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The Wildscreen Festival is the world’s leading international festival celebrating and advancing storytelling about the natural world. Held every two years, the Wildscreen Festival brings together the wildlife film, tv and photography community to transform the craft of natural world storytelling across platforms and across audiences.

The Wildscreen Festival 2018 will take place 15-19 October 2018 in Bristol, UK. Further information is available at www.wildscreen.org and delegate tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.

Please note that the programme is being updated frequently as guest availability changes. Wildscreen reserves the right to make such updates to the programme and timings, and will endeavour to make those changes as quickly as possible.

Delegates holding a day or week pass do not need to register to attend specific events with the exception of the Panda Awards Ceremony (additional purchase required) and film screenings (no additional purchase required). Reservation details can be found in the description of each individual screening.

To help you manage your time at the Wildscreen Festival, you can sign up for a Sched account and login to save events to your personal calendar. Note that doing so does not guarantee entry to events as seating is on a first-come-first-served basis at the venue door. We advise that you arrive in plenty of time before a session starts.

The programme includes both industry events, which are included in the price of a delegate day or week pass, and public events that anyone is welcome to attend, subject to booking procedures.  
Saturday, October 13
 

09:00 BST

Outdoor Photography Exhibition
This exhibition features the incredible stories nominated for the first ever Wildscreen Photo Story Panda Award, shining a spotlight on globally important conservation issues and bringing world-class, inspiring photography to the city of Bristol.

Supported by Animal Friends Pet Insurance

Saturday October 13, 2018 09:00 - Wednesday November 7, 2018 17:00 GMT
College Green College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ, UK
 
Sunday, October 14
 

17:00 BST

Early Delegate Registration
If you're already in town, beat the Monday morning rush and swing by the Festival Hub to pick up your delegate badge.

Sunday October 14, 2018 17:00 - 19:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
 
Monday, October 15
 

08:30 BST

Hub Opening Hours & Registration
Your first port of call on arrival, where you can collect your delegate pass and badge that will give you access to industry events.

The Festival Hub is the perfect place to bump into old friends, make new ones and have your meetings, with the bar open throughout the day right through to 23.00.

The Wildscreen team will also be stationed here until close to help you navigate the programme, answer questions and provide some local hints and tips.

Also based in the Festival hub are a selection of technology providers showcasing their latest kit and services.

Monday October 15, 2018 08:30 - 23:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:00 BST

Hub Cafe
If you're feeling peckish, stop by our lovely in-house cafe for some tasty plant-based delights.

Monday October 15, 2018 09:00 - 16:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:30 BST

Coffee is for Closers - What Makes Development Tick
The inner workings of network development often seem mysterious - sometimes downright murky. Learn what makes development executives "tick" and what really sells as we answer why good pitches get passed on, why collaboration is key, and how to know when an idea is one tweak away dead or alive.

Speakers
avatar for Meghan Cassin

Meghan Cassin

Senior Director of Development, National Geographic Wild
Meghan Cassin is the Senior Director of Development for Nat Geo Wild. In this role she is responsible for specials, character-driven series, SharkFest and BarkFest. In addition to linear programming, Cassin develops digital content for Wild and executive produced the multiplatform... Read More →
avatar for Jessie Springer

Jessie Springer

Coordinator, Development and Production, Nat Geo Wild
Jessie Springer is a Development and Production Coordinator for Nat Geo Wild. In this role, she is responsible for managing and tracking projects for the development team as well as evolving pitches through pre-sale and rights negotiations. Last year, Jessie took over developing shows... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

09:30 BST

Coffee Catch-up
Kick off your week at Wildscreen and join us for a coffee and catch-up on what's been happening since we last saw you!

Monday October 15, 2018 09:30 - 11:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

11:15 BST

A Life Beyond the Screen
Helping audiences understand and engage with the world around them is every wildlife filmmaker's goal. But with the natural world at such a critical point in history, informing is only part of our job - we need to make people not only care, but act on it. When we get it right, we have the power to invoke large scale change. Our panellists share their experiences of producing high impact content that has a life beyond the screen.

Chair
avatar for Laura Marshall

Laura Marshall

Managing Director, Icon Films
Laura Marshall is Joint Founder of Icon Films, Managing Director and Executive Producer. Best known internationally as the producers of River Monsters, Animal Planet’s highest rated show, along with the hugely successful Savage Kingdom featuring Emmy nominated narrator Charles Dance... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Walter Koehler

Walter Koehler

CEO, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
A BBC colleague called Walter once an ‘industry legend’. For TERRA MATER Factual Studios he is the heart and the head - incomparably experienced, highly passioned and round-the-clock on duty. For Walter a long dreamed adventure became true when after 30 years at Austria’s pubcaster... Read More →
avatar for Charlotte Moore

Charlotte Moore

Director, BBC Content, BBC
On 6th July 2016, a new senior leadership team was announced and Charlotte Moore became Director, BBC Content. She also remains Controller of BBC One. She is responsible for the creative vision across the portfolio of channels, BBC iPlayer and genres. She also takes on oversight of... Read More →

Sponsors

Monday October 15, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Headliner

12:00 BST

Making the Grade
Natural history filmmaking often involves many camera formats and unusual filming conditions. This creates challenges and opportunities within the grade session to enhance and develop the narrative and ambition.

Award-winning colourist Blair Wallace will open the lid on his technical and creative approach in the grade.

Speakers
avatar for Blair Wallace

Blair Wallace

Head of Grading, Evolutions
Blair joined Evolutions Bristol as Head of Grading in 2013 when he made the move to the West Country from London. He said goodbye to his role as Senior Colourist for Envy Post Production and headed off to sunny Bristol and the Evo’s team.So marked the end of an era for Blair as... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 12:00 - 14:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

13:30 BST

Podcasts: An Intimate Audience
The on-demand audio revolution is gathering pace. In a world where people can feast on downloadable media, podcasts are increasingly popular… and are a great way of reaching younger audiences – something traditional TV struggles with. Join Edith Bowman, host and creator of Soundtracking UK, and her panel of podcasters as they lift the lid on this powerful digital tool as a means of communicating important stories of the natural world.

Chair
avatar for Edith Bowman

Edith Bowman

Fife born Edith Bowman has worked as a TV and Radio broadcaster for over 20 years. Her radio work has spanned all the major stations, presenting shows on BBC Radio 1, 2, 6 and 5Live as well as Virgin Radio. As a TV host she has fronted shows for BBC, Channel 4, Sky Arts, MTV and the... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Monika Bohm

Monika Bohm

Research Fellow, Zoological Society of London
Convinced early on in my budding career that I would only ever work on mammals and primarily be doing fieldwork, I completed my PhD on badger ecology and movement in 2007. I have been a post-doc at the Zoological Society of London's Institute of Zoology since 2009. I am mainly focusing... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Howes

Jennifer Howes

Scientific Events Coordinator, Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Jennifer Howes is the Scientific Events Coordinator at the Zoological Society of London, based at ZSL London Zoo. She manages a programme of public events, talks, academic conferences and workshops exploring themes in conservation science, working with researchers from ZSL’s Institute... Read More →
avatar for Becky Ripley

Becky Ripley

Producer/Presenter, BBC
Becky Ripley is an in-house documentary and drama producer for BBC Radio. She is half of Blue Planet II: The Podcast, co-producing and co-presenting with the cephalopod-obsessed Emily Knight. This reached and remained at #1 in the iTunes Podcast Charts for most of the Blue Planet... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

15:00 BST

The Lions Rule - Death in the Glade + Q&A
The Glade is a paradise in the desiccated plains of Ruaha. Water is here all year round. This bounty spawns strange relationships, like the pact that exists between a baboon and a lion family who, against natural instincts, live in harmony. But peace in the Glade is shattered when thousands of buffalo arrive to drink. They are followed by the biggest pride in all of Ruaha National Park, The Baobab pride. While the Baobab pride hunts the herd inside the Glade, another pride arrives on the scene. They are the Njaa - a pride of drifters - always following the buffalo herd. The herd is their territory and they will fight any lion that dares to poach their prey. The Glade becomes a war zone. Before this day is over, a horrible event will leave one pride in exile, one victorious and another waiting for the next disaster to unfold.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Austria, 50 mins
A Terra Mater Factual Studios production in co-production with Doclights / NDR Naturfilm and National Geographic Channel in association with ARTE France / Unité Découverte et Connaissance and Shibumi Films
Panda Award nomination: ORF Animal Behaviour Award, Series Award

WARNING: Contains scenes that may not be suitable for younger audiences

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Walter Koehler

Walter Koehler

CEO, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
A BBC colleague called Walter once an ‘industry legend’. For TERRA MATER Factual Studios he is the heart and the head - incomparably experienced, highly passioned and round-the-clock on duty. For Walter a long dreamed adventure became true when after 30 years at Austria’s pubcaster... Read More →
avatar for Susanne Lummer

Susanne Lummer

Executive Producer, Terra Mater Factual Studios
A lovable animal needs soft fur, four paws and two big eyes? Not so for Susanne: She’s the Executive Producer with a soft spot for creepy-crawly creatures – may they have at least six to eight legs and the same number of eyes! Susanne’s passion for wildlife of any size combined... Read More →
avatar for Owen Pruemm

Owen Pruemm

Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Shibumi Films
Owen Prümm, born in Johannesburg / South Africa in 1963, is an award-winning wildlife director, DoP and producer. He has shot and directed multiple wildlife films for most of the major international broadcasters. Owen received a lifetime honorary membership from the South African... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 15:00 - 16:10 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

15:00 BST

Canopy Calling
Emmy award-winning cameraman and tree climber, James Aldred shows us the ropes on how to film natural history subjects at height. Specialising in working in remote locations and wildernesses, James will share his expertise when it comes to the technical camera and rope rigging techniques required for filming in environments such as the tropical rainforest canopy. This is not for the faint-hearted!

Speakers
avatar for James Aldred

James Aldred

Cameraman
James Aldred is an Emmy award-winning documentary cameraman, specialising in natural history and filming from ropes at height in any environment. Starting out as an assistant on commercial feature films, James was trained in-house by the BBC Natural History Unit and has spent the... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 15:00 - 17:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

15:15 BST

Shorts: Being Brave
From the Lumieres outside their factory in 1895 to the 21st century's experimentation with virtual reality, short film has always been the visionary's playground. This applies to talent as well with the vast majority of the world's top talent having cut their teeth in shorts.

Why then do so many new practitioners opt to take the safe, well trodden route? This panel will explore why short film is the creative hotbed to try out your big ideas.

Chair
avatar for Rich Warren

Rich Warren

Festival Director, Encounters Festival
Rich Warren is the Festival Director for Encounters Film Festival, the UK's leading short film and animation festival. The festival prioritises the showcasing, supporting and progression of new and emerging talent in film and animation. The 24th edition of the festival took place... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Liz Brach

Liz Brach

Vice President, Development & Production, NHNZ
Liz Brach overseas NHNZ's development and production in the US and is responsible for developing and Executive Producing new series and specials for NHNZ's US clients. Prior to joining NHNZ, she was Senior Director of Development and Programming for Discovery Networks International... Read More →
avatar for Ian Kerr

Ian Kerr

Director / Cinematographer, Storm Films Inc.
From the jungles of New Guinea to the ice floes of Canada's Arctic to the thin air of the Argentinean Andes, Ian can be found telling award-winning stories through spectacular images. A Emmy-award winning cinematographer, Ian works across a diverse range of projects and subjects... Read More →

Sponsors

Monday October 15, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

16:30 BST

An Ocean Mystery: The Missing Catch + Q&A
Is the world running out of fish? According to an unconventional and comprehensive study by marine biologist Dr. Daniel Pauly, we have drastically underestimated the true number of fish caught globally and must change our ways soon or face disaster. Follow Dr. Pauly and his team around the globe as they talk to commercial fisherman, charter boat operators, and even seafood restaurant managers to determine just how much fish we really catch, and what we must do to help us save our seas.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Tria Thalman and Alison Barret.

United States, 46 mins
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation in association with Smithsonian Channel
Nominated for: NHK Science Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Alison Barrat

Alison Barrat

VP, Development & Production, Love Nature
In her role as VP, Development & Production, Love Nature, Alison Barrat provides creative leadership on new projects for Love Nature’s growing slate and is responsible for executing programming strategies for the brand’s international channels through development and production... Read More →
avatar for Tria Thalman

Tria Thalman

Executive Producer, Natural History, Smithsonian Channel
Tria Thalman joined Smithsonian Channel in 2015 to spearhead their natural history programming, a slate that encompasses about 25 wildlife documentaries annually for the U.S. network. In addition, she has been instrumental in commissioning and overseeing programming for the SVOD platform... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 16:30 - 17:40 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

17:00 BST

A Conversation with Hans Zimmer
A can't-miss, one-to-one interview with the multiple award-winning composer, Hans Zimmer. Join television, radio and podcast presenter, Edith Bowman as she chats to one of the world's most compelling musical storytellers about his fascination for the natural world.

Chair
avatar for Edith Bowman

Edith Bowman

Fife born Edith Bowman has worked as a TV and Radio broadcaster for over 20 years. Her radio work has spanned all the major stations, presenting shows on BBC Radio 1, 2, 6 and 5Live as well as Virgin Radio. As a TV host she has fronted shows for BBC, Channel 4, Sky Arts, MTV and the... Read More →

Speakers

Monday October 15, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Showcase Cinema de Lux Bristol Glass House Ln, Bristol BS1 3BX, UK
  Headliner

17:00 BST

Jane
Drawing from over 100 hours of never-before-seen footage that has been tucked away in the National Geographic archives for over 50 years, award-winning director Brett Morgen tells the story of JANE, a woman whose chimpanzee research challenged the male-dominated scientific consensus of her time and revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. Set to a rich orchestral score from legendary composer Philip Glass, the film offers an unprecedented, intimate portrait of Jane Goodall — a trailblazer who defied the odds to become one of the world’s most admired conservationists.

USA, 90 mins
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic
Panda Award nominations: People & Nature Award, Theatrical Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Monday October 15, 2018 17:00 - 18:50 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

17:30 BST

Drinks with Films at 59 and CVP
Round off your first day at Wildscreen with drinks courtesy of Films at 59 and CVP and get the chance to see some of the latest camera technologies.

Sponsors

Monday October 15, 2018 17:30 - 18:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

18:30 BST

My Congo + Q&A
Wildlife cameraman Vianet Djenguet returns to his beloved Congo to explore the extraordinary wildlife of this remarkable country. Far from being the dark heart of Africa, he reveals a vibrant, wonderful place full of surprising landscapes, incredible people and amazing animals. Vianet takes us from dramatic coasts to pristine rainforest on a wildlife voyage of discovery, meeting inquisitive baby chimpanzees, majestic forest elephants and elusive lowland gorillas. Seen through the eyes of one of its proudest sons, Vianet offers us a unique insight into his homeland.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Doug Hope.



United Kingdom, 59 mins
BBC Studios Natural World – a co-production of BBC and Thirteen Productions LLC in association with WNET
Nominated for: Presenter Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Doug Hope

Doug Hope

Head of Development, Producer Director, BBC
Doug is currently the Head of Development for the greatest natural history department in the world, BBC Studios' Natural History Unit. He has previously worked for, not just the BBC, but lots of the independent companies in Bristol including Icon Films, Tigress, World Television and... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 18:30 - 19:50 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

18:45 BST

Naked Molerat - Nature's Weirdest Superhero + Q&A
Looks aren’t everything. Despite its appearance, the naked molerat should be envied. It lives to a very old age, never gets sick, and is practically impervious to pain. Scientists want to know why. In the quest to combat age-related illness – and even ageing itself – researchers around the world are searching for the Methuselah gene in this remarkable rodent to find cures for humans.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's producer Claudia Zenkert and director Herbert Ostwald.

Germany, 52mins
Taglicht Media Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH
Panda Award nomination: NHK Science Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Herbert Ostwald

Herbert Ostwald

Director, taglicht media Film and Tv Production
Herbert Ostwald studied biology in Berlin, Germany, and first worked as a journalist for radio and newspaper before starting wildlife programs at Deutsche Welle TV in 1995. Since then he has directed and produced more than 40 different nature and science documentaries for German public... Read More →
avatar for Claudia Zenkert

Claudia Zenkert

Producer, taglicht media Film & Tv Production
Claudia Zenkert, originally a molecular biologist, decided to turn her back on research after finishing her dissertation at the University of Heidelberg in 2011. After an internship at ZDF/3Sat’s science magazine Nano, she soon started working for taglicht media as a Producer. She... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 18:45 - 20:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

19:00 BST

Disneynature BLUE
Join us for an exclusive industry screening of Disneynature BLUE.  Released in cinemas across France in March, BLUE is an epic odyssey across the tropical seas, capturing the drama, heart and awe of the oceans.  Jean-Francois Camilleri, General Manager of Disneynature, will introduce the screening, outlining how Disneynature is continuing its commitment to creating best-in-class nature documentaries.  A Q&A with Keith Scholey, Director of BLUE, and Roy Conli, Producer of BLUE and BORN IN CHINA, will follow.  

Speakers
JC

Jean-Francois Camilleri

General Manager, Disneynature
RC

Roy Conli

Producer, Walt Disney Animation Studios / Disneynature
Roy is a Producer for the Disneynature film label, including BORN IN CHINA and BLUE. He is also a Producer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where his credits include TANGLED (2010) and BIG HERO 6 (2014). Roy is a winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for BIG HERO... Read More →
KS

Keith Scholey

Silverback Films

Sponsors

Monday October 15, 2018 19:00 - 23:00 BST
Showcase Cinema de Lux Bristol Glass House Ln, Bristol BS1 3BX, UK
  Social

20:30 BST

Norway's Magical Fjords
The Norwegian Fjords are one of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe. Surrounded by high mountains and arctic tundra, the narrow gorges carry seawater up to 200 kilometres inland. Formed during the ice age, when glaciers scoured out the underlying rocks, some are over 1000 metres deep. But the cold, dark waters are home to a surprisingly rich and colourful underwater world: vast reefs of cold-water corals, sea pens with feathery arms and flashing lights, and strange sea slugs that glow in the dark. In winter, billions of herring converge on the fjords, the shoals so dense, they darken the waters. In summer, salmon migrate up the fjords and rivers, propelling themselves up waterfalls to reach their traditional spawning grounds. Diving below the surface, award-winning wildlife filmmaker, Jan Haft reveals the extraordinary diversity of life hidden within the deep waters and captures behaviours that have rarely been seen.

