Wildscreen
Wildscreen is a Bristol-based conservation charity (founded 1982) that operates the world's largest natural world storytelling festival, the Panda Awards, and professional community platforms (NatureStory, Wildscreen Network) serving wildlife filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters, and conservationists globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Wildscreen does
Wildscreen is a UK-registered conservation charity (No. 299450) founded in 1982 and headquartered in Bristol, England, with wholly-owned subsidiary companies Wildscreen Trading Ltd and Wildscreen Network Ltd. It operates the world's largest international festival celebrating natural world storytelling, attracting over 2,000 delegates from more than 60 countries, alongside the Panda Awards — the industry's highest honours for wildlife film, television, and content (70 nominees across 18 categories in 2026). The charity serves wildlife filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters, conservationists, and emerging storytellers by convening the global natural world storytelling community through events, awards, and digital platforms.
The organization's core technology platforms include NatureStory (an online professional community with tiered Pro Membership), Wildscreen Network (a professional community platform from £60/year providing monthly webinars and networking events), and Wildscreen ARK (a youth education platform launched in 2024 as the successor to the offline Arkive archive, which once held multimedia fact-files for 16,000+ endangered species and 100,000+ images and videos). It also operates a hybrid event delivery system enabling in-person attendance alongside 3-month on-demand access via virtual passes on the Eventive platform, an image library (Wildscreen Exchange), and talent schemes in partnership with WWF-UK and ScreenSkills. Regional African editions have been held in Kenya (2023, 2026), Tanzania (2024), and Botswana (2025), with a Cape Town international hub supported by Save Our Seas Foundation.
Wildscreen's revenue is generated through a diversified mix: event ticket sales (Full Hybrid Pass at £510 plus VAT, Online Pass at £135 plus VAT, with concessional, NGO, freelancer, and group-booking discounts), recurring membership subscriptions (NatureStory Pro, Wildscreen Network from £60/year), corporate sponsorship from headline partners (BBC Studios Natural History Unit, National Geographic, Wildstar Foundation) and principal partners (Save Our Seas Foundation), charitable donations and matched-giving campaigns, and grant funding from foundations including Garfield Weston, Linbury Trust, Nisbet Trust, Creative Scotland, and WECA. The charity is an accredited Real Living Wage Employer, has ICO data controller registration, and has no venture capital or private equity backing.
Wildscreen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wildscreen
- Legal name
- Wildscreen
- Website
- https://wildscreen.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Wildscreen is a Bristol-based conservation charity (founded 1982) that operates the world's largest natural world storytelling festival, the Panda Awards, and professional community platforms (NatureStory, Wildscreen Network) serving wildlife filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters, and conservationists globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wildscreen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conservation media and events
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nature, Science & Wildlife Documentaries (MPADADAF), Conservation, Research & Volunteer Experiences (THAJAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Wildscreen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Wildscreen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Event Tickets and Passes: Revenue from Wildscreen Festival hybrid passes (in-person + online), online-only passes, concession pricing, NGO passes, group bookings, and individual event tickets for ceremonies, screenings, and workshops.
- NatureStory Membership: Pro Membership subscription for the natural world storytelling industry community providing exclusive networking, learning, development opportunities, and priority event access.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Headline sponsors (e.g., BBC Studios NHU, Wildstar Foundation, National Geographic), principal sponsors (e.g., Save Our Seas Foundation), category sponsors for Panda Awards, and travel partners (e.g., Clarity Entertainment & Media).
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations including the Big Give Earth Raise campaign (matching £5,000 to £10,000). Wildscreen is a registered charity (No. 299450) accepting donations.
- Wildscreen Network Membership: Professional community membership for wildlife film and TV professionals providing monthly webinars, networking events, and discounted festival access from £60/year.
