Congratulations to the winners in 22 categories spanning content, program and craft in the science media field. This year’s competition saw more than 500 entries competing for 21 special awards. Over 100 international judges screened an aggregated 1,250 hours of media in order to select the finalists.
Grand Helix
Winner
Laws of the Lizard
Day's Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel
Laws of the Lizard
Day's Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel
Earth & Sky
Sponsored by: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Awarded to the film that best explores the science of planet earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy and Meteorology.
Awarded to the film that best explores the science of planet earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy and Meteorology.
WINNER
One Strange Rock: Gasp Nutopia Ltd, Protozoa Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment for National Geographic |
Death Dive to Saturn
A NOVA Production by Terri Randall Productions, Inc. for WGBH Boston |
Space's Deepest Secrets: Cassini's Grand Finale
BBC Worldwide and Science Channel |
The Farthest - Voyager in Space
Crossing the Line Productions, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, and Irish Film Board for PBS |
Science of Life
Sponsored by: HHMI / Tangled Bank Studios
Awarded to the film that best examines the rich world of life on our planet. Relevant disciplines include Botany, Zoology, Genetics, and Evolution.
Awarded to the film that best examines the rich world of life on our planet. Relevant disciplines include Botany, Zoology, Genetics, and Evolution.
WINNER
The Kingdom - How Fungi Made Our World Smith & Nasht, Real to Reel Productions in association with CuriosityStream, The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, ZDF/ARTE, SVT2 Sweden, and Screen Australia, Telefilm, Create NSW |
700 Sharks
Le Cinquieme Reve for National Geographic |
Attenborough’s Ant Mountain
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH, A Production of Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with BBC and ABC Australia produced by Ammonite Ltd. |
Laws of the Lizard
Day's Edge Productions for Smithsonian Channel |
Changing Planet
Sponsored by: Off The Fence
This award is given for the best examination of our changing planet, including the environment, ecosystems, sustainability and climate change.
This award is given for the best examination of our changing planet, including the environment, ecosystems, sustainability and climate change.
WINNER
POV: The Islands and the Whales A co-production of Intrepid Cinema and Radiator Film in association with American Documentary | POV |
Before the Flood
National Geographic Presents a RatPac Documentary Films Presentation of an Appian Way Production in association with Insurgent Docs and Diamond Docs |
Mosquito
Yap Films for Discovery Channel |
The Serengeti Rules
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet |
Health & Medicine
Sponsored by PBS
Awarded to the project that best captures insights into human health, disease and treatment. Includes Clinical Science, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Stem Cell Research and Public Health.
Awarded to the project that best captures insights into human health, disease and treatment. Includes Clinical Science, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Stem Cell Research and Public Health.
WINNER
Unseen Enemy Sierra/Tango Productions, Vulcan Productions |
My Love Affair with the Brain: The Life and Science of Dr. Marian Diamond
Luna Productions |
The Surgery Ship
Media Stockade, National Geographic, Screen Australia, Create NSW |
Vital Bonds
ID Docs, National Film Board of Canada |
Technology & Innovation
Sponsored by: Nat Geo WILD
Recognizing the project that most effectively examines innovation and technology in the realm of Robotics, Computer & IT, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical and Systems Engineering.
Recognizing the project that most effectively examines innovation and technology in the realm of Robotics, Computer & IT, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical and Systems Engineering.
WINNER
AlphaGo Moxie Pictures |
Digits: Episode 3
Partisan Pictures for CuriosityStream |
The Bit Player
Mark Levinson for The IEEE Information Theory Society |
Being Human
Sponsored by Vulcan Productions
Awarded for excellence in examination of human and social sciences, including Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, and History of Science.
Awarded for excellence in examination of human and social sciences, including Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, and History of Science.
WINNER
Jane National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic |
Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist -
Dark Side of the Mountain Tigress Productions Limited for National Geographic |
Great Human Odyssey
A NOVA Production by Clearwater Documentary Inc. in association with CBC, A NOVA Production by Lawrence Klein Productions, LLC for WGBH Boston |
Short-form Series (under 20 minutes)
Sponsored by International Fund for Animal Welfare
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles.
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles.
