The Paper Bear Finalists at Jackson Wild—The Nature Equivalent to the Oscars®

We are thrilled to announce that The Paper Bear is officially a finalist for the 2025 Jackson Wild Media Awards—in the Trailblazer category!

What’s Jackson Wild, and why does it matter?

Think of it as the world summit for nature and impactful storytelling—a nonprofit hub that unites filmmakers, scientists, conservationists, and media leaders each year in the Grand Tetons. Often dubbed the “Oscars® of environmental film making,” Jackson Wild doesn’t just hand out trophies; it catalyzes collaborations, funds new projects, and sets the global standard for how environmental stories are told. Winning (or even being a finalist!) can propel a film onto the world stage, opening doors to distribution deals, partnerships, and real-world conservation impact.

This year marked a record-breaking season, with over 500 entries from around the world, and our film has been recognized as one of the very best. We’re honored to celebrate this remarkable achievement and grateful to be among such bold, inspiring storytellers.

The prestigious Trailblazer category honors films that break the mold of traditional nature storytelling by pushing creative boundaries. From experimental cinematography to animation, poetry, scripted scenes, music, and everything in between—it’s all about bold, original storytelling. Being recognized here is an incredible validation of the risks we took blending classic 2-D animation with live action, orchestral music, and heartfelt campfire tales.

And the best part? Our team will be in Jackson this fall to join the celebration, connect with fellow innovators, and (fingers crossed!) hear our name called when the winner is announced.

Thank you to everyone who has cheered us on—from early backers to festival programmers and fans of wild Florida stories. This milestone belongs to all of you who believed that bears, art, and conservation could combine into something magical.

Stay tuned for updates from the Tetons!