- Talent Scheme Fees: Paid internship programs in partnership with WWF-UK, BBC Studios, and other organizations. Includes International Storytelling Internship Scheme providing 12 internships globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One-time | Full Hybrid Pass - Full access to in-person festival and online platform |
| Subscription | One-time | Concession Hybrid Pass - Reduced price for qualifying individuals |
| Subscription | One-time | Online Pass - Virtual festival access |
| Subscription | One-time | Concession Online Pass - Reduced virtual access |
| Subscription | One-time | NGO Passes - Discounted rates for nonprofits |
| Subscription | One-time | Freelancer/Small Business Pass - Discounted for independent professionals |
| Subscription | One-time | Group Bookings - Bulk discount for 10+ delegates |
| Subscription | Annual | NatureStory Pro Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Wildscreen Network Membership |
| Subscription | One-time | Wildscreen Festival Kenya Online Pass |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels12 records
Wildscreen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wildscreen is a conservation charity that convenes the natural world storytelling industry through the biennial Wildscreen Festival, the Panda Awards, regional African festivals, and supporting professional community platforms (NatureStory, Wildscreen Network, Wildscreen ARK). It delivers hybrid events, awards programmes, talent development schemes, and educational content that connect wildlife filmmakers, broadcasters, conservationists, and emerging storytellers across 60+ countries. Revenue is generated through event passes, membership subscriptions, corporate sponsorship, charitable donations, and grants.
Product overview
Wildscreen is a conservation charity operating a multi-product platform centred on natural world storytelling. Its core offerings include the biennial Wildscreen Festival (the world's largest global gathering of natural world storytellers) and the Panda Awards (the industry's highest honours). The platform spans film competitions (Official Selection, WildPitch), professional community (Wildscreen Network), youth education (Wildscreen ARK, Educational Resources), photography events (WildPhotos), talent development programmes (Internship Scheme, Mentorship Scheme), and grant funding (EDGE of Nature Short Film Fund). NatureStory serves as the online membership community tying together the professional and emerging talent ecosystem. The organization also maintains the legacy Arkive collection (offline since 2019) and hosts regional Festival editions across Africa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ARKive: Wildscreen's Arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the world's biggest encyclopaedia of life on Earth. Featured multi-media fact-files for more than 16,000 endangered species. Taken offline in February 2019.
- Wildscreen ARK
- NatureStory
Products and services
- Wildscreen Festival World's leading international festival celebrating and advancing natural world storytelling, bringing together wildlife filmmakers, conservationists, and academics from around the globe. Features film screenings, panel discussions, networking events, and the Panda Awards ceremony, with hybrid in-person and online access and 3-month on-demand content post-event.
- Panda Awards The highest honours in the international natural world storytelling film, TV and content industry, featuring 18 award categories including Behaviour, Cinematography, Editing, Music, Series, and the Golden Panda Award. 70 nominees announced for 2026 across 18 categories.
- Official Selection Programme Film competition programme designed to discover and honour bold, authentic and diverse stories about the natural world. Open to independents and first-time filmmakers with more relaxed entry criteria than Panda Awards. Selected films screened at festival with cash prizes up to £3,000.
- NatureStory Online community platform connecting natural world storytellers to develop and share their craft, access unique Wildscreen content, and network with professionals. Offers Pro Membership with learning and development opportunities and priority event access.
- Wildscreen Network World's biggest professional community for the wildlife film and TV genre. Provides monthly webinars, industry insights, networking events, and free/discounted exclusive invitations to members, with membership from £60/year.
- Wildscreen ARK Youth education and inspiration platform co-created with young people, educators, photographers, and filmmakers. Designed for young people to discover and grow their passion for nature and find ways to support it, featuring wildlife and conservation content.
- WildPhotos One-day nature photography symposium created in partnership with Wildlife Photographer of the Year, featuring world-class photographers sharing stories, craft and impact behind iconic wildlife photography.
- Science in Storytelling Annual hybrid event bringing together world-renowned scientists and filmmakers for a science communications summit featuring talks, panels, and networking.
- Wildscreen Industry Summit Three-day event designed to help the industry navigate challenges in wildlife storytelling, featuring workshops, panels, and networking opportunities.
- Wildscreen Festival Africa Regional edition of the Wildscreen Festival celebrating natural world storytelling in Africa. Editions have been held in Kenya (2023, 2026), Tanzania (2024), and Botswana (2025), with the Kenya 2026 online pass priced at £40/£20 concession.
