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The Festival 2011

Since 1991, JHWFF has produced a unique biennial industry conference that draws over 650 media professionals, writers, leading scientists and conservationists to Jackson Hole. They converge from around the world to hone skills, explore emerging technologies and market opportunities, network with professional associates and honor notable achievements within the industry. Internationally recognized as the premier event of its genre, the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival is an unparalleled industry gathering. Its film competition—a nature film equivalent to the Oscars®—honors some 20 films selected from over 700 category entries.

Save the date for the next Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival scheduled for October 3-7, 2011.

The Festival 2009

In October 2009, JHWFF celebrated its 10th Anniversary highlighting the last 20 years of natural history filmmaking. Delegates from around the world participated in the week-long retreat featuring an exceptional slate of seminars, keynotes and screenings as well as networking events.

The film competition saw the largest number of film entries to date with almost 400 programs representing 24 countries and 6 continents. New film competition categories were added to incorporate web designers and tech support industries as well as media professionals from NGO's museums, zoos and other public institutions.

Click here to see the 2009 finalists and winners.

2009 Delegate Survey

Download Survey

2009 Festival Guide

Download Festival Guide

2009 Film Directory

Download Film Directory

Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Richard Leakey

Paleoanthropologist, politician, political activist and environmentalist, Dr. Richard Leakey has been making international headlines for more than 40 years. Son of the famous Louis B. and Mary Leakey, he has been credited with some of the most significant fossil
discoveries in history and was named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Greatest Minds of the 20th Century.”

As Director of Kenya’s National Wildlife Service, Leakey was called on to rescue the country’s chaotic park system and combat an epidemic of rhinoceros and elephant poaching. He created well-armed anti-poaching units when gentler measures failed to
dissuade poachers. In 1989, Leakey staged a dramatic burning of 12 tons of confiscated tusks, setting the stage to stabilize Kenya’s elephant population.

After surviving a plane crash that cost him both his legs, Leakey founded an opposition party, Safina, to combat the corruption of the Kenya government and to
advocate for reforms and better government. Subjected to constant harassment, death threats and even beatings by the regime’s supporters, he became a member of Parliament, where he continued to press for constitutional and legal reforms. He later resigned from Parliament to take up the challenge of heading Kenya’s Civil Service. Serving as the Secretary to the Cabinet, he campaigned against corruption in the civil service and secured a resumption of international aid. Now retired from politics, he remains a passionate and effective advocate for the environment, for the rights
of the disabled and for the cause of democracy in his beloved Kenya. Leakey is currently a Professor of Anthropology at Stony Brook University and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of London (FRS).

Widely known for his life’s work in conservation and paleoanthropology, Leakey’s latest venture might well be his most meaningful and visionary. WildlifeDirect is an internet-based fundraising organization designed to link conservation supporters directly to on-the-ground conservation projects. The organization addresses the chronic under funding that cripples many conservation projects in developing countries by creating
a vehicle for direct giving, allowing small donors in great numbers to deliver their funding where it will make an immediate impact. Utilizing the potential of the internet to distribute program information and connect with individual donors, WildlifeDirect has created a tremendous opportunity for dramatic impact.

Please visit wildlifedirect.org for more information

2009 Festival Dates:

Call for Entries Opens: March 1, 2009
Delegate Registration Opens: May 10, 2009
Films Must be Completed by: June 1, 2009
Film Competition Entry Deadline: June 1, 2009
Film Entries Accepted with a 20% Late Fee until: June 15, 2009
All Film Competition Materials Due: June 15, 2009
Extra Early-Bird Registration Deadline: June 15, 2009
Preliminary Judging: First Week in July, 2009
Film Competition Finalists Announced: July 9, 2009
Early-Bird Registration Deadline: August 1, 2009
Delegate List Posted Online: August 18, 2009
Festival Schedule Posted Online: September 1, 2009
Film Festival: September 28 - October 2, 2009
Winners Screened in Downtown Jackson: October 3-4, 2009