Wildscreen PANDA AWARDS 2025

Celebrating the Best in Natural World Storytelling.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Panda Awards are now annual, with submissions now open for 2025!

Key Dates: 

 

Since 1982

The globally acclaimed Panda Awards, the ‘Green Oscars’ of the international wildlife film and TV industry, have sat at the heart of the Wildscreen Festival since 1982. They celebrate the very best in the natural world storytelling craft, and remain the highest honour in the industry.

This year’s competition comprised of 17 categories and three special awards, including the coveted Golden Panda for the best overall production.

The 2025 competition also introduces 3 new awards including the Short Panda Award for productions less than 20 minutes in length; the Independent Film Award recognising productions that have had less input from major production studios and have a budget under £1.5 million; and the In-Country Production Panda Award recognising productions made on location in-country with at least 50 percent of the production team being in-country nationals

  • Behaviour
  • Children's Award
  • Cinematography
  • Editing
  • Emerging Talent
  • Field Craft (Special Recognition)
  • Impact
  • *NEW In-Country Production
  • *NEW Independent Film
  • Music
  • On-Screen Talent
  • Producer / Director
  • Production Management Team
  • Scripted Narrative
  • Series
  • Sound
  • *NEW Short
  • Sustainability

Submitting Your Film

Submtting your film for consideration in Wildscreen’s 2025 Panda Awards has never been simpler.  

Now accepting submissions exclusively through Filmfreeway, our Earlybird submission discount window opens January 23rd, and will remain open till February 25th. 

Submissions will of course stay open after this date, though at a slightly higher price, until our final Late deadline closes on May 13th. So what are you waiting for? Get those submissions in! 

Rules & Guidelines for 2025 submitters are listed on our Filmfreeway page.

Reasons To Enter

The world renowned ‘Green Oscars’ of the natural history industry recognise the very best in the craft of wildlife filmmaking and photography, selected by juries of industry experts across the globe.

Each category will receive 3 shortlisted nominations, who receive a certificate and laurel. The winning production will be announced at the Panda Awards Ceremony during Wildscreen Festival. Each winner will receive a bronze panda statue, winner certificate and laurel.

All submissions to the Panda Awards are in the running for the coveted Golden Panda Award given to the overall best production.

How To Enter

Before submitting your work, please review our competition Rules & Guidelines. All submissions can be made through our submissions portal on FilmFreeway.

Important Submission Dates

  • January 23rd – Earlybird Window Opens
  • February 25th – Regular Window Opens & Earlybird Window Shuts
  • April 17th – Late Window Opens & Regular Window Shuts
  • May 13th – Final deadline for entries
  • July 14th – Notification Date

Field Craft (Special Recognition)

This Field Craft (Special Recognition) award recognises the skill, craft and importance of local, in-country field crew within the natural history genre. Nominated and judged by industry peers, the award will celebrate an individual such as field guide, driver and local conservationist who has made a significant contribution to the industry spanning a number of years and productions.

This special recognition award seeks to celebrate those with specialist skills that do not always receive the recognition they deserve. The award is entirely free and there is no cost involved in making a nomination.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals must be nominated by an industry peer in order to be considered for this award.
• The nominated individual must have worked on a minimum of three productions.
• We actively encourage nominees who’s specialist skill does not always appear in production credits.

2024 Awards

With 300+ submissions from 37 countries, find out more about our previous winners as well as the outstanding productions nominated for the 2024 Panda Awards.