Looking back on Wildscreen Festival 2024
“Last week over 2,000+ storytellers from over 60+ countries joined us for Wildscreen Festival 2024. The biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers in the world. And what a week it was.”
“Last week over 2,000+ storytellers from over 60+ countries joined us for Wildscreen Festival 2024. The biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers in the world. And what a week it was.”
Wildscreen has revealed the 9 projects from wildlife and environmental filmmakers around the world to be pitched at Wildscreen Festival 2024 next week.
WildPhotos is a one-day photography symposium, packed with talks from the world’s top wildlife and conservation photographers, taking place at the Bristol Aquarium on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Wildscreen has revealed the 9 projects from wildlife and environmental filmmakers around the world to be pitched at Wildscreen Festival 2024 next week.
Wild Pitch gives nine filmmakers, from anywhere around the globe, the opportunity to pitch their nature-focussed film ideas to a panel of commissioners along with the chance to win cash prizes totalling $24,000. The live pitch jury includes Sabine Holzer, Charlie Parsons, Sara Edelson and Sarah Willingham.
This year’s competition is hosted by filmmaker, presenter and 2022 WildPitch winner Libby Penman.
Wild Pitch was introduced as part of the 40th anniversary edition of the Wildscreen Festival back in 2022 to enable anyone with a story to tell about the natural world to have the opportunity to pitch in front of the world’s key wildlife film and TV decision makers and win a cash prize to bring their project to life.
Over 70 pitches were entered into the competition by filmmakers around the world, entering into three categories; Animal Behaviour, Human Nature and Conservation & Environment. The nine selected projects are:
Echoes of Eden – Siddharth Ganesh
In the wild heart of Eastern India, an extraordinary dance unfolds between apex predators in a landscape forged through volcanic and seismic activities several billion years ago. This mystical realm offers a canvas where survival appears bleak, yet life thrives. This landscape is a regent for natural corridors and spaces. But the inhabitants face an unusual threat – the spectre of migrating tigers from the nearby Tiger Reserve threatens the balance of this unique ecosystem.
American Lion – Lia Nydes
American Lion is the first blue chip natural history film ever produced about Mountain Lions in the United States. The movie follows two lioness mothers overcoming incredible hardships to raise their kittens to adulthood and showcases the opportunities to better conserve Mountain Lions and their habitat.
The Right Whale – Cheryl Dean & Nick Dean
The Right Whale takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from sub-Antarctic calving grounds to urban oceans in the north. With groundbreaking new behavior, intimate glimpses into their social lives, and a heart-stopping rescue, The Right Whale sees our world through their eyes, and tells of peril and hope.
Lifecycle – Matt Maran
Lifecycle is a gentle tale that reflects on humanity’s perceived mastery over nature. Set over four seasons in London’s historic Highgate Cemetery and the nearby Whittington housing estate, the film intertwines two narratives featuring both human and non-human characters, exploring their interconnectedness and the cycles of life.
Arctic Blue – Ismaele Tortella & Anita Norfolk
Ismaele is in the Arctic wilderness to become a renowned wildlife cinematographer. Inspired by the people and wildlife that thrive in these extremes, he turns the camera on himself and confronts his stutter for the first time. Arctic Blue explores his evolving relationship with his dreams and his own voice.
Follow the Journey – Liz Watham & Ken Wentworth
Embark on the epic migration of seven endangered North Atlantic right whale mothers and their calves from Florida to Canada. Narrated by Ted Danson, this documentary captures humanity’s evolving relationship with these iconic whales and the urgent race by conservationists to save them from extinction.
Seed – Andres Sehinkman
Seed, a tiny, unidentified sprout born in a greenhouse, wants to discover what type of plant he is. To do so, he uproots himself from his pot and ventures deep into the jungle. However, the path to the world’s most endangered forest can be as wonderful as it is dangerous.
Super Corals – Shireen Rahimi
How will coral reefs survive climate change? “Super corals” in the northern Red Sea may hold the answer. This documentary follows two coral guardians as they document Florida’s dying reefs and uncover the mysteries of these remarkably resilient Red Sea corals, inspiring hope and action for global coral conservation.
Seahorse School – Harriet Spark
After devastating storms, a group of researchers embarks on a mission to rescue a critically endangered seahorse species in one of the world’s busiest cities while navigating the challenges of fatherhood.
The nine finalists’ projects will be pitched as part of Wildscreen Festival 2024 which brings together the world’s leading natural world film and TV industry. The event takes place in Bristol, UK and online from 14 – 18 October 2024, with WildPitch taking place on the 16th October.
Wild Pitch is supported by National Geographic.
Find out more about Wildscreen Festival 2024 here.