WINNER
Deep Look KQED, PBS Digital Studios |
I Contain Multitudes:
Short Series HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Room 608 Productions |
The Code
Retro Report/STAT |
Skunk Bear with Adam Cole
NPR |
Long-form Series (longer than 20 minutes)
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles.
|
One Strange Rock
Nutopia Ltd, Protozoa Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment for National Geographic |
Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places
Bigger Bang for CuriosityStream |
Short Program
Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund
Awarded to the short program, twenty minutes or less in length, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
Awarded to the short program, twenty minutes or less in length, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
WINNER
Genes as Medicine Barrat Media Inc. and Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
Colors of Change
Pongo Media Productions |
Cosmic Twin: Why There Could be Many Identical Copies of You
A film made by Melissa Hogenboom and Pierangelo Pirak for BBC Earth |
Mapping the Darién Gap
BelugaSmile Productions, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
The End of Snow
Day's Edge Productions |
Think Like a Scientist: Renewal
Plumb Productions, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios |
Micro Movie
Awarded to the program, 5 minutes in length or less, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
WINNER
A New View of the Moon Wylie Overstreet, Alex Gorosh |
L'orchestre D'hibernation Animaux
(or: How Animals Hibernate) Popular Science |
Meet the Real Wolf
Grizzly Creek Films, The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project |
Stunning Close-ups: Meet These Frogs Before They Go Extinct
Katie Garrett for National Geographic |
The Snow Guardian
Day's Edge Productions |
Virtual Reality/360° Storytelling
Sponsored by: University of Southern California--Jaunt Cinematic Virtual Reality Lab
Awarded to the program that most effectively uses 360 technology and resources to advance an appreciation or understanding of a scientific discipline, discovery or principle, including both VR and AR programs.
Awarded to the program that most effectively uses 360 technology and resources to advance an appreciation or understanding of a scientific discipline, discovery or principle, including both VR and AR programs.
WINNER
My Africa A Passion Planet Production in association with Vision 3 for Conservation International |
Greenland Melting
FRONTLINE, Emblematic Group, NOVA, xRez Studio, Realtra |
The Protectors
Annapurna Pictures, Here Be Dragons and National Geographic |
This is Climate Change: Fire
Participant Media, Condition One |
Interactive
Awarded to the project that best integrates the interactive potential of media to advance understanding of science and scientific principles through web-based, mobile, downloaded and personal media technology. This category includes apps, games, websites, interactive stories, articles, databases, all similar digital media, interactive exhibits or media installations.
WINNER
Fisheries Collapse Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Cortina Productions |
Augmented Reality Keeps Rivers Free-Flowing
World Wildlife Fund, One Big Robot |
Human Anatomy Atlas 2018
Visible Body |
What Happens in a Bomb Blast?
Outrider Foundation, Alex Wellerstein, Bluecadet |
Science Journalism
Sponsored by NATURE
Awarded to the film that most effectively conveys a complicated scientific story, issue or process for a general audience.
Awarded to the film that most effectively conveys a complicated scientific story, issue or process for a general audience.
WINNER
POV: The Islands and the Whales A co-production of Intrepid Cinema and Radiator Film in association with American Documentary | POV |
The Farthest--
Voyager in Space Crossing the Line Productions, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, and Irish Film Board for PBS |
The Serengeti Rules
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet |
Vitamania - The Sense and Nonsense of Vitamins
A Genepool Productions feature documentary for SBS Australia, CuriosityStream, and ARTE France. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Film Victoria |
Science Ambassador
Sponsored by Science Channel
Awarded to the program that brings science and scientific discovery to life through the exceptional communication skills of an on screen presenter or featured scientist.
Awarded to the program that brings science and scientific discovery to life through the exceptional communication skills of an on screen presenter or featured scientist.
WINNER
Myth or Science: The Power of Poo Infield Fly Productions in association with The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, OMDC, CAVCO and Rogers Telefund |
Attenborough's Ant Mountain
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH, A Production of Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with BBC and ABC Australia produced by Ammonite Ltd. |
My Love Affair with the Brain: The Life and Science of Dr. Marian Diamond
Luna Productions |
Vitamania - The Sense and Nonsense of Vitamins
A Genepool Productions feature documentary for SBS Australia, CuriosityStream, and ARTE France. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Film Victoria |
Engaging Young Scientists
Sponsored by Disneynature
Awarded to the project that most effectively communicates science and engages audiences aged 6 - 12. Preliminary judging will include middle and high school student panels.
Awarded to the project that most effectively communicates science and engages audiences aged 6 - 12. Preliminary judging will include middle and high school student panels.