- WildPitch Competition Live pitching competition showcasing emerging storytellers competing for funding, mentorship, and industry exposure. Features a $5,000 prize pot for African storytellers and panels of industry professional judges at Wildscreen Festival Kenya.
- EDGE of Nature: Short Film Fund Short film fund supporting and nurturing emerging natural world storytellers to create fresh approaches to engage GenZ audiences and spotlight EDGE species and habitats. Delivered in partnership with On the Edge.
- International Storytelling Internship Scheme Partnership with WWF providing paid internships for 12 individuals (6 UK-based, 6 internationally-based) aged 18-35, pursuing careers in natural world storytelling with mentoring and Wildscreen Network membership.
- Emerging Talent Mentorship Scheme Mentorship programme in partnership with ScreenSkills supporting emerging talent within the natural history filmmaking and storytelling industry.
- Wildscreen Exchange Image library within the Wildscreen community providing free educational resources and connecting people who care about protecting the natural world.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000 industry delegates from 60+ countries attend the annual festival
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Wildscreen
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wildscreen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Wildscreen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Wildstar FoundationflagshipHeadline Sponsor for Wildscreen Festival Kenya 2026. The foundation supports the event celebrating one of the most actively filmed parts of the natural world, bringing together African filmmakers and worldwide industry professionals.
- University of the West of England (UWE)coreMajor Sponsor for Wildscreen Festival Kenya 2026. Presents On-Screen Talent Panda Award. Assistant Vice-Chancellor Lynn Barlow serves on Wildscreen Board. Internship host through Storytelling Intern program.
- The Wilderness ProjectminorSponsor for WildPitch live pitching competition at Wildscreen Festival Kenya 2026, providing $5,000 prize pot for emerging African storytellers.
- The Fable FundminorSponsor for Wildscreen Festival Kenya 2026 supporting the festival celebrating African wildlife filmmaking talent.
- Wildlife Photographer of the YearcorePartner for WildPhotos annual nature photography symposium held at Natural History Museum, London. Jointly creates world-class photography event featuring award-winning photographers.
- On the EdgecorePartnership for EDGE of Nature: Short Film Fund supporting emerging natural world storytellers to create fresh storytelling approaches for GenZ audiences, spotlighting EDGE species and habitats.
- BBC Studios Natural History UnitflagshipHeadline Sponsor for Wildscreen Festival Botswana 2025 and past sponsor for Wildscreen Festival 2024 and Wildscreen Festival Nairobi 2023. Major Sponsor for Wildscreen Festival Kenya 2026. BBC Studios NHU Head Jonny Keeling serves on Wildscreen Board.
- Into FilmminorPartnership to launch 'Every Child a Filmmaker Project' supporting young creatives in Bristol with film-making education and resources.
- Botswana IgniteminorIn-country partner for Wildscreen Festival Botswana 2025, supporting local delivery and engagement in Maun, Botswana.
- Clarity Entertainment & MediaminorOfficial Travel Partner to Wildscreen providing business travel, meetings and event programmes for the organization.
- National GeographiccoreSponsor of International Talent Bursaries providing fully funded access to Wildscreen Festival for 4 international in-person and 20 online participants. Partner on Expanded Field Ready Program nurturing next generation of natural history storytellers. Top nomination recipient for Panda Awards.
- Save Our Seas FoundationcorePrincipal Sponsor of Wildscreen Festival 2022, the first marine-focused NGO to be a Principal Sponsor. Presents Panda Awards Impact category recognizing productions delivering tangible conservation impacts. Driving force behind Cape Town international hub.
- WWF-UKcorePartnership for International Storytelling Internship Scheme providing 12 paid internships (6 UK-based, 6 internationally-based) for 18-35 year olds. Scheme aims to tackle systematic barriers for underrepresented groups entering natural world storytelling and conservation industry.
- ScreenSkillsminorPartnership for ScreenSkills Natural History Mentorship Scheme providing career development opportunities in natural history filmmaking industry.
