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A record-breaking number of entries are vying for the international ‘wildlife Oscars’, which take place in Bristol later this year as part of the city's Wildscreen Festival.
Nearly 500 films have been submitted for the Wildscreen Panda Awards which celebrate the very best in natural history film-making from around the world. This year entries have been received from more countries than ever before and for the first-time submissions have arrived from countries such as Egypt, Honduras, Madagascar, Mexico, Bermuda, Slovakia and Zambia.
Richard Edwards, CEO of Wildscreen – the charity behind Wildscreen Festival and the Panda Awards – said: “We are thrilled with the number of entries to this year’s awards and we look forward to welcoming the world’s most innovative and creative wildlife filmmakers to Bristol, once again, this year. Bristol is a world-renowned centre of excellence for natural history film-making with many of the world’s best wildlife films and filmmakers coming from the city. It is the natural home for Wildscreen and the Panda Awards and we look forward to welcoming delegates to the city later in the year. ”
Among the sortlisted films is Elephant Whisperer (pictured below), which follows Sangduen Chailert, or Lek, as she continues her mission to save the elephants of her native Thailand
The awards ceremony is at The Passenger Shed, Brunel’s Old Station, Temple Meads, on October 18, rounding off this year’s Wildscreen Festival, which takes place between October 14 and 19. Held in Bristol since 1982, the festival is internationally acknowledged as the most prestigious and influential event in the wildlife and environmental filmmaking calendar.
Highlights this year include ‘This is what we want, what we really, really want,’ giving delegates a chance to meet key decision makers and learn what’s hot in the industry; ‘Wildscreen’s Got Talent’ – Festival attendees battle it out for the chance to become the next big thing in wildlife TV presenting; and 3D Now! exploring the cutting edge of 3D production.
Early Bird tickets and day passes for the 2012 festival are now on sale and available from www.wildscreenfestival.org Film screenings and events will also be happening around the city as part of a fringe festival.
