Film / News
Wildscreen 2016 takes shape
Billed as the world’s biggest celebration of natural history storytelling, Wildscreen returns to Bristol next month. Underlining the city’s reputation as ‘Green Hollywood’, the biennial festival is expected to attract 850 delegates from more than 40 countries for a packed programme of screenings, workshops, talks, debates and masterclasses running from Monday 10 to Friday 14 October. In addition to industry events, there are also plenty of public screenings of the world’s best new natural history films, the centrepiece being the Wildscreen Panda Awards ceremony – aka the Green Oscars – at the Colston Hall on Thursday 13 October. This year’s hosts are TV presenters Steve Backshall and Liz Bonnin.
The programme is still being finalised, but with full delegate passes costing an eye-watering £495 (plus VAT) there’s some good news for local young aspiring natural history filmmakers. This year, Wildscreen is launching three Roar Talent Bursaries, one of which is open only to those aged 18-25 with a Bristol postcode. Successful applicants bag free passes to Wildscreen 2016, plus an industry mentor, tickets to the Panda Awards ceremony, help with expenses and their pick of training, screening and networking events. But you’ll need to hurry. The closing date for applications is Friday 9 September. Go here for eligibility details and an application form.
Another new addition to the festival is a whole day devoted to still photography on Friday 14 October. The public highlight of this is a rare opportunity for British audiences to hear the renowned US photojournalist, field biologist, filmmaker and National Geographic magazine favourite Tim Laman talk about the intimate and unique pictures of rainforest wildlife, including orangutans and birds-of-paradise, he has captured during 30 years of exploring the rainforest canopy. Titled Rainforest Exposures, this takes place at St. George’s. Tickets go on sale here on Monday 5 September.
All photographs used here are copyright Tim Laman
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