Wildscreen Festival

The Wildscreen Festival first took place in Bristol in 1982. Since then, every two years, Bristol plays host to hundreds of international delegates from the wildlife media industry. People attend the Festival to learn about latest industry developments, as well as to compete in the prestigious Wildscreen Panda Awards. Delegates are drawn to the Festival by a week-long programme of screenings, debates, keynote lectures, workshops, masterclasses and networking events. In addition, the Wildscreen Festival is a crucial marketplace, where films are bought and sold, where new commissions and contracts are awarded, and where fresh ideas and skills are traded.

Wildscreen is well known for its thought-provoking content and speakers. The week’s talks and debates tackle a range of issues, with the content being driven by the predominant themes in the industry. Many hundreds of films from around the world are entered into the Wildscreen Panda Awards, honoring outstanding achievements in the craft of natural world storytelling. They recognise the unique craft of wildlife filmmaking and photography and celebrate the very best that the industry is producing. 

2024 Panda Awards deadlines:

January 23rd – Earlybird Window Opens
February 23rd – Regular Window Opens & Earlybird Window Shuts
April 12th – Late Window Opens & Regular Window Shuts
May 10th – Final deadline for entries

The 2024 Wildscreen Festival, October 14-18, offers both hybrid and virtual options. 

Hybrid Pass
Join us for the world’s biggest gathering of Natural World Storytellers, this pass includes:

• Headline talks from industry, storytelling and conservation thought-leaders.
• Industry panel sessions.
• Meet the Commissioner sessions.
• Expert Masterclasses.
• Films screenings, including premieres and Director Q&As.
• Official networking hub, kit show and parties.
• 2 Nights of exclusive Networking Drinks
• Invitation to the Wildscreen Festival party night.
• Access to the Panda Award and Official Selection online film library.
• Online Festival platform for 3 months , including on-demand session viewing post-Festival.
• Small fee to carbon balance event attendance.

Virtual Pass
You don’t need to join us in-person in Bristol to experience Wildscreen Festival! This pass includes:

• Access to live streams of: headline talks, panel sessions, masterclasses on Festival Week.
• Online networking hub and kit show.
• Online Festival platform access for 3 months, including on-demand session viewing post-Festival.
• Small fee to carbon balance event attendance.