Panda Award categories

Animal Behaviour Award

This award is for the production providing the best insight into the behaviour of a particular group of animals or the interactions between different animals. Ideally films will reveal either information new to science, behaviour never before filmed or which throws light on the inter-relationships between species. Animal behaviour needs to be the main focus of the film.

Campaign Award

For the best production, not commissioned by a broadcaster, that covers an environmental campaign. This can include films which have been broadcast BUT the editorial control must be with the campaigning organisation/NGO not the broadcaster. Other areas which can be included are public service announcements, TV or cinema adverts or multi platform campaigns. This category can also include campaigning films which illustrate the wider issues as long as environmental concerns are covered - e.g. covering species loss in a film on sustainable development. Films should be a maximum of 20 minutes in length.

This category is subject to a reduced entry fee.

UWE Children’s Choice Award

For the best natural history or environmental film for children aged 13 or under. This award will be judged by a panel of children. Entries need not have been made specifically for this age group.

Panasonic Cinematography Award

For the production with the most outstanding camerawork.

Earth Sciences Award

For the best programme that provides a broader view of the Earth and the systems it supports. It can embrace (for example): geology, oceanography, climatology and climate change, volcanology, ecology or botany.

Best Editing Award

For the programme with the best editing.

Natural History Museum Environment Award

Presented for the programme that best highlights an issue concerning the environment, conservation or sustainable development, and illustrates the need to protect the natural world.

Parthenon Entertainment Award for Innovation

Imaginative new approaches and/or techniques are the subject of this award and the judges will be looking for highly creative approaches to programme making. This may or may not include new ways for storytelling, animation, computer-generated images and/or visual effects.

Best Music Award

This award is given for the best use of specially composed music in a programme.

ARKive New Media Award

An award will be given to the project that best explores the interactive potential of digital technology or non-traditional distribution methods to raise awareness and understanding of the natural world. This can include: forms of web presence such as websites, social media, internet TV and user generated content; alternative distribution platforms such as mobile technology, podcasts and video on demand services.

*BBC Newcomer Award

For the most original completed or part completed programme by a genuine newcomer to filmmaking. Although the filmmaker may have worked previously within the industry, this should be the first film for which they hold creative control. If your film has not yet been completed, your entry should clearly demonstrate your ideas and intentions for the completed production and should be accompanied by the script and/or a two-page treatment.

*Additional Information Required: Include with your entry form: biographical details, relevant experience, a clear summary of your personal creative input to the shape and feel of the programme, any assistance you have received from other people together with an outline budget. Up to five newcomers will be short-listed by early June. If you are a finalist, you will be expected to attend the Festival, when you will have 30 minutes to expand on your ideas to a panel of industry leaders. The winner will be selected by the panel and announced at the Award Ceremony and will receive a special trophy. A bursary may be available to assist Newcomer finalists to attend.

This category is subject to a reduced entry fee.

As well being given a special trophy the winner will also receive mentoring or a work experience placement with the BBC NHU in Bristol.

Animal Planet International People & Animals Award

For the production that best explores the social, cultural, economic, or spiritual relationship between humans and animals – be it mutually beneficial or not.

*Popular Broadcast Programme

For the best popular programme with mass appeal and excellence in popular programming. High ratings are seen as more important than a high budget. International audience appeal is not a requirement.

*Please supply appropriate evidence of ratings and/or audience share with your entry.

Presenter-led Award

Awarded to the programme that best uses a presenter to advance an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.

Best Script Award

For the production with the best script.

*Best Series Award

For the Best Series (between 3 and 13 programmes) on a clear natural history or environmental theme.

*Competitors must enter two episodes for judging but must make the whole series available so as to give the judges a proper overview. The Additional Information section of the entry form must be completed to explain the aims of the series. Competitors must pay for each entered episode in this category and descriptions of both will be included in the Festival Directory. For this reason, separate entry forms for each episode must be completed and paid for.

Short Film Award   !NEW!

For the best short production e.g. news or magazine item, pod/vodcast or advertisement, on a clear natural history or environmental theme. Entries must be a maximum of 20 minutes in length

This category is subject to a reduced entry fee.

Films at 59 Sound Award

This award is presented to celebrate the most accomplished and/or imaginative use of sound in a programme. Judges will be looking for excellence in the composition and construction of the soundtrack from source material through to mixing. Whilst music may form an element of the overall soundtrack, the award is presented for the whole effect of the programme sound rather than just one element; there is a separate award for best use of specially composed music.

Theatrical Award

Awarded to the best programme produced specifically for the purpose of being theatrically released, e.g. for commercial cinema, IMAX etc.

* Wildscreen’s Award to promote filmmakers from developing countries

This award will go to the best film made by a filmmaker from a low or lower-middle income country (as designated by the World Bank - please refer to their official Country Classification List to check your eligibility for entering this Award Category), to encourage and promote filmmaking in these countries.

*Entrants must submit extra background information about the production, including the budget (quoted in equivalent £ sterling or US$), filming conditions, impact on the audience if known, the popularity of this kind of programming in your country and any difficulties in getting it made.

This category is subject to a reduced entry fee.

Winners of this Award will also receive financial support to pursue their ongoing filmmaking.

WWF Golden Panda Award

For the best overall film entry as chosen by the international Festival Jury. You cannot enter this category.

Christopher Parsons Award for Outstanding Achievement

This award is made by Wildscreen to an organisation or individual that has made a globally significant contribution to wildlife filmmaking, conservation and/or the public’s understanding of the environment.

The award is in memory of Christopher Parsons, Wildscreen's founder and trustee, former Head of the BBC Natural History Unit and executive producer of Life on Earth, a large format film producer, the creator of the holistic nature attraction Wildwalk at-Bristol and the visionary behind Wildscreen’s award winning initiative, ARKive. You cannot enter this category.