Nurturing the next generation of storytellers
We are committed to empowering underrepresented voices and providing unique training and mentoring opportunities for new storytelling talent to take their first steps into the industry.
Internships
Paid internships are a fantastic way to gain industry insight and experience. They allow you to embed yourself within an organisation, upskill and learn on the job.
Throughout 2023/24 we collaborated with production companies and NGOs globally to host twelve paid internship opportunities through the Wildscreen Storytelling Internship Scheme.
The programme supported 18-35 year olds hoping to pursue careers in natural world storytelling, supporting them to get paid experience within the TV and Conservation sectors.
Delivered in partnership with WWF-UK, we worked with organisations globally to diversify natural world storytelling and Conservation.
Read about Herizo Randrianandrasana’s internship at Madagascar Film and Photography below.
Current Internship Opportunities
Event Assistant Internship
Exeter Phoenix
Exeter, UK
Internship focused on helping programme a one-day festival exploring a greener and more sustainable future of the arts in Exeter.
Camera Internship
VI Rental
Bristol, UK
Intership focused on learning how to prepare, test, check and build Natural History camera kits.
We do not currently have any internship roles available.
Sign up to our Emerging Talent newsletter to be the first to hear when new opportunities go live.
Mentorship
Mentorship is a powerful way to support people to learn, upskill and progress in their career. Here at Wildscreen we embed mentorship into all of our events and outreach programmes that support career development as it is a great way to support progress and allow people to gain valuable industry insight.
In 2023/24
mentoring matches made
hours of mentoring completed
seperate mentorship schemes delivered
Check out our webinar on all things mentoring below!
Edge of Nature: Short Film Fund
The EDGE of Nature: Short Film Fund supports and nurtures emerging natural world storytellers to create fresh, out-of-the-box storytelling approaches to engage GenZ audiences and spotlight EDGE species and habitats.
Launched in 2023 and delivered in partnership with On the Edge, this new short film fund has catalysed four new and creative projects by emerging filmmakers globally, bringing new perspectives and fresh approaches to the natural history filmmaking genre.
Best of Wildscreen Tour: Young Programmers
Wildscreen is going on Tour! Over the next few months Wildscreen is supporting exhibitors across the South West to screen films from the Wildscreen Official Selection.
Our fantastic panel of 6 young programmers have been working hard to curate a selection of films under the theme of Hope that will connect young audiences with inspiring independent environmental film.
We’ll be sharing more information soon so watch this space!
With support of the BFI Fan Exhibition Fund, awarding funds from the National Lottery in order to bring this project to more audiences across the UK.
Wildscreen Internships
We often have exciting internship opportunities available at Wildscreen so keep your eyes peeled for future roles.
To find out more about what it’s like to intern at Wildscreen head over to Cam’s blog!
Empowering Emerging Talent
Interested in a career in the wildlife film and TV industry? Explore our collection of free webinars to help kick start your career.
Join Our Emerging Talent Community
Join our global community of natural world storytellers through the Wildscreen Network!
Wildscreen Network is an international community that supports and brings together members of the natural world storytelling industry.
Membership to the Wildscreen Network is open to anyone and Emerging Talent and Student memberships are available.
Join our emerging talent mailing list
To be the first to hear about opportunities, schemes, networking events and free webinars for new talent sign up to our Emerging Talent newsletter.
Sign up to our enews to hear about future schemes
Join our emerging talent mailing list
To be the first to hear about opportunities, schemes, networking events and free webinars for new talent sign up to our Emerging Talent newsletter.
Sign up to our enews to hear about future schemes
National Geographic Content: Wildscreen Festival Bursaries
At Wildscreen we’re passionate about supporting and nurturing natural world storytelling talent around the world. To do this, we are proud to be hosting the National Geographic Content: Wildscreen Festival Bursaries, an exciting and diverse opportunity for natural world storytellers based internationally, to apply for fully-funded access to the Wildscreen Festival 2022.
Supported by Nat Geo the bursary will provide;
- Four internationally based (non-UK) individuals with fully funded access to Wildscreen Festival 2022, inclusive of accommodation for the duration of festival week and return travel from their country of origin.
- Twenty internationally based individuals with a full online (remote) Wildscreen Festival pass.
All bursary recipients will also join the Wildscreen community through membership to the Wildscreen Network, providing year-round industry events, networking and support.
Through the programme, we are thrilled to be supporting international storytelling talent with unrivalled access to the wildlife film and TV industry’s leading event, providing opportunities to develop their craft, network with the international industry and have the opportunity to hear from the industry’s most inspirational thought-leaders and talent.
Apply now and join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wildscreen Festival and The Future of Natural World Storytelling for a Better Planet.
Deadline for in-person bursaries 12pm BST 23rd September 2022.
Deadline for online (remote) bursaries 12pm BST 28th September.
Alumni
ScreenSkills and Wildscreen Mentorship Scheme 2021
The ScreenSkills and Wildscreen Mentorship Scheme 2021 connected 22 individuals with passionate mentors at the heart of the natural world storytelling community. Supported by ScreenSkills as part of the BFI Future Film Skills programme using funds from the National Lottery, our pilot scheme helped emerging talent to upskill and gain industry insight; nurturing and empowering people passionate about pursuing a career in Natural History Film and TV.
‘I feel incredibly privileged to have landed a position on the scheme!’
Cornelia Lee – 2021 Mentee
‘The support offered by Wildscreen was invaluable. The programme helped develop many skills and my understanding of the industry
Josh Raper – 2021 Mentee
‘I really valued the time spent with my mentor as I was able to discuss projects and get feedback from them. It was also a great opportunity to ask lots of questions’
Alice Whitehouse – 2021 Mentee
‘The training sessions with the rest of the group were well structured, with clear learning objectives and opportunities to network with one another.’
Rose Summers – 2021 Mentee
‘It had been my dream to work in wildlife since I started out in TV, and this experience made me certain of that goal. My main passion is camera work and being on location, so I am keen to work on further wildlife productions in shooting roles.’
Valentina Tschismarov – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘The scheme really has been incredibly valuable and has given me lots of confidence in moving forward with my career. Time management, planning and self reflection are a few skills that I have been able to work on and improve during the scheme.’
Sam Kite – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘I was thrilled to get onto the ScreenSkills and Wildscreen Emerging Talent Mentorship Scheme! My mentor is a very accomplished industry professional and I have learnt tonnes of valuable information from him already! I believe this will be a very positive step in my wildlife career progression.’
Paul David Scott – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
Malka wanted to pursue her career by focusing more on the natural world by volunteering for the Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB, this included getting her hands dirty planting trees, hedge laying and outdoor education, this lead to Malka making films for NGO’s and charities.
Malka Holmes – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘Dedicating my spare time in the field and being accepted as a mentee is allowing me to start making useful and meaningful connections so that I can take my technical skills and passion into the wild!’
Natalie Clements – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘[Through the ScreenSkills and Wildscreen Emerging Talent Mentorship Scheme] I am more aware of how to approach networking.’
Mitoshka Alkova – Wildscreen Mentee, 2021
Increased opportunities for all unrepresented groups of people in this field will elevate the industry with fresh perspectives and programmes like this mentorship scheme are an amazing way to do that. Thanks for having me on board Wildscreen!’
Libby Penman – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘Having the opportunity to take part in the program is exciting; I have had many ideas floating about, but with the guidance of my mentor, they are coming to fruition.’
Kamara Venner – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘I’m grateful to Wildscreen for giving me this opportunity; I lack the professional networks to help build a career in wildlife audio so this is a great chance for me to connect with experts who can offer advice on my work.’
Jake Lee-Savage – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘Television and film production is a powerful tool for raising awareness and instigating change. Using bold and unique stories showcasing just how incredible the wildlife that inhabits our planet is, I hope to inspire people to protect and love wildlife as much as I do.’
George Cawdron – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘As a queer, disabled woman, I got into this industry to tell the stories that matter, to be a voice for the underrepresented, and to create works of art that project an authentic voice.’
Ellie Hilton – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘I am very fortunate to have been selected onto the programme and have a mentor that guides me in the right direction when it comes to which companies to approach, how to present myself and other advice to progress my career.’
Eleanor Higgs – Wildscreen Mentee, 2021
‘I found working with my mentor to be most beneficial as we were well matched and he was able to give me plenty of guidance on what to improve, from my CV and showreel to practical filming advice.’
Eleanor Hamilton – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
‘I believe that if we bring together individuals from different backgrounds, we can combine our unique skills and perspectives to collectively amplify the stories we tell onscreen.’
Andrea Vale – Wildscreen Mentee 2021
Emerging Talent Newsletter
To be the first to hear about opportunities, schemes, networking events and free webinars for new talent sign up to our Emerging Talent newsletter.
