ORF Universum documentary was awarded at Jackson Wild Media Awards

ORF Universum’s wildlife & nature highlight “Big Bend – America’s Wildest Frontier” was awarded at Jackson Wild Media Awards for the combined contribution of sound editing, production mixing, and post-production mixing that most enhances the natural history story of which it is a part.

“Big Bend – America’s Wildest Frontier” – a production of Crossing the Line Productions and Thirteen Productions for WNET, in co-production with ORF Universum and France Télévisions in association with RTÉ and SVT – sheds light on the legendary Rio Grande river that cuts deep canyons between the US and Mexico, and it's globally distributed by ORF-Enterprise.

Director John Murray shows audiences America’s true borderland, where horizons never end and stars blaze as they have for eons; where mountain lion and black bear roam, and where bats stalk the desert floor at night. The film takes viewers on a journey through Big Bend over the course of a year, seeking out its secret places and wild creatures. The award-winning sound design and mix was created by Paul Finan, joined by re-recording mixer Jon Berman.

The Jackson Wild Media Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in science and nature storytelling and are known as the “nature equivalent to the Oscars”. This year’s submissions included over 750 entries from almost 30 different countries. More than 150 international judges screened over 3,000 hours of media based on which they selected the finalists. A distinguished panel of final judges from around the globe picked the 2021 Jackson Wild Media Award Winners, which were announced on September 30, 2021 during the Jackson Wild Summit.