Filmmakers for Conservation is the only global organisation for conservation in the film industry. Our members come from Australia to Indonesia, Kenya to the UK, Spain to Brazil and the US to India. Our members also come from all parts of the industry - from film festival directors to major global networks to big conservation NGOs to independent filmmakers working in remote and difficult locations. In joining FFC you become part of this passionate and dedicated community. Members agree to follow our Code of Ethics and Sustainability Guidelines, adding weight to our voice in trying ‘green' the film industry. Your contribution keeps this website (therefore ultimately our community!) up and running, it allows us to work with universities and major conservation charities to formulate things like our sustainability guidelines, run an annual Conservation Filmmaker of the Year award and allow us to share up to date information about conservation and filmmaking with you.

I have a project I've been creating and I need some funding can you help?

Unfortunately, FFC is not a funding organisation. But if you are a member you can use our site to network with hundreds of other filmmakers, commissioners, conservation workers and others in the film industry. If you are not a member you can still participate in our forums and access the wealth of information provided on our site. Depending on your project and ideas you may find financing amongst our FFC community or you may find the advice you need on where to go to get that funding. Here is also a helpful link: http://www.thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/gettingstarted/funding.html

I have an idea for a documentary can you help?

Getting a documentary commissioned is one of the hardest things in film and television. FFC members come from all walks of the industry and may be able to help you in refining your idea and directing your pitch to the right place. Film Festivals are often a good place to start to meet commissioning editors and those who might want to invest in your idea - both financially and creatively. We have a comprehensive list of festivals on this site. Another thing to consider is the changing media landscape. To make your film it may not be necessary to aim for a big budget production but to consider new media and cheaper options and broadcast on sites like youtube, grist, treehugger or enn (environmental news network).

We are a small organisation and are looking for some stock footage. Can you help us?

We don't stock any footage ourselves but please use our forum to add your request. This forum is read by all our members and if anyone can assist they can respond to you directly. Please make sure that you give us as many details as you can - both technical and creative. For example, do you need high definition or standard definition? What type of shot are you after? What budget do you have? How long a sequence do you need? Please also make sure you include contact details.

I am doing some research into the effects of wildlife films on the general public and wondered if you could help me with my research?

We have a small bibliography of articles, papers, and online examples that various students have created and/or published in the past. We have been collating this small library over the years and continue to do so. If you need any such information please contact FFC via the ‘contact us' page.

I would like to be more involved with FFC how can I do this?

FFC is a membership based organisation meaning much of work that goes into running this website, organising film festival events and our annual award, researching sustainability guidelines or translating our Code of Ethics is done on a voluntary basis. We always welcome any offer of assistance so if you would like to help us make FFC a bigger organisation - with a stronger voice for conservation in film - please get in touch via the ‘contact us' page.

I would like to join the board what is the process?

From time to time vacancies do come up on the FFC non-executive board. If you are interested in joining the board please submit your CV via the ‘contact us' page, with a brief explanation letter outlining your motivation and what you feel you can contribute. Please do be aware that as FFC is a membership based organisation being on the board does involve some volunteer work and is a responsibility beyond an annual Annual General Meeting.

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Joe Yaggi

May 17, 2010

110.139.190.103

...

Hi Ron,

If you are hoping to become a wildlife filmmaker, I believe that your biology/zoology track is a good one. Depending on where you're going to school, there may be filmmaking courses available as well though they may not necessarily relate to documentary film in particular and wildlife filmmaking specifically. Many of us in the industry, myself included, didn't study filmmaking. i for instance studied anthropology But that doesn't mean that institutional classes and academic tracks aren't useful as they very much can be. And there are a number of options available, either through undergrad or graduate or intensives (which may or may not be attached to a university). There's also the possibility of internships or mentoring under someone. And like anything that's really worth having, there ain't no easy route!

Good luck,

Joe

Renn Schofield

February 20, 2010

82.26.216.211

...

Hi, my name is Renn Schofield. I have just turned 16 and I'm starting to think more in depth about my future. I know for sure I would like to do a zoology course of some sort at university, but I was wondering if you would need to take anything alongside that to be a professional wildlife filmer.
Thanks