- New to Nature ProgrammeminorPartnership with Groundwork, The Prince's Trust, Disability Rights UK, and Mission Diverse providing green work placements to increase diversity in the environmental sector. Wildscreen selected for first wave.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Wildscreen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Terra Mater Studios: Vienna-based wildlife and natural history production and distribution company with strong Panda Awards presence. Comparable as a wildlife film production house participating in the Wildscreen ecosystem while operating its own content production and distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Silverback Films: Leading independent wildlife production company behind award-winning natural world content. Comparable as a primary participant and beneficiary of Wildscreen Panda Awards while operating at the production company tier rather than festival tier.
- Fremantle: Global media company with major documentary production capabilities. Mark Reynolds (Global Head of Documentaries at Fremantle) sits on Wildscreen's Board, making Fremantle a strategic adjacency as both sponsor ecosystem participant and content commissioning peer.
- National Geographic Society: Global nonprofit committed to exploration, science, and conservation storytelling. Much larger incumbent in the same conservation storytelling space; serves as both sponsor (Panda Awards, talent bursaries) and adjacent programmatic peer to Wildscreen.
- BBC Studios Natural History Unit: World-leading wildlife production unit producing landmark natural world content (Planet Earth, Dynasties, Green Planet). Functions as headline sponsor and Panda Awards partner while being the dominant commercial producer of the content Wildscreen celebrates.
Others
- Save Our Seas Foundation: Marine conservation foundation serving as Principal Sponsor of Wildscreen Festival 2022 and Impact Award presenter. Adjacent peer as a conservation funder and Cape Town international hub partner, deeply embedded in Wildscreen's commercial ecosystem.
- WWF-UK: Major UK conservation NGO partnering with Wildscreen on the International Storytelling Internship Scheme. Adjacent as a conservation nonprofit that funds and co-develops talent programs rather than competing in the festival space.
- Wildlife Conservation Society: Global conservation NGO with wildlife media operations and field storytelling programs. Adjacent peer as a conservation organisation that uses natural world storytelling to drive impact, overlapping with Wildscreen's audience and sponsor ecosystem.
Direct peers
- Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival: The leading US-based wildlife film festival and Conservation Media Summit. Directly comparable to Wildscreen as a wildlife film and natural world storytelling festival with awards, networking, and conservation storytelling mission, though operating primarily in North America.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Natural History Museum's flagship annual wildlife photography competition and exhibition. Directly comparable to Wildscreen Panda Awards as a top-tier wildlife content awards program; Wildscreen partners with Wildlife Photographer of the Year on the WildPhotos symposium.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wildscreen social profiles
Digital presenceWildscreen compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Wildscreen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wildscreen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Wildscreen subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Wildscreen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wildscreen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wildscreen
What does Wildscreen do?
Wildscreen is a conservation charity that convenes the natural world storytelling industry through the biennial Wildscreen Festival, the Panda Awards, regional African festivals, and supporting professional community platforms (NatureStory, Wildscreen Network, Wildscreen ARK). It delivers hybrid events, awards programmes, talent development schemes, and educational content that connect wildlife filmmakers, broadcasters, conservationists, and emerging storytellers across 60+ countries. Revenue is generated through event passes, membership subscriptions, corporate sponsorship, charitable donations, and grants.
Is Wildscreen a public or private company?
Wildscreen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Wildscreen founded?
Wildscreen was founded in 1982. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Wildscreen based?
Wildscreen is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Wildscreen make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Event Tickets and Passes are the primary driver. The others are natureStory Membership, corporate Sponsorship, donations and Fundraising, wildscreen Network Membership and talent Scheme Fees.
Who are Wildscreen's main competitors?
Terra Mater Studios is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Silverback Films, Fremantle, National Geographic Society and BBC Studios Natural History Unit. Others are Save Our Seas Foundation, WWF-UK and Wildlife Conservation Society. Direct peers are Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Does Wildscreen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wildscreen.
What industry is Wildscreen in?
Wildscreen's product category is Conservation media and events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAJ, Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education), with a secondary code of MPADADAF, Nature, Science & Wildlife Documentaries. Its NAICS code is 712 and its SIC code is 7900.