WINNER
Backyard Wilderness Arise Media / Archipelago Films, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios |
Amazon Adventure
SK Films, Picture Projects, Aventuras Produções, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios |
Dream Big:
Engineering Our World MacGillivray Freeman Films |
Myth or Science:
The Power of Poo Infield Fly Productions in association with The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, OMDC, CAVCO and Rogers Telefund |
Student and Emerging Science Filmmaker
Sponsored by: Nat Geo WILD
Awarded to the best science program of any length created by someone currently enrolled or out of school less than two years.
Awarded to the best science program of any length created by someone currently enrolled or out of school less than two years.
WINNER
Illuminating Disease Alain Douchinsky |
A Million Dollar Nose?
Sarah Hight with support from The Centre for Science Communication at Otago University |
Life of Pine
Chris O’Flaherty, Todd Amacker, Shireen Rahimi, Olivia Schmidt, and Tim Treuer |
Outnumbered in Africa
Clare Fieseler, Gabby Salazar |
Audible Science: Radio & Podcast
Awarded to the best science story or program created for distribution via radio, Internet or mobile device. Entries will submit 3 episodes that best represent the program.
WINNER
Undiscovered Science Friday |
Cadence:
What Music Tells us About the Mind Indre Viskontas & Adam Isaak |
The Science of Happiness
PRI, Greater Good Science Center and BMP Audio |
Writing
Awarded for the writing that most enhances a science program through the union of storyline, dialog and narration.
WINNER
Jane National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic Writer: Brett Morgen, based on the writings of Jane Goodall |
Attenborough's Ant Mountain
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH, A Production of Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with BBC and ABC Australia produced by Ammonite Ltd. Writers: Martin Dohrn, Joe Loncraine |
Second Genesis
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Market Road Films for PBS Writers: Jared Lipworth, Neil Shea |
Vitamania - The Sense and Nonsense of Vitamins
A Genepool Productions feature documentary for SBS Australia, CuriosityStream, and ARTE France. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Film Victoria Writer: Sonya Pemberton |
Editing
Sponsored by Terra Mater Factual Studios
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the science program through the union of imagery, sound, music and story.
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the science program through the union of imagery, sound, music and story.
WINNER
The Serengeti Rules HHMI Tangled Bank Studios & Passion Planet Editor: Andy R. Worboys |
Jane
National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions for National Geographic Editors: Joe Beshenkovsky, ACE, Brett Morgen, Will Zndaric |
The Farthest - Voyager in Space
Crossing the Line Productions, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, and Irish Film Board for PBS Editor: Tony Cranstoun A.C.E. |
Visualization
Sponsored by Fujifilm & Fujinon
Awarded for excellence in cinematography, computer generated imaging, modeling and other visual storytelling that most enhances science storytelling.
Awarded for excellence in cinematography, computer generated imaging, modeling and other visual storytelling that most enhances science storytelling.
WINNER
The Farthest - Voyager in Space Crossing the Line Productions, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, and Irish Film Board for PBS Cinematographer: Kate McCullough Production Designer: Joe Fallover CGI Visual Effects: Ian Benjamin Kenny Art Director, Tangled Bank Studios: Fabian de Kok-Mercado |
700 Sharks
Le Cinquieme Reve for National Geographic Cinematographers: Luc Marescot, Gil Kebaili, Kevin Peyrusse |
One Strange Rock: Home
Nutopia Ltd, Protozoa Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment for National Geographic Cinematographers: Simon De Glanville, Dawson Dunning, Richard Kirby, Paolo Nespoli, Tim Shepherd, Toby Strong, Kevin White, Roger Munns, Tim Cragg |
The Kingdom - How Fungi Made Our World
Smith & Nasht, Real to Reel Productions in association with CuriosityStream, Steve Burns; The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Sue Dando; ZDF/ARTE, Linde Dehner; SVT2 Sweden Anna Schytt; Screen Australia, Telefilm, Create NSW Cinematographers: Oliver Nasht, Russel Glenapp, Specialist Photography - time lapses and stills: Steve Axford |
Special Jury
Special Jury Nominations honor programs that stood out to our preliminary judges as worthy of special recognition for some aspect or strength outside of the standard category criteria.
WINNER
Vital Bonds ID Docs, National Film Board of Canada |
An Ocean Mystery: The Missing Catch
Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation for Smithsonian Channel |
Breaking2
A National Geographic Studios Production in association with Dirty Robber in partnership with & brought to you by Nike |
Breakthrough:
Portraits of Women in Science Science Friday and Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
Earthrise
Go Project Films, POV, and New York Times Op-Docs |
Silas
Timby Productions Inc / Big World Cinema / Appian Way |