Germany, 53 mins
nautilusfilm GmbH - Natural History Germany in collaboration with Doclights GmbH/NDR Naturfilm for NDR, ARTE, ORF, SVT
Nominated for: Music Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Monday October 15, 2018 20:30 - 21:45 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

20:30 BST

Mountain: Life at the Extreme + Q&A
The Andes is the longest and most diverse mountain range in the world, home to extraordinary animals and remarkable people. This film takes the audience on a south-to-north journey to experience the many different worlds that make up the Andes. At the southernmost tip lies Patagonia, where a female puma and her three cubs hunt amongst the frozen peaks. Further north, in Chile, the world's driest desert - the Atacama - is a high-altitude home to tenacious salt-tolerant lizards. Beyond that, in Peru, spectacled bears search for water in scorched high-altitude forests and tiny birds build their nests inside glaciers at an altitude of 5,500 metres. Finally, at the northernmost extent of the Andes, high in Ecuador's cloud forest, a newly discovered species of rain frog baffles scientists with its shape-shifting superpowers. The Andes is truly the mountain range of surprise and wonder.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s composer Will Slater and producer Matthew Wright.

United Kingdom, 59 mins
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit for BBC Two and PBS
Panda Award nomination: Music Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright

Producer/Director
Matthew has been working in television production for over 20 years, starting out in the fast-paced world of live TV in London before moving to Bristol to take up a role as a researcher on wildlife series for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, ITV and Channel Five.After... Read More →


Monday October 15, 2018 20:30 - 21:50 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening
 
Tuesday, October 16
 

08:30 BST

Hub Opening Hours & Registration
Your first port of call on arrival, where you can collect your delegate pass and badge that will give you access to industry events.

The Festival Hub is the perfect place to bump into old friends, make new ones and have your meetings, with the bar open throughout the day right through to 23.00.

The Wildscreen team will also be stationed here until close to help you navigate the programme, answer questions and provide some local hints and tips.

Also based in the Festival hub are a selection of technology providers showcasing their latest kit and services.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 08:30 - 23:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:00 BST

Shoot Survival
Making wildlife films can be hard. But very occasionally it can also be dangerous. Working in geographically isolated areas, in extreme conditions, or in politically unstable countries means police protection and medical support can be few and far between. Allison Bean (MD, OTF Productions) shares her tips & tricks to be better prepared for worst case scenarios.

Speakers
avatar for Allison Bean

Allison Bean

Managing Director, Off the Fence
Allison has worked in television production for 20 years. She began her career at Survival Anglia TV producing natural history films. In 2002 she joined Granada TV where she expanded her expertise into the popular factual space making a range of films for broadcasters worldwide. In... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 09:00 - 11:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

09:00 BST

Hub Cafe
If you're feeling peckish, stop by our lovely in-house cafe for some tasty plant-based delights.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 09:00 - 16:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Walter Koehler & Sabine Holzer, Terra Mater Factual Studios
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Sabine Holzer

Sabine Holzer

Head of Specialist Factual, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
When the going gets tough, Sabine is in her element. As Head of Specialist Factual at Terra Mater Factual Studios she oversees the television documentary output of the company. Sabine works with co-production partners all over the world, focussing on the production of premium nature... Read More →
avatar for Walter Koehler

Walter Koehler

CEO, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
A BBC colleague called Walter once an ‘industry legend’. For TERRA MATER Factual Studios he is the heart and the head - incomparably experienced, highly passioned and round-the-clock on duty. For Walter a long dreamed adventure became true when after 30 years at Austria’s pubcaster... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 09:15 - 09:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

09:30 BST

A Shot in the Dark
Shooting in very low light is challenging but recent technological advances have made it easier and better than ever before. Low noise colour images are now possible in dim light levels where the human eye can barely see.

This talk will cover the creative, technical and operational issues concerning shooting in extremely low light, as our industry professionals share their experiences of low light shooting during and post production, across projects as diverse as the Panda Award-nominated 'Blue Planet II' and 'Nocturnal Britain'.

Specially material will be shot, graded and screened for the first time at this event to directly compare the capabilities of low cameras, Canon ME20fSH and Sony A7SMkII.

Chair
avatar for Barry Bassett

Barry Bassett

Managing Director, VMI.TV Ltd
Barry has run camera rental facility, VMI.TV Ltd for the past 25 years as Managing Director and VMI has offices in London and Bristol and Media Rental arm VMEDIA which is also based out of London. He has spoken widely on many technical subjects including cinematography, 4K and HDR... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Rachel Butler

Rachel Butler

Producer, BBC
Producer Director Rachel Butler started her career with the BBC in Australia in 2010, initially as a diver & researcher. The BBC brought Rachel back to the UK a year later and she has since specialised in the underwater ‘blue chip’ series – ‘Great Barrier Reef’, ‘Shark... Read More →
avatar for Peter Collins

Peter Collins

Head of Factual, Pioneer Productions
Peter Collins joined Pioneer in May 2018 in the newly created role of Head of Factual. Prior to this he was Head of Specialist Factual at STV Productions, where he devised and executive produced a number of ambitious projects including Britain’s Polar Bear Cub for Channel 4, Lucy... Read More →
avatar for Daniel Gill

Daniel Gill

Colourist, The Farm
Dan joined The Farm as a runner back in 2006. Meeting The Farm’s award winning Aiden Farrell confirmed Dan’s goal to become a colourist. Working his way up through the ranks Dan assisted The Farm’s fantastic grading team, with Aidan, Sonny Sheridan and Perry Gibbs as mentors... Read More →
avatar for Hannah Ward

Hannah Ward

Producer/Director
Hannah is a freelance producer/director with experience working on popular specialist factual & natural history programmes such as The Natural World, Animals with Cameras, Coast, Nature's Weirdest and Countryfile.

Sponsors

Tuesday October 16, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

10:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Janet Han Vissering, Nat Geo WILD
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Janet Han Vissering

Janet Han Vissering

Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic
As Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 150 hours of programming commissioned each year for broadcast in 166 countries, 330 million homes and 34 languages worldwide. In her role, Vissering manages WILD’s... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 10:15 - 10:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

11:15 BST

Co-producing with Asian Partners
With the help of established wildlife commissioners and experienced producers from across Europe and Asia, discover how to navigate the international co-production landscape.

From creating content that is capable of crossing borders to learning how to tap into new opportunities and platforms in the Asian market, this session will teach you how to make your content go further, literally.

Chair
avatar for Kyle Murdoch

Kyle Murdoch

Managing Director, NHNZ
Kyle Murdoch has 15 years of experience working around the globe in factual television as a producer, director and writer. In 2007, Kyle was NHNZ’s Director of Business development for China, Asia and the Middle East, responsible for NHNZ’s significant China production presence... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Nicolas Deschamps

Nicolas Deschamps

Producer - in charge of International Co-Productions, GEDEON Programmes
Nicolas Deschamps joined GEDEON Programmes as Senior Producer and Head of International Co-Productions in November 2015. Previously, Nicolas was Associate Producer at MC4, Head of Productions at ITV Studios and before that Head of Development at Boreales. Nicolas also worked for Arte... Read More →
avatar for Masa Hayakawa

Masa Hayakawa

Executive Producer, NHK Enterprise
avatar for Jade Xia

Jade Xia

Director, Panda TV Limited
Award winning TV producer with 26 years’ experience of filming in China for international mainstream broadcasters such as BBC, National Geographic, PBS, CCTV, as well as theatrical release.

Sponsors

Tuesday October 16, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

12:00 BST

Cinematography Masterclass
Inspired by textures, light, feelings and emotions Toby Strong is a lighting cameraman with a passion for people and the natural world.

Toby is a multi Emmy and BAFTA award winning Director of Photography.

From concert halls to deserts, jungles, palaces, polar regions and mountains, he is gathering the ways, means and dark arts to produce the best footage he can and get the best sequence he is able to from each environment, person, creature and situation. His quest is to capture and share the beauty he sees in the world.

Speakers
avatar for Toby Strong

Toby Strong

Cinematographer
Toby strong is a multi EMMY and BAFTA award winning cinematographer . He has worked on most of the BBC’s landmark wildlife and documentary series in recent years. Having filmed in over 80 countries and on every continent , toby is used to producing top end images in the harshest... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:00 - 14:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

12:30 BST

Into the Okavango - Screening and Lunch
The Okavango River Basin provides a vital source of water to about 1 million people, the world’s largest population of African elephants and significant populations of lions, cheetahs and hundreds of species of birds. However, this once unspoiled oasis is now under siege due to increasing pressure from human activity. From National Geographic Documentary Films, 'Into the Okavango' chronicles a team of modern-day explorers on their first epic four-month, 1,500-mile expedition across three countries to save the river system that feeds the Okavango Delta, one of our planet’s last wetland wildernesses.

The screening will be introduced by the Director, Neil Gelinas.

Speakers
avatar for Neil Gelinas

Neil Gelinas

Director, Into the Okavango, National Geographic
Neil Gelinas is an executive producer, director, cameraman and editor for the National Geographic Society. He spent more than six years making his first feature documentary, Into the Okavango, and is passionate about using film as a tool for change. Gelinas has also produced films... Read More →

Sponsors

Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:30 - 14:30 BST
Everyman Cinema
  Social

13:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Tetsunori Kikuchi & Masahiro Hayakawa, NHK Enterprises Inc.
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Masa Hayakawa

Masa Hayakawa

Executive Producer, NHK Enterprise
avatar for Tetsunori Kikuchi

Tetsunori Kikuchi

Senior Producer, NHK
Tetsunori is a senior producer at the Science Program Division of NHK. Since joining NHK in 1992, he has worked on numerous natural history productions such as the award-winning series of "Satoyama". He is now working as a commissioner of NHK's natural history programs.


Tuesday October 16, 2018 13:15 - 13:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

13:30 BST

Trojan Horse
Filmmakers and scientists are facing up to an uncomfortable truth; that they are mainly preaching to the converted on issues of environmental change. How can they reach a broader audience without losing sight of the bigger message?
Following the international success of the Panda Award nominated series 'One Strange Rock', filmmakers Graham Booth and Vanessa Berlowitz are joined by world leading climate scientist Professor Chris Rapley CBE to discuss “Trojan Horse” storytelling. 

Speakers
avatar for Vanessa Berlowitz

Vanessa Berlowitz

Vanessa has produced and directed over 20 films for series including 'Planet Earth', 'Frozen Planet', 'Life of Mammals', 'Land of the Tiger' and the 'Human Animal', as well as strands such as The Natural World and Wildlife on One. One of her career highlights was retracing Scott’s... Read More →
avatar for Graham Booth

Graham Booth

Showrunner, OSR2, Nutopia
Graham Booth was Series Director on 'One Strange Rock' - the groundbreaking documentary produced by Jane Root's Nutopia and Hollywood Director Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures.Graham's varied career as a filmmaker has spanned everything from pop promos to drama to specialist factual.He... Read More →
avatar for Chris Rapley

Chris Rapley

Professor of Climate Science, University College London
Professor Chris Rapley CBE is Professor of Climate Science at University College London. He is a Fellow of St Edmund's College Cambridge, a member of the Academia Europaea, and Chairman of the London Climate Change Partnership.His previous posts include Director of the Science Museum... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

13:30 BST

What Makes Production Tick
BBC Studios Natural History Unit is the world’s biggest and most renowned producer of natural history content. From the global, genera defining mega landmarks Blue Planet II, Planet Earth II and Dynasties, to live broadcasts Springwatch, Alaska Live, children's, digital, presenter lead the list goes on. But what does it take to make these shows? How does the NHU “tick”? Learn what goes into making the NHU flagship natural history shows. What different production roles entails, how productions are run and how to get a foot in that door.

Speakers
avatar for Gavin Boyland

Gavin Boyland

Series Producer, BBC Studios
Gavin is an award-winning Series Producer making shows for both the BBC Natural History Unit and the independent sector. From filming mountain gorillas with Sigourney Weaver to chasing mammoths across Siberia, Gavin specialises in popular natural history. His recent credits include... Read More →
avatar for Katie Hall

Katie Hall

Production Executive, BBC Studios
Katie has worked in the BBC Natural History Unit and Unscripted Productions for nearly 20 years, currently as a Production Executive at the NHU. Before taking up this role, she production managed many acclaimed series across a variety of genres, including arts, documentary, popular... Read More →
avatar for Gaynor Scattergood

Gaynor Scattergood

Talent Executive, BBC Studios
I’m a Talent Executive for the Natural History Unit at BBC Studios, responsible for Landmarks and Children’s programming. I’ve been in this role since 2004, covering Production Management, Bristol Factual and the Natural History Unit. I started my career as a Secretary at Central... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

15:00 BST

Dolby Technologies for Nature Documentaries
Take your audience to the heart of nature.
Through innovative research and engineering, Dolby create breakthrough experiences for billions of people worldwide through a collaborative ecosystem spanning artists, businesses, and consumers. Come and hear from filmmakers who have used Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision technologies to enhance their creative intent and take their audience onto a spectacular and lifelike journey.

Chair
avatar for Ian Lowe

Ian Lowe

Senior Manager Imaging, Dolby
Ian Lowe is a Senior Manager for Imaging for Dolby based in London. With over 30 years experience in the Broadcast and Professional Image business. With the establishment of “Dolby Vision HDR” he is involved with many manufacturers of Camera and Post Production equipment in integrating... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Mark Deeble

Mark Deeble

Director / Cinematographer / Writer, The Elephant Queen, Deeble & Stone
Mark Deeble co-directed, filmed and wrote The Elephant Queen. He is a celebrated cinematographer who, together with his partner Victoria Stone, has produced multi-award winning ‘authored’ films both above and below water for 30 years. He worked on Terrence Malick’s Voyage of... Read More →
avatar for Stephen McDonogh

Stephen McDonogh

Producer, BBC Earth Films (part of BBC Studios)
Stephen is a 2018 PGA Award nominee for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures. As a documentary feature film producer at BBC Earth Films his credits include: Walking With Dinosaurs, One Life, Enchanted Kingdom and Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie.
avatar for Tim Owens

Tim Owens

Sound Editor, Wounded Buffalo
Tim is a founder member of Wounded Buffalo Sound Studios established in Bristol in 1987. Over the years they have become a multi-award winning team garnering awards from Bafta, Emmy, RTS, Wildscreen, Jackson Hole, Missoula and Golden Reel.Tim’s collaboration with the Deeble-Stones... Read More →
avatar for George Panayiotou

George Panayiotou

Business Development Director, Films at 59
George has over 25 years experience in the television and film industry.Having spent a number of years running a camera rental company, he joined Films at 59 in 1997 and has been involved with the company’s growth in providing extensive and comprehensive post-production services... Read More →
avatar for Ben Peace

Ben Peace

Dubbing Mixer, Wounded Buffalo
Ben Peace has been working at wounded Buffalo for over 20 years, in this time he has earned a couple of BAFTA nominations and scooped a few other awards to put in the cabinet. He has an ear for detail and loves nothing more than bringing films to audible life. Now mixing in Buffalo’s... Read More →
avatar for James Shannon

James Shannon

Senior Sound Consultant, Dolby
James Shannon has been a Senior Sound Consultant for Dolby since 2008. He works on theatrical and home content, providing the mastering and support for sound mixing and international film premieres. James has worked on over 160 films, such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and many... Read More →
avatar for Victoria Stone

Victoria Stone

Director / Producer, The Elephant Queen, Deeble & Stone
Victoria Stone is producing The Elephant Queen, a wildlife feature film which she co-directed with her partner Mark Deeble. They have worked together in Africa for over 30 years, telling wildlife stories that have been shown in more than 140 countries. The Queen of Trees was called... Read More →

Sponsors

Tuesday October 16, 2018 15:00 - 17:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

15:00 BST

Drop In VR Experience
Experience groundbreaking, immersive work at our drop in VR event.
Panda Award nominated The Protectors puts you in the shoes of a ranger in Garamba Park and find out what it’s like to be the last line of defence in a race against extinction. Also join the filmmakers for the World Premiere of ReWild Africa - face off with the notorious black rhino and stand alongside the team that is changing the face of biodiversity by rewilding Africa.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 15:00 - 17:00 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB

15:15 BST

Making Money on Social
How do you make content you own the IP to go further? Making money from your content using new platforms in new ways is done through partnership rather than commissioning. Nick Wheatley, New Business Director at Barcroft Media, lifts the lid on how he and his team self-fund and produce premium short-form digital content, and how Barcroft is developing commercial partnerships to gain new revenue streams for their market-leading content. 

Speakers
avatar for Nick Wheatley

Nick Wheatley

New Business Director, Barcroft Media
Barcroft Media is a producer of premium factual-entertainment programming. We produce programmes for the likes of Netflix, BBC, Discovery, A&E, Channel 4 and Facebook. We also self fund and produce premium short-form digital content and run our own channels. We distribute our content... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

15:15 BST

Where the Wild Kids Are
What programming can the future guardians of our planet expect? Much research shows that children are more disconnected from the natural world than ever before. Yet their consumption of media from devices is at an all time high!
What are producers, broadcasters and distributors doing to seize the opportunities and make a difference.

