Wildscreen Industry Summit

20 – 22 October 2025

Be at the forefront of the evolution of natural world content.

Wildscreen Industry Summit, which took place 20-22 October 2025,  brought together the natural world storytelling community to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a world in flux.

Hybrid Event // 20-22 October

Our new summit came at critical moment in the widlife film, TV and content industry’s evolution. It gathered leading producers, distributors, commissioners and cutting-edge innovators in the natural history genres content capital of the world. The event was fully hybrid and featured talks, panels, networking opportunities, 1-1 meetings and more both in person in Bristol, UK and online via our exclusive Wildscreen Industry Summit platform.

Our Aims -

 

• Convene the natural history community together  to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a world in flux.

• Gathering together industry leaders including producers, distributors, commissioners and cutting-edge innovators.

Push the boundaries of the craft and the business that underpins it.

 

Our Programme

The Summit programme reflected the evolving landscape of the industry and spotlighted the key issues shaping its future, with sessions exploring: 

  • The Impact of AI on Storytelling – The debate continued… how can we all remain accountable for the uses of AI in our productions. To generate or not to generate, that is the question… (Session sponsored by Terra Mater Studios.) 
  • Community-Driven Storytelling – Redressing power dynamics and supporting communities to tell their own stories authentically and ethically. (Session sponsored by Synchronicity Earth.)
  • Brand-Supported Filmmaking We heard from brands and filmmakers that are making brand-funded content, driven by story without tricking you into buying the latest trend or new drop. 
  • A-Lister Influence – A-listers are becoming common place on the natural history scene, lending their voices, names, tone and influence. What’s driving the trend – commissioners, audiences or storytelling? And what’s the value? 
  • Monetising Archive – What if the money maker was already in your back pocket? We explored how you can make the most of repurposing yours or someone else’s archive to diversify income streams.

The Wildscreen Industry Summit programme builds on 3 key elements:

Future-Focused Talks

Insights from commissioners, distributors, and producers on emerging trends and industry shifts.

Curated Networking

Dedicated 1-1 meetings, pitching sessions, and career development opportunities. 

Practical Workshops

Hands-on skills-development sessions covering key skills such as editing, filming, and storytelling techniques. 

Speakers

Introducing the outstanding speakers at Wildscreen Industry Summit, all with important stories to be heard!

Abraham Joffe | Director & Producer | Untitled Film Works
Vanessa Berlowitz | Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer | Wildstar Films
Izzie Clarke | Executive Producer | Fresh Air
Jack Bootle | Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning | BBC
Walter Köhler | CEO | Terra Mater Studios
Victoria Noble | Head of Unscripted | AMV Stream
Tom McDonald | EVP Global Factual & Unscripted | National Geographic
Dan O'Neill | Biologist, wildlife filmmaker & explorer
Clive Whittingham | News Editor | C21 Media
Thu Tue Bui Minh | Project Assistant - Marine | Fauna & Flora
Lucas Machado Rodrigues | Video Commicator | Curicaca
Eva zu Beck | Adventure Youtuber & Filmmaker
Chris Scarffe | Director | Chris Scarffe Film & Photography Ltd
Grant Mansfield | CEO | Plimsoll Productions
Fran Laurie | Global Marketing Manager SHEBA | Mars Petcare
Alex Ranken | Creative Director - Wildlife | Plimsoll Productions
Keith Ochwat | Founder | Show&Tell Films
Michael Strogoff | Manager & Founder | Madagascar Fim & Photography
Abdel Mandili | Film Director and Founder | People’s Planet Project
Liz Bonnin | Wildlife Biologist and Science, Natural History and Environmental Broadcaster
Janet Han Vissering | SVP of Development and Production | National Geographic
Hans Ngoteya | Director & Cinematographer | Ngoteya Wild
Ged Mansfield | Creative Director, Development & Digital | Plimsoll Productions
Jeff Wilson | Series Producer | Silverback Films
Sreya Biswas | Director of Programmes | BBC Natural History Unit
Steve Trent | CEO & Co-Founder | Environmental Justice Foundation
Jonnie Hughes | Co-Founder & Director | Open Planet Studios
Hiro Iwasaki | Executive Producer | NHK Enterprises
Jörn Röver | CEO | Doclights GmbH
Emily Renshaw-Smith | Managing Director | Open Planet Studios
Brittany Ziegler | Digital Media Content Creation | DiveDiveLive
Dani Rayner | Broadcaster & Marketer
Eva Higginbotham | Senior Producer | Fresh Air
Tom Watt-Smith | Lead Commissioning Editor | BBC Natural History Unit
Lizzie Daly | Wildlife Biologist, Filmmaker, Presenter and Explorer
Sarah Roberts | Environmental Journalist, Presenter, Author and Adventurer
Gemme Greene | Head of Development and Co-Productions | Breakout Productions
Simon Wood | Director Of Sales | Getty Images
Faith Musembi | Producer Director | BBC NHU
Bo Stehmeier | CEO | Off the Fence
Gaby Bastyra | Producer | Passion Planet
Martin Dohrn | Director | Ammonite Studios
David Allen | MD | Passion Planet
Bo Stehmeier | CEO | Off the Fence

Programme suggestion box

We would love to hear from you! Alongside our fantastic Summit Advisory Board, we are welcoming suggestions from our creative audience for content that you would like to see and experience at our event.

Please complete this short form here to share your programme content ideas! 

Book your pass today and join us for a packed three-day programme full of headline speakers, panel sessions and networking, plus access to the Wildscreen Panda Awards 2025 film library. Prices include VAT.

Any questions? Check out our Festival FAQs or contact us at [email protected]. Full Terms & Conditions can be found here.

What's Included?

Full Hybrid Pass

Join us in Bristol or Online for a full three-day programme that will speak to navigating the evolving landscape of our indsutry and natural world storytelling. This pass includes:

  • Full Access to Wildscreen Industry Summit (20 – 22 October 2025)
  • Future-Focused Talks
  • Curated Networking Opportunities
  • Kit Show
  • Practical Workshops
  • Access to Panda Awards Film Library 2025 and recorded summit talks for 3 months

Panda Awards

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.

We’re thrilled to be supported by Warner Chappell Production Music as Headline Sponsor for our 2025 Panda Awards.

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

Check out the 2025 Panda Award Winners below!

Panda Awards After Party

Panda Awards After Party tickets are now available to purchase! Follow the button below to secure your spot, to celebrate our newly announced winners. 

The party takes place in the Bristol Harbour Hotel after the Panda Awards Ceremony and access to the party is from 22:00.

1-1 Meetings

New for 2025, we brought a range of exclusive 1-1 meeting opportunities to the Wildscreen Industry Summit on 22 October.

These 1-1 sessions, were held at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, and were designed to help delegates directly connect in order to grow and elevate their career in natural world storytelling.

Mentorship

Our event wide mentorship programme is at the heart of Wildscreen Industry Summit. Each carefully matched mentoring pair had the unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas and guidance during a 30-minute session.

The Wildscreen Industry Summit Mentorship Scheme is kindly sponsored by Fremantle. 

Emerging Talent Bursaries

The Wildscreen Industry Summit Bursary Scheme aimed to nurture talent in the Wildlife Film and TV industry by providing fully and part-funded access to the Wildscreen Industry Summit 2025. 

Accommodation & Travel

We’ve got some advice and deals for you to help you save some pennies on your travel and accommodation in Bristol for the Wildscreen Industry Summit!

 

Travel

You can recieve up to 50% off your train travel to Bristol by using the GWR Conference booking tool. Only available from certain UK train stations across the country. Click the button below to see if your nearest train station is eligible for the discount. 

  • When selecting your destination, choose “Bristol”. This will assign you a ticket to Bristol Temple Meads which is only a 15 minute walk from the venue. 

Once booked, contact [email protected] to request a conference letter to confirm your attendance.

Accommodation

We have some exclusive discounts with hotels in Bristol City Centre, close to the Summit venue, so you can save money on your stay. 

Once you’ve secured your ticket for the event, contact us on [email protected] to access these exclusive hotel discounts.

Volunteering

Volunteering applications now open for Wildscreen Industry Summit! 
 
