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.
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
240 S Glenwood, Suite 112 | PO Box 3940 | Jackson, WY 83001 | p 307.733.7016 | f 307.733.7376
