Wildscreen Festival is the biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers – the annual festival is taking place 14-18 October. The celebration, which takes place in Bristol and online, unites filmmakers, storytellers, and conservationists to champion the protection of our planet through impactful storytelling.
Silverback Films is proud to participate, celebrating our commitment to telling stories about the natural world that not only inspire, but that also make a difference.
Jeff Wilson, Series Producer and Director at Silverback Films and the Chair of the Festival Advisory Board said:
“Wildscreen 2024 comes at a crucial time in our industry’s history – one in which the commissioning landscape is changing rapidly forcing the genre to innovate and adapt. This year’s festival is designed to bring industry leaders and creatives together to celebrate our achievements, to motivate our community towards this new world, and most importantly to reconnect with a community whose power has always lain in the strength of our relationships and collective love of the natural world. Silverback is so proud to be at the centre of all of those ambitions, and above all, we are excited to welcome all of our international friends to Bristol. It’s going to be a Wildscreen to remember!”
Silverback Films is participating in the following:
SPECIAL SCREENING
‘BILLY & MOLLY: AN OTTER LOVE STORY’ + Q & A. Sunday 13th October, 19:45 – 21:15 – Bristol Megascreen
Speakers: Jeff Wilson & Charlie Hamilton James
A special screening of our Nat Geo feature Billy & Molly – a heart-warming story of love between a wild otter and a man set in the remote Scottish islands of Shetland. The screening. Featuring a Q&A with Silverback’s Jeff Wilson, Producer, and Director Charlie Hamilton James.
HEADLINER
IN CONVERSATION WITH: CHARLOTTE MOORE. Monday. 14th October, 12:00 – 13:00 Attenborough Auditorium.
Hosted by: Alastair Fothergill
Speakers: Charlotte Moore
Silverback Films Co-founder and Director Alastair Fothergill hosts a frank conversation with BBC Chief Content Officer and long-time fan of natural history Charlotte Moore about the BBC’s Natural History legacy, the evolution of the genre, its current output and her vision for the future of natural history on the BBC.
MASTERCLASS.
THE ART OF PUTTING WORDS TO PICTURE: SCRIPTWRITING IN THE EDIT. Monday 14th October, 15:30 – 16:30 – Parsons Theatre
Speakers: Jeff Wilson & Polly Billam
Join this scriptwriting masterclass and learn how you can bring the narrative to life through your choice of words. To build emotion, connection, laughter and knowledge, find out how with Silverback’s Jeff Wilson and Polly Billam
MASTERCLASS
ANATOMY OF LIFE ON OUR PLANET. Tuesday October 15th, 12:00-13:00 – Bristol Megascreen
Hosted by: Naida Albright
Speakers: Dan Tapster, Sophie Lanfear, Barny Revill & Jonathan Privett
Our ground-breaking Netflix series Life on Our Planet, described by The New Yorker as “the most ambitious nature documentary ever made,” blends epic modern wildlife scenes with world-class VFX of ancient creatures to tell the greatest story – the story of life. The Silverback team Dan Tapster, Sophie Lanfear, and Barny Revill, along with Jonathan Privett from Industrial Light & Magic, will reveal the anatomy of this groundbreaking production and share insights into the six years of work that brought it to life.
MASTERCLASS
CINEMATOGRAPHY MASTERS: DRONES. Wednesday 16th October, 15:30 – 16:30 – Parsons Theatre
Hosted by: Patrick Evans
Speakers: Darren Clementson, Abi Thomas & Anthony Njuguna
Explore the world of drone cinematography with Silverback’s Tech & Drone Manager Darren Clementon alongside others. This masterclass delves into the unique skills and techniques that make drones an essential tool for capturing stunning, cinematic aerial views, transforming how stories are told from above.
HEADLINER
ADDRESSING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: AN INDUSTRY IN FLUX. Thursday 17th October, 10:30-11:30 – Attenborough Audiotorium
Hosted by: Clive Whittingham
Speakers: Vanessa Berlowitz, Keith Scholey & Walter Koehler
There is a cold wind blowing through our industry affecting large numbers of our community – what does that mean for the future of the wildlife and environmental genre? Are there lessons from the past that can help inform the future, or are we in a brand-new world? Silverback Films Co-founder and Director Keith Scholey joins other production company founders and experienced filmmakers to discuss what would they do, knowing what they know now, if they were in the mid-point of their career? And what does a good future look like to them?
SESSION
STORIES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD. Thursday 17th October, 17:00 – 18:00 Parsons Theatre
Hosted by Alex Bowmer
Speakers: Chris Howard & Carolina Fernandes
Explore the power of impact storytelling through the lens of experienced filmmakers – Silverback’s Chris Howard, and Carolina Fernandes. Hear how different creators approach storytelling with purpose, highlighting successful case studies that demonstrate its importance in driving change. This session offers a deep dive into the ways impactful narratives can resonate with audiences and make a lasting difference in the production process, and the communities, habitats and species they portray.
SOCIAL
TALENT SPEED NETWORKING: TAKING THE NEXT STEP. Friday 18th October, 10:30 – 13:00 BBC Natural History Unit (RSVP only)
Wildscreen is inviting early and mid-career Assistant Producers, Edit Assistants, Production Coordinators and Researchers to sit down one to one with Talent Managers, Producers and Executives to discuss progression and upcoming opportunities in the Natural History Storytelling industry. Our team will be joining this networking event to chat with talent and share advice.
Panda Award nominations
The Wildscreen Panda Awards celebrate the very best in the natural world storytelling craft and are one of the highest honours in the international wildlife film and TV industry. They recognise that natural history has never been more important as we face the greatest environmental crisis of our time.
This year, Silverback Films has received 6 nominations for outstanding achievements across five productions:
- Wild Isles: Ocean for ‘Cinematography’
- Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story for ‘Cinematography’, ‘Producer / Director’ and ‘Scripted Narrative’
- Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey for ‘On-screen Talent’
- Save Our Wild Isles for ‘Sustainability’
Our work, and industry, takes global audiences to the world’s most remote, inhospitable and threatened environments, shining a spotlight on species and habitats that most people will never have the opportunity to experience. The Panda Awards celebrates the human endeavour and unique skill that it takes to connect nature’s stories with global audiences.
A huge congratulations to the incredible individuals behind these productions, and to all those nominated. The winners will be announced at the Panda Awards Ceremony on 17th October 2024, which take place alongside the Wildscreen Festival.