The night was alive with anticipation as the Panda Awards—the most prestigious event in the wildlife film and TV industry—returned on October 17th, sponsored by Warner Chappell Production Music. As the pinnacle of recognition in the field, the awards celebrated outstanding productions across 15 categories, alongside three special honours, including the highly coveted Golden Panda for the best overall production.
This year, the Golden Panda went to Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, produced by Silverback Films for National Geographic (UK). The jury’s decision was unanimous, praising the production for its deep emotional resonance and its innovative approach to wildlife storytelling. “Billy & Molly captivated us with its level of emotion, touching hearts and illustrating the future capabilities of the genre,” they stated. Beyond winning the prestigious Golden Panda, Billy & Molly swept the night, also taking home the producer/director Award and the Scripted Narrative Award.
Silverback Films’ success didn’t end there. Its other production, Wild Isles: Ocean, earned the Cinematography Award, further highlighting the studio’s command over the technical and artistic elements of nature filmmaking. Silverback Films was nominated in several other categories, demonstrating its all-around impact on the wildlife genre this year.
Another major contender of the night was Wildstar Films, which brought home two Panda Awards for its series Queens. This show won the Series Award, as well as the Production Management Team Award, recognised for its forward-thinking approach and unique working model that incorporated mentoring, parenthood, and job-sharing. The jury commended Queens for its innovation in moving the genre forward, especially in appealing to younger audiences. The series wove the theme of motherhood throughout its episodes, using modern pop music and narrative structure to engage new viewers while offering a fresh take on wildlife storytelling.
As always, the Panda Awards also paid tribute to those whose careers have shaped the industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Alastair MacEwen, a veteran cinematographer and director whose career has spanned over 25 years. MacEwen has left his mark on several iconic productions, including Our Planet, Planet Earth II, Earth’s Tropical Islands, and Perfect Planet. His work has set a benchmark for cinematic excellence in wildlife storytelling, and the award recognised his lasting contribution to the field.
The Impact Award was presented to PATROL, a powerful documentary from Juli Films and Perpetuo Films (Nicaragua/USA) that examines the devastating role of cattle ranching in deforestation. The film was hailed for shedding light on a pressing environmental issue with clarity and urgency. Meanwhile, the Sustainability Award was given to The Watches 2023 (BBC Studios Natural History Unit – UK) for its innovative approach to sustainable production, setting a new standard for eco-friendly filmmaking.
Several other productions were celebrated for their unique contributions to the wildlife genre. Raptors: A Fistful of Daggers (Terra Mater Studios and Dandy Lion Films – Austria) won the Behaviour Award, while Living with Lions (Kuishi Na Simba) saw Erica Rugabandana take home the Emerging Talent Award. The latter film was noted for Rugabandana’s ability to showcase a deeply personal and powerful narrative around human-lion conflict in Tanzania.
Chimp Empire, another notable production, dominated in the technical categories, winning both the Editing Award and Music Award. The jury was particularly impressed by the editing skill that shaped Chimp Empire’s narrative, allowing audiences to understand the complex motivations and intentions of chimpanzees, often described as deeply political animals. Composer William Goodchild was honoured for his work on the film’s soundtrack, which added emotional depth and tension to an already engrossing series.
In a statement following the event, Jury Chair Julian Hector reflected on the breadth and depth of talent showcased at the awards: “My fellow judges and I saw sensitivity in emotional storytelling, technical mastery in observation and recording, and extreme ambition to give nature, and our relationship with it, a voice.” Hector specifically praised Billy & Molly for offering viewers an unprecedented look into the mind of an otter, while also commending Chimp Empire for its editorial finesse. He also highlighted the courage and dedication of local filmmakers, especially in productions like PATROL and Living with Lions, which gave voice to realities that are often overlooked.
Hector added, “Never has it been more important to encourage new talent to tell stories relevant for today’s world. All the programme makers who shone at the Panda Awards showed us their extreme ambition to not only reach the boundary of storytelling but to define it.”
Among the sponsors and contributors, Lina Tebbs, director of UK production music at Warner Chappell Production Music, expressed the company’s honour in supporting the awards. “At Warner Chappell Production Music, we know great stories don’t just happen. As the Panda Awards headline sponsor, we want to honour and celebrate nature’s symphony and all the exceptional hard work and effort Wildscreen’s incredible community goes into telling nature’s stories,” Tebbs said.
The Panda Awards also celebrated Jo Sarsby, who received the Christopher Parsons Outstanding Achievement Award for her enduring contribution to wildlife filmmaking.
The full list of winners displayed a broad range of talent and creativity. From the Children’s Award going to A Real Bug’s Life (Plimsoll Productions – UK) for its engaging and educational narrative, to the Field Craft Special Recognition Award awarded to Sammy Munene, a specialist filming driver whose expertise in the field allowed for unprecedented wildlife footage, each winner demonstrated the unique skill set needed to bring nature to the screen.
The night ended on a high note, celebrating both industry veterans and emerging talents who are continuing to push the boundaries of wildlife filmmaking.
