Media today deepens understanding of the world around us, inspires commitment to protect and restore the natural systems upon which all life depends and empowers the radical changes that will be required to do so. Nature film’s equivalent to the Oscars®, the Jackson Wild Media Awards™ celebrate excellence and innovation in nature, science and conservation storytelling.
2020 Awards Categories
Content Categories
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Awarded to the program that most effectively explores animal behavior in a new, fresh, imaginative or illuminating way.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: LoveNature
Short Form, under 15 minutes
Awarded to the program that most effectively explores animal behavior in a new, fresh, imaginative or illuminating way.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: LoveNature
Short Form, under 15 minutes
ECOSYSTEM
Awarded to the program that most effectively explores a unique habitat and its wildlife.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: Wanda Natura
Short Form, under 15 minutes
Awarded to the program that most effectively explores a unique habitat and its wildlife.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: Wanda Natura
Short Form, under 15 minutes
EARTH & SKY
Sponsored by: ARTE France
Awarded to the film that best explores the science of planet earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy and Meteorology.
Long Form, over 15 minutes
Sponsored by: ARTE France
Awarded to the film that best explores the science of planet earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy and Meteorology.
Long Form, over 15 minutes
CONSERVATION
Awarded to the program that most effectively relates conservation issues and/or solutions and the individuals, groups or projects dedicated to the protection of a species, ecosystem or some other aspect of the natural world.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: Doclights
Short Form, under 15 minutes
Awarded to the program that most effectively relates conservation issues and/or solutions and the individuals, groups or projects dedicated to the protection of a species, ecosystem or some other aspect of the natural world.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: Doclights
Short Form, under 15 minutes
PEOPLE & NATURE
Awarded to the program that most effectively explores the interdependent relationship between humans and animals or the environment.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: Vulcan Productions
Short Form, under 15 minutes Sponsored by: World Wildlife Fund
Awarded to the program that most effectively explores the interdependent relationship between humans and animals or the environment.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: Vulcan Productions
Short Form, under 15 minutes Sponsored by: World Wildlife Fund
CHANGING PLANET
Awarded for the best examination of our changing planet, including human impact, the environment, sustainability and climate change.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: PBS
Short Form, under 15 minutes
Awarded for the best examination of our changing planet, including human impact, the environment, sustainability and climate change.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by: PBS
Short Form, under 15 minutes
SCIENCE IN NATURE
Awarded to the program that most effectively incorporates science, the scientific method and scientific discovery into an understanding of some aspect of the natural world.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by Marco Polo Film AG
Short Form, under 15 minutes
Awarded to the program that most effectively incorporates science, the scientific method and scientific discovery into an understanding of some aspect of the natural world.
Long Form, over 15 minutes - Sponsored by Marco Polo Film AG
Short Form, under 15 minutes
Program Categories
IMPACT CAMPAIGN
Sponsored by: HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
An impact campaign extends beyond the screen, to inspire measurable on-the-ground change. Entrants must submit an essay and other support materials to outline the impact campaign. Effects of the impact campaign must be demonstrated after June 1st, 2019 but media may have been completed and released previously. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
Sponsored by: HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
An impact campaign extends beyond the screen, to inspire measurable on-the-ground change. Entrants must submit an essay and other support materials to outline the impact campaign. Effects of the impact campaign must be demonstrated after June 1st, 2019 but media may have been completed and released previously. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
NON-BROADCAST
Sponsored by: Saint Thomas Productions
Awarded to the film not broadcast and not commercially distributed that most successfully educates its audience on some aspect of the natural world. This includes projects created by government agencies, NGOs, universities and other institutions.
Sponsored by: Saint Thomas Productions
Awarded to the film not broadcast and not commercially distributed that most successfully educates its audience on some aspect of the natural world. This includes projects created by government agencies, NGOs, universities and other institutions.
