The Buzzies
The Buzzies celebrate excellence in science and factual storytelling, and recognize short-form, long-form and multiplatform science, history and natural history projects, as well as awarding projects for innovation and impact.
The 2023 winners were announced at the Awards Presentation during Congress '23. The winners each received a signature award statue and a free registration to Congress '24.
2023 Winners
Best Science Program/Content - Long Format
Sponsored by NHK
FIRE OF LOVE
Production Company: National Geographic Documentary Films presents A Sandbox Films Production / An Intuitive Pictures and Cottage M Production
Broadcaster/Platform: National Geographic Documentary Films
Best History Program/Content - Long Format
Sponsored by ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
QUEERSTRALIA
Production Company: Guesswork Television
Broadcaster/Platform: ABC TV and iview, Australia
Best Natural History Program/Content - Long Format
Sponsored by ORF
EVOLUTION EARTH - EPISODE 2, ISLANDS
Production Company: PASSION Planet, a PASSION PICTURES company
Broadcaster/Platform: PBS, Love Nature, and ARTE
Best Factual – Short Format
AGREE TO DISAGREE
Production Company: Autentic
Broadcaster/Platform: ZDF, Arte
Best Multi-Platform Factual Project
CITIZEN LAB
Production Company: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
Broadcaster/Platform: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
Best Direction
Sponsored by All3Media International
PATH OF THE PANTHER
Production Company: Grizzly Creek Films, Wildpath and National Geographic
Broadcaster/Platform: National Geographic
Best Writing
CACTUS HOTEL
Production Company: Altayfilm
Broadcaster/Platform: WDR, Arte and SVT
Most Innovative Factual Program/Project of the Year
Sponsored by France TV Distribution
RAT CITY
Production Company: Invert Films Inc.
Broadcaster/Platform: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Best Host/Presenter in a Science/History or Wildlife Program/Content
Sponsored by Curiosity Stream
ANIMALS UP CLOSE WITH BERTIE GREGORY
Production Company: Wildstar Films
Broadcaster/Platform: National Geographic
Host: Bertie Gregory
Green Impact of the Year
Sponsored by Terra Mater Studios
FARM REBELLION
Production Company: megaherz GmbH
Broadcaster/Platform: Disney+
Mentor of the Year
Janet Han Vissering
SVP of Production and Development, National Geographic
Vikram Channa
Vice President of Content, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific
Emerging Producer of the Year
Sponsored by National Geographic
Carolyn Whittaker
Producer, Handful of Films
Diversity Leadership Award
Sponsored by ABC News Studios
Nutopia
Lifetime Achievement Award in Factual Content
Sponsored by PBS International and NOVA
Sayumi Horie
Producer/Advisor, Former NHK Executive
ELIGIBILITY
All submissions:
- Must have premiered on a platform between November 2022 to November 2023
- Must be in English or subtitled in English
The WCSFP will not accept rough cuts or fine cuts for consideration.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure clearance from all copyright holders of materials included in the submitted project. WCSFP will not be held responsible for the unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials within or relating to the submitted project. WCSFP reserves the right to disqualify any project with unauthorized copyrighted materials.
Questions? Please contact [email protected].
SUBMISSION FEES
- Regular Fee: $150 CAD
Independent Digital Creator Fee: $50 CAD - please select Student Fee when submitting
Mentor of the Year / Emerging Producer of the Year: $50 CAD
- Diversity Leadership Award / Lifetime Achievement Award in Factual Content: No entry fee
All fees outlined above include:
- Submission to the 2023 awards for consideration
- Administrative expenses related to cataloging and reviewing each submission
Discount codes are not accepted retroactively. Submission fees are non-refundable.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants will be notified whether their project has been nominated via email by mid-October 2023. All decisions by juries and the WCSFP programming team are final.
It is the entrant's responsibility to enter their project in the correct category.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Submissions are closed.
An individual or organization may submit more than one project/nominee, and may submit that project/nominee for more than one category; however, you must complete a separate form for each project/nominee.
To submit, you must complete the online submission form. All submissions will be processed via FilmFreeway. Please note, you will be required to created a FilmFreeway account to submit.
Questions? Please contact [email protected].
Submission guidelines for The Buzzies are subject to change. The WCSFP reserves the right to rule on all issues not expressly covered in these guidelines.