The International Wildlife Film Festival, 35th Annual Edition, one of the most prestigious and important wildlife film festivals and conservation conferences in the world, invites film submissions now through January 31, 2012 with a late deadline of February 10th:

The 35th Anniversary International Wildlife Film Festival Call for Entries is now open:

* The IWFF Call for Entries is open October 2011 through January 31, 2012
Late deadline: February 10th

For the 35th IWFF, Festival Week - May 5-12, and Preview Week, April 28-May4, the theme is Challenge, Choice & Promise – Wildlife Film and Conservation in the 21st Century

* The Tarkio Retreat, a special one day sequestered gathering of festival participants, is designed to forge new partnerships in media & conservation. The retreat will be held again this year at the Montana Island Lodge, one of the most breathtaking and secluded lodges on Salmon Lake, in western Montana. IWFF provides transportation to and from Missoula.

* The Tarkio Retreat---Forging New Partnerships in Media & Conservation will be held on Wednesday, May 9th and is open to all registered festival delegates or guests. The registration fee is $100 and will include breakfast, lunch & dinner, drinks, transportation and all events held that day at this beautiful island lodge. The theme for this year’s Tarkio Retreat is Wild Cat Conservation: A Blueprint for Conservation Worldwide with a special keynote by IWFF Hero of the Year, Dr. Thomas Kaplan, founder of Panthera.

* Also during IWFF, a Special 1-Day Focus on Ocean & Marine Conservation Efforts with a proactive component designed to result in viable outcomes

* This year, look for new categories, plus we are honored to be able to present the Best Marine Conservation Message Award, sponsored by the Save Our Seas Foundation, for the film with the strongest message about saving our oceans and marine life!

* For Information about Sponsorships, Festival Program Advertising, hosting a lunch or other social event and getting your message, your organization or your mission in front of thousands, please contact our Festival Staff or visit the new IWFF website at www.wildlifefilms.org

We invite you to enter your films and join us for what promises to be an unforgettable week of award-winning films, and dynamic speakers who are working on the frontlines of conservation; and of course, the nightly social events including the annual IWFF tradition – the Western Barn Dance!

From Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Dr. Sylvia Earle (keynote) and Dr. Richard Leakey (keynote), to Panthera Founder, Thomas Kaplan (keynote) & the recipient of the IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Media to Fred Kaufman, Executive Producer of Nature, celebrating 30 years of nature programming in 2012 ---

Filmmakers, Scientists, Conservation Leaders, Organizations, Broadcasters and Producers, will come together to celebrate the very best in wildlife film and work together through seminars, roundtables, technology workshops and field trips
to ensure that these films, your films, your programs --- will make a difference in the fate and future of our planet and species

To enter your film or learn more about IWFF and participation, please click on the Call for Entries/Festival Highlights Packet here: http://wildlifefilms.org/festivals/iwff/pdfs/12iwff_cfe.pdf
(or you can cut and paste this link into your web browser)

Please Note: If you are interested in being a Preliminary Judge (February, Missoula) or a Final Judge (third week in March, Missoula), please send us a note of interest and a brief bio plus the best way to contact you.