CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER: 299450 COMPANY REGISTERED NUMBER: 02206559
ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2023/24 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
HELLO@WILDSCREEN.ORG WWW.WILDSCREEN.ORG
WILDSCREEN, UNIT 1.11 TEMPLE STUDIOS TEMPLE GATE, BRISTOL, BS1 6QA
CONTENTS
3...... REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 4.................................................2023/24 IN NUMBERS 5...................................... TRUSTEES’ REPORT 2023/24 27.................................................... FINANCE REVIEW 32......... STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES 35......................... INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT 38.................... STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 43......................... NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Company Number
02206559
Charity Number
299450
Registered Office/ Operational Address
Unit 1.11 Temple Studios, Temple Gate Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QA
Trustees
Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Con Alexander, Lynn Barlow, Lizzie Daly (appointed 12 September 2023), Andrew Doe, Carrie Greene, Jonathan Keeling, Laura Marshall, Mark Reynolds, Nicholas Rogers, Jessica Sweidan
Senior Leadership
CEO: Lucie Muir ARK Programme Manager: Charlie Whittaker Head of Events: Sue Martineau
Company Secretary
Velocity Company Secretarial Services Limited
Bankers
Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh, EH12 9DR
Solicitors Veale Wasbrough Vizards, Bristol, BS1 5WS
Independent Examiners
Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 5th Floor Mariner House, 62 Prince Street Bristol, BS1 4QD
Reference and Administrative Information 3
2023/24 IN NUMBERS PAID INTERNSHIPS, TOTALLING 2,221 HOURS, SUPPORTING UNDERREPRESENTED PEOPLE GAIN EXPERIENCE IN WILDLIFE 10TV AND CONSERVATION JOBS MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH NATURE IN THE CLASSROOM THROUGH 1.6 OUR EDUCATION RESOURCES MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED, FROM 11 COUNTRIES, 79 72 HOURS OF MENTORING SHORT FILMS FUNDED, DIRECTED BY 4 UNDERREPRESENTED FILMMAKERS IN FILM PITCHING PRIZES TO AFRICAN FILMMAKERS $19,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED 21 EVENTS 2,078
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TR TEE
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The Trustee Board presents its report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Reference and administrative information set out on page 3 forms part of this report. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 to the financial statements, and comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and
Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).
The company has taken advantage of the exemption to not have to prepare a strategic “ report in accordance with The Companies ’ Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors Report) Regulations 2013.”
The charity has due regard to the Charity ’ Commission s advice with regards to public benefit when designing its activities.
OBJECTIVES
OUR VISION
Wildscreen envisions a world where natural world storytelling is inclusive, accessible and impactful and where nature is protected and thriving.
OUR MISSION
Wildscreen connects people with nature through storytelling. We democratise the creation of and access to nature’s stories by:
Supporting and celebrating the natural world storytelling industry.
Nurturing a global community and next generation of storytellers.
Connecting creativity with conservation by convening storytellers and conservationists.
Raising awareness of conservation through educating and connecting local communities with the natural world through stories.
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WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION THROUGH OUR ECOSYSTEM OF INTERVENTIONS:
WILDSCREEN FESTIVAL
Our world-leading international festival, celebrating and advancing natural world storytelling, takes place biennially and is supported by year-round outreach events, partnerships and activities.
WILDSCREEN NETWORK
Our dynamic membership network at the heart of the wildlife storytelling industry, nurtures talent, supports professional development, facilitates networking and the evolution of an inclusive global community of natural world storytellers.
WILDSCREEN OUTREACH
Our outreach work provides free and affordable access to natural world stories, content, knowledge and education in local communities and schools empowering a diverse, new generation of natural world storytellers and conservationists.
OUR GOALS
Our programme of activity in 2023/24 was planned and delivered in accordance with the following strategic goals that underpin our 2021-24 organisational strategy:
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Lead the evolution of a diverse, inclusive global industry of natural world storytellers where authentic voices are celebrated and storytelling about nature is democratised.
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Wildscreen Festival is the world s largest, most accessible, inclusive and sustainable natural world storytelling festival.
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Wildscreen Network is the world s leading network for the global natural world storytelling industry, with global hubs in 5 countries.
Wildscreen Outreach nurtures the next generation of natural world storytellers, reaching 50,000 young people each year through education activities.
Wildscreen ARK is a nature content and education hub for young people, inspiring curiosity about the natural world and empowering them to protect it.
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WILDSCREEN FESTIVAL AND EVENTS
We continue to expand our programme of year-round events to lead the evolution of a diverse, inclusive and democratised natural world storytelling genre and creative output. We create opportunities for storytellers, scientists and conservationists, academics and funders to convene, share knowledge, develop new ideas and collaborate.
WILDSCREEN FESTIVAL NAIROBI
Despite Africa being historically one of the most actively filmed continents within the wildlife filmmaking genre, only 4 percent of Wildscreen Festival (Bristol) delegates in 2022 were from African countries. Over 25 percent of films submitted to our film competitions in 2022 featured African wildlife, yet only 7 percent were made in Africa. As part of our goal to build a more equitable wildlife storytelling industry and building on the success of our 2022 Wildscreen Festival global hub in Nairobi, we delivered Wildscreen Festival Nairobi between 30 June to 1 July 2023.
With support from BBC Studios Natural History Unit, we delivered a 2-day Festival in Nairobi, convening African storytellers with key global industry players, to empower incountry talent and to help shift the voice of the wildlife film industry.
organisations including the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Film Commission in order to develop an impactful event and programme, specifically curated to address the industry, funding, craft, talent and impact challenges and opportunities for African wildlife storytellers.
The event in June 2023, convened 205 delegates, from 12 countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and Rwanda plus key industry decision makers from the UK and US. Around 80 percent of the audience was new to Wildscreen events. The programme featured over 35 speakers across 20 sessions, networking events and screenings. We provided 24 bursaries to attend the Festival and engineered 54 industry mentorship relationships as part of the event, supporting African storytellers with long-term career goals and ambitions.
Working in partnership with WildlifeDirect, we convened a Festival Advisory Board consisting of key decision makers within the global wildlife film industry including BBC and National Geographic; Kenyan-based conservation organisations including the African Wildlife Foundation; government
With kind support from National Geographic, three African wildlife filmmakers were awarded a total fund of $19,000 to support the development of their film projects through WildPitch. We also delivered a one-day, inthe-field cinematography masterclass for 15 emerging African cinematographers.
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“ ’ It really has felt like a significant moment for African wildlife storytelling. In a sense, it s like a ’ seismic shift, and things are now rumbling; the energy is there, and it s now for us to take that energy and run with it and put it to good use.
We have creative thinking; how can we get our films funded? What kind of platforms can we put ’ ’ ’ them on? Let s think outside of the box, let s look at small-scale films because we re all working ’ ” for one goal, and if we can all do it together, then we ll really make that difference.
Festival Host, Jahawi Bertolli
“ It was great, amazing platform to showcase, learn, be inspired on the beauty and richness of our motherland, Africa and all the heritage within the continent, how we can work together to restore ” and conserve our heritage, also how to tell stories of our nature, culture etc on our own terms.
Wildscreen Nairobi Delegate, 2023
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SCIENCE IN STORYTELLING
This year we piloted a new one-day event focusing on putting science in the spotlight and highlighting the importance of nurturing relationships between scientists and storytellers - those with the knowledge, and those that want to share it.
The event supports cross-sector collaborations creating innovative and impactful stories that engage and educate the public with climate and biodiversity issues. This hybrid event, held on 12 March at the Bristol Beacon, platformed successful case
studies where scientists and filmmakers had come together in a symbiosis of minds to communicate science effectively and creatively.
Over 200 delegates (130 live, 74 online) joined from 10+ countries, for a day packed of networking and a programme with 5 sessions featuring 20 experts spanning the creative industries, charities and academia, sharing knowledge, lived experience and practical tips on how to successfully collaborate crosssector.
“ ’ It s rare to see an event that so effectively balances the viewpoints of both wildlife filmmaking and scientific communities. It would be wonderful to see events like this, allowing further ” collaborations in the future.
Science In Storytelling Delegate
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WILDSCREEN FESTIVAL TANZANIA
Building on the success and impact of Wildscreen Festival Nairobi in June 2023, we are continuing our goal to build a more equitable global wildlife film industry, specifically supporting storytellers from the African continent.
Wildscreen Festival Tanzania will take place in Arusha from the 6-7 June 2024. The event is being created in partnership between Wildscreen, BBC Studios Natural History Unit and the Tanzanian not-for-profit, AFRISOS.
A Festival Advisory Board comprised of voluntary representatives from across the global natural history film and TV industry and African conservation organisations are supporting Wildscreen and its partners to inform the programme and deliver the Festival, with 50 percent of the board being East African.
THE AIMS ARE TO:
Celebrate the role of Tanzania and Africa within the international wildlife film industry.
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Elevate Africa storytellers within the global wildlife storytelling industry, increasing representation within creative and editorial roles.
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Support the pipeline of indigenous African storytelling talent, providing mentorship, networking opportunities and demystifying the business of wildlife film.
Capacity build and created and support the growing industry infrastructure within Africa.
Open to everyone, both established and aspiring African filmmakers and worldwide industry professionals, the two-day festival will feature headline talks, panels, networking opportunities and a pitch fund to support East African storytellers to develop their film projects.
All delegates will be provided with a complimentary pass to the Wildscreen Festival 2024, to support continued professional development within the industry
and to directly address the lack of access to wildlife film content within the country, by providing on-demand access to the top 75+ films from across the genre globally. Representatives and partners from the Tanzania Advisory Board also sit on the main Wildscreen Festival 2024 Advisory Board to ensure that there is connection and flow between the two events and supporting our aim to build more inclusive and representative events.
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WILDSCREEN FESTIVAL 2024
Preparations have begun for the 21st Wildscreen Festival, to be held in October 2024. The theme for what will be our second “ hybrid edition, is Storytelling in a Changing ” World , addressing the powerful role of storytelling in the biodiversity and climate change crises alongside the changing and increasingly challenging financial landscape of the international film and TV industry.
The Festival Advisory Board, a voluntary body of industry representatives from around the world, has been established to work in collaboration with the Wildscreen Team to drive the vision and creative direction of the festival.
Four key pillars of craft, industry, global voices and planetary crisis will be weaved throughout the programme of content.
Representatives include leading figures in the global wildlife film and TV industry including broadcasters and platforms such as National Geographic and BBC Studios as well as leading production companies such as Wildstar Films, Silverback Films and Blue Ant Studios as well as freelancers and representatives from key wildlife filmmaking global hubs. BBC Studios Natural History Unit are supporting the event as Headline Sponsor.
FILM COMPETITIONS
WILDPHOTOS
Submissions have opened for our film competitions – the Wildscreen Panda Awards and the Official Selections. Two new Panda Award categories have been introduced this ’ year - Children s Award, sponsored by Wildscreen ARK to address the importance of content made for young people and the Field Craft Special Recognition, launched to recognise the skill, craft and importance of local, in-country field crew within the natural history genre.
Wildscreen and the Natural History Museum, ’ London s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, are collaborating and partnering on WildPhotos on 13 October 2024, just ahead of the next Wildscreen Festival. This one-day, hybrid, photography symposium will celebrate and convene a world-class line-up of conservation photographers from around the world, as part of the competitions 60th anniversary.
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WILDSCREEN OUTREACH
As part of our goal to lead the evolution of a diverse, inclusive global industry of natural world storytellers where authentic voices are celebrated and storytelling about nature is democratised, this year saw us build on our previous talent schemes and pilot our first film fund, to support emerging and underrepresented natural world filmmakers.
WILDSCREEN INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING INTERNSHIP SCHEME
In partnership with WWF-UK, we continued the delivery of a new pilot scheme providing paid internships for six UK-based and six internationallybased 18-35 year olds, to pursue careers in the natural world storytelling and content creation within the TV and conservation sectors.
The programme enables 12 internationally renowned wildlife TV production companies and conservation NGOs to partner with Wildscreen and open their doors to aspiring storytellers providing paid, practical experience across a variety of production roles. The scheme aims to tackle systemic barriers to entry into the natural world storytelling sectors, which disproportionately impact groups which are already underrepresented including ethnically diverse individuals, in-country talent, LGBTQIA+ individuals and those living with a disability, womxn, individuals who identify as neurodiverse, and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Nine internships have been completed/started to date with the two remaining internships having been recruited for and set to commence in April and June 2024.
Five internships are UK based, one in Argentina, one in Brazil, one in Kenya, two in Tanzania and one in Madagascar.
The decision was made to provide one less internship opportunity than originally planned and instead repurpose the funds to better support the other internships, ensuring that (1) the duration of the internships was enough time for interns to properly embed themselves in the role for maximum value to their career progression and (2) to support smaller organisations in the Global South with the overhead costs associated with taking on an intern, enabling their participation in the programme.
The programme has supported a diverse range of partners including, Big Wave Productions, Oak Island Films, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Planta Alta, If Not Us Then Who, WildlifeDirect, Madagascar Film and Photography, AFRISOS, Exeter Pheonix and VI Rental.
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A range of roles, representative of the diverse spectrum of career pathways available within the natural world storytelling industry, have been/will be hosted by the partnering organisations globally.
These included; Production Assistant, Trainee Researcher, Junior Production Management Assistant, Script Editor, Zine Creator, Events and Comms Assistant, Cinematography Trainee, Story Researcher, Event Assistant and Camera Assistant.
“ The scheme has benefitted me as I now have an insight into the industry and the different pathways I can take to develop my career. I now feel more prepared and have a better ” understanding of how to apply to my next job within the industry.
BBC Studios Natural History Unit Intern
KEY PROGRAMME ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE:
11 individuals benefitting from paid industry internships.
1,085 individual applications for the 10 internships advertised.
100% of interns found the opportunity a valuable experience.
100% of interns developed industry knowledge through participating in the programme.
