Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Media Contacts: Lisa Samford – JHWFF Mike Raia – WGBH Boston 307-‐733-‐7016 617-‐300-‐5333 [email protected] [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WGBH, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival Bring Science Media Awards & Symposium to Boston
More than 300 filmmakers and science media stakeholders expected to attend 3-‐day symposium
JACKSON, Wyo. (February 10, 2014) – Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival is partnering with WGBH Boston, the largest content producer for PBS and longtime producer of the acclaimed science documentary series Nova to bring the Jackson Hole Science Media Awards and Symposium to Boston, the hub of the nation’s scientific, research and technological community. “The Science Media Awards are unique in the business. There are other festivals and gatherings that focus on science, but the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival’s symposium goes a step further by bringing scientists, producers, filmmakers and thought leaders together to talk about the most important topics in science and the innovative trends driving discovery. WGBH is proud to partner with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival to facilitate this important conversation in Boston,” said Jonathan Abbott, WGBH’s president and CEO. More than 300 filmmakers and science media stakeholders will convene over three days in September at networking and professional development events at a number of venues in Boston and Cambridge. Select film screenings, filmmaker discussions and high-‐profile keynotes from members of the scientific and film community will be open to the general public and sessions will be recorded for international distribution over the Web.
“There has never been a more dynamic time in scientific discovery and innovation,” said Lisa Samford, executive director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. “From the infinitesimal to the infinite, science plays a profound role in our daily lives. More than ever, we recognize the importance of communicating science to public audiences and policymakers. We are pleased to work with WGBH to enhance the important discussions we support through the Science Media Awards and Symposium.” Biannually since 1991, the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival has hosted the most prestigious international competition for natural history films and filmmakers. During the last Festival alone, more than 900 entries from more than 50 nations competed for 22 awards. In 2012, the inaugural Jackson Hole Science Media Awards attracted more than 500 submissions. “Boston is the central hub of science and innovation and home to many of the world’s most venerated scientific thinkers and institutions,” said John Bredar, WGBH’s vice president of national programming. “It is a perfect place to gather to recognize and celebrate excellence in science media.” WGBH, headquartered in Boston, is the single largest television and digital producer for PBS. Its iconic national primetime series including Nova, Frontline, American Experience, Masterpiece and Antiques Roadshow, as well as celebrated children’s series including Curious George which highlights experimentation and the scientific method for preschools and elementary students.
WGBH has a longstanding commitment to serving Massachusetts’ and the nation’s educational efforts. It serves as Massachusetts’ digital media partner on two ambitious federally-‐supported Race to the Top initiatives aimed at reshaping learning for the 21st century. In addition, WGBH serves as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) lead for PBS’s LearningMedia, a national broadband resource service for teachers and educators.
The Science Media Awards and Symposium events are scheduled for September 17 through 19 and will feature events, workshops and screenings at WGBH’s studios in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood, among other locations in Cambridge, Mass. and Boston. For more information, visit www.jhfestival.org About JHWFF Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival convenes a biennial five-‐day industry conference that draws 650+ conservationists, journalists, filmmakers and broadcasters from around the world to hone skills, explore emerging media technologies and market opportunities, network and celebrate notable achievements within the industry. In alternating years, the organization hosts a similar conference targeted toward science media stakeholders. Find more information at www.jhfestival.org About WGBH WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other prime-‐time, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH’s television channels include WGBH 2, WGBH 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH TV productions focusing on the region’s diverse community include Greater Boston, Basic Black, High School Quiz Show, and Neighborhood Kitchens. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH, Boston Public Radio; 99.5 WCRB, Classical New England; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. WGBH also is a major source of programs for public radio (among them, PRI’s
The World®), a leader in educational multimedia (including PBS LearningMedia™, providing the nation’s educators with free, curriculum-‐based digital content), and a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and visually impaired audiences. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-‐Columbia Awards and Oscars. Find more information at www.wgbh.org
