NATURE MEDIA EXCHANGE ~
NATURE MEDIA EXCHANGE ~
A new alliance for climate & storytelling
Jackson Wild and Hollywood Climate Summit are joining forces for a special industry event, the Nature Media Exchange, a landmark gathering of storytellers across film, television, gaming, emerging media, and beyond, united by a shared purpose: telling stories for the natural world. Expect breakthrough conversations and big ideas inspired by today's media landscape, combined with opportunities to build connections with the commissioners, filmmakers, and changemakers shaping the future of our field.
Monday, November 9 brings thought-provoking panels, interactive roundtables, and social events. Hear from all storytelling formats, meet with commissioners, and explore new and creative distribution opportunities.
Tuesday, November 10 dives in deeper with craft discussions, workshops and premiere screenings, building to the joint Jackson Wild Media Awards and Hollywood Climate Summit Awards Gala, where finalists will be celebrated and winners will be announced.
NATURE MEDIA EXCHANGE SCHEDULE
More sessions and speakers to be announced
DAY 1 - NOVEMBER 9 -
DAY 1 - NOVEMBER 9 -
🎙️ HUMAN NATURE
Sponsored by Disney Conservation Fund
10:00-11:00 AM | Solotech Studio A
This panel brings together filmmakers, podcasters, and storytellers whose stories ask the question: what happens when human and animal worlds collide? Our everyday mundane choices might accumulate into consequences that reshape ecosystems. The conversation will dig into the tension at the center of these stories: humans and nature aren't separate systems in conflict; we're entangled. Panelists will talk about what it takes to film these tensions honestly, without flattening them into simple villains or victims, and what they've learned about what it looks like to thrive alongside nature rather than at its expense.
Speakers:
Daniel Chong, Hoppers
Amy Martin, Threshold Podcast
Alex WIlliamson, The Wild Ones
James Reed, A Gorilla Story & My Octopus Teacher
🎙️ The Next Generation of Nature Lovers
Stories Helping Kids And Family Audiences Build a Love for the Environment
SPONSORED BY MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE
11:30AM-12:30PM | Solotech Studio A
In a world where screens are often the easiest babysitter, this conversation asks what it looks like for on-screen stories to point kids back outside, to root for play, curiosity, and unstructured time in nature. The conversation will explore how these stories help move a child from "I know about this" to "I am someone who protects this," and what responsibility comes with being a kid's first introduction to a topic as big as climate change.
Speakers announced so far:
Dorien Davies, Jim Henson Company, Wowsabout + Roxy, Puppet from Wowsabout
Chris Raby - Producer, This is A Gardening Show
Sal Perez - Executive Producer and Vice President, Sesame Street Productions
🎙️ Attend the LIVE EARTH ALLIANCE Impact Pitch!
Sponsored by Earth Alliance
1:30-2:15PM | Kodak Theater
Filmmakers from finalist projects Derek vs Derek, To Hold a Mountain and The Last Place on Earth will take the stage to vie for $30,000 in funding for an impact campaign tied to their film. Presented in partnership with Earth Alliance, the Impact Pitch supports films that spotlight irreplaceable wild places, threatened species, and the communities working to protect them.
🎙️ Pushing Boundaries: Connecting With New Audiences + Advocates
2:15-3:15PM | Solotech Studio A
What happens when nature storytelling breaks its own rules? Nature stories often follow an unwritten playbook: a certain tone, a certain pace, a certain reverence. We’re looking to creators who are pushing the boundaries of format, genre, and style. From comedy sketches and video games to scripted drama and social posts, genre-bending creators share what they gained by creating beyond standard conventions, and why the unexpected nature story might reach someone the expected one never could. Projects to be announced soon.
Speakers announced so far:
Nicole Conlan, Climate Town
Max Romey, Creator
🎥 WORLD PREMIERE:
WILD HOLLYWOOD
3:15PM | KODAK Theater
Presented by ORF Universum
Forget the red carpet: in Hollywood's hidden wilderness, the real stars have wings, fangs, or four legs – and stories to rival any blockbuster. From mountain lions that roam the urban jungle and coyotes that haunt the shadows to the spectacular marine wildlife off the coast, Wild Hollywood reveals a breathtaking world most people never see. Amid the glitz and glamour, the wild fights for its survival – in tales of drama, resilience, and unexpected beauty. Discover the untamed side of the City of Angels, where nature delivers its own unforgettable Hollywood moments.
A UNIVERSUM co-production by ORF and Ranfilm with ARTE, NDR/Doclights and ORF Enterprise.
🎙️ KEYNOTE: THE OCEAN IN FOCUS
5PM | Solotech Studio A
Across culture and media, the ocean is a source of mythic adventure, spiritual wonder, and existential mystery. This session brings together leading writers and directors of ocean stories to explore how our relationship with the marine world is shaped by what we have access to, from a visit to an aquarium to a breathtaking nature documentary; exposure to these magical worlds through the portals of story shapes our understanding of how intertwined our fate is with the ocean's health and the cultures that care for it.
Speakers:
Dana Ledoux Miller - Writer, Moana 2
Louie Psihoyos - Documentarian, The Cove
Ian Urbina - Rhapsody on the Outlaw Ocean
Olivia Newman, Director, Remarkably Bright Creatures
🥂 SPARK OF SCIENCE RECEPTION
Sponsored by HHMI TANGLED BANK STUDIOS
6PM | Kodak Theater Lobby
Kick off the Nature Media Exchange at Spark of Science, an opening-night reception hosted by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, where filmmakers, scientists and storytellers gather over drinks and dinner to ignite new ideas and collaborations.
DAY 2 - NOVEMBER 10 -
DAY 2 - NOVEMBER 10 -
🎥 craft-focused sessions, one-on-one meetings and premiere screenings
10AM-4PM | Kodak Theater
Day two of the Nature Media Exchange goes deeper, shifting from big-picture conversation to the work itself. Craft discussions bring together filmmakers, composers and storytellers of various mediums to share their process. Throughout the day, one-on-one meetings connect creators directly with commissioners, funders, and partners, giving projects the focused time they need to move forward. The day culminates in premiere screenings that offer an early look at new work shaping the future of nature and climate storytelling, and a chance to celebrate it together on the big screen.
15 Minutes With
9:00 - 11:45 AM | Kodak Theater
Get an opportunity to hear from industry leaders with the latest news from their team. These rapid 15 minute presentations could feature new breaking mandates, programming vision for the new year, or a sneak peek of upcoming projects. Come hear what everyone is up to and get your questions answered.
Leaders announced so far:
Love Nature
Nature/WNET
Couch Foundation
1:1s with CommissionerS
12 - 1:30 PM | Kodak Theater
These ten-minute sessions give you dedicated time with broadcasters, funders, producers, and creative leaders. Bring a project, a question, or just your curiosity. Whether you want feedback, advice, or a new connection, the time is yours.
Leaders announced so far:
Love Nature
PBS Digital
Sound, Score, Story
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Through clips and behind-the-scenes examples, this session explores the creative choices behind some of today’s most striking uses of music and sound. Together, we’ll ask how what we hear affects us as humans, and how storytellers can use music and sound more boldly to move, immerse, and engage audiences.
Sven Faulconer - Composer, Hanging By A Wire, The Elephant Whisperers
Jonny Crew - Sound Designer, How to Live on Earth, Lion, & Prehistoric Planet
Andres Landau - Editor, Nuisance Bear
AWARDS GALA
6PM | Solotech Studio A
The Nature Media Exchange culminates in an unforgettable evening as the Jackson Wild Media Awards and the Hollywood Climate Summit Awards come together for the first-ever joint Awards Gala. Join us as we celebrate this year’s finalists and reveal the winners, honoring the very best in nature and climate storytelling across film, series, social media, branded content, and beyond.
Settle in for a dinner intermission, raise a glass with friends new and old, and share in the creativity of the filmmakers, creators, and changemakers shaping how the world sees our planet. Bringing two communities together under one roof, this is a celebration of storytelling across genres like never before. Don’t miss this magical night.
Dress Code: Eco-Chic Formal
Arriving early? Join us the weekend before Nature Media Exchange for these free community screenings!
🎥 US PREMIERE:
A DAY ON EARTH
SATURDAY NOV 7, 2:30-4:30PM
Co-Presented with If Not Us Then Who?
@ Autry Museum of the American West
Join us Saturday, November 7, ahead of the Nature Media Exchange for the U.S. premiere of A Day on Earth, introduced by Bill Pullman and followed by a conversation with the filmmakers. The screening is presented in partnership with the free Sacred Path x The Autry Pow Wow (10 AM to 8 PM, Grand Entry at 1 PM) in Griffith Park, so bring a picnic and make a day of it! Free registration is required to attend.