33% of interns secured an ongoing role at their host organisation.
100% of interns felt that the experience gained through participating in the Wildscreen Storytelling Internship was beneficial to pursuing a career within the natural world storytelling sector.
“ I am very grateful to have participated in this plan. It helped me to have a clearer vision ” about my career.
Planta Alta Intern
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Wildscreen Storytelling Intern: Herizo Randrianandrasana Madagascar Film & Photography
CINEMATOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
In August 2023, we hosted a half-day outdoor cinematography workshop with 10 emerging cinematographers, in partnership with ARRI. The attendees got hands on with an ARRI Alexa 35, under the expert guidance of award-winning cinematographer Mark Payne-Gill.
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EDGE OF NATURE: SHORT FILM FUND
Launched in September 2023, the EDGE of submit in any language. Supporting Nature: Short Film Fund supports and documentation and guidance was hosted in nurtures emerging natural world storytellers formats that allowed for automatic to create new, innovative and outside the box translation, ensuring that the process was storytelling approaches to engage GenZ equitable for all. The marketing campaign was audiences and spotlight EDGE (Evolutionary successful in reaching our target audience, Distinct and Globally Endangered) species and 25% of applicants identified as LGBTQI+, habitats. The film fund and programme is 20% of applicants were aged 19-24 and 56% generously supported by On the Edge. aged 25-34, 59.4% identified as ethnically diverse and 13% identified as neurodiverse. The fund specifically sought to engage 50% of the applications received were made filmmakers belonging to groups which are by individuals based in developing countries. currently underrepresented within natural 48.5% of applicants were from and/or based world storytelling. We received 105 in the Global South. 10% of applications were applications from 32 countries to the film made from individuals from or based in Least fund. A social campaign reflective of the Developed Countries.
The fund specifically sought to engage filmmakers belonging to groups which are currently underrepresented within natural world storytelling. We received 105 applications from 32 countries to the film fund. A social campaign reflective of the target GenZ audience was created by Wildscreen, with Instagram reels alone gaining 16,656 views, and 70k+ impressions across all socials. Marketing was targeted into specific EDGE zones and we worked with our global network of partners to reach underrepresented storytellers in within the global majority. Media coverage was also secured spanning titles such as Broadcast, British Cinematographer and Realscreen.
Applications were reviewed and shortlisted by a preliminary committee comprised of Wildscreen and On the Edge staff. The shortlisted applicants were provided with pitch training and mentorship. The filmmakers pitched their projects to a final jury comprised of representatives from Wildscreen, On the Edge and industry experts including Oscar and Panda Award-winning filmmakers and a representative from Disney Animation Studios. Following selection, in-depth due diligence on each project was undertaken.
To ensure the application process was as accessible as possible, applicants were able to
----- Start of picture text -----
Edge Of Nature Grantee:
Will Clothier, RAMFY
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AWARDEES
Four emerging filmmakers from Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore and the UK have been awarded grants of between £10,000 to £15,000 each to produce their film. Grantees all belong to an underrepresented group. Each grantee is also supported with a yearround training and professional development programme.
THIS INCLUDES:
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Training resources covering topics such as sustainable production, budgeting and mental health.
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8 x training sessions delivered by industry experts covering: Pitch Training, Post Production, Production Management, Story Development, Social Media, Rough Cut to Picture Lock, Trailer Creation and Public Speaking.
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Industry mentorship – each grantee is connected to at least one industry mentor across the lifetime of their project for a total of 8 hours over 8 months.
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Mini-mentors to support grantees on specific elements of their project, providing 1-4 hours of support spanning indigenous storytelling, scripting and low light cinematography. 11 mini mentors have supported to date.
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1:1 post production consultation and support, up to 24 hours per project, generously provided by Evolutions Post Production.
Six EDGE species are being spotlighted collectively by the 4 projects; Tboli Leaf Warbler, Temminck's pangolin, Tapir, Great Hornbill, Proboscis monkey and Cameron Highlands Sticky Frog.
The final films will be premiered at the Wildscreen Festival 2024 and distributed online globally via YouTube.
We are extremely grateful to our network of industry mentors and partners who have supported the Edge of Nature Short Film Fund so generously with their time and expertise. These include: Disney, Planta Alta, Wildstar Films, Silverback Films, Plimsoll Productions, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Evolutions, RED Digital Cinema, NEWF and If Not Us Then Who.
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OTHER PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS
We continue to collaborate and build relationships with partners around the world, amplifying Wildscreen and our partners impact, reach and influence as well as pooling resources and expertise to ensure increasingly more competitive and stretched funding is used most effectively.
We continued our annual partnership with WildViewTaiwan Nature Communication ‘ Society for its film festival, screening The ’ Best of Wildscreen where we delivