The Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival brings together filmmakers and broadcasters from all over the world to network, and showcase their work through the festival's competition for innovative natural history film-making. Delegates also have a chance to learn about new advances in technology, and promote awareness about wildlife and habitat conservation. The festival was established in 1991, and Jackson Hole hosts the event every other year.
The Wildlife Festival is for industry experts, and attracts over 700 delegates from around 30 countries. Apart from the film competition that are also seminars, panel discussions and speakers from production companies, wildlife organizations and many other such as the National Geographic and the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). There are also exhibits and displays from top companies featuring cutting-edge technology in digital cameras, and imaging and editing techniques, that are used by natural history film makers, and need to be suitable for the often extreme conditions they find themselves working in.
The festival draws to a close with an Awards Ceremony and gala dinner where the winners of the completion are announced, following the judging by the top industry experts of over 600 films. Award categories include best short, best environmental, best animal behavior and best in festival.
The Wildlife Film Festival has an educational and outreach program to promote its work and raise awareness about wildlife conservation. A community festival for the public runs alongside the industry festival and features book-signings, talks, seminars and free premier screenings with Q and A sessions hosted by the film-makers.