🎥 WILD FESTIVAL:
OCEANS
SUNDAY NOV 8, 4:30-7PM
Co-Presented with Aquarium of the Pacific
@ Honda Pacific Visions Theater
Join us the evening before the Nature Media Exchange kicks off for a special screening of Between Breaths by Florian Ledoux, WASA WASA: Beyond the Reef’s Edge a National Geographic’s Pristine Seas Film and Before the Forest Falls - World Premiere by Chris Stanford at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Films will be followed by Q&A with filmmakers. Admission is free, but RSVP required.
Passes
Programming-Only Pass
Monday & Tuesday, November 9-10, 2026
Location: Solotech | Price: $250
Your programming pass includes:
All programming Monday & Tuesday
Light meals
On-demand Finalist screening room & session recordings.
Attendee list
Reminder: This ticket does NOT include access to the Awards Gala.
*Awards Gala-only tickets have sold out
VIRTUAL full PASS
Price: $75
Your pass includes:
Online on-demand Finalist screening room for 3 months
On-demand recordings of sessions and keynotes
Livestreamed Awards Ceremony (November 10 at 6pm PT)
VIRTUAL Awards ticket
Price: $25
Your ticket includes access to the livestreamed Awards Ceremony (November 10 at 6pm PT)
For any questions or changes to your registration, please email vicky@jacksonwild.org
SOLD OUT!
Full Event Pass
Monday & Tuesday, November 9-10, 2026
Location: Solotech | Price: $450
Your full pass includes:
All programming Monday & Tuesday
A ticket to Tuesday evening’s Awards Gala
Light meals
On-demand Finalist screening room & session recordings.
Attendee list
What to expect
Thought-provoking keynotes and panel discussions
Interactive roundtables and networking opportunities
Explore and learn about new and creative distribution opportunities
Social and networking events
Premieres and film screenings
Featured events
Programming is generally 9am-5pm Monday & Tuesday, in addition to these special evening events:
Monday evening adds to a day of innovation and ideas with a science themed soiree, allowing for a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new potential collaborators.
Tuesday evening culminates in the joint Jackson Wild Media Awards and Hollywood Climate Summit Awards Gala, where finalists will be celebrated and winners will be announced.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
FAQ
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Anyone using storytelling to drive environmental or social change — from broadcasters to independent filmmakers, scientists, TikTok creators, and impact producers.
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Absolutely. The Nature Media Exchange is about the power of story in all its forms. We need scientists, thought-leaders, changemakers, and innovators all in attendance. You’ll find your people here.
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Yes! We will offer structured roundtable discussions, netwroking events, and spaces designed for meaningful connection.
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The Nature Media Exchange will break down silos between genre and formats. It’s where storytellers from every background connect and build toward impact, and where emerging talent can explore opportunities to engage and grow their skills and professional networks.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteer applications for this event have closed.
Check out our Volunteer page to get more information.
LA LODGING
Visit our Lodging page to get more information on nearby options to our venue, and secure rooms with our exclusive lodging partner discounts. Space is extremely limited, so book as soon as possible.
Policies
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If canceled before October 15, you receive your money back minus a $25 administration fee.
After October 15, in the case where a registrant cannot attend for any reason, you may:Option 1: Transfer your in-person pass (with a $25 administration fee) to a colleague
Option 2: Donate the value of your pass toward underwriting one of this year's scholarships
After October 15, you may not cancel your in-person pass for a refund.
If you cannot attend for a COVID-19 related reason (a positive COVID-19 test), then you will be refunded (with the exception of a $25 administration fee).
Please note that if a registrant does not show up to the event and does not formally cancel their registration, no refund will be issued.
Force Majeure: Delegates acknowledge that Jackson Wild shall not be liable for any cancellation, rescheduling, or modification of the event arising from unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, or governmental restrictions. -
We strive to make every Jackson Wild event and platform a safe, innovative and creative space for all. We ask that everyone in the Jackson Wild community at large contributes to creating a safe and welcoming environment by agreeing to:
Be kind, respectful and inclusive to community members of every race, ethnicity, religion, age, ability, physical appearance, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, nationality, language spoken, and immigration or socio-economic status.
Communicate with intention. JW does not condone unwanted verbal or physical contact, including offensive or derogatory jokes or sexual advances.
Respect boundaries and personal space. JW does not tolerate harassment, aggression, intimidation or bullying of any kind whether physical, verbal or written.
Engage in active listening and respectful debate. We ask you to refrain from interruptions, both in personal conversations and in public sessions.
By joining any Jackson Wild event, program, or platform, you are agreeing to uphold these behavioral expectations.