JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Geneva/Jackson Hole, WY /New York, 3 March 2022. - Jackson Wild™ has announced the 2022 winners for the World Wildlife Day Film Showcase, which features films that align with this year’s World Wildlife Day Theme: Recovering Key Species for Ecosystem Restoration. The showcase was organized by the Jackson Wild, The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“As we live in a world that has become increasingly isolated over the past two years, powerful stories can connect us with each other, as well as ignite the spirit of sustainability and conservation in new audiences,” said Lisa Samford, Executive Director of Jackson Wild. “Our hope is that these stories demonstrate that despite the immense challenges we face, there are ongoing efforts and successful models to look to, as communities work to build a sustainable, conservation-driven future.”
“In 2022, we must finally dispel the false dichotomy that there is a ‘zero-sum game’ of wildlife versus livelihoods; or protecting ecosystems versus the economy, “ said Midori Paxton, Head of Biodiversity and Ecosystems, UNDP. “This year's World Wildlife Day theme, and this showcase of powerful films, is an opportunity to reinforce the message that we must invest in the protection and restoration of ecosystems as part of effective solutions to respond to closely linked crises of poverty, global health, biodiversity loss, and the changing climate."
“At its best, film has the ability to provoke our emotions and move us to action,” says CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero, “In these captivating films, each of our winners has shown they can do that in the service of conservation. I congratulate them and urge them to keep working to meet our shared goals of ecosystem restoration.”
Finalist films are available to screen for free until May 15th in the hopes of continuing to spread the message that species restoration is essential to human’s social and economic well-being, in addition to the planet’s environmental health.
World Wildlife Day 2022 Film Showcase Winners:
The Web of Life (Long Form) Sponsored by: HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
The Otter, A Legend Returns
Hilco Jansma Productions, EO (Evangelische Omroep), In cooperation with Ispida Wildlife Productions
The Web of Life (Short Form) Sponsored by: HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
The Common Ground
Conor Ferris, National Film and Television School
Stories of Hope (Long Form) Sponsored by: Terra Mater Factual Studios
Endangered
The Natural History Unit BBC Studios and A Very Good Production for Discovery+
Stories of Hope (Short Form) Sponsored by: Terra Mater Factual Studios
Mexico City and its Sacred Salamanders
bioGraphic, Katie Garrett
Species in Crisis (Long Form) Sponsored by: Discovery
Sea of Shadows
Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with Appian Way, Malaika Pictures, The
Wild Lens Collective for National Geographic Documentary Films
Species in Crisis (Short Form) Sponsored by: Discovery
Last Wild Places: Majete
National Geographic Society Impact Media Lab
People & Threatened Species (Long Form) Sponsored by: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
The Witness is a Whale
A co-production of Spindrift Images, Terra Mater Factual Studios and Mark
Fletcher Productions
People & Threatened Species (Short Form) Sponsored by: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Wild Innovators: Beyond the Boma
Wild Elements Studios
Micro Movie Sponsored by: Burgenland
The Turtleman
Jigar Ganatra, African School Of Storytelling
Wake Up & Smell the Flowers
Yaz Ellis
About CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 183 Parties (182 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 38,000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
About Jackson Wild
For almost 30 years, the Jackson Wild Summit has grown a reputation for hosting extraordinary convenings science, nature and conservation media stakeholders. The World Wildlife Day Film Showcase brings together stakeholders from all over the world to focus on a single global theme. Jackson Wild’s international board members include: ARTE France, BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media / Love Nature, Borealés, Conservation International, Discovery, Doclights, FujiFilm Optical Devices - Fujinon Lenses, Gorongosa Restoration Project, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, National Geographic Partners, National Geographic Society, Nature/WNET, Netflix, Off the Fence Productions, ORF/Universum, PBS, Saint Thomas Productions, San Diego Zoo, Seeker, Smithsonian Channel, Sony Electronics, SVT - Swedish Television, The Nature Conservancy, Terra Mater Factual Studios, Vulcan Productions, Wanda Films, WGBH, and World Wildlife Fund US.
About the United Nations World Wildlife Day
On 20 December 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The date is the day of the signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. World Wildlife Day has quickly become the most prominent global annual event dedicated to wildlife. It is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the various challenges faced by these species. The day also reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.