One Tribe TV launches Wild Frontier Films channel to showcase emerging filmmakers

Award-winning Nations and Regions producer One Tribe TV is launching Wild Frontier Films, a new YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing the next generation of natural history and science filmmaking talent from the UK and around the world.

Wild Frontier Films will provide a dedicated online home for films made by emerging wildlife, natural history and science filmmakers, bringing their work together on a single platform and making it accessible to audiences internationally. 

One Tribe TV managing director Dale Templar conceived the channel, having spent more than two decades working across the BBC’s Natural History and Science departments before founding the Bath and Chepstow-based independent production company. It will be officially announced at an event to coincide with Wildscreen - the world’s biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers - which will take place, for the first time, in Bath. 

The channel will initially feature films made by student filmmakers from leading natural history and science MA courses, including those at UWE Bristol, the National Film and Television School and the University of Salford, with further contributors expected to join as the platform develops.

As well as offering a new platform for wildlife and science audiences, Wild Frontier Films is intended to provide an industry-facing showcase for filmmakers, directors, producers and presenters looking to establish careers in natural history and science. The platform will offer a single destination where their work can be discovered and shared with commissioners, production companies and other industry figures.

One Tribe TV will curate the content, aiming to maintain a high standard of visual storytelling and production across the channel. It follows the success of One Tribe’s YouTube channel “Life at Anna’s Zoo” run by wildlife producer Peter Mills-Frost, who will be heading up Wild Frontier Films together with Templar.  

Dale Templar, Managing Director and Co-Founder of One Tribe, says: 'There is an extraordinary amount of emerging talent in the industry, but getting that first opportunity can be incredibly difficult. We want Wild Frontier Films to be a genuine springboard for the next generation, helping to give filmmakers a place to showcase what they can do while also creating opportunities for them to connect with the people who can help take their careers forward'.

The initiative is also intended to develop into a wider programme of support for emerging talent. As the channel builds an audience, One Tribe plans to explore ways of generating funding to support its continued growth, with the longer-term ambition of putting profits back into the development of new filmmakers, including through bursaries for talent from lower-income and disadvantaged backgrounds.

The films will be supplemented with short-form, interview and podcast-style content, giving audiences a chance to meet the filmmakers and hear about the passion, ideas and inspirations behind their work.

Peter Venn, Programme Leader MA Wildlife Film-making, UWE Bristol, said: 'The Wild Frontier Films platform arrives at a timely moment for the new generation of filmmakers emerging from the MA at UWE Bristol. Championing new voices matters more than ever, and curating a rich variety of films, each distinctive in style and creative voice, has never been more important'.

Peter Leonard, Head of Science and Natural History, National Film and Television School, added: 'This (WFF) is a great opportunity for our graduates to showcase their extraordinary talents, and provides a much-needed ‘one-stop shop’ for our industry colleagues looking for fresh new talent with innovative new approaches and a real drive and passion for factual filmmaking'.

Maire Tracey, Senior Lecturer in Broadcast Media, University of Salford, said: 'The TV landscape for natural history has been transformed, but the need for brilliant storytellers hasn't changed. The industry needs more diverse voices and fresh perspectives than ever. Wild Frontier Films will give our MA Wildlife Documentary students a platform to reach a wider audience and the industry professionals who can launch their careers'.

Wild Frontier Films will also benefit from its partnership with peermusic, One Tribe’s music publishing partner, which has agreed to provide music licensing support, and full guidance,  helping ensure that music featured in the films is appropriately licensed, while creating opportunities to showcase the work of emerging composers alongside the next generation of natural history and science filmmakers.

Anne Miller, Director of TV and Film, peermusic, said: 'At peermusic, we have a long history of supporting emerging talent and are pleased to be involved in an initiative that gives the next generation of natural history and science filmmakers a platform to showcase their work. We understand the important role music plays in bringing stories to life. Wild Frontier Films is a great opportunity to support new voices in the industry, while also creating opportunities for emerging composers to have their music heard by new audiences'.

 

 

LC