Wildscreen PANDA AWARDS 2026

For the production that best reveals insights into the behaviour of, or the interactions between, animals and / or plants. Please note: Behaviour must be the main focus of the film.

This award is kindly sponsored by ORF

Nominations will be judged by a panel of children under the age of 16. The production does not have to have been specifically created for young audiences. A specialist jury of between five to ten children and young people experts will judge this category. Entries may be films, or come from one off programmes or a series – although only one episode from a series may be submitted.

For outstanding achievement in cinematography. No more than 10% of the production should be comprised of archive footage.

For the best digital-first natural world content. Recognising the opportunity for innovation in storytelling and audience growth and diversification in creating original natural world content for social video. Eligibility The content should have been developed specifically for digital-first platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or other digital-native formats. Entries may be a one-off piece of content or part of a series or channel and is open to content creators, channels, brands or production studios. The content should not be a re-edit, repackage or reversion of content originally made for traditional broadcast platforms. No more than 10% of the content should be comprised of archive footage.

For outstanding achievement in editing.

In recognition of an individual or team demonstrating exceptional new talent in natural world storytelling and creative and visual flair in constructing their film. Entrants must have not been employed in natural history production for more than 4 years. Productions made as part of a university or college course are eligible for this category.

For the best overall production that most effectively communicates an issue affecting the natural world and is intended to deliver, or has already delivered, tangible impacts as a result. Impacts may include: behaviour change, audience reach, policy change, and fundraising. Entrants are required to submit a brief narrative (maximum 500 words) outlining the tangible impacts and outcomes of the production. This should include qualitative and quantitative information.

Given to the most outstanding production shot on location in-country. To be eligible, at least 50% of the production team should be in-country nationals.

For the best independent film with a budget of under £1.5m. Preference will be given to productions that have received less input from major production studios, or who have achieved an exemplary production even with a much smaller budget.

This award is kindly sponsored by Wounded Buffalo Sound Studios. 

For outstanding achievement in the composition and use of original music. A production will be eligible if more than 50% of its music is original composition created specifically for it. Please upload a cue sheet as a supporting document on your FilmFreeway project. Your submission will not be complete until a cue sheet is obtained.

In recognition of outstanding talent in front of the camera.

For outstanding achievement in producing and/or directing a single production. Each submission must highlight a specific episode if entering as part of a series.

For outstanding achievement in teamwork spanning across the production management team to create an exceptional final production. Each submission must highlight a specific episode if entering as part of a series. Entrants are required to submit a brief supporting statement (maximum 500 words) outlining the size of the production management team, budget, complexity of the production and how they collaboratively managed the project and overcame challenges to deliver the editorial ambition. This award focuses on Production Management Team roles spanning Head of Production, Production Manager, Production Executives, Line Producer, Production Coordinator, Production Accountant and Production Management Assistants. Entries should demonstrate excellence in financial, logistical and personnel management.

This award is kindly sponsored by Boomerang Carnets Media.

For outstanding achievements in scriptwriting. Please upload an English script as a supporting document on your FilmFreeway project. Your submission will not be complete until an English script is received.

For outstanding achievement in a series about the natural world. Entries must have a unified narrative, approach and/or theme with a finite number of episodes and include a minimum of three episodes. The series does not need to have been broadcast on television to be eligible. Entrants must nominate one episode from the series on the submission form and make the whole series available for viewing by the Jury by a service such as Vimeo or Dropbox (private viewing links are permitted). If Productions wish to nominate a different episode from the same series for another award category, this alternative episode must be entered into those categories as its own project. A synopsis of the complete series must also be provided, including the overarching aims of the series.

For the best short production under 20 mins including credits. Digital content is also suitable and encouraged.

For outstanding achievement in the overall use of sound.

For the best implementation of sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of a production. Entrants are required to answer specific Sustainability Award Criteria questions on the next page of this submission portal, outlining their actions at every stage of production to reduce their environmental impact. Filmmakers can share carbon action reports and certifications as part of this submission but they are not required. Documents must be uploaded to the FilmFreeway project.