New York, NY – Sept. 4, 2026 – The Wildlife Conservation Society is proud to announce that its annual REEL WILD^® New York Film Festival is bringing back the Emerging Filmmaker Award for its third edition, April 7-11, 2027. The REEL WILD New York Film Festival is dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and amplifying the work of filmmakers who embody Wildlife Conservation Society’s mission of protecting wildlife and wild places.

The Emerging Filmmaker Award honors early-career filmmakers who demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films focused on wildlife, wild places, and the communities working on the frontlines of conservation.

Applicants must identify as an emerging, early-career filmmaker with aspirations to stay in the wildlife filmmaking world, and who do not have any broadcast credits as a writer, director, producer, or director of photography/cinematographer.

To apply, filmmakers must submit their film via FilmFreeway to the Emerging Filmmaker category and write a formal essay response to the following question: What is the emergent voice you bring to your filmmaking, and how do your own lived experiences shape the visual language and storytelling you bring to the screen?

Awardees will receive a $1,000 cash prize per film, an all-access pass to the 2027 REEL WILD New York Film Festival, invitations to the Opening Night event and industry networking event, and travel and accommodation covered by the festival. The award-winning films will screen during the festival at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City.

Last year’s award recipients include Kelsey Kroon (Silver Rush), Valentin Blüml (H5N1: Conservation in Crisis), and Maya Estrera (HYPERSCALED).

The final deadline for submissions is September 17, 2026. Click here to apply!*

*Open to legal residents of the 50 US and DC and of other countries/jurisdictions where not prohibited, restricted, or otherwise limited, 18 years and older. Contest starts 7/1/26 at 12:00:00am ET and ends 9/17/26 at 11:59:59pm ET. Void where prohibited. Entrants must be the filmmakers. Entrants and their films must meet all eligibility requirements and entry criteria. Films must be selected for inclusion in the Festival to qualify for award. Entries require multiple components. See eligibility requirements, entry criteria, judging criteria, and prize and additional information at the Entry Portal and EFA Page. Restrictions, including on use of AI assistance to answer the essay question, apply. See Official Rules for more information.