Jackson Wild's Special Jury Awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate exceptional talent and projects that push the boundaries of storytelling to further our industry. Awards may be given out for sustainability, innovation in impact, creativity in engaging audiences and diversity in storytelling and production.
Jackson Wild welcomes nominations and self-nominations for both individuals and media. There are no entry fees to nominate individuals or film projects. Awards may be given at the discretion of the Preliminary and Final Jury.
Jackson Wild welcomes nominations and self-nominations for both individuals and media. There are no entry fees to nominate individuals or film projects. Awards may be given at the discretion of the Preliminary and Final Jury.
2023 Special Jury Awards
Legacy Award
Jackson Wild’s Legacy Award in Media recognizes visionaries who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in delivering world class content. Nominees can be innovative filmmakers, producers, or thought leaders who have embraced using the power of media to shine a spotlight on species and the environment to protect our planet. Their work should demonstrate a career dedicated to content surrounding conservation and environmental impact. Nominations should be made by someone personally familiar with the nominee and their work and impact.
Jackson Wild’s Legacy Award in Media recognizes visionaries who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in delivering world class content. Nominees can be innovative filmmakers, producers, or thought leaders who have embraced using the power of media to shine a spotlight on species and the environment to protect our planet. Their work should demonstrate a career dedicated to content surrounding conservation and environmental impact. Nominations should be made by someone personally familiar with the nominee and their work and impact.
Rising Star Award
Jackson Wild’s Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader in nature, conservation and science media 35 years or younger in age. This award reflects ongoing and exceptional contribution to our planet while demonstrating leadership and innovation that promises extended impact in the future.
Jackson Wild’s Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader in nature, conservation and science media 35 years or younger in age. This award reflects ongoing and exceptional contribution to our planet while demonstrating leadership and innovation that promises extended impact in the future.
Grand Prismatic
This recognition honors storytellers who are committed to accelerating representation of their communities in wildlife, conservation and/or science through a unique, cultural or underrepresented perspective in relation to gender identity, ability, people of color, Indigenous/Native, and LGBTQIA+. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions.
This recognition honors storytellers who are committed to accelerating representation of their communities in wildlife, conservation and/or science through a unique, cultural or underrepresented perspective in relation to gender identity, ability, people of color, Indigenous/Native, and LGBTQIA+. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions.
Impact Campaign
Jackson Wild recognizes innovative approaches to active impact campaigns that extend conservation beyond the screen to inspire measurable on-the-ground change through education, policy change and engagement and outreach. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions. Impact campaigns must have been active between June 2022 and June 2023 in order to be eligible.
Jackson Wild recognizes innovative approaches to active impact campaigns that extend conservation beyond the screen to inspire measurable on-the-ground change through education, policy change and engagement and outreach. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions. Impact campaigns must have been active between June 2022 and June 2023 in order to be eligible.
Innovation in Green Production
For implementation of sustainable best practices to reduce the environmental impact through the entire lifecycle of a production. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions. Production must have been completed after June 1, 2022.
For implementation of sustainable best practices to reduce the environmental impact through the entire lifecycle of a production. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions. Production must have been completed after June 1, 2022.
Breakthrough Film
For outstanding achievement in nature related filmmaking in the face of adversity or limitations. Prioritizing films that are non-commissioned and not currently in commercial distribution, judging will be based on ingenuity, imagination, passion, and overall quality of the work. There is no fee for entry but along with the film, entrants must submit an essay (500 words or less) detailing the experiences confronted during the creation of the film including but not limited to: budgetary restraints, traditional, political, or cultural barriers, physical, technological and regional limitations. etc. Production must have been completed after June 1, 2022.
For outstanding achievement in nature related filmmaking in the face of adversity or limitations. Prioritizing films that are non-commissioned and not currently in commercial distribution, judging will be based on ingenuity, imagination, passion, and overall quality of the work. There is no fee for entry but along with the film, entrants must submit an essay (500 words or less) detailing the experiences confronted during the creation of the film including but not limited to: budgetary restraints, traditional, political, or cultural barriers, physical, technological and regional limitations. etc. Production must have been completed after June 1, 2022.
Engaging Platforms
This recognition honors content that best integrates the interactive potential of digital media and technology that engage awareness and understanding of the natural world, including but not limited to apps, games, social media content, podcasts, extended reality, mobile and web-based experiences. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions. Any nature related new media projects completed or actively updated after June 1st, 2022 is eligible to enter
This recognition honors content that best integrates the interactive potential of digital media and technology that engage awareness and understanding of the natural world, including but not limited to apps, games, social media content, podcasts, extended reality, mobile and web-based experiences. The jury has the discretion to name one or more recognitions. Any nature related new media projects completed or actively updated after June 1st, 2022 is eligible to enter
- VR, AR, 360
- Social Media Content (TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, etc)
- Podcasts
- Games (via desktop, phone app, gaming console, etc.)
- Other forms of engaging media experiences welcome
