Indie film Trade Secret, directed by Abraham Joffe, was awarded the Golden Panda Award 2025 at this year’s Wildscreen Panda Awards 2025
The awards – for international wildlife film and TV productions Headline – have 17 categories, plus three special awards including the Golden Panda for best overall production. They are headline sponsored by Warner Chappell Production Music.
Trade Secret, executive produced by Adam McKay, reveals how conservation, politics and commercial interests collide in ways the public was never meant to see. The film exposes the sanctioned sale of hundreds of polar bears each year on the global market and uncovers a disturbing truth: those entrusted with safeguarding the species may be entangled in their continued international commercial trade.
Trade Secret also won in the Independent Film category.
Recognised by the jury for its “fearless and compelling investigative storytelling,” the filmmakers took significant financial, creative, and physical risks over six years and nine countries, to produce “a powerful film that reveals the lines between protection and exploitation have become blurred.”
Two National Geographic series that dominated this year’s winners, walking away with three category wins a piece, were Underdogs and A Real Bug’s Life, Series 2, both recognised by the Jury for reshaping the boundaries of the natural history genre and its audiences.
Underdogs, a co-production from Wildstar Films and Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort, picked up category wins for Editing, Producer/Director and Scripted Narrative. The jury noted that the humorous series which celebrates nature’s unsung and unconventional heroes reshapes the boundaries of the natural history genre and its audiences.
A Real Bug’s Life, Series 2 from Plimsoll Productions, an adventure into different micro bug worlds around the globe, scooped up best Cinematography, Children’s and Series. Awkwafina’s witty and playful narration combined with stunning macro-photography transforms a seemingly unremarkable biome into a stunning cinematic world that immerses viewers across generations.
Silverback Films picked up two category wins – Behaviour for Sea Lions of the Galapagos and the much-coveted Impact Award for Ocean with David Attenborough which was co-produced with Open Planet Studios – the 99-year-old broadcasters’ untold story of the ocean and greatest message of hope.
Other winners include: Ryan Wilkes for The Bird in my Backyard (Emerging Talent Award), Tides of Life (Short Award), The Birds (In-Country Production Award), Rock Pool (Sound Award), Superskilled with Eva Zu Beck (On-Screen Talent Award) Pangolin Journey to Freedom (Sustainability Award), Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey (Music Award), and The Americas (Production Management Team).
Martha Holmes, from Plimsoll Productions, received the Christopher Parsons Outstanding Achievement Panda Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership and innovation within the natural history genre.
This, the competition’s 43rd Edition marked its move to an annual awards event. The ceremony was the finale of the inaugural Wildscreen Industry Summit, which convened the global wildlife film, TV and content community in Bristol and online from the 20-22 Oct.
Lina Tebbs, Director of UK Production Music said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Wildscreen for another year. Warner Chappell Production Music champions great storytelling, and we absolutely understand the value in educating and entertaining audiences through nature programming. The Panda Awards celebrate the dedication and hardwork of all the people behind-the-scenes and we’re honoured to be headline sponsor for the second-year running.”