Chair
avatar for Nigel Pope

Nigel Pope

Creative Director, Maramedia
Nigel is world-renowned TV Producer with particular specialisms in Natural History and Children's production. He spent 16 years at the BBC - split between a spell in senior management at BBC Scotland and as a Series Producer in the Bristol NHU. Nigel developed a reputation as in innovative... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Mark Jones

Mark Jones

Series Producer, BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit
Mark joined the BBC in 1996 working for the world renowned Natural History Unit in Bristol. He has worked across a wide variety of programmes including children’s output (Deadly 360, Wild & Weird), features productions (DIYSOS, Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadshow) as well as live programming... Read More →
avatar for Kyle Murdoch

Kyle Murdoch

Managing Director, NHNZ
Kyle Murdoch has 15 years of experience working around the globe in factual television as a producer, director and writer. In 2007, Kyle was NHNZ’s Director of Business development for China, Asia and the Middle East, responsible for NHNZ’s significant China production presence... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Sweet

Kelly Sweet

Executive Producer, Kids, Red Rock Films
Kelly Sweet is an Emmy-award winning producer whose passion for storytelling, animals and children’s entertainment has taken her around the world to capture incredible footage of gorillas in the Congo, flying snakes in Malaysia and giant salamanders in Japan. In 2016, Kelly was... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

17:00 BST

How to Spin a Cat Story
Big cats are some of the most documented species in the animal kingdom. So how do you give them a new twist to reach new and larger audiences? Dramatisation, CGI and scripted narratives with named characters divide opinion in the industry - so how far can we or should we go with our storytelling to thrill audiences? Join the makers of three of the latest series on cats for a feisty debate.

Chair
avatar for Colin Jackson

Colin Jackson

Senior Innovation Producer, BBC Studios
Colin has worked in the BBC Natural History Unit (NHU) for over 20 years. In that time he's worked on a range of innovative output from the very first 'Springwatch', through 4 series of 'Big Cat Week' (and ultimately 'Big Cat Live') to launching BBC Earth’s “Earth Unplugged Channel”.He's... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Martin Dohrn

Martin Dohrn

Director, Ammonite Ltd
Director of the award-winning production company Ammonite Films, Martin Dohrn took up photography seriously at the age of 14 to record butterflies rather than collect them. After studying photography at art college, he worked as a photographer in London for six years before joining... Read More →
avatar for Jorge Franzini

Jorge Franzini

Executive Producer, CuriosityStream
Jorge Franzini has produced and written a wide range of highly acclaimed documentaries for CuriosityStream, including its first original series 'Destination: Pluto', its first 4K series 'Underwater Wonders of the National Parks', and the award-nominated Jason Silva special 'Transhumanism'.Outside... Read More →
avatar for Ashley Hoppin

Ashley Hoppin

Executive Producer, Nat Geo WILD
Ashley Hoppin oversees approx. 80 hours of original programming annually across a broad range of topics including natural history, reality, science and adventure. Her highly acclaimed projects include the much-heralded "Savage Kingdom" returning mini-series; the award-winning "Lion's... Read More →
avatar for Walter Koehler

Walter Koehler

CEO, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
A BBC colleague called Walter once an ‘industry legend’. For TERRA MATER Factual Studios he is the heart and the head - incomparably experienced, highly passioned and round-the-clock on duty. For Walter a long dreamed adventure became true when after 30 years at Austria’s pubcaster... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

17:00 BST

Natural Reality
Making a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of the viewer is every wildlife filmmakers dream. VR technology takes the audience to the heart of the action, leaving an indelible mark. Our expert panel discuss how 360 VR films are changing the way audiences respond to wildlife and conservation issues, how the platform makes us feel and behave and what is next for wildlife storytelling using immersive technology.

Chair
avatar for Emma Hughes

Emma Hughes

Creative Producer, Limina Immersive
Emma’s background is in theatre and film: she has a degree in Drama from The University of Bristol and has been Production Designer for a number of short films and music videos. As Creative Producer for cultural virtual reality (VR) platform Limina Immersive, Emma has conducted... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Ulrico Grech-Cumbo

Ulrico Grech-Cumbo

CEO, Deep VR/Habitat
Ulrico co-founded Deep VR in 2014 as one of the world's early leaders in cinematic virtual reality, with principal offices in South Africa . In 2016, Ulrico, having grown up surrounded by wilderness areas, started Habitat, a conservation-led immersive storytelling division within... Read More →
avatar for Emily Savage

Emily Savage

Content Parnerships, Jaunt
Emily manages content partnerships and relationships for Jaunt international. Her specific focus lies in working with traditional content producers that are now exploring immersive formats – including Arts and Culture, Broadcast, Film, News and Sport and publishers. Emily’s passion... Read More →
avatar for Mathew White

Mathew White

Senior Lecturer in Environmental Psychology, Exeter University Medical School
Mat is an environmental psychologist specialising in how contact with the natural world influences how people think, feel and behave. His work on nature, health and well-being regularly features in the popular press (e.g. seven BBC homepage stories in the last few years) and he is... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

17:00 BST

H is for Hawk + Q&A
Following the success of Helen Macdonald’s bestselling novel of the same name, H is for Hawk: A New Chapter is an intimate and personal journey. After the loss of her father Helen trained the hardest bird in falconry, a goshawk. The cathartic experience helped her to grieve and now she is ready to do it again, but this time she hopes it will be her wings to somewhere new. In this beautiful and moving film, Helen trains a new bird and follows a wild goshawk family at the nest, getting closer than ever before to these fiery eyed birds of prey.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

UK, 59 mins
A Mike Birkhead Associates production, co-produced with Thirteen Productions LLC and BBC in Association with WNET
Panda Award nominations: People & Nature Award, Films at 59 Sound Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Mike Birkhead

Mike Birkhead

Director, MikeBirkhead Associates
Mike Birkhead is a natural history filmmaker with his own production company, Mike Birkhead Associates, based just outside London. He went independent in the late 1980s and has made many award-winning films and series including Tiger Crisis, Land of the Tiger, BBC Tiger Special, Echo... Read More →
BJ

Beth Jones

Director
Beth Jones is a director and writer who most recently worked on BBC2's H is for Hawk: A New Chapter (Financial Times: Five Stars) and David Attenborough's Wonder of Eggs, (The Times: "Astonishing viewing"). She began in documentaries over ten years ago and, before moving into natural... Read More →
avatar for Fred Kaufman

Fred Kaufman

Executive Producer, THIRTEEN Productions
For nearly thirty years, Fred Kaufman has been one of the top executives in the natural history genre. As executive producer of the acclaimed series Nature on PBS since 1991, Kaufman has won multiple Emmys and Peabody Awards. During his tenure, Nature has been honored with over 700... Read More →
avatar for Roger Webb

Roger Webb

Executive Producer / Strand Editor, BBC Studios
Roger has worked at the BBC Natural History Unit for more than 20 years, and has been the strand editor of the award-winning Natural World since 2013. Roger’s experience is broad, taking in Springwatch, Planet Earth Live and Big Cat Diary, as well as children’s programming. Roger... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 17:00 - 18:20 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

17:30 BST

Drinks with VMI
Join the team from Bristol and London-based camera rental company, VMI, to toast the end of Tuesday!

It's a great opportunity to bump into old friends and make new ones.

Sponsors

Tuesday October 16, 2018 17:30 - 18:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

18:30 BST

RED APE: Saving the Orangutan + Q&A
For the last decade, a team of frontline medics has been fighting to save Borneo’s critically endangered orangutans. Armed with cameras, International Animal Rescue has documented their struggle: pulling apes from devastated jungle, giving emergency medical care, rehabilitating, and releasing the healthiest orangutans back into the wild. This is both the story of their life-saving work and of how one of our closest wild relatives has been pushed to the brink of extinction. Combining genuine rescue footage with contributions from experts throughout, this Natural World documentary looks toward the future and asks what hope remains to save the orangutan.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Founder of Offspring Films, Alex Williamson

United Kingdom, 59 mins
Offspring Films, for BBC Natural World co-produced with Animal Planet
Nominated for: Doghouse Editing Award

WARNING: Contains scenes that some audiences may find distressing

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
AW

Alex Williamson

Founder, Offspring Films
Offspring Films was founded by award-winning Executive Producer Alex Williamson. Prior to setting up Offspring, Alex was a senior member of the BBC Natural History Unit. As Head of Development, he oversaw the creation and commission of a raft of critically acclaimed series including... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 18:30 - 19:50 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

18:30 BST

Breakthrough Talent
Productions from the best up-and-coming filmmakers, whose stories range from seeking the elusive spider tailed viper to a stunning portrait of our urban environment. The screenings will be followed by a Q&A with the Emerging Talent nominated filmmakers.

Blood Island
Deep in the heart of Liberia’s jungles, hundreds of chimpanzees were taken from the wild. Captured, bred, and infected with hepatitis, our closest animal relatives were to unlock the mysteries of human diseases. But what started in the 1970s as an ambitious medical experiment took deeper and darker turns through the decades. Gripping to the core, Blood Island tells the powerful story of the chimpanzees, their captors and the man still fighting to save them.
United Kingdom, 12 mins
Lindsey Parietti in association with the University of the West of England
Panda Award nomination: Icon Films Emerging Talent Award, NHNZ Short Award

Landscape of Consumption
The last half-century of exponential population growth combined with consumer-capitalism has vastly transformed the topography of our small green planet. The Landscape of Consumption depicts, through dramatic time-lapse photography, these manufactured environments and their perpetual processes of consumption. Via endless cityscapes and cathedral-like shopping malls, the film takes us on a mesmeric journey through our modern, almost dystopian, reality. Overall, 200,000 still images were created across 3 continents in 20 days to form this 10-minute short.
United Kingdom, 12 mins
Karl Davies
Panda Award nomination: Icon Films Emerging Talent Award

In the Realm of the Spider-tailed Viper
In the Realm of the Spider-tailed Viper reveals the discovery of a rare and unique snake called the Spider-Tailed Horned Viper and the amazing man who made it happen. On the journey to discover this snake, the production team met up with a farmer named Mahmoud, and sought his help to find the rare viper. During the making of this documentary, some strange things happened, and the destiny of Mahmoud changed!
Iran, 52 mins
Wildlife Pictures Institute
Panda Award nomination: Icon Films Emerging Talent Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Karl Davies

Karl Davies

Photographer / Filmmaker
Karl is a multidisciplinary photographer, filmmaker and time-lapse specialist based in Bristol. A recent graduate from Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, Karl’s final year project “The Landscape Of Consumption” is nominated for an Emerging Talent Panda awar... Read More →
avatar for Lindsey Parietti

Lindsey Parietti

Journalist & Filmmaker
Lindsey Parietti is an American filmmaker and journalist who has spent most of her career in Egypt and Africa. She tries to highlight under-covered issues in challenging environments and continued that work traveling to Liberia to make her master’s film Blood Island on abandoned... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 18:30 - 20:20 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

18:50 BST

Wild Ireland: Edge of the World + Q&A
A unique personal journey along one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world featuring the wildlife and wild places that make it so special. Emmy award-winning wildlife cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson takes viewers on an authored odyssey along Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coast – the place he chooses to make his home after 30 years spent shooting some of the world’s most celebrated wildlife films.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's director, John Murray.

Ireland, 58 mins
A Crossing the Line Production for ORF-UNIVERSUM, BBC, PBS, FRANCE TV, TG4, NDR Naturfilm/Doclights, ORF ENTERPRISE
Panda Award nominations: Panasonic Cinemtography Award, Script Award

NOTE: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for John Murray

John Murray

Producer / Director, Crossing the Line Productions Ltd
In the last twenty years, John Murray has produced and directed over 100 films for some of the world's leading broadcasters and he is MD of Crossing the Line Productions based in Ireland.


Tuesday October 16, 2018 18:50 - 20:10 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

20:00 BST

The Wateringhole Party!
The legendary social event of Wildscreen, the Wateringhole Party is a celebration of natural history filmmaking. A place to share your story: close encounters, travel hell, awesome gear, breathtaking shots, grand awards!
Rub elbows with colleagues from every corner of the industry and from across the world. A not-to-be-missed event, admission is free to all Wildscreen Festival delegates.
Join us at Bristol’s boutique bowling alley, The Lanes, to eat, drink, sing and dance until the small hours!

Tuesday October 16, 2018 20:00 - Wednesday October 17, 2018 01:00 BST
The Lanes Bristol
  Social

20:20 BST

Judi Dench: My Passion for Trees + Q&A
Oscar winning actress Judi Dench embarks on a magical journey to uncover the mysteries about one of her greatest passions – trees. Ever since she was a child she has objected to anyone cutting trees down. She shared her passion for trees with her late husband, actor Michael Williams, and together they nurtured their own arboretum. This film follows Judi’s journey through the seasons, and her mission to understand trees vital roles in our history and our future. With the help of some of the best tree scientists and the latest scientific equipment, Judi unlocks the remarkable secret lives of trees. She hears them drink, discovers how they feel and learns how they fight off invading armies. Through amazing research she learns how trees communicate, and even protect each other. It’s confirmation for Judi that trees aren’t just trees, they're a real community that help each other and the planet.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Creative Director, Anthony Geffen

United Kingdom, 58 mins
Atlantic Productions
Nominated for: Presenter Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers

Tuesday October 16, 2018 20:20 - 21:40 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

21:00 BST

Queen Without Land + Q&A
The true story of the meeting between Frost, a beautiful polar bear mother, and Asgeir Helgestad, a Norwegian wildlife filmmaker. A four-year journey in Svalbard. Rising temperatures are responsible for dramatic changes in Frost's ecosystem as the ice is melting at record speed. From complete darkness to the absolute light of the midnight sun, Svalbard transforms from a cold and inhospitable place to the most joyous and lively scene for ice algae, fish, birds and animals. But alongside these seasonal transformations, the disappearing sea ice forces life to new limits. Fjords that were once full of ice and seals, get abandoned pushing Frost further away. Asgeir is determined to find her and document all that is being lost, but his task is far from easy. This film explores the question "this planet is home to all of us, can we afford to ignore it?"

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Asgeir Halgestad.

Norway, 70 mins
Produced by Artic Light AS, in association with NRK, Doclights / NDR Naturfilm, ORF, SVT, France 3 and Smithsonian Channel
Panda Award nomination: Theatrical Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Asgeir Helgestad

Asgeir Helgestad

Producer, director and cameraman, Artic Light AS
Asgeir Helgestad is a wildlife producer, director, cameraman and author from Norway. His films have been broadcast nationally and internationally, and along with his stills photography have won him festival awards all over the world, including at Wildlife Photographer of the Year... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 21:00 - 22:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

22:10 BST

Rodents of Unusual Size
Hard headed Louisiana fisherman Thomas Gonzales doesn't know what will hit him next. After decades of hurricanes and oil spills he faces a new threat - hordes of monstrous 20 pound swamp rats. Known as “nutria”, these invasive South American rodents breed faster than the roving squads of hunters can control them. And with their orange teeth and voracious appetite they are eating up the coastal wetlands that protects Thomas and his town of Delacroix Island from hurricanes. But the people who have lived here for generations are not the type of folks who will give up without a fight. Thomas and a pack of lively bounty hunters are hellbent on saving Louisiana before it dissolves beneath their feet. It is man vs. rodent. May the best mammal win.

United States, 71 mins
Tilapia Film, co-produced with ITVS
Nominated for: People and Nature Award

WARNING: Contains scenes that some audiences may find distressing

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 22:10 - 23:45 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening
 
Wednesday, October 17
 

08:30 BST

Hub Opening Hours & Registration
Your first port of call on arrival, where you can collect your delegate pass and badge that will give you access to industry events.

The Festival Hub is the perfect place to bump into old friends, make new ones and have your meetings, with the bar open throughout the day right through to 23.00.

The Wildscreen team will also be stationed here until close to help you navigate the programme, answer questions and provide some local hints and tips.

Also based in the Festival hub are a selection of technology providers showcasing their latest kit and services.

Wednesday October 17, 2018 08:30 - 23:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:00 BST

Producing Impact
From audience engagement to political action, a dedicated impact campaign can turn a film into a movement and help your stories make an even greater difference. Join impact specialists Ru Mahoney and Ronit Shapiro as they share case studies, tips and tricks, and what they wish you knew about working with impact producers.

Speakers
avatar for Ru Mahoney

Ru Mahoney

Freelance Science Impact Producer
Ru Mahoney is a Science and Impact Producer. She advocates evidence-based strategies for filmmakers tackling the world’s most important science, conservation, and social issues. Her work developing interdisciplinary collaborations has been supported by numerous non-traditional media... Read More →
avatar for Ronit Shapiro

Ronit Shapiro

Film Producer / Impact Producer, One Nature Films
Ronit’s career spans more than twenty five years in marketing, communications, event production and project management. Ronit headed global marketing and branding projects in both public and private organisations and had her own event and marketing consultancy which focused on initiatives... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 09:00 - 11:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

09:00 BST

Hub Cafe
If you're feeling peckish, stop by our lovely in-house cafe for some tasty plant-based delights.

Wednesday October 17, 2018 09:00 - 16:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Jorge Franzini, Curiosity Stream
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Jorge Franzini

Jorge Franzini

Executive Producer, CuriosityStream
Jorge Franzini has produced and written a wide range of highly acclaimed documentaries for CuriosityStream, including its first original series 'Destination: Pluto', its first 4K series 'Underwater Wonders of the National Parks', and the award-nominated Jason Silva special 'Transhumanism'.Outside... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 09:15 - 09:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

09:30 BST

Conservation on Camera
More information to be published shortly.