LIMITED SERIES - LONG FORM
Awarded to the mini-series with episodes longer than 15 minutes in length, that most effectively advances a natural history theme. Individual episodes may be entered into other categories. Submit two episodes that best represent the series. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
Awarded to the mini-series with episodes longer than 15 minutes in length, that most effectively advances a natural history theme. Individual episodes may be entered into other categories. Submit two episodes that best represent the series. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
LIMITED SERIES - SHORT FORM
Awarded to the mini-series with episodes shorter than 15 minutes in length, that most effectively advances a natural history theme. Individual episodes may be entered into other categories. Submit three episodes that best represent the series. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
Awarded to the mini-series with episodes shorter than 15 minutes in length, that most effectively advances a natural history theme. Individual episodes may be entered into other categories. Submit three episodes that best represent the series. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
ENGAGING YOUTH & FAMILY
Awarded to the program that most effectively inspires an appreciation of the natural world to young people and families.
Awarded to the program that most effectively inspires an appreciation of the natural world to young people and families.
PRESENTER-LED
Awarded to the program that makes the most effective use of a host or presenter in communicating an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
Awarded to the program that makes the most effective use of a host or presenter in communicating an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
MICRO-MOVIE
Sponsored by: Seeker
Awarded to the most effective and compelling project under five minutes in length (including PSAs, music videos, and campaigns), that best advances an appreciation or understanding of the natural world.
Sponsored by: Seeker
Awarded to the most effective and compelling project under five minutes in length (including PSAs, music videos, and campaigns), that best advances an appreciation or understanding of the natural world.
FEATURE
Sponsored by: Terra Mater Factual Studios
Awarded to the film created for commercial distribution that best advances an appreciation or understanding of the natural world. This category includes films distributed in theaters and feature length films.
Sponsored by: Terra Mater Factual Studios
Awarded to the film created for commercial distribution that best advances an appreciation or understanding of the natural world. This category includes films distributed in theaters and feature length films.
EMERGING FILMMAKER
Presented in recognition of the best program produced by either a first-time filmmaker in the field of natural history production, or a student currently enrolled or no more than 2 years out of an academic program. Entrants must submit documentation to support their eligibility. Click here for special entry requirements for this category.
Presented in recognition of the best program produced by either a first-time filmmaker in the field of natural history production, or a student currently enrolled or no more than 2 years out of an academic program. Entrants must submit documentation to support their eligibility. Click here for special entry requirements for this category.
360° STORYTELLING
Awarded to the best natural history program created for the immersive platform of 360° Video and Virtual Reality. Entries must submit files compatible with most common headsets. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
Awarded to the best natural history program created for the immersive platform of 360° Video and Virtual Reality. Entries must submit files compatible with most common headsets. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
GLOBAL VOICES
In an effort to recognize local stories told by local voices, this category will accept films produced by individuals or production teams based Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America, Oceania and indigenous communities around the world. Films in all languages will be accepted, but foreign language entries must have English subtitles.
In an effort to recognize local stories told by local voices, this category will accept films produced by individuals or production teams based Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America, Oceania and indigenous communities around the world. Films in all languages will be accepted, but foreign language entries must have English subtitles.
Craft Categories
AUDIOSCAPE
Sponsored by: Television Academy Sound Peer Group
Awarded for the combined contribution of sound editing, production mixing and post-production mixing that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
Sponsored by: Television Academy Sound Peer Group
Awarded for the combined contribution of sound editing, production mixing and post-production mixing that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Sponsored by: Fujifilm and Fujinon Lenses
Awarded for the cinematography that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part.
Sponsored by: Fujifilm and Fujinon Lenses
Awarded for the cinematography that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part.
EDITING
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part.
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part.
ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE
Awarded for the original musical score that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part.
Awarded for the original musical score that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part.
WRITING
Awarded for the writing that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part through the union of imagery, storyline, dialog and narration. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
Awarded for the writing that most enhances the natural history program of which it is a part through the union of imagery, storyline, dialog and narration. Click Here for special entry requirements for this category.