We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic and committed individuals to join the Wildscreen team to help to deliver the event. 
 

As a Wildscreen Industry Summit volunteer, you’ll gain hands-on event experience, develop news skills and meet people working in natural world storytelling. 

As a thank you for volunteering, you will receive:

  • A letter of reference
  • A free ticket to the alternative day of the Summit that they are not volunteering on.
  • A Wildscreen Industry Summit branded t-shirt 
  • In-person volunteers will receive 1 meal per shift (Day Shift) 
Deadline to apply: [INSERT DATE]
 

Meet our Industry Summit Advisory Board

Our summit is curated by representatives from the global natural history film and TV industry, conservation organisations and wildlife storytellers.

Summit Information

Wildscreen Industry Summit will be held over 3 days, from 20 – 22 October 2025.

If your circumstances change, up to 30 days before the event you can:

  • Transfer your pass to another person. An admin fee of £20 +VAT will apply
  • Defer your pass to a future Wildscreen event. An admin fee of £20 +VAT will apply.

Requests to transfer or defer your must be made in writing to [email protected] by the 19 September 2025. Such requests shall be approved or denied by Wildscreen in its sole discretion. 

We regret that we cannot offer refunds expect in the case of Wildscreen cancelling the event. Transfers can only be requested on purchased tickets less than 30 days before the event.

No, tickets must be purchased in advance due to health and safety and materials provisions.

We are not selling the single day passes for Wildscreen Industry Summit. Due to this being a smaller event than the Wildscreen Festival we are limited on capacity and are expecting a sell-out event.

During the standard ticket pricing period, a special concession rate will be available at a massive 50% discount from the full pass price, to welcome an even wider audience to our Summit.

You are eligible for this rate if you fall under one of these categories:

· Under 25 years old

· Student in full-time education

· 65 years old or over

· Unemployed (for UK delegates, this is available only to those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance)

· People that identify as disabled.

· Residents of LDC countries (a full list be found here)

Please be prepared to provide proof of eligibility if requested such as academic ID or photo ID. If you are unsure, please email the team at [email protected].

Once purchased or booked, tickets cannot be refunded or returned unless the event / screening is cancelled, moved to another date.

Everyone is welcome at Wildscreen Industry Summit. Our team is striving to make sure our event is as accessible and inclusive as possible. More information to follow.

Volunteers will be selected from the 2025 Wildscreen Volunteer Pool.

To apply for the 2026 Pool keep an eye on our socials in early 2026 to be the first to know when applications open.

All Wildscreen event attendees must adhere to the Wildscreen's Event Code of Conduct and Event Policies. Please see here

Unauthorised entry our events is not only unfair on delegates who have purchased passes it also compromises the health and safety of the event. Unauthorised access will also negatively impact future ticket costs and our ability to keep our events as accessible as possible.

Any person seeking to gain or provide entry to a Wildscreen event without a valid ticket will be considered to be a trespasser and will be denied entry to or ejected from the venue and liable to legal action.

Tickets cannot be resold or used by any other person. If we have reason to believe that tickets have been re-sold, or shared they will be invalidated, and the holder will be refused admission.

Wildscreen reserves the right to revoke passes due to any unauthorised use or breach of our Event Code of Conduct.

You should be aware that you may be photographed or filmed at times throughout the event and the recordings may be distributed.

Visitors must be aged 18 or over to attend Wildscreen Events. We reserve the right to seek confirmation of age if we consider it necessary and you agree to provide such proof of identity and age as we consider reasonably necessary from time to time.

Registration includes important Delegate Updates which we will send you via email as well as subscription to our year-round e-news. Delegate updates contain vital information about accessing the Summit. Should you not wish to receive this information, or our year-round e-news, please click on unsubscribe at the bottom of the last email received. We will never share your email or personal details with anyone else without your consent.

We will always respect your privacy and any personal communication between you and ourselves.

If you can't find the answer on our FAQ, don’t hesitate to ask us.

With thanks to our sponsors...

Sponsors:

Panda Award Headline Sponsor:

Official Travel Partner:

Media Partners: