asked, if they were to obtain the specimens, would I build naturally planted terraria with a view persuading the frogs to breed in front of the cameras. Over the next twelve months, with the help of some very skilled camera crews, we ticked off the ‘wants’ list, Darwin’s Frogs, Marsupial Frogs, Viviparous Toads and many others.
Being involved, even in a small way, in the planning, filming, editing and dubbing of the films triggered my own desire to pursue Wildlife Filmmaking as a career. Richard willingly provided both the advice and encouragement I needed and, shortly after Life on Earth was broadcast, I joined ITV’s ‘Survival’ team in London.
We remained good friends over the subsequent 45 years, often meeting up at various film festivals and on Wildeye’s Conservation Filmmaking Courses that we both tutored.
Richard also had a passion for frogs, and I was happy to help him once again with the ‘Fantastic Frogs’ episode of his important, mammoth series ‘Wildlife Winners and Losers’.
We have lost a true pioneer of wildlife filmmaking. As both Producer of the first Wildlife mega series - Life on Earth, or prolific maker of hard-hitting, conservation documentaries, Richard certainly made a big impact. If it wasn’t for him my own career would never have taken the direction it did, and I shall remain eternally grateful to him for that. I shall miss him very much.¨ – Mike Linley
¨I am so sad to hear about Richard. He was such a blessing to me when he contacted me to do the film pretty Polly and the Ancient Mariner, part of the BBC series SURVIVORS. The film was so beautiful. I have a VHS copy of the film which I will cherish for the rest of my life. Please give my love to all those closest to him.¨ – Chris Luginbuhl. Founder of the David E. Luginbuhl Research Institute For Endangered Species
¨Richard Brock was one of a kind. He refused to be intimidated by high-level, powerful people. He saw through the shallowness of much natural history programming and excoriated over-paid muckety-mucks in places like the BBC, whom, he claimed, ignored the environmental issues that plague us. He admonished them to do better and to raise their moral standards. He told the truth, as he saw it, boldly and audaciously. A distinguished iconoclast with a discerning (and disconcerting) ability to detect hypocrites and superficial documentaries, Richard Brock led a life that mattered and that had meaning. He will be sorely missed.¨ – Chris Palmer, author, Achieving a Good Death, www.ChrisPalmerOnline.com
¨I am very sorry to hear that Richard has passed away.
I was lucky enough to work with him during his BBC days.
We made Wolf Saga and Man-Eater: To Be or Not To Be, together and I wrote and partly filmed the original Wildlife Winners and Losers two-part special, featuring an update of the work of Eugen Schuhmacher.
For me, Richard was a complete delight to work with. He was very bright, very funny and very appreciative of me as a colleague. This sort of good-natured encouragement from a major player like him was very supportive. We had enormous fun working together. He was, without doubt, the most companionable producer I’ve ever worked with. He taught me how to be a better listener, as I watched him elicit information from other people. He, who had achieved so much, always kept a low, respectful and totally engaged profile as he talked with the various contacts we made. I learned by his example that really successful people are relaxed and comfortable in their skin and that they put other folk at their ease.
My autobiography was published last year (Natural Causes: The wild life of a wildlife filmmaker, Chiselbury) and it contains a couple of chapters about the films we made together, how much fun we had and how effortlessly efficient he was. I have to say that working with Richard marked a high point in my life.
¨ – Stephen Mills
¨I first met Richard when I first got into wildlife TV over twenty years ago. He was always so friendly, kind and helpful to newcomers, providing career advice and inspiration to me and many others. I had previously been working for Television Trust for the Environment and the Environmental Film Festival so we had a shared interest in green issues. Over the years I would often meet up with him and he became a mentor to me. He was a legend, a pioneering wildlife filmmaker and a champion for conservation issues for the whole of his life. I admire his passion and tenacity for trying to instigate change in the industry and educate the public. He was ahead of his time. Richard Brock RIP. Thank you for your huge contribution to wildlife filmmaking and the preservation of our living planet.¨ – Ingrid Kvale
¨Richard was a BBC producer that I admired immensely. It was an honour to meet him as a our small wildlife team from SVT visited the NHU in Bristol in January 1981, in between Life on Earth and The Living Planet.
Several years later, in 1999, as the whole blue chip genre was in deep decline, we met again at the wildlife film festival in Sundsvall, Sweden. Then I was working with the SVT news show Aktuellt, producing a story about wildlife film making and all the tricks involved. One of the producers I interviewed was Richard, and our conversation also touched on the sad develepment of the business. I will always remember his drastic conclusion:
”And today, I don´t know how many crocodile wrestling shows there are. I can just honestly say that I hope the crocodile wins.” ¨ – Henrik Ekman, SVT
¨I was very sorry to hear the sad news about Richard. I haven't seen him for many years but have happy memories of working with him in the 1990s on his conservation films. I was the online editor at Applecart - in the good old days when I think he was shooting on Hi 8 and mastering onto Digi Beta.
He was a delight to work with, a brilliant storyteller both in his films and recounting his personal experiences, someone who had time to share his huge knowledge - and someone who stood up for what he believed in.
He will be missed but I hope his passion lives on through the people he has encouraged and influenced.¨ – Sharon Stiles
¨Richard and I always had time for each other and our ideas - one spin off was for the LIVING DANGEROUSLY series GRIZZLY! THE BEAR FACTS, mostly filmed in Alaska, where I was already filming for a NATURAL WORLD about these charismatic creatures.¨ – Roger Jones
¨Richard was a true Gent in every sense of the word. Always so cheery, positive and encouraging - I feel very lucky to have worked with him. Back in the ’90’s he gave me my first paid job in television. I was a Runner on his Winners and Losers conservation series. Despite my lowly position, he was always very generous with his time and gave me many invaluable opportunities. And just a few months ago I had pleasure of working with him again, on a film celebrating the landmark Life on Earth series.
A natural raconteur, he entertained us with stories from his early Producer days back in the day. He’s had an amazing career and, as many have reflected, he was the true pioneer of conservation film-making.
RIP Richard, you are an inspiration to us all and will be hugely missed.¨ – Anuschka Schofield
¨Richard Brock - In Memoriam 1938 - 30 December 2024
– It is with great sadness we share that renowned wildlife television producer and conservationist, Richard Brock, has passed away.
Having always had a passion for wildlife, Richard studied zoology and botany at Cambridge University and, keen to communicate his ideas, joined the BBC Natural History Unit (NHU) upon his graduation.
Working as a general assistant, Richard was taken under Jeffery Boswall's wing in the radio department. When Jeffery moved into television in 1964 he gave Richard his first film to produce, a compilation piece entitled Masters of Movement which aired on Peter Scott's famous Look strand.
Richard's big break came when David Attenborough, then Head of BBC2, invited him to produce his next series set in Southeast Asia. Eastward with Attenborough was released in 1973 and was the start of a successful working partnership between the two.
The pair collaborated again on the groundbreaking series Life On Earth (1979), with Richard taking responsibility for the sixth episode and amphibian segment, Invasion of the Land.
Richard was appointed executive producer for the second of David's epic Life trilogy - surveying the world from an ecological point of view; The Living Planet was broadcast in 1984.
A highly successful producer, Richard made numerous contributions to the BBC NHU's output, working on many individual features as well as a multitude of programmes for the Wildlife On One and The World About Us strands.
Richard left the BBC after 35 years, concerned about the lack of willingness within the wildlife film industry to address the state of the environment. He went on to set up his own production company, Living Planet Productions, which made over 100 films on a wide range of environmental topics. A highly determined conservationist, Richard also set up The Brock Initiative, to educate decision makers and local communities about surrounding conservation issues by using archive footage.
A constant presence within the Wildscreen community over the past 5 decades, Richard and his frog jumper, which he wore to every Wildscreen Festival, will be very much missed by us all.
Our thoughts are with Richard's colleagues, friends and family at this time.¨ – Wildscreen
Richard said: ¨My Wildlife Winners and Losers series shows that films can be made – with basic footage filmed on any device – to help get the word out about conservation. “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.” Watch these here on our website or visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@brockinitiative
¨Cherry Aitken (nee Brock) and family are sad to announce the death of her brother Richard Brock on 30 December 2024.
A Bristolian by birth, Richard was born in 1938 and inspired his family and the world, from his work in the BBC and latterly the Brock Initiative, which he founded in 2006.
His commitment to wildlife and conservatism was unwavering, as was the love of his rural community in Chew Magna where he spent most of his life.
Reading all the tributes and wonderful stories about him makes us so proud.
Close family and friends are invited to the cremation on 31 January. If you require more information, please email: livingplanetproductions@gmail.com.¨
Welcome to our Newest Full Organisation Member:
Wildlife Film Productions inc. – a boutique production company specialized in creating groundbreaking natural history films for audiences worldwide.
Wildlife Film Productions (WFP) was founded by Alex Jones, an Emmy-nominated and Panda award-winning Director of Photography (DOP) who has worked with top broadcasters like Disney, NatGeo, BBC, Netflix, and Apple. With over a decade of experience, Alex is known for his breathtaking macro and long-lens work, creating world-class wildlife films. Initially hired as head DOP on many shows, he quickly became involved in the creative direction and writing, showcasing his storytelling talents beyond the camera. His ability to shape the overall vision of a project adds a unique depth to every production.
Award-winning filmmaker Jaap Perenboom joined Alex after a chance encounter while filming in the jungles of Corcovado, Costa Rica. Their mutual passion for wildlife filmmaking brought them together, and they soon realized they shared the ambition to build a boutique Blue-Chip wildlife film company. With Jaap’s background in both business and filmmaking, he brings a rare combination of business savvy, strategic insight, and hands-on experience as a DOP, perfectly complementing Alex’s creative vision.
United by their love for wildlife and a shared dream to produce top-tier films, Alex and Jaap are building a strong, passionate team. Their collective vision and expertise drive WFP to deliver captivating, high-quality wildlife content that stands out in the industry.
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.
Wildlife Film News is available every month straight to your Inbox! Subscribe here:
