Geneva/New York/Jackson Hole, 17 November 2021 – The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Jackson Wild, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced today that they will organize an international film showcase on the occasion of the 2022 celebration of the United Nations World Wildlife Day.

This marks the seventh edition of the World Wildlife Day Film Showcase. Along the celebration’s theme of “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”, organizers will seek to highlight films that explore the threats to wild fauna and flora, their central importance for their habitats and ecosystems and for the communities who live near them, and the numerous initiatives to conserve them.

Participating films will be shown throughout 2022 and will help raise awareness of the status of the world’s most vulnerable species but also showcase the power of long-term and innovative conservation efforts.

CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: “Some 38,000 species are considered to be under threat in international trade and, without them, the habitats and ecosystems they sustain would likely be at great risk themselves. Though this should alarm us, it is also essential that we remember that we have the power to change course. Conservation efforts have and can continue to bring back endangered species of wild fauna and flora from the brink. We believe that films participating in this year’s World Wildlife Day Film Showcase will greatly help us raise awareness of the urgent need to address these threats and help us spread an important message of hope.”

Lisa Samford, Executive Director of Jackson Wild said: “As we confront the threats of accelerating climate change impact widespread and global biodiversity collapse, the role of local stories that directly connect us with nature and the species who share our beautiful and resilient planet has never been more important. It is crucial that we work together now to transform and protect our planet’snatural systems in regenerative and sustainable ways.

Timeline and planned activities

The call for entry will close on 7 January and finalists will be announced in mid-February 2022. Winners will be presented at a high-level online celebration of UN World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2022. The films will then be made available for free, on an educational online streaming mechanism throughout the world.

Award Categories and Descriptions:

Species in Crisis (Long Form and Short Form):
Awarded to the film that most effectively explores current challenges and communicates solutions to the environmental, social-economic and sustainability issues facing endangered species of wild fauna and flora, their habitats and ecosystems.

The Web of Life (Long Form and Short Form):
Awarded to the film that most effectively showcases the rich diversity and complex behavior of one or more endangered species, how these species affect their ecosystems and the chain of ecological issues that will occur if the species is lost.

Stories of Hope (Long Form and Short Form):
Awarded to the film that most effectively celebrates the work of local and indigenous individuals or groups committed to raising awareness or involved in the conservation, and/or sustainable management of endangered species of wild fauna and flora and their ecosystems, and how these communities are working to save species from extinction.

People & Endangered Species (Long Form and Short Form):
Awarded to the film that best communicates humanity’s social, cultural, economic and/or environmental interdependence with endangered species and what may be lost if the species goes extinct.

Micro Movie:
Awarded to the best film focused on endangered species 5 minutes in run time or less.

Additional Award Categories may be added prior to the finalist announcement to honor as many worthy films as possible.

Submission Guidelines:
There is no entry fee for submission. Films must have been completed after January 1st, 2019 and must prominently feature an endangered species as defined by the IUCN Red List. Entrants must identify qualifying species on the entry form. A streaming link to the full film must be made available for free, educational, online streaming either freely or by request as part of the 2022 World Wildlife Film Showcase: Endangered Species hosted by Jackson Wild on the Eventive Platform. Submissions in all languages are welcomed. Programs in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for presentation to the judges and for streaming as part of the World Wildlife Day Film Showcase. Eligible entries must complete an online submission form via www.jacksonwild.org.

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:

CITES Secretariat: Francisco Pérez: cites-media@un.org

Jackson Wild: Dana Grant: +1 (307) 200-3286 extension 3, dana@jacksonwild.org

UNDP: Sangita Khadka, +212 906 5043, sangita.khadka@undp.org

About CITES:

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 183 Parties (182 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 38,000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals.

About UNDP:

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

About Jackson Wild:

For 30 years, the Jackson Wild Summit has grown a reputation for hosting extraordinary convenings of storytellers, scientists, conservationists, innovators and media stakeholders. The World Wildlife Day Film Showcase brings together stakeholders from all over the world to focus on a single global theme. Jackson Wild’s international board members include Africa Wildlife Foundation, Arte France, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Blue Ant Media|Love Nature, Borealés, Conservation International, Discovery, Doclights, Gorongosa Restoration Project, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, National Geographic Partners, National Geographic Society, Nature/WNET, Netflix, Off the Fence Productions, PBS, Saint Thomas Productions, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Seeker, Smithsonian Channel, Sony Electronics, SVT (Swedish Television), The Nature Conservancy, Terra Mater Factual Studios, ORF Universum, Wanda Films, GBH, and World Wildlife Fund US.

About the United Nations World Wildlife Day:

On 20 December 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The date is the day of the signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. World Wildlife Day has quickly become the most prominent global annual event dedicated to wildlife. It is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the various challenges faced by these species. The day also reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.