Speakers
avatar for Steve Greenwood

Steve Greenwood

Series Producer, BBC Natural History Unit
Steve Greenwood is a Series Producer at the BBC Natural History Unit. Credits include three of the BBC expeditions - Lost Land of the Jaguar, Lost Land of the Volcano and Expedition Borneo, bringing rainforest conservation to a BBC1 audience by taking teams of biologists in search... Read More →
avatar for Karina Holden

Karina Holden

Head of Factual, Northern Pictures
20 years ago, Karina Holden was a wildlife biologist pumping crocodile stomachs and doing testicular biopsies on snakes. She made the switch to film making when she joined the ABC’s Natural History Unit in 1995 as a researcher, working her way up the food chain to work on blue chip... Read More →
avatar for Doug Hope

Doug Hope

Head of Development, Producer Director, BBC
Doug is currently the Head of Development for the greatest natural history department in the world, BBC Studios' Natural History Unit. He has previously worked for, not just the BBC, but lots of the independent companies in Bristol including Icon Films, Tigress, World Television and... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

09:30 BST

Inside Story: Rise of the Warrior Apes
A closer look at Keo Films' 'Rise of the Warrior Apes' which has garnered an impressive five nominations in the 2018 Panda Awards.

Chair
avatar for Helen Hawken

Helen Hawken

Helen Hawken has held a wide range of senior roles both as a programme maker and a broadcaster. She is currently a freelance consultant and Executive Producer working on a range of projects. Prior to this she was Director of Programmes at betty overseeing output across all genres... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Matt Cole

Matt Cole

Executive Producer / Creative Director, Keo Films
Matt is creative director at Keo West, the Bristol division of multi-award winning indie Keo Films.His previous roles include spells as executive producer, Showrunner and Director at ITV Granada, BBC Documentaries, Tigress Productions and Blink Films.Matt took over Keo West in 2014... Read More →
avatar for John Mitani

John Mitani

Professor, University of Michigan
John Mitani is the James N. Spuhler Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan. He is an animal behaviorist who studies the behavior of our closest living relatives, the nonhuman primates. During the past 40 years, he has conducted fieldwork with all five apes in the world... Read More →
avatar for James Reed

James Reed

Director, Keo Films and Underdog Films
James Reed wrote and directed Rise of The Warrior Apes, produced with Keo Films for DNI, which was awarded Best Animal Behavior at Jackson Hole, Best Natural History Film at New York and is nominated for five Panda awards at Wildscreen. Previously James directed the independently... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

10:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Alison Barrat, Love Nature
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Alison Barrat

Alison Barrat

VP, Development & Production, Love Nature
In her role as VP, Development & Production, Love Nature, Alison Barrat provides creative leadership on new projects for Love Nature’s growing slate and is responsible for executing programming strategies for the brand’s international channels through development and production... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 10:15 - 10:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

11:15 BST

Susanna Dinnage
Animal Planet is the go-to television network for families in 360 million homes in more than 205 countries and territories. What’s next? Global President Susanna Dinnage shares how the channel is evolving in a world where audiences are consuming content, anytime, anywhere, and what they want next in terms of commissioning. With exclusive clips of upcoming shows, Susanna shares how Animal Planet is bringing the joy and wonder of animals and new, innovative natural history storytelling to its worldwide audiences.

Chair
avatar for Sam Barcroft

Sam Barcroft

CEO, Barcroft Media
Sam Barcroft founded news agency and content production and distribution company Barcroft Media in 2003. Since then it has become a leading global factual content production and distribution business, with offices in London, New York and New Delhi. Dedicated to portraying amazing... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Susanna Dinnage

Susanna Dinnage

Global President, Animal Planet


Wednesday October 17, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Headliner

11:15 BST

Women in Wildlife
Join our line-up of leading professionals & experts in the field of wildlife capture. They'll talk about how they started and developed their careers and their personal experiences of filming & producing in some of the world’s most difficult & dangerous environments. This is a great platform to discuss the most exciting opporunities and some of the challenges facing women working in the natural world storytelling industry today.

Chair
avatar for Freya Billington

Freya Billington

Programe Leader UWE_FILM, UWE
Freya is a Filmmaker and Lecturer based in Bristol. She launched ‘boyandbearfilms’ in 2014 to develop independent projects, since when she has completed the films 'Bread and Butter' with Jennifer Bell, 'Not Waving', starring Peter Bowles for IShorts/Creative England and documentary... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Gail Jenkinson

Gail Jenkinson

Director of Photography
Gail Jenkinson is a Director of Photography working in natural history, documentary and specialist factual. She is HSE qualified enabling her to also film underwater and is a specialist at working on boats, making her highly experienced shooting aboard sea fairing vessels ranging... Read More →
avatar for Emma Napper

Emma Napper

Producer, BBC
avatar for Birgit Peters

Birgit Peters

Commissioning Editor, ORF UNIVERSUM
Since 2004 Birgit has written and directed natural history and wildlife documentaries for ARD, NDR, BR, VOX and ORF as well as for international co-productions such as the BBC/NDR series Pacific Abyss. She also presented Adventure Ocean and Wonders of the Namib for NDR amongst other... Read More →
avatar for Christina Karliczek Skoglund

Christina Karliczek Skoglund

Camerawoman & Wildife producer
Christina Karliczek Skoglund is an internationally awards-winning cinematographer and wildlife film producer. Her passion for diving and the specialisation on professional underwater filming led Christina to wildlife programmes. She holds a background of camera education at German... Read More →

Sponsors

Wednesday October 17, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

12:00 BST

Pictures: Locked and Loaded
Can editing really make or break a film? Take a deep dive into a Natural World edit with the Panda Award-nominated "Red Ape: Saving the Orangutan". Discover tips and strategies for building gripping scenes and filming with the edit in mind, as well as a chance to get those burning edit questions answered.

Speakers
avatar for Stefanie Watkins

Stefanie Watkins

Freelance Editor
Stefanie has been editing factual shows for over 11 years, specialising in natural history and science. Her passion lies in creating distinctive documentaries with gripping stories ranging from hard hitting ob-docs, Red Ape: Saving the Orangutan (BBC) and Finding Traction (PBS), to... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 12:00 - 14:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

12:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Janet Hess, Nature/WNET/PBS
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities. 

Speakers
JH

Janet Hess

Series Editor, Nature/WNET/PBS


Wednesday October 17, 2018 12:15 - 12:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB

13:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Charlie Parsons, National Geographic Channel
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Charlie Parsons

Charlie Parsons

VP, Development, National Geographic Channel
Charlie Parsons is Vice President of Development for the National Geographic Channel, responsible for developing new projects, discovering new talent and serving as one of the network’s main points of contact for the global production community. Since joining the Channel in 2010... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 13:15 - 13:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

13:30 BST

More Bang for Your Buck
How low can you go and still make a show? Pioneers of cost-effective natural history programing discuss the tricks and trappings of creating high-quality wildlife content for under US$200,000/hr. Bulk deals, shared rights, timely green lights, clear editorial, innovative fieldwork strategies, new post systems… and an understanding of the old mantra “Better, faster, cheaper – pick any two". This panel is a must for both creators and commissioners.

Chair
avatar for Brian Armstrong

Brian Armstrong

President, Red Rock Films
Brian is the principal filmmaker of Red Rock Films. He has more than 30 years experience producing 2D, 3D and VR films all over the globe for clients such as the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Nat Geo Wild, American Heroes Channel, The Smithsonian Network... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

President, International Production, Plimsoll Productions
Andrew oversees international production and development for Plimsoll, most recently working on the hugely successful 'Yellowstone Live' for National Geographic and is currently involved in several international productions for a wide range of platforms. He joined Plimsoll shortly... Read More →
avatar for Nigel Pope

Nigel Pope

Creative Director, Maramedia
Nigel is world-renowned TV Producer with particular specialisms in Natural History and Children's production. He spent 16 years at the BBC - split between a spell in senior management at BBC Scotland and as a Series Producer in the Bristol NHU. Nigel developed a reputation as in innovative... Read More →
avatar for Kurt Tondorf

Kurt Tondorf

SVP Head of Development, Animal Planet
Kurt Tondorf is Senior Vice President, Head of Development for Animal Planet, heading the global development team out of Discovery Inc.’s New York office. Since joining Animal Planet in 2012 Tondorf has developed many series and specials for Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and... Read More →
avatar for Janet Han Vissering

Janet Han Vissering

Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic
As Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 150 hours of programming commissioned each year for broadcast in 166 countries, 330 million homes and 34 languages worldwide. In her role, Vissering manages WILD’s... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

13:30 BST

Sustainable Production
From the commissioning chair to the shoot, explore how the natural world storytelling community can operate more sustainably and help to protect the planet that underpins our work. Working in collaboration with BAFTA’s Albert project, the UK’s television’s sustainability initiative, out of the session we hope to create a Wildlife Programming Pledge, so that as an industry we can work together to lessen our impact.

Chair
JO

Jules Oldroyd

SVP Global Programming & Acquisitions, National Geographic
Jules has worked in the TV industry for over 30 years. She worked at C4 for 20 years, mainly as Head of Scheduling for the main channel. For the last 6 years she has worked across International Programming for Nat Geo across both Core & Wild based in DC.

Speakers
avatar for Hazen Audel

Hazen Audel

Wildlife and Adventure Presentor/Host, Icon Films/National Geographic
Hazen has been exploring fascinations of nature his entire life. But it was at age 19 he went to remote Ecuador in hopes of finding where the big snakes live and the most reclusive of animals lurk. During this experience his destiny had him taken in by a local indigenous Quichua family... Read More →
avatar for Roser Canela Mas

Roser Canela Mas

Industry Sustainability Manager, BAFTA/albert
Roser Canela-Mas started her media career 12 years ago. She has worked in production and direction within the most known Spanish and English programmes, across different genres such as drama, comedy and factual-entertainment. Having also completed a BSc in Sustainability and Environmental... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

15:00 BST

Doing it Write
What makes the essence of a great story? Join the UK Scriptwriters Podcasters as they explore what intrigues an audience to find out more and become involved in the characters. This scriptwriting masterclass will be format and genre agnostic and will help people working on productions of any length and any form.

Speakers
avatar for Tim Clague

Tim Clague

Writer, UK Scriptwriters
Tim is a BAFTA nominated writer and winner of the Jerwood Writing Prize. He has written for 'Oddbods' and 'I'm A Fish' as well as comedy sketches for BBC1 and docs for ITV.Tim is one half of the UK Scriptwriters with Danny Stack, who together, write across TV, films and games. Their... Read More →
avatar for Danny Stack

Danny Stack

Writer, UK Scriptwriters
Danny is one half of the UK Scriptwriters with Tim Clague, who together write across TV, films and games.Their debut feature, a live-action family film called 'Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg?' had its world premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2015. They’ve also co-produced... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 15:00 - 17:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

15:15 BST

Gary Knell
Gary E. Knell is CEO of National Geographic Partners, which includes National Geographic’s television, print and digital assets and related activities in travel and consumer products. National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 130 years through ground-breaking storytelling from the best and brightest scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers in the world. Furthering the knowledge and understanding of our world is, and always has been, the core purpose of National Geographic.

Speakers
avatar for Gary Knell

Gary Knell

Chief Executive Officer, National Geographic Partners
Gary E. Knell is Chief Executive Officer of National Geographic Partners, the global joint venture owned by 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society, which includes National Geographic television, print and digital assets and related activities in travel and consumer products... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Headliner

15:15 BST

Filming Behavioural Sequences in Tough Environments
Hector Skevington-Postles, VariCam LT owner, recently captured snow leopards in the Himalayas for Big Cats for the BBC NHU. Hector have also been involved on shoots for the upcoming Our Planet. Martin Dohrn, producer and director for David Attenborough’s Ant Mountain, and the upcoming Age of Big Cats for Ammonite, will be discussing his experiences with the VariCam 35. Filmmaker and underwater cinematographer David Diley will be discussing his use of the EVA1 with a Nauticam underwater housing unit to capture large predators including both sharks and turtles.

Chair
avatar for Elizabeth White

Elizabeth White

Producer / Director, BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit
Elizabeth is a filmmaker with the BBC Natural History Unit where the works on landmark television productions. She was producer / director of 'Islands', the opening film of the series, Planet Earth II, which won the BAFTA for best Specialist Factual production and the Emmy for Outstanding... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for David Diley

David Diley

Filmmaker & Underwater Cinematographer, Scarlet View Media
David is a multi-award winning Filmmaker and Underwater Cinematographer known mainly for his work with large sharks and other marine predators.His most notable works include his debut feature documentary, “Of Shark and Man” and short films focusing on the human stories behind... Read More →
avatar for Martin Dohrn

Martin Dohrn

Director, Ammonite Ltd
Director of the award-winning production company Ammonite Films, Martin Dohrn took up photography seriously at the age of 14 to record butterflies rather than collect them. After studying photography at art college, he worked as a photographer in London for six years before joining... Read More →
avatar for Hector Skevington-Postles

Hector Skevington-Postles

Cameraman, HSP Filming Ltd
Hector Skevington-Postles is a wildlife and documentary cameraman working in natural history programming. His experience includes blue chip landmark filming as well as sync / actuality across some of the toughest environments in the world. His technical specialities are long lens... Read More →

Sponsors


Wednesday October 17, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

15:45 BST

Toad People + Q&A
Toad People is a story about hope, community and the struggle to save the western toad. In British Columbia, toads are declining because of habitat loss, fragmentation, and roadkill. In different parts of the province, in the Kootenays, Whistler, Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, families and neighbours of all ages work hard to save the toads as they undertake their annual migration from the wetland habitat where they breed to the forest where they spend most of their lives. They stop road traffic; they collect toads in buckets and carry them across the road; they build toad tunnels. The film follows their passion for the natural world, their fighting spirit, and their struggles. Toad People is not just about toads, but about residents who care about species at risk in their backyards, from barn owls to mountain caribou, and help restore the fragile connections between communities and the natural world.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's directors, Isabelle Groc and Mike McKinlay.

Canada, 76mins
Wilderness Committee
Panda Award nomination: Terra Mater Factual Studios Impact Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Isabelle Groc

Isabelle Groc

Freelance writer, photographer and filmmaker
Isabelle Groc is an award-winning writer, wildlife photographer and filmmaker who focuses on environmental issues, wildlife natural history and conservation, endangered species, and the evolving relationships between people and their environments. She has earned degrees in photojournalism... Read More →
avatar for Mike McKinlay

Mike McKinlay

Director of Photography
As a Director of Photography on both commercial and documentary projects, Mike McKinlay has worked within the genres of verite, drama, historical, environmental awareness and wildlife production. During his 15 years as a DOP Mike has carved out a respectable niche as an award winning... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 15:45 - 17:25 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

16:30 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Kurt Tondorf, Animal Planet
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Kurt Tondorf

Kurt Tondorf

SVP Head of Development, Animal Planet
Kurt Tondorf is Senior Vice President, Head of Development for Animal Planet, heading the global development team out of Discovery Inc.’s New York office. Since joining Animal Planet in 2012 Tondorf has developed many series and specials for Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 16:30 - 17:00 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

17:00 BST

Framing the Future – Young Earthwatcher Film Competition Final
Join the environmentalists, presenters and natural history filmmakers of the future at this special event hosted by Earthwatch Europe.

Young people today will inherit a world shaped by our actions over the next decade, so providing platforms through which their voices can be heard is of utmost importance. That’s why Earthwatch Europe teamed up with Wildscreen to launch the first Young Earthwatcher Film Competition this summer. Inviting teenagers aged 14 to 17 to create a short film highlighting an environmental issue close to their heart along with a solution to the challenge, this competition encouraged an engaging mix of creativity, technology and environmental action.

During our ‘Framing the Future’ session, we will premiere the environmental short films created by our talented young finalists. A diverse panel of professionals, including CBBC’s Naomi Wilkinson, will be on hand to discuss the films and ultimately select the overall winner to be crowned Young Earthwatcher of 2018.

Chair
avatar for Naomi Wilkinson

Naomi Wilkinson

TV Presenter, BBC
In January Naomi will have been presenting children’s television non-stop for 20 years. She has been a nominee twice in the Best Presenter category for her own show ‘Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature’ at the Children’s BAFTA Awards (2014 & 2016). Across 4 series, Naomi travelled... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Sam Barcroft

Sam Barcroft

CEO, Barcroft Media
Sam Barcroft founded news agency and content production and distribution company Barcroft Media in 2003. Since then it has become a leading global factual content production and distribution business, with offices in London, New York and New Delhi. Dedicated to portraying amazing... Read More →
avatar for Lizzie Daly

Lizzie Daly

Wildlife biologist and presenter
Lizzie is a regular face on BBC Earth, CBBC and Cbeebies. She was the resident wildlife expert on The Lets Go Club on Cbeebies and her most recent BBC Earth film took her to Romania to film a harrowing bear rescue.A life-long curiosity for the natural world has led her to conduct... Read More →
avatar for Wendy Darke

Wendy Darke

Founder/CEO, True to Nature
Following on from her 25 year career at the BBC - NHU, Wendy founded TRUE TO NATURE (TTN), a Bristol based Independent Production Company specialising in innovative, world class premium natural history and specialist factual production, using great storytelling and never seen before... Read More →

Sponsors

Wednesday October 17, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

17:00 BST

OSF at 50
Oxford Scientific Films celebrated its 50th birthday in 2018 making it the oldest independent production company in the UK. In this session we are delighted to have OSF founder, legendary natural history producer and one time launderette owner, Sean Morris in conversation with Lucinda Axelsson about the early days of natural history filmmaking, the technological advances OSF pioneered, his own personal highlights and how the genre has changed over the past 50 years. OSF Creative Director Caroline Hawkins brings the story up to date with her own unique perspective.

Chair
avatar for Lucinda Axelsson

Lucinda Axelsson

Executive Producer, John Downer Productions
Lucinda Axelsson is a multi-award-winning executive producer with John Downer Productions where she has worked on Snow Bears for BBC1 and is currently part of the team making the ground-breaking wildlife Drama series Serengeti. She is a former BBC NHU producer and BBC Commissioning... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Caroline Hawkins

Caroline Hawkins

Creative Director, Oxford Scientific Films
Caroline Hawkins is an award-winning filmmaker who joined OSF in 2004. She is the creator of the international hit Meerkat Manor. Her other credits include Fatal Attractions, There’s A Rhino in My House, Lemur Street, Jessica the Hippo (Animal Planet), Honey Badgers: Masters of... Read More →
avatar for Sean Morris

Sean Morris

Producer
Born 4th Feb 1944. As a child, I lived in the countryside, catching stickle-backs and collecting butterflies and birds-eggs (which was a common, and legal, hobby in those days). Consequently, when at Oxford, I read Zoology, (and rowed for Oxford in a couple of Boat Races). A fellow... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

17:30 BST

Drinks with Films at 59 and CVP
Please join Films at 59 and CVP for drinks and the opportunity to see some of the latest camera technologies whilst networking with your fellow delegates.

Sponsors

Wednesday October 17, 2018 17:30 - 18:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

18:00 BST

The Serengeti Rules + Q&A
Academy Award-winning Passion Pictures and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios present one of the most important but untold science stories of our time—a tale with profound implications for the fate of life on our planet.
Beginning in the 1960s, a small band of young scientists headed out into the wilderness, driven by an insatiable curiosity about how nature works. Immersed in some of the most remote and spectacular places on Earth—from the majestic Serengeti to the Amazon jungle; from the Arctic Ocean to Pacific tide pools—they discovered a single set of rules that govern all life. Now in the twilight of their eminent careers, these five unsung heroes of modern ecology share the stories of their adventures, reveal how their pioneering work flipped our view of nature on its head, and give us a chance to re-imagine the world as it could and should be.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with executive producer, David Allen.

UK/USA, 84mins
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet
Panda Award nomination: Theatrical Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for David Allen

David Allen

Producer, Passion Planet
David runs Passion Planet specialising in science and natural history productions for landmark television and theatrical release documentaries. He has four documentary Emmy’s to his name and five Wildscreen Panda awards. His credits include one-off productions such as Falkland Flying... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 18:00 - 19:45 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

18:30 BST

Attenborough's Ant Mountain + Q&A
David Attenborough travels to the Jura Mountains in the Swiss Alps, to find out about one of the largest animal societies in the world, where over a billion ants live in peace. After following the lives of these incredible creatures and their dramatic fight for survival for a year, he is able to unravel the secrets of the Swiss super-colony...

Austria, 51 mins
A production of Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with BBC and ABC Australia produced by Ammonite Ltd

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Martin Dohrn.


Nominated for: Panasonic Large Budget Cinematography Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Martin Dohrn

Martin Dohrn

Director, Ammonite Ltd
Director of the award-winning production company Ammonite Films, Martin Dohrn took up photography seriously at the age of 14 to record butterflies rather than collect them. After studying photography at art college, he worked as a photographer in London for six years before joining... Read More →
IF

Ivo Filatsch

Executive Producer/Writer/Director, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
Ivo was the EP for the documentary "Attenborough’s Ant Mountain” which was written and directed by Martin Dohrn of Ammonite Films and Joe Loncraine.Ivo’s focus is the production of high quality documentaries in the fields of natural history, science and history for the international... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 18:30 - 19:45 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

18:30 BST

RARE: Creatures of the Photo Ark + Q&A
RARE: Creatures of the Photo Ark travels with renowned National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore as he photographs at-risk and rare species in the wild, in zoos, in nature preserves. Joel's Photo Ark initiative serves as an important record of each animals’ existence and a powerful testament to the importance of saving them. In Spain, Joel Sartore meets the people who have brought the Iberian lynx population back from near extinction in 2002 to numbering more than 500 today. But scientists working in China might be too late for the Yangtze softshell turtle. Joel witnesses an attempt to artificially inseminate the last known female on the planet to save the species. He’s also arranged to capture the South China tiger, perhaps his only chance to shoot the world’s rarest tiger subspecies. He goes to great lengths to make this picture happen, even locking himself into an enclosure without an escape hatch.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Chun-Wei Yi and screenwriter Stella Cha

United States, 53 mins
A WGBH co-production with So World Media LLC in association with National Geographic Channels
Panda Award nomination: UWE Popular Broadcast Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.


Wednesday October 17, 2018 18:30 - 19:45 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

19:00 BST

World Premiere Screening - The Flood
**Doors open at 19.00 with the screening beginning at 20.00**

The famous Okavango Delta is one of the most diverse habitats on earth — a lush, wild kingdom like no other. Here, life revolves around the arrival and disappearance of water. 'The Flood' follows the lives of the animals fighting to survive in a dramatic and unpredictable wilderness. Using breathtaking cinematography and innovative storytelling methods, 'The Flood' is an unparalleled natural history television event that follows the incredible stories of animals surviving during an infrequent natural phenomenon. When the lands are flooded, this landscape is both a sanctuary and a trap, giving and taking life in equal measure. Above and below the water, never-ending battles of wits and survival play out. The fate of the tens of thousands of animals that live in this place of spectacular natural drama is at stake.

The film will be introduced by Janet Han Vissering. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Producer-Director, Brad Bestelink.

Speakers
avatar for Brad Bestelink

Brad Bestelink

Natural History Film Unit (Botswana)
Founder of the Natural History Film Unit Botswana, Brads films showcase unique animal behaviour, specialising in African predators. Has filmed and directed 3 BBC Natural Worlds and is the creative force behind The Savage Kingdom Series. His latest release is The Flood for National... Read More →
avatar for Janet Han Vissering

Janet Han Vissering

Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic
As Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 150 hours of programming commissioned each year for broadcast in 166 countries, 330 million homes and 34 languages worldwide. In her role, Vissering manages WILD’s... Read More →

Sponsors

Wednesday October 17, 2018 19:00 - 23:00 BST
Showcase Cinema de Lux Bristol Glass House Ln, Bristol BS1 3BX, UK
  Social

20:15 BST

Double Bill: One Strange Rock + Q&A
From award-winning filmmaker Darren Aronofsky comes a mind-bending, thrilling journey that explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth—one of the most peculiar, unique places in the universe.

Gasp
For the privileged few who have looked down at the Earth from space, the thin blue line of our planet's sets the Earth apart from every other planet we've seen. It sustains life. The story of how the Earth creates and regulates that oxygen rich-atmosphere is mind-blowing: A flying river, a global dust storm, a collapsing glacier and the most important creature you've never heard of. All connected together to allow life and the planet to breathe.

Home
After 3 missions, and 665 weightless days in space, NASAs most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson, smashes through the atmosphere on her final journey home - to Planet Earth. With her first steps back on land, she encounters fresh air, blue skies, warm sun and, of course, gravity there’s no place like home. Or is there? Just how strange is our rock and is it really unique in the universe?
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director’s Alice Jones and Graham Booth.

United Kingdom, 60 mins
Nutopia Ltd for National Geographic
Panda Award nominations: Doghouse Editing Award, Innovation Award, Music Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Graham Booth

Graham Booth

Showrunner, OSR2, Nutopia
Graham Booth was Series Director on 'One Strange Rock' - the groundbreaking documentary produced by Jane Root's Nutopia and Hollywood Director Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures.Graham's varied career as a filmmaker has spanned everything from pop promos to drama to specialist factual.He... Read More →
avatar for Alice Jones

Alice Jones

Producer / Director, Nutopia
After working for many years on BBC Science shows (including Human Universe, Forces of Nature with Professor Brian Cox, The One Show and Stargazing Live) Alice’s first full length documentary as a Producer/Director was for National Geographic Channel’s One Strange Rock – a landmark... Read More →
avatar for Peter Lovering

Peter Lovering

Executive Producer, Nutopia Ltd
Peter has extensive experience both as an Executive Producer and as a senior broadcasting executive focused on blue-chip factual programming. He is Executive Producer on productions and development projects at Nutopia including ‘One Strange Rock’ for National Geographic, working... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 20:15 - 22:35 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

20:30 BST

Rise Of The Warrior Apes + Q&A
Rise Of The Warrior Apes tells the twenty year story of the largest and most powerful chimpanzee society ever known. Through the extraordinary lives of four unique chimps we experience an intense political drama and bloody conflict in the African jungle. Using previously unseen footage, and witness testimony from the scientists who have observed and filmed them since 1993, we reveal a story of unbreakable friendship, fierce rivalry and unparalleled ambition that gave rise to the warrior apes of Ngogo.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director James Reed and contributor John Mitani.

United Kingdom, 85 mins
Keo Films
Nominated for: Doghouse Editing Award, NHK Science Award, ORF Animal Behaviour Award, Script Award, Films at 59 Sound Award

WARNING: Contains scenes that some audiences may find distressing

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for John Mitani

John Mitani

Professor, University of Michigan
John Mitani is the James N. Spuhler Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan. He is an animal behaviorist who studies the behavior of our closest living relatives, the nonhuman primates. During the past 40 years, he has conducted fieldwork with all five apes in the world... Read More →
avatar for James Reed

James Reed

Director, Keo Films and Underdog Films
James Reed wrote and directed Rise of The Warrior Apes, produced with Keo Films for DNI, which was awarded Best Animal Behavior at Jackson Hole, Best Natural History Film at New York and is nominated for five Panda awards at Wildscreen. Previously James directed the independently... Read More →


Wednesday October 17, 2018 20:30 - 22:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening
 
Thursday, October 18
 

08:30 BST

Hub Opening Hours & Registration
Your first port of call on arrival, where you can collect your delegate pass and badge that will give you access to industry events.

The Festival Hub is the perfect place to bump into friends and arrange meetings with delegates, with the bar open throughout the day right through to 23.00.

The Wildscreen team will also be stationed here until close to help you navigate the programme and answer your questions.

Also based in the Festival hub are a selection of technology providers showcasing their latest kit and services.

Thursday October 18, 2018 08:30 - 23:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:00 BST

High Focal Length Cinematography
High focal length videography has become significantly more accessible through the use of Swarovski Optik’s high-quality telescopes with larger sensor cameras. With a focal length of up to ~3000mm on a Super35 sensor, this system offers the professional videographer a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with their subject: be it over large distances with shy cats or as a true 1:1 macro lens for head-shots of dragonflies while ~2m away.

In this masterclass, videographer Mario Kreuzer will introduce the system using examples from ORF/Universum documentaries. Included is a hands-on demonstration.

Presented by Swarovski Optik & ORF Universum

Chair
avatar for Andrew Solomon

Andrew Solomon

Head of Natural History, ORF
Since 2011 Andrew Solomon has been head of natural history at ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, overseeing more than 100 blue chip wildlife documentaries for the prime time UNIVERSUM slot, in coproduction with German, French, US, Chinese and Russian broadcasters. Andrew... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Mario Kreuzer

Mario Kreuzer

Filmmaker, PKM FilmproduktionsgmbH
Mario Kreuzer, born and raised in Carinthia, Austria, has been working as a cameraman for film and television for half of his life. He is currently working for ORF Universum on different documentaries especially about birds. Most of the shots are being filmed with a SWAROVSKI OPTIK... Read More →

Sponsors

Thursday October 18, 2018 09:00 - 11:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

09:00 BST

Hub Cafe
If you're feeling peckish, stop by our lovely in-house cafe for some tasty plant-based delights.

Thursday October 18, 2018 09:00 - 16:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Christan Cools, ARTE G.E.I.E.
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Christian Cools

Christian Cools

Commissioning Editor, ARTE G.E.I.E.
Christian has a PhD in Solar Thermics and has served as Commissioning Editor for ARTE G.E.I.E. in Strasbourg since 1998 for various slots including Knowledge, Nature, Society and Human adventure.Since 2013, Christian has been in charge of the ARTE-Discovery slot (covering natural... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 09:15 - 09:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

09:30 BST

The Future of BBC Natural History
Meet the gatekeepers of BBC natural history, Tom McDonald and Craig Hunter, as they talk future strategy.
When you’re at the top of your game, how do you innovate? They’ll discuss hybrids, with the forthcoming ‘Dynasties’, ‘First Year on Earth’ and ‘Earth From Space’.
Following on from the success of seven-time Panda Award-nominated ‘Blue Planet II’, what’s in store for the landmarks? What’s behind the renaissance of live events and what do they do for audiences? And what’s in store for the 35 year old, BBC flagship natural history strand, ‘The Natural World’? They’ll also discuss how the power of public service can enlighten the minds of audiences around conservation and environmental topics, from programmes like ‘Drowning in Plastic’ to the forthcoming ‘Equator From The Air’.
Expect wants lists, sneak previews and exclusive announcements.

Chair
Speakers
avatar for Craig Hunter

Craig Hunter

Lead Commissioning Editor, Natural History and Specialist Factual, BBC
Craig Hunter has been part of the BBC’s Factual Commissioning team for more than 4 years and he is currently the Lead Commissioning Editor for Natural History and Specialist Factual. In this new role Craig works across the full range of Specialist Factual subjects specialising in... Read More →
avatar for Tom McDonald

Tom McDonald

Head of Commissioning for Natural History & Specialist Factual, BBC
Tom McDonald is the head of commissioning for Natural History & Specialist Factual at the BBC. Recent commissions include the BAFTA and Emmy winning Planet Earth II, BAFTA winner Muslims Like Us, BAFTA & Grierson nominees The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs and Life That Glows; and recent... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Headliner

09:30 BST

Canaries in the Coalmine
Making the case for the beauty and importance of the overlooked ‘little guys’ - the smaller creatures around us are not only underrepresented in the media, they are often the first indicators of a changing environment.

Conservation photographers, Robin Moore and Emanuele Biggi, share their passion for this smaller majority and how they use their craft to show people why they should care more.

Speakers
avatar for Emanuele Biggi

Emanuele Biggi

Wildlife photographer and TV presenter
Emanuele is an Italian naturalist with a Ph.D in Environmental Sciences and an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He is mainly focused on the smaller creatures, conservation of nature and science-at-work photography and strongly believes in... Read More →
avatar for Robin Moore

Robin Moore

Director of Communications, Global Wildlife Conservation
Robin Moore is a Scottish-born photographer with National Geographic Creative, a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and Communications Director with Global Wildlife Conservation.Robin gained his PhD in biodiversity conservation from the University... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

11:15 BST

Ole J Liodden - Polar Bears & Humans
Photographer Ole J Liodden has an intimate knowledge of the polar bear. His images have won global awards and brought attention to the threats facing the ‘King of the Arctic’. But these threats go far beyond climate change. Join Ole as he presents his quest to change the future of how we live alongside this remarkable species.

Speakers
avatar for Ole J Liodden

Ole J Liodden

Photographer, WildPhoto
Ole is a professional wildlife photographer, author, expedition leader and conservationist. His photographic work has touched people internationally and he has received a dozen of international photo awards, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Before Ole became a full-time... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

11:15 BST

Emerging Talent
Wildscreen has always been a champion of new talent. The diversity of this year's class of Emerging Talent Panda Award nominees shows there's a bright future in store for the natural world storytelling industry.

Join host, Emanuelle Biggi, as he meets the people behind the imagery to discover what drives these emerging storytellers to use their work to inspire stewardship of our wild things and wild places.

Chair
avatar for Emanuele Biggi

Emanuele Biggi

Wildlife photographer and TV presenter
Emanuele is an Italian naturalist with a Ph.D in Environmental Sciences and an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He is mainly focused on the smaller creatures, conservation of nature and science-at-work photography and strongly believes in... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Sirachai (Shin) Arunrugstichai

Sirachai (Shin) Arunrugstichai

Conservation Photographer / Marine Biologist
Sirachai Arunrugstichai or Shin is a Thai photojournalist, specialising in marine conservation issues. He has previously worked as a marine biologists, working on coral reef ecology and shark fisheries in the Andaman Sea with a master’s degree in Ecology, and he is still unsure... Read More →
avatar for Karl Davies

Karl Davies

Photographer / Filmmaker
Karl is a multidisciplinary photographer, filmmaker and time-lapse specialist based in Bristol. A recent graduate from Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, Karl’s final year project “The Landscape Of Consumption” is nominated for an Emerging Talent Panda awar... Read More →
avatar for Jen Guyton

Jen Guyton

Photographer
Jen Guyton is a photographer with a background in ecology. She spends ten months per year living in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, and has worked as a biologist on three continents, including eight years working on wildlife and conservation projects in Africa. She’s studied... Read More →
avatar for Lindsey Parietti

Lindsey Parietti

Journalist & Filmmaker
Lindsey Parietti is an American filmmaker and journalist who has spent most of her career in Egypt and Africa. She tries to highlight under-covered issues in challenging environments and continued that work traveling to Liberia to make her master’s film Blood Island on abandoned... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

11:15 BST

WTF Is Natural History?
It may be a term well known within our industry, but does natural history actually mean anything to a modern audience? Or is it just part of an outdated attitude to filmmaking that needs to be left behind in the race to make compelling content for the SVOD era? Join the commissioners and producers at the cutting edge of wildlife content looking to shake up the genre as they discuss what they would want natural history programming to look like in 2019 and beyond. Is traditional natural history TV destined to end up in a museum?

Chair
avatar for Matt Cole

Matt Cole

Executive Producer / Creative Director, Keo Films
Matt is creative director at Keo West, the Bristol division of multi-award winning indie Keo Films.His previous roles include spells as executive producer, Showrunner and Director at ITV Granada, BBC Documentaries, Tigress Productions and Blink Films.Matt took over Keo West in 2014... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Craig Hunter

Craig Hunter

Lead Commissioning Editor, Natural History and Specialist Factual, BBC
Craig Hunter has been part of the BBC’s Factual Commissioning team for more than 4 years and he is currently the Lead Commissioning Editor for Natural History and Specialist Factual. In this new role Craig works across the full range of Specialist Factual subjects specialising in... Read More →
avatar for Tom Porter

Tom Porter

Commissioning Editor - Specialist Factual, Channel 4
Tom has been a Commissioner at Channel 4 for six and a half years, working across Current Affairs and more recently Specialist Factual. He's currently in charge of Natural History and History. His Commissions include: Dogs: Their Secret Lives; Britain's Polar Bear Cub; The Passenger... Read More →
avatar for Kurt Tondorf

Kurt Tondorf

SVP Head of Development, Animal Planet
Kurt Tondorf is Senior Vice President, Head of Development for Animal Planet, heading the global development team out of Discovery Inc.’s New York office. Since joining Animal Planet in 2012 Tondorf has developed many series and specials for Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and... Read More →
avatar for Janet Han Vissering

Janet Han Vissering

Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic
As Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 150 hours of programming commissioned each year for broadcast in 166 countries, 330 million homes and 34 languages worldwide. In her role, Vissering manages WILD’s... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Session

12:00 BST

Crafting a Narrative
Discover the art of crafting a story. Two 2018 World Press winning documentary storytellers in photography and filmmaking share how a dedication to planning the components of a story leads to success.

Speakers
avatar for Neil Aldridge

Neil Aldridge

Conservationist and Photographer
Neil Aldridge is a conservationist and photographer, a lecturer in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University and a trustee of the charities Animals Saving Animals and Poaching Prevention.His photography has won awards all over the world, including the World Press... Read More →
avatar for Max Duncan

Max Duncan

Filmmaker and video journalist
Max Duncan is a filmmaker, journalist and director of photography. He makes documentaries, reportage and creative video internationally, with a special focus on the social, cultural and environmental transformation of Asia. His work has appeared in media including the Guardian, New... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 12:00 - 14:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB

12:30 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Tom Porter, Channel 4
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities. 

Speakers
avatar for Tom Porter

Tom Porter

Commissioning Editor - Specialist Factual, Channel 4
Tom has been a Commissioner at Channel 4 for six and a half years, working across Current Affairs and more recently Specialist Factual. He's currently in charge of Natural History and History. His Commissions include: Dogs: Their Secret Lives; Britain's Polar Bear Cub; The Passenger... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 12:30 - 13:00 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

13:30 BST

Authentic Voices
Letting people on the frontline tell their own stories was a common thread weaved throughout both the film and photography Panda Award nominations in 2018.

Here we meet three storytellers who have made an art out of putting unfamiliar faces at the heart of their work. Between them, they capture the special connection between humans and orphaned animals, show the lengths humans will go to in order to protect our natural world, and tell the story of a band of unsung scientific heroes whose insatiable curiosity led them to discover a single set of rules that govern all life.

Expect to have your faith in humanity restored.

Chair
avatar for David Elisco

David Elisco

Executive Producer, Tangled Bank Studios

Speakers
avatar for Nicholas Brown

Nicholas Brown

Director, Passion Pictures
Nicolas Brown is one of the UK and USA's leading environmental filmmakers. His latest film, The Serengeti Rules is currently in film festivals, and has won the Green Fire Award at the American Conservation Film Festival, The Owl Award at the Bergen International Film Festival, “Best... Read More →
avatar for Doug Gimesy

Doug Gimesy

Conservation Photographer
Doug is a conservation and wildlife photojournalist, with a focus on Australian issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science with majors in zoology and microbiology, a Masters of Environment and a Masters of Bioethics. His work has been published by National Geographic, Australian Geographic... Read More →
avatar for Morgan Heim

Morgan Heim

Wildlife Photojournalist & Filmmaker
Morgan Heim raises a camera for one purpose – to capture moments in an animal’s life that will make us consider what that life means. Inevitably, those stories involve people as much as wildlife – how we treat them, why we need them, what we love, or hate about them. As a senior... Read More →

Sponsors

Thursday October 18, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

13:30 BST

Protecting Places
Making the case for the protection of wild places has been at the heart of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) mission since it was founded in 2005. Here, Carlton Ward and Peter Cairns, two iLCP fellows share how they are combining conservation science with compelling imagery and rich storytelling to help save ecosystems in Florida and Scotland.

Chair
avatar for Buffy Redsecker

Buffy Redsecker

Board Chair, iLCP
Buffy is the President and Co-Founder of the SunLight Time Foundation and a proud member of the Pleiades Network: a constellation of women working for a sustainable world. She spent over a decade deeply involved with the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and still consults for organizations... Read More →

Speakers
JD

John Doe

History, University of New Mexico
Position at Company ABC.
avatar for Jane Doe

Jane Doe

History, University of New Mexico
This is a brief bio.

Sponsors

Thursday October 18, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

13:45 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Tom McDonald, BBC
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about their psyche and priorities.

Speakers
avatar for Tom McDonald

Tom McDonald

Head of Commissioning for Natural History & Specialist Factual, BBC
Tom McDonald is the head of commissioning for Natural History & Specialist Factual at the BBC. Recent commissions include the BAFTA and Emmy winning Planet Earth II, BAFTA winner Muslims Like Us, BAFTA & Grierson nominees The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs and Life That Glows; and recent... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 13:45 - 14:15 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

15:00 BST

Pitch Perfect - Photography
Have you ever wanted to be published but never been sure how to make your work stand out from the crowd? Leading editors and commissioners share their advice on what they’re looking for, what pitches work and what approaches definitely don’t work!

Speakers
RE

Richard Edwards

Head of Content, WWF-UK
avatar for Lars Lindemann

Lars Lindemann

Director of Photography, GEO Magazine
After studying geography, history and education Lars became a self-taught photo editor, photographer and curator. He has been freelancing for various magazines before joining the GEO photo department as the Senior Photo Editor at GEOkompakt, one of GEO´s several line extensions on... Read More →
avatar for Kathy Moran

Kathy Moran

Senior Editor (Natural History), National Geographic Magazine
Kathy Moran is National Geographic magazine’s first senior editor for natural history projects. A 37-year veteran of the Society, she has at the last count edited more than 320 stories for the magazine. Recent highlights include editing a single-topic issue on the Yellowstone ecosystem... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 15:00 - 17:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB

15:15 BST

Adrian Steirn
Adrian Steirn is a photographer and filmmaker, founder of Ginkgo Agency, a specialist content agency, and the creator of Beautiful News and 21 Icons.

He is also nominated for the inaugural Wildscreen Photo Panda Award for his story 'A Complicated Conservation Story' - images taken from many different countries over the last 5 years to represent a body of work that has sought to tell every side of the story.

Speakers
avatar for Adrian Steirn

Adrian Steirn

Adrian Steirn is a photographer and filmmaker, founder of Ginkgo Agency, a specialist content agency, and the creator of Beautiful News and 21 Icons. He is also nominated for the inaugural Wildscreen Photo Panda Award for his story 'A Complicated Conservation Story' - images taken... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

15:15 BST

Apex Indies: The Heavy Hitters of the Natural World
Explore the editorial storytelling that is attracting new, creative and traditional global financing in the natural history world. What types of stories are attracting global financing dollars and how does the storytelling community continue to attract commissions across all platforms? We'll explore the risks, rewards, challenges and opportunities from the perspective of top executives and award-winning production companies.

Chair
avatar for Solange Attwood

Solange Attwood

SVP, Blue Ant International
In her role as SVP, Blue Ant International, Solange Attwood oversees the strategic direction of Blue Ant Media’s global distribution arm, a leader in premium unscripted and 4K natural history content.Attwood spearheads and oversees co-productions, pre-sales and worldwide sales activities... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Wendy Darke

Wendy Darke

Founder/CEO, True to Nature
Following on from her 25 year career at the BBC - NHU, Wendy founded TRUE TO NATURE (TTN), a Bristol based Independent Production Company specialising in innovative, world class premium natural history and specialist factual production, using great storytelling and never seen before... Read More →
avatar for Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

President, International Production, Plimsoll Productions
Andrew oversees international production and development for Plimsoll, most recently working on the hugely successful 'Yellowstone Live' for National Geographic and is currently involved in several international productions for a wide range of platforms. He joined Plimsoll shortly... Read More →
avatar for Kyle Murdoch

Kyle Murdoch

Managing Director, NHNZ
Kyle Murdoch has 15 years of experience working around the globe in factual television as a producer, director and writer. In 2007, Kyle was NHNZ’s Director of Business development for China, Asia and the Middle East, responsible for NHNZ’s significant China production presence... Read More →
avatar for Andrew Solomon

Andrew Solomon

Head of Natural History, ORF
Since 2011 Andrew Solomon has been head of natural history at ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, overseeing more than 100 blue chip wildlife documentaries for the prime time UNIVERSUM slot, in coproduction with German, French, US, Chinese and Russian broadcasters. Andrew... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Session

16:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Perrine Poubeau, France 5
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about the psyche of their channels and platforms and how they hope to innovate.

Chair
LM

Lucy Middelboe

Commercial Director, Commercial Director

Speakers
avatar for Perrine Poubeau

Perrine Poubeau

Commissioning Editor, France Televisions / France 5
Perrine Poubeau is Commissioning Editor for International Co-productions and Acquisitions at France 5, the main factual channel of the France Televisions group.She scours international markets and festivals for the best documentary programmes and projects covering science, archaeology... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 16:15 - 16:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

17:00 BST

Taking Conservation to the Netflix Generation
It's every conservationist filmmaker's dream. To inspire audiences long after the credits have rolled to get off the sofa and to take action.

Now a new interactive SVOD platform from Off The Fence is doing just that. Join the team behind the WaterBear Network to discover how they engage viewers not just to Watch. But to Join. And to Save.

Chair
avatar for Allison Bean

Allison Bean

Managing Director, Off the Fence
Allison has worked in television production for 20 years. She began her career at Survival Anglia TV producing natural history films. In 2002 she joined Granada TV where she expanded her expertise into the popular factual space making a range of films for broadcasters worldwide. In... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Victor Eckard

Victor Eckard

MD, The WaterBear Network
MD and Media Exec Victor Eckard comes to the WaterBear Network from global independent production and distribution company Off The Fence where he has held the positions of Director of Strategy and Business Development and Director of Digital Media. Prior to this, and as Head of Content... Read More →
avatar for Bracken Hollings

Bracken Hollings

Head of Integrated Content, The WaterBear Network
Bracken is heading up the Integrated Content team at the WaterBear Network. Her background is as a TV Producer. She's worked across a broad range of genres, including Wildlife, Specialist Factual, Fact Ent and Drama, with people on every continent but Antartica. She’s filmed in... Read More →
avatar for Inge Samuels

Inge Samuels

Head of Integrated Content Production, The WaterBear Network
Inge is responsible for the development and production of Integrated Content for the WaterBear Network and has a background in TV Production and Ideas Development. She cut her teeth at the BBC where she produced and developed factual programming in the science, natural history, history... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Session

17:00 BST

Working with Scientists
James Reed, Esther Horvath and David Elisco have worked side-by-side with scientists to champion the work being done on the frontline of primate and polar research.

They'll share their experiences of how they build trust and nurture relationships with the people who underpin their stories and how they bring frontline research and raw data to life through beautifully crafted narratives.
 

Chair
avatar for Charlotte Coales

Charlotte Coales

Public Engagement Specialist, Zoological Society of London
Charlotte oversees the public engagement with conservation science programme at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).  She trains and supports ZSL scientists and experts to engage directly with school and public audiences, having established a variety of formats and events to... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for David Elisco

David Elisco

Executive Producer, Tangled Bank Studios
avatar for Esther Horvath

Esther Horvath

Photographer
After living for 6 years in New York City and graduating from the International Center of Photography, Esther moved to Bremen, Germany recently. Esther is a documentary photographer, Fellow at the International League of Conservation Photographers and science photographer for Alfred... Read More →
avatar for James Reed

James Reed

Director, Keo Films and Underdog Films
James Reed wrote and directed Rise of The Warrior Apes, produced with Keo Films for DNI, which was awarded Best Animal Behavior at Jackson Hole, Best Natural History Film at New York and is nominated for five Panda awards at Wildscreen. Previously James directed the independently... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

17:30 BST

Drinks with Love Nature and Blue Ant International
Love Nature and Blue Ant International would like to bring the whole Wildscreen herd together for celebratory drinks as we near the close of the festival.
Join the team at the Festival Hub for a much needed end of day glass of fizz and to learn a thing or two about Love Nature and its offerings.


Thursday October 18, 2018 17:30 - 18:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Social

17:30 BST

Blue Planet II Double Bill + Q&A
One Ocean
Our knowledge of life beneath the waves has been transformed. Using cutting-edge technology, One Ocean takes us on a journey from the tropics to the poles, to reveal new worlds and extraordinary never seen before animal behaviours. In the tropical coral reefs, a baby dolphin is taught its secret medicinal properties, a tusk fish demonstrates a surprising level of ingenuity – tool use. In Japan, a female ‘Kobudai’ fish undergoes an extraordinary metamorphosis- she changes gender. And in the Arctic, orcas use dramatic tail-slaps to stun herring.

Nominated for: ORF Animal Behaviour Award, Panasonic Cinematography - Large Budget Award, Popular Broadcast Award

Our Blue Planet
In Our Blue Planet, David Attenborough examines the impact our modern lives are having on the ocean. Devoted albatross parents, unwittingly feeding their chicks plastic; dolphins exposing their new-born calves to pollutants through their contaminated milk; even man-made noise drowning out animals communicating. The film explores the changes in the ocean that will require a global effort including unprecedented coral bleaching and the predicted sea level rise that could impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Nominated for: Terra Mater Factual Studios Impact Award

United Kingdom, 59 mins
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit with The Open University and BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV9

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Nicola Brown

Nicola Brown

Digital Producer
Nicola has worked on a variety of productions including digital series Our Blue Planet; BBC Earth’s VR collaboration with Oculus; All4 adventure series Helluva Tour; original YouTube series and Panda Award winner Earth Unplugged; BBC Earth’s Sega Orbi; landmark series Human Planet... Read More →
avatar for Mark Brownlow

Mark Brownlow

Series Producer, Blue Planet II, BBC NHU
Mark Brownlow is a BAFTA/EMMY award-winning producer/director with over twenty years experience making wildlife documentaries. From series producing 'Ocean Giants', the BBC/PBS three parter on whales and dolphins, and 'Hidden Kingdoms', the three parter on little animal heroes for... Read More →
OD

Orla Doherty

Producer, Natural History Unit
A factual producer in her twenties, Orla fell in love with the ocean on her 30th birthday when she put a scuba-tank on her back and a regulator in her mouth for the first time. She went on to live on a boat in the Pacific Ocean for a decade, leading a coral reef research programme... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 17:30 - 20:00 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

18:30 BST

The Shorts
From the humble hedgehog to the mighty polar bear, these short Panda Award nominated productions tell big stories!

M6NTHS
M6NTHS is a short, empathetic film about an animal in captivity, longing for the outside. An animal who shares with us the ability to dream, who has the intelligence to recognise himself in the mirror, who is curious, social and sensitive, and in whom we can clearly recognise a soul. An animal who can live up to ten years in the wild but only six months under our care. Without any shock effects, voice over or presenter, this visual film will change your view on pigs forever. It is the pig himself who invites you to see the world through his eyes...

United Kingdom, 12 mins
Eline Helena Film
Panda Award nomination: NHNZ Short Award

Churchill
Churchill is an experimental visual poem dedicated to the the town and polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba. While this film presents beautiful scenes of Churchill and its wildlife, the design of the piece remains unsettling, ambiguous and unresolved, mirroring the feelings of the filmmaker towards the subject and his work in natural-history film making. Natural-history films continue to be popular with mass audiences but the complex nature of the natural world and human-nature interactions remains difficult to capture within standard and marketable forms. Bold narratives may not always serve the long-term interests of the natural world, northern communities or discussions of climate change and other pressing issues. This piece was created as an experimental film attempting to expand the boundaries of nature films and incorporate the mystery that film-makers often encounter in the field.

Canada, 7 mins
Storm Films Inc.
Panda Award nomination: NHNZ Short Award

Blood Island
Deep in the heart of Liberia’s jungles, hundreds of chimpanzees were taken from the wild. Captured, bred, and infected with hepatitis, our closest animal relatives were to unlock the mysteries of human diseases. But what started in the 1970s as an ambitious medical experiment took deeper and darker turns through the decades. Gripping to the core, Blood Island tells the powerful story of the chimpanzees, their captors and the man still fighting to save them.

United Kingdom, 12 mins
Lindsey Parietti in association with the University of the West of England
Panda Award nominations: Icon Films Emerging Talent Award, NHNZ Short Award

Landscape of Consumption
The last half-century of exponential population growth combined with consumer-capitalism has vastly transformed the topography of our small green planet. The Landscape of Consumption depicts, through dramatic time-lapse photography, these manufactured environments and their perpetual processes of consumption. Via endless cityscapes and cathedral-like shopping malls, the film takes us on a mesmeric journey through our modern, almost dystopian, reality. Overall, 200,000 still images were created across 3 continents in 20 days to form this 10-minute short.

United Kingdom, 12 mins
Karl Davies
Panda Award nomination: Icon Films Emerging Talent Award

Hedgehog Close
Hedgehog Close is a charming stop-motion animation which shines a spotlight on the plight of the hedgehog in the UK. The film aims to engage a popular audience, and show them how they can help.

United Kingdom, 2 mins
Zest Productions
Panda Award nominations: Children’s Award, Terra Mater Factual Studios Impact Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Karl Davies

Karl Davies

Photographer / Filmmaker
Karl is a multidisciplinary photographer, filmmaker and time-lapse specialist based in Bristol. A recent graduate from Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, Karl’s final year project “The Landscape Of Consumption” is nominated for an Emerging Talent Panda awar... Read More →
avatar for Ian Kerr

Ian Kerr

Director / Cinematographer, Storm Films Inc.
From the jungles of New Guinea to the ice floes of Canada's Arctic to the thin air of the Argentinean Andes, Ian can be found telling award-winning stories through spectacular images. A Emmy-award winning cinematographer, Ian works across a diverse range of projects and subjects... Read More →
avatar for Lindsey Parietti

Lindsey Parietti

Journalist & Filmmaker
Lindsey Parietti is an American filmmaker and journalist who has spent most of her career in Egypt and Africa. She tries to highlight under-covered issues in challenging environments and continued that work traveling to Liberia to make her master’s film Blood Island on abandoned... Read More →
avatar for Eline Helena Shellekens

Eline Helena Shellekens

Producer Director, Eline Helena Film
Eline Helena is a Dutch independent and award winning filmmaker. She loves how film gives us the opportunity to experience life through the eyes and ears of other beings. She deeply believes every new perspective contributes to a harmonious world.


Thursday October 18, 2018 18:30 - 19:50 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

18:30 BST

The Last Animals + Q&A
Conflict photographer Kate Brooks turns her lens from the war zones she is used to covering to a new kind of genocide - the killing of African elephants and rhinos - in this sweeping and sobering expose. As the single-digit population of northern white rhinoceros ticks closer to zero, Brooks outlines the myriad factors contributing to the current epidemic of highly effective poaching and trafficking syndicates, drawing startling connections between the illegal wildlife trade, drug cartels, international terrorism and border security. But all is not yet lost - at the same time, Brooks documents the heroic efforts of conservationists, park rangers, and scientists to protect these animals in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Kate Brooks.

United States, 92 mins
Atlas Films and Foxtail Entertainment in association with Artemis Rising Foundation, The British Film Company and Diamond Docs
Nominated for: Terra Mater Factual Studios Impact Award

WARNING: Contains scenes that some audiences may find distressing

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Kate Brooks

Kate Brooks

Director
Kate Brooks is an international photojournalist and filmmaker who chronicled conflict and human rights issues for nearly two decades before turning her lens to conservation issues. Her photographs have been extensively published in TIME, Newsweek, Smithsonian and The New Yorker and... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 18:30 - 20:25 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening

19:30 BST

Rewilding – A Visual Journey
Explore the case for a wilder Scotland and Europe through a stunning backdrop of beautiful wildlife film and photography. Award-winning photographers, filmmakers and conservationists who are telling the rewilding story, will share their work and hopes for thriving wildlife and wild places. From reintroduced species such as lynx and beavers to revitalised landscapes, discover their vision for an ecologically rich and sustainable wild Europe that benefits all life, including humans.

Speakers include:
- Peter Cairns, award-winning wildlife and conservation photographer. Peter is the Project Director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, which is creating compelling visual media that promotes the benefits of a wilder Scotland for people and wildlife.
- Laurent Geslin, a environmental photographer who has been documenting the elusive European lynx for the past decade, following the story of its translocation and reintroduction across Europe and integration into the modern cultural landscape.

This event is open to members of the public with tickets available from the St George's website or box office. Festival delegates are welcome to attend free of charge - no booking required.

Supported by Nature Picture Library

Chair
avatar for Prof Alastair Driver

Prof Alastair Driver

Specialist Advisor, Rewilding Britain

Speakers
JD

John Doe

History, University of New Mexico
Position at Company ABC.
avatar for Laurent Geslin

Laurent Geslin

Conservationist photographer and videographer
After being a wildlife guide in France, South Africa and Namibia, Laurent moved to London planning to do a feature on urban foxes... and ending up staying there ten years, becoming a professional photographer in the process. He works on press and portrait photography for six months... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 19:30 - 21:00 BST
St George's Bristol Great George St, Bristol BS1 5RR, UK

20:30 BST

Giraffes: Africa's Gentle Giants + Q&A
Everyone loves giraffes, but what do we really know about them? Dr Julian Fennessy has spent his life researching giraffes and has made a terrible discovery: they’re disappearing. This film reveals new discoveries in giraffe biology and follows an unprecedented rescue mission. Julian has joined an intrepid Ugandan team, their plan is to catch twenty of the world's rarest wild giraffe and take them across and beyond the mighty Nile River. The stakes are high, but if they succeed the reward will be a brighter future for an animal we've somehow overlooked.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Tom Mustill.

United Kingdom, 59 mins
AGB Films & Gripping Films, co-produced with Thirteen Productions LLC and BBC Natural World in association with WNET
Panda Award nomination: Terra Mater Factual Studios Impact Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers

Thursday October 18, 2018 20:30 - 21:50 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

21:00 BST

The Poacher's Pipeline + Q&A
Exposing the traffickers behind the rhino horn trade and the corruption that makes it possible. The Poacher’s Pipeline doesn’t just tell the story of rhino poaching. Instead this groundbreaking documentary reveals the global syndicates that fuel the illegal killing. It’s a trail that leads beyond the criminals to a South African minister, diplomats and even the delegation of the Chinese Premier.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with reporter Deborah Davies.

Qatar, 48 mins
Al Jazeera Media Network
Nominated for: Terra Mater Factual Studios Impact Award

WARNING: Contains scenes that some audiences may find distressing

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Deborah Davies

Deborah Davies

Reporter, Al Jazeera Investigative Unit, Al Jazeera
Deborah Davies is a multi-award winning investigative TV reporter. She's covered the world's most troubled areas, from Northern Ireland in the 80's, Bosnia, Iraq and the Soviet Union in the 90's to modern day Congo, Pakistan and almost all of the Middle East. She's frequently gained... Read More →


Thursday October 18, 2018 21:00 - 22:10 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
  Screening
 
Friday, October 19
 

08:30 BST

Hub Opening Hours & Registration
Your first port of call on arrival, where you can collect your delegate pass and badge that will give you access to industry events.

The Festival Hub is the perfect place to bump into friends and arrange meetings with delegates, with the bar open throughout the day right through to 23.00.

The Wildscreen team will also be stationed here until close to help you navigate the programme and answer your questions.

Also based in the Festival hub are a selection of technology providers showcasing their latest kit and services.

Friday October 19, 2018 08:30 - 23:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:00 BST

Mastering Wildlife Presenting
Have you always wanted to be a wildlife television presenter? Well here's your chance to learn what it takes from the professionals. Get the lowdown and top tips from the people involved across the whole lifecycle of a production - a TV Presenter, Director/Producer, Film Editor, TV Agent, Cameraman and Sound Recordist - who have worked on some of the most acclaimed wildlife films on our screens.

Chair
Speakers
avatar for Vanessa Coates

Vanessa Coates

Series Producer, BBC Natural History Unit
Vanessa Coates is a producer with a strong track record in factual, wildlife and children's television. She first joined the BBC Natural History Unit over 20 years ago after cutting her teeth on various entertainment shows at Television Centre Studios. Among her most recent credits... Read More →
avatar for Andy Hawley

Andy Hawley

Sound Recordist, Soundbloke
I am a location sound recordist with over 20 years of experience in many genres of Broadcast and corporate production, but specialising in presenter led natural history and science based documentaries. This has naturally led to extensive travel. I have worked in over 60 countries... Read More →
avatar for Tim Lasseter

Tim Lasseter

Freelance Editor
Tim Lasseter is an editor, specialising in Natural History, with experience on factual, drama and live productions. He has worked with presenters such as David Attenborough ('Attenborough at 90'), Chris Packham ('Nature's Weirdest Events' and 'Autumnwatch') and Steve Backshall ('Deadly... Read More →
avatar for Mark Sharman

Mark Sharman

Cameraman
Mark is an award-winning cameraman specialising in filming presenters and pure wildlife behaviour (topside, underwater, aerial) for film and television. An adventurer at heart, Mark has worked across the globe and is experienced operating in diverse and challenging locations; from... Read More →
avatar for Naomi Wilkinson

Naomi Wilkinson

TV Presenter, BBC
In January Naomi will have been presenting children’s television non-stop for 20 years. She has been a nominee twice in the Best Presenter category for her own show ‘Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature’ at the Children’s BAFTA Awards (2014 & 2016). Across 4 series, Naomi travelled... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 09:00 - 11:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Masterclass

09:00 BST

Hub Cafe
If you're feeling peckish, stop by our lovely in-house cafe for some tasty plant-based delights.

Friday October 19, 2018 09:00 - 16:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:15 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Andrew Solomon, ORF Universum
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about the psyche of their channels and platforms and how they hope to innovate.

Speakers
avatar for Andrew Solomon

Andrew Solomon

Head of Natural History, ORF
Since 2011 Andrew Solomon has been head of natural history at ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, overseeing more than 100 blue chip wildlife documentaries for the prime time UNIVERSUM slot, in coproduction with German, French, US, Chinese and Russian broadcasters. Andrew... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 09:15 - 09:45 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

09:30 BST

Beacons of Truth
Shining light in dark places in search of the truth takes courage, time and skill. Award-winning investigative journalists, Kate Brooks and Deborah Davies, have devoted their careers to calling the powerful to account and exposing corruption, exploitation and illegal practices. Join them as Matt Walker asks the questions that reveal what it takes to be a beacon of truth.

Chair
avatar for Matt Walker

Matt Walker

Partner, Fact & Story
Matt's career has been defined by finding creative, elegant and impactful ways to communicate complex concepts to huge audiences.He has been nominated for a BAFTA for Digital Creativity, won three Webby awards, two Lovie awards, and a host of national and international digital awards... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Kate Brooks

Kate Brooks

Director
Kate Brooks is an international photojournalist and filmmaker who chronicled conflict and human rights issues for nearly two decades before turning her lens to conservation issues. Her photographs have been extensively published in TIME, Newsweek, Smithsonian and The New Yorker and... Read More →
avatar for Deborah Davies

Deborah Davies

Reporter, Al Jazeera Investigative Unit, Al Jazeera
Deborah Davies is a multi-award winning investigative TV reporter. She's covered the world's most troubled areas, from Northern Ireland in the 80's, Bosnia, Iraq and the Soviet Union in the 90's to modern day Congo, Pakistan and almost all of the Middle East. She's frequently gained... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

09:30 BST

The NeverEnding Story
The holy grail for storytellers is to have the time and resources to undertake long-term, in-depth storytelling. Sticking with a story is the best way to unearth the truth and to get a deeper insight into the lives of species we think we know.

Award-winning conservation photographers, Jasper Doest and Amy Shutt share their journeys of how a passion and curiosity for a particular species has come to define their work and how they manage to commit for the long-term.

Speakers
avatar for Jasper Doest

Jasper Doest

Photographer
Based in the Netherlands, Jasper Doest covers nature, conservation and travel stories, always aiming for a creative angle to make an emotional link with his audience. He is a regular contributor to Dutch editions of National Geographic and National Geographic Traveller, and has been... Read More →
avatar for Amy Shutt

Amy Shutt

Photographer, The Canid Project
Amy Shutt is a conservation-focused wildlife photographer, guide, and educator in the USA. She leads wildlife and conservation photography workshops currently throughout the Americas, Africa, and Iceland.She is the founder and Director of The Canid Project, a newly formed 501c3 non-profit... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

09:30 BST

Ugly Stories
Stories of iconic species or beautiful places are often the easier stories to swallow and tell, yet it is stories like consumption, climate change and overpopulation that truly affect us all.

Find out how these documentary artists tackle big, global issues that make you sit up and take notice.


Speakers
avatar for Max Duncan

Max Duncan

Filmmaker and video journalist
Max Duncan is a filmmaker, journalist and director of photography. He makes documentaries, reportage and creative video internationally, with a special focus on the social, cultural and environmental transformation of Asia. His work has appeared in media including the Guardian, New... Read More →
avatar for Virginia Quinn

Virginia Quinn

Director, Keo Films
Director, Virginia Quinn, is renowned for her work on landmark documentaries films with some of the world’s best talent including Sir David Attenborough and Henry Louis Gates Jr. Her credits include 'Africa’s Great Civilizations' (PBS) introduced with a screening at the United... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 09:30 - 10:30 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK

10:15 BST

Finding Your Way
Be inspired by these young professional photographers and filmmakers, making a name and finding a niche for themselves through their work creating aerial images, collaborating with scientists and making documentaries.

Chair
avatar for Charlotte Coales

Charlotte Coales

Public Engagement Specialist, Zoological Society of London
Charlotte oversees the public engagement with conservation science programme at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).  She trains and supports ZSL scientists and experts to engage directly with school and public audiences, having established a variety of formats and events to... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jen Guyton

Jen Guyton

Photographer
Jen Guyton is a photographer with a background in ecology. She spends ten months per year living in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, and has worked as a biologist on three continents, including eight years working on wildlife and conservation projects in Africa. She’s studied... Read More →
avatar for Luke Massey

Luke Massey

Wildlife Photographer and Cameraman, Sunbittern Media
Luke is a passionate naturalist and combines his love and knowledge for wildlife in his filming and photographic work. He has travelled all over the globe documenting nature. Luke has been awarded in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for the past two years... Read More →
avatar for James Shooter

James Shooter

Director, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture
James Shooter is a nature photographer and filmmaker based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. He is one of the directors at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, a social enterprise that uses creative multimedia to inform, inspire and influence fresh thinking for a wilder Scotland.For... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 10:15 - 11:15 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB

11:15 BST

Tom Peschak - Sharks and Seabirds
When National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak began photographing sharks 20 years ago they were universally feared. 100 million were killed for shark fin soup every single year. He crisscrossed the world’s oceans documenting the lives of these apex predators with the goal of transforming fear into fascination and hate into awe. As more people have come to appreciate the importance of sharks, these animals are now a significant focus of marine conservation initiatives.

Peschak has now turned his lens to a different group of ocean animals that are in dire need of protection and just as important as sharks. Seabirds, such as albatross, puffins, penguins and their relatives are in real trouble. In fact, 70% of the global population - a whopping 230 million birds - vanished in the last 60 years. While the fate of whales and coral reefs are making headlines, seabirds have been largely overlooked.

For a major story in National Geographic, Peschak travelled to 27 remote islands and spent months at sea to showcase seabirds as a critical component for a healthy ocean and planet. In the process he learned that seabirds are as exciting and iconic as sharks and pandas, and just as deserving of immediate conservation action as rhinos or elephants. In this talk, Peschak shares his passion for both sharks and seabirds and takes you on a journey to our planet’s wild seas, secret shores and enchanted islands.

Speakers

Friday October 19, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

11:15 BST

Martin Dohrn - A Pioneer's Tale
When it comes to making natural history films, Martin Dohrn doesn't take the easy route! Driven by great stories, he would only attack the 'how' after getting the commission for the 'what'. This has led to a lifetime of building bespoke kit and pioneering new techniques for timelapse, macro and low light films. Come and join Martin as he shares his passion for commissions impossible with Harry Marshall.

Chair
avatar for Harry Marshall

Harry Marshall

Creative Director, Icon Films
Harry Marshall grew up in India where he learnt how to catch elephants using binoculars, tweezers and a jam jar. He studied English at Oxford University and describes himself a story-teller. During the 80’s he worked at LWT on the South Bank Show, with Border Television in Carlisle... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Martin Dohrn

Martin Dohrn

Director, Ammonite Ltd
Director of the award-winning production company Ammonite Films, Martin Dohrn took up photography seriously at the age of 14 to record butterflies rather than collect them. After studying photography at art college, he worked as a photographer in London for six years before joining... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 11:15 - 12:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

11:45 BST

Commissioner Clinic - Joern Roever, NDR
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about the psyche of their channels and platforms and how they hope to innovate.

Speakers
avatar for Joern Roever

Joern Roever

CEO, Doclights / NDR Naturfilm
Since 2001 Jörn Röver has been Head of the Natural History Unit of the German public broadcaster NDR and CEO of Doclights. The production company supplies weekly prime time slots on NDR and ARD (First Channel). The films have won over 300 awards including several Wildscreen Pandas... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 11:45 - 12:15 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

12:00 BST

The Money Shot
How do you take control of your own destiny and make your dream projects happen while still paying the bills? Four professional photographers share the secrets behind how they fund their work through running workshops, crowdfunding, leading tours and selling fine art prints.

Chair
avatar for Keith Wilson

Keith Wilson

Writer & Photo Editor, Photographers Against Wildlife Crime™
Keith Wilson is the co-founder of PHOTOGRAPHERS AGAINST WILDLIFE CRIME™, the collaborative of 24 wildlife photographers and journalists who are using their photojournalism to raise awareness of the illegal wildlife trade. Working in partnership with Britta Jaschinski, Keith published... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Shem Compion

Shem Compion

Managing Director and wildlife photographer, C4 Photo Safaris
Shem Compion is a professional wildlife photographer working throughout Africa and the world. His passion for natural areas and photography has led to a life of travel and creating environmental awareness through his photography. Shem is known for his creative representation of common... Read More →
avatar for Emily Garthwaite

Emily Garthwaite

Photographer
Emily Garthwaite is a 25-year-old London based photojournalist focusing on humanitarian and environmental issues. She has been a finalist twice in the photojournalism category for Wildlife Photographer of the Year and recently co-directed her first documentary The 40th Day in Iraq... Read More →
avatar for James Shooter

James Shooter

Director, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture
James Shooter is a nature photographer and filmmaker based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. He is one of the directors at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, a social enterprise that uses creative multimedia to inform, inspire and influence fresh thinking for a wilder Scotland.For... Read More →
avatar for Amy Shutt

Amy Shutt

Photographer, The Canid Project
Amy Shutt is a conservation-focused wildlife photographer, guide, and educator in the USA. She leads wildlife and conservation photography workshops currently throughout the Americas, Africa, and Iceland.She is the founder and Director of The Canid Project, a newly formed 501c3 non-profit... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 12:00 - 14:00 BST
The Master Classroom We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB

13:30 BST

Conservation Stories Closer to Home
You don't have to travel to the most remote wildernesses to find engaging stories about exciting creatures - they're often on our, or others, doorsteps.

Three Panda Award-nominated filmmakers and photographers share how they have created projects by staying closer to home and focussing on wildlife that shares our space.

Speakers
avatar for Doug Gimesy

Doug Gimesy

Conservation Photographer
Doug is a conservation and wildlife photojournalist, with a focus on Australian issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science with majors in zoology and microbiology, a Masters of Environment and a Masters of Bioethics. His work has been published by National Geographic, Australian Geographic... Read More →
avatar for Isabelle Groc

Isabelle Groc

Freelance writer, photographer and filmmaker
Isabelle Groc is an award-winning writer, wildlife photographer and filmmaker who focuses on environmental issues, wildlife natural history and conservation, endangered species, and the evolving relationships between people and their environments. She has earned degrees in photojournalism... Read More →
avatar for Luke Massey

Luke Massey

Wildlife Photographer and Cameraman, Sunbittern Media
Luke is a passionate naturalist and combines his love and knowledge for wildlife in his filming and photographic work. He has travelled all over the globe documenting nature. Luke has been awarded in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for the past two years... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

13:30 BST

Shifting Focus
Though the crafts of film and photography are inherently linked, there are technical and creative differences. But in a world where the lines and demand for both are blurring, how do you successfully transition from one to the other?

Speakers
avatar for Kate Brooks

Kate Brooks

Director
Kate Brooks is an international photojournalist and filmmaker who chronicled conflict and human rights issues for nearly two decades before turning her lens to conservation issues. Her photographs have been extensively published in TIME, Newsweek, Smithsonian and The New Yorker and... Read More →
avatar for Laurent Geslin

Laurent Geslin

Conservationist photographer and videographer
After being a wildlife guide in France, South Africa and Namibia, Laurent moved to London planning to do a feature on urban foxes... and ending up staying there ten years, becoming a professional photographer in the process. He works on press and portrait photography for six months... Read More →
avatar for Sandesh Kadur

Sandesh Kadur

Director, Felis Creations
From behind his camera, Sandesh Kadur sees the world from a very different angle. Through the use of images both still and video, Sandesh exposes the need for conservation and encourages protection of the world’s biodiversity. His photographs have been published widely in books... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 13:30 - 14:30 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

13:45 BST

Commissioner Clinic - David Royle, Smithsonian Channel
Meet the most sought-after commissioners and buyers in wildlife and documentary programming and hear all about the psyche of their channels and platforms and how they hope to innovate.

Speakers
avatar for David Royle

David Royle

Executive Vice-President and Chief Programming Officer, Smithsonian Networks
David Royle leads the editorial team that launched the Smithsonian Channel, overseeing commissioning, acquiring, producing and scheduling. Smithsonian Channel is now available by satellite, cable and telecom service, as well as on multiple digital and mobile platforms. It launched... Read More →
avatar for Tria Thalman

Tria Thalman

Executive Producer, Natural History, Smithsonian Channel
Tria Thalman joined Smithsonian Channel in 2015 to spearhead their natural history programming, a slate that encompasses about 25 wildlife documentaries annually for the U.S. network. In addition, she has been instrumental in commissioning and overseeing programming for the SVOD platform... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 13:45 - 14:15 BST
The Clinic We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road BS1 5DB
  Commissioning

15:15 BST

Jo-Anne McArthur - Animals in the Anthropocene
Canadian photojournalist and educator Jo-Anne McArthur is known for her work as an animal advocate and for documenting our complex relationship with animals around the globe. Her photography and activism has been awarded commendations the world over, including the 2018 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice award. Jo’s work will make you rethink how you see, value, and share the stories of animals, and will ask if we are doing enough in an age in which human influence on the planet is so profound.

Speakers
avatar for Jo-Anne McArthur

Jo-Anne McArthur

Photojournalist, We Animals Media
Jo-Anne McArthur is an award-winning photojournalist, educator, and founder of We Animals Media. She has been documenting our complex relationship with animals around the globe for fifteen years, and thousands of these images are made available for free to anyone helping animals at... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

15:15 BST

Small Budget, Big Impact
When passion and drive fuse with talent and a nose for a story, impact follows. Robin Moore and Ruth Peacey share how they have used their skills as photographers, filmmakers and storytellers on small budgets to make a big difference to the future of wildlife and wild places.

Speakers
avatar for Robin Moore

Robin Moore

Director of Communications, Global Wildlife Conservation
Robin Moore is a Scottish-born photographer with National Geographic Creative, a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and Communications Director with Global Wildlife Conservation.Robin gained his PhD in biodiversity conservation from the University... Read More →
avatar for Ruth Peacey

Ruth Peacey

Producer / Director, Lush Global Digital Limited
Ruth worked with the BBC for over ten years on series including Natural World, Springwatch, Life in the Air and Planet Earth 2. In her spare time, she started documenting the issues surrounding bird persecution during migration in the Mediterranean which led to a series of campaign... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 15:15 - 16:15 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

17:00 BST

Field Craft
Top photographers Andy Parkinson and Laurent Geslin show us how, in the age of bucket list safaris and gadgets, there is still no substitute for knowing your subject and putting in the hours to capture the magical moment.

Speakers
avatar for Laurent Geslin

Laurent Geslin

Conservationist photographer and videographer
After being a wildlife guide in France, South Africa and Namibia, Laurent moved to London planning to do a feature on urban foxes... and ending up staying there ten years, becoming a professional photographer in the process. He works on press and portrait photography for six months... Read More →
avatar for Andy Parkinson

Andy Parkinson

Images of Wild Nature Ltd., Wildlife Photographer
Andy is a feature contributor to National Geographic magazine and a multi-award winning wildlife photographer. His images have been awarded three times in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, three times in the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year and in 2016, as well as winning... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK

17:00 BST

Photo Panda Award Nominee Showcase
Meet some the finalists of the inaugural Photo Panda Award and hear their stories before the winners are revealed at tonight's Panda Awards Ceremony.

Chair
avatar for Sophie Stafford

Sophie Stafford

Independent communications and photography consultant
Sophie Stafford is an independent communications and photography consultant for several leading conservation charities, improvIng supporter engagement through the power of visual storytelling. She is also Communications Manager for Rhino Conservation Botswana, engaging audiences worldwide... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Austin Ferguson

Austin Ferguson

Conservation Photographer/Filmmaker
Austin Ferguson is a wildlife and underwater conservation photographer and filmmaker from Bainbridge Island, Washington who is currently based between Bristol, UK and Hansville, Washington. He is a graduate with first class honors of Falmouth University's Marine and Natural History... Read More →
avatar for Doug Gimesy

Doug Gimesy

Conservation Photographer
Doug is a conservation and wildlife photojournalist, with a focus on Australian issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science with majors in zoology and microbiology, a Masters of Environment and a Masters of Bioethics. His work has been published by National Geographic, Australian Geographic... Read More →
avatar for Jen Guyton

Jen Guyton

Photographer
Jen Guyton is a photographer with a background in ecology. She spends ten months per year living in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, and has worked as a biologist on three continents, including eight years working on wildlife and conservation projects in Africa. She’s studied... Read More →
avatar for Luke Massey

Luke Massey

Wildlife Photographer and Cameraman, Sunbittern Media
Luke is a passionate naturalist and combines his love and knowledge for wildlife in his filming and photographic work. He has travelled all over the globe documenting nature. Luke has been awarded in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for the past two years... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ

17:00 BST

The Real T Rex with Chris Packham + Q&A
Naturalist and T.rex enthusiast Chris Packham uses ground-breaking studies of dinosaur bones, skin, teeth and musculature, together with reconstructions of T.rex’s incredible brain and the latest CGI technology to redefine our understanding of this iconic dinosaur after years of scientific inaccuracy and Hollywood misrepresentation. Travelling the globe to hear from international experts, the program uncovers ground-breaking insights into not only what T-Rex looked like but also its behaviour – exposing the real beast behind the myth. With both a new understanding of palaeontology and zoology, and trailblazing technology, 'The Real T.rex' creates the most accurate CGI representation of the Tyrannosaurus Rex ever produced.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with producer Ruth Roberts, director Martin Williams and director of production Ulla Streib.

UK, 60mins
Talesmith and Cineflix Productions in association with France Télévisions for BBC & CBC
Panda Award nomination: Presenter Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to collect a ticket in advance of this screening by showing your delegate pass at the Watershed Box Office. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Martin Williams

Martin Williams

Founder & Creative Director, Talesmith & Flyride Films
Across two decades, Martin has built a reputation for impact visuals and powerful narratives in his films. He has won critical acclaim and numerous industry awards. Martin has always been at the cutting edge of innovation having been the creative driving force behind David Attenborough’s... Read More →


Friday October 19, 2018 17:00 - 18:20 BST
Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
  Screening

18:30 BST

Panda Awards Ceremony
Join the world’s best wildlife filmmakers, photographers and talent for Wildscreen’s glittering Panda Awards ceremony. Dubbed the ‘Green Oscars’, the awards celebrate and honours the very best talent in the industry.

Expect a wild night as Green Hollywood comes to Bristol’s Passenger Shed, with a line-up featuring the world's very best natural world storytelling talent. Be the first to see the winners and then celebrate with them afterwards at the official after party - Audio Networks presents Secret Sessions.

Included in the price of your ticket are drinks on arrival, the awards show itself plus delicious vegan bowl food and the after party.

The Panda Awards sit at the heart of the Wildscreen Festival, the world’s leading international Festival celebrating and advancing the art of natural world storytelling.

Tickets sold separately. Over 18s only.

Speakers
avatar for Lizzie Daly

Lizzie Daly

Wildlife biologist and presenter
Lizzie is a regular face on BBC Earth, CBBC and Cbeebies. She was the resident wildlife expert on The Lets Go Club on Cbeebies and her most recent BBC Earth film took her to Romania to film a harrowing bear rescue.A life-long curiosity for the natural world has led her to conduct... Read More →
avatar for Lewis Pugh

Lewis Pugh

Maritime lawyer, ocean advocate and pioneer swimmer
Lewis Pugh was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world. Over a period of 30 years he has pioneered swims in the most challenging environments on earth and developed an understanding of the beauty and fragility of life and its many ecosystems.In... Read More →

Sponsors

Friday October 19, 2018 18:30 - Saturday October 20, 2018 01:00 BST
The Passenger Shed at Brunel's Old Station Station Approach, Bristol BS1 6QH, UK
 
Saturday, October 20
 

12:30 BST

The Zoo + Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family + Q&A
Come and learn a thing or two about monkeys… and poo. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.



Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family
In this stunning natural history series biologist Patrick Aryee takes us on a journey through time, to retrace the primate family’s astonishing rise to power through the twists and turns of its family tree. Through intimate monkey encounters, sumptuous wildlife photography, field demos and a CGI family tree - he shows how different key members of this family evolved bizarre bodies, intelligent behaviours and tight-knit social groups to thrive in some of the planet’s wildest landscapes. The Primate family is OUR animal family. The story of how we came to be – told through our many cousins and distant relatives. Squabbling siblings, devious con artists, cruel despots and doting parents – in each of our primate characters we see a little piece of ourselves. Relevant – entertaining – heart-warming - this is a reflection of our human condition.

United Kingdom, 44 mins
Offspring Films for Sky 1
Panda Award nomination: UWE Popular Broadcast Award

The Zoo - Poo Dunnit?
Is the Zoo getting rich from selling the animals poo!? After overhearing that zoo poo is valuable, self-obsessed gorilla Jürgen is convinced the zoo’s poo is being sold behind his back. To stop anyone cashing in, he calls a poo strike - no one is allowed to poo in the zoo. But as time passes it becomes more and more difficult for the animals to not give into the urge, and when a mystery poo is discovered the No Poo Zoo is gripped by a puzzling case of Poodunnit.

United Kingdom, 12 mins
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit for CBBC, DHX
Panda Award nomination: Children’s Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Stuart Garlick

Stuart Garlick

Voice talent, Co-writer and Editor, BBC
Stuart Garlick is a writer, voice artist and multi-award winning editor with over ten years’ experience across a diverse range of programmes and genres; from Stan Lee’s Superhumans to The Hairy Bikers, Naomi's Nightmares of Nature to Andy's Dinosaur Adventures . He is the co-writer... Read More →
avatar for Jonny Keeling

Jonny Keeling

Executive Producer, BBC Studios
Having completed a Zoology degree at Cambridge University and PhD at Bristol, Jonny went on to pursue a career with the BBC and share his passion for the natural world. Jonny has 21 years filmmaking experience in the Natural History Unit spanning a wide range of output – including... Read More →

Sponsors

Saturday October 20, 2018 12:30 - 14:00 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

14:30 BST

Earth: One Amazing Day + Q&A
From BBC Earth Films, the studio that brought you Earth, comes the long awaited sequel – Earth:One Amazing Day, an astonishing journey revealing the awesome power of the natural world. Over the course of one single day, we track the sun from the highest mountains to the remotest islands, from exotic jungles to urban jungles. Astounding breakthroughs in filmmaking technology bring you up close and personal with a cast of unforgettable characters; a baby zebra desperate to cross a swollen river, a penguin who heroically undertakes a death-defying daily commute to feed his family, a family of sperm whales who like to snooze vertically and a sloth on the hunt for love. Told with humour, intimacy, emotion and a jaw-dropping sense of cinematic splendour, this enchanting big screen family friendly adventure spectacularly highlights how every day is filled with more unseen dramas and wonders than you can possibly imagine—until now!

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer Stephen McDonogh.

United Kingdom, 89 mins
BBC Earth Films & SMG Pictures
Panda Award nomination: Children’s Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Myles Connolly

Myles Connolly

Supervising Producer, BBC Earth Films (part of BBC Studios)
Myles has been making documentaries for nearly 30 years and filmed across 40 countries. Credits include Everest, The Living Sea, Samsara, Flight of the Butterflies. His collaborations have resulted in numerous awards including two Oscar nominations.
avatar for Stephen McDonogh

Stephen McDonogh

Producer, BBC Earth Films (part of BBC Studios)
Stephen is a 2018 PGA Award nominee for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures. As a documentary feature film producer at BBC Earth Films his credits include: Walking With Dinosaurs, One Life, Enchanted Kingdom and Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie.
avatar for Neil Nightingale

Neil Nightingale

Executive Producer, BBC Earth Films
Neil has been creating wildlife stories for over 30 years in a wide variety of media, from landmark TV to 3D films, live events and VR. He was also Creative Director of BBC Earth and headed the BBC’s prestigious Natural History Unit.

Sponsors

Saturday October 20, 2018 14:30 - 16:20 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening
 
Sunday, October 21
 

12:30 BST

Planet Earth II + Q&A
10 years on from the ground-breaking original Planet Earth, Planet Earth II shows us life on our planet in entirely new ways. Captured in stunning Ultra-high definition detail and using a whole range of new camera technology this series brings us closer to animals than ever before and reveals new wildlife dramas for the very first time. Planet Earth II is an immersive exploration of the world’s jungles, mountains, deserts, islands, grasslands and our newest habitat; cities. As our planet continues to change never have these wildernesses been as fragile and as a precious as they are today. The series journeys to the four corners of the globe to explore the greatest treasures of our living planet, and discover the remarkable ways animals overcome the challenges of surviving in the wildest places on Earth.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Mike Gunton.



United Kingdom, 59 mins
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit, BBC America, ZDF and France Télévisions
Panda Award nomination: National Geographic Series Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Speakers
avatar for Mike Gunton

Mike Gunton

Creative Director, BBC Natural History Unit, BBC

Sponsors

Sunday October 21, 2018 12:30 - 13:50 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

15:00 BST

Blue Planet II
Coral reefs occupy less than one tenth of one per cent of the ocean floor yet they are home to a quarter of all known marine species. They are complex, infinitely varied structures providing all kinds of homes for their many residents. As in any crowded metropolis, there is fierce rivalry for space, for food and for a partner. The broadclub cuttlefish has found its place in the city by using a hypnotic display that apparently mesmerises its prey, causing it to let down its defences and subsequently providing a meal. On the Great Barrier Reef we meet a remarkable grouper which uses sign language, dubbed the ‘headstand signal’, to reach out to an entirely different creature, a reef octopus, to flush small fish from their hiding holes and into the groupers waiting mouth. At night the reef becomes a dangerous place, as metre-long bobbit worms strike from their burrows.

United Kingdom, 59 mins
BBC Studios - The Natural History Unit with The Open University and BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV9
Panda Award nomination: Films at 59 Sound Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.


Sunday October 21, 2018 15:00 - 16:20 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening

17:00 BST

Attenborough and the Giant Elephant
David Attenborough investigates the remarkable life and death of Jumbo the elephant whose story is said to have inspired the movie Dumbo. Arriving in London Zoo in 1865, and a firm favourite with Queen Victoria and her children, behind the scenes, this gentle giant had terrible fits of rage, only pacified by alcohol given to him by his devoted keeper. Sold to PT Barnum’s circus in America, this caused public outrage. Although it turned him into a star attracting millions of people, his life ended tragically and mysteriously. With unique access to Jumbo’s skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, Attenborough joins a team of scientists, unravelling the complex story of this large African elephant who many believed to be the biggest in the world and explores the lives of wild elephants to explain Jumbo’s troubled mind, discovering how attitudes to captive elephants has changed dramatically in recent years.

United Kingdom, 59 mins
A Humble Bee Films and Infield Fly Productions co-production
Panda Award nomination: Script Award

DELEGATES: Week/day ticket holders don't need to purchase tickets to screenings as they're included in your delegate pass. But since capacity is limited, you do need to book a ticket in advance of this screening here. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis.


Sunday October 21, 2018 17:00 - 18:20 BST
Festival Hub Millennium Square, Explore Lane, Bristol BS1 5SZ
  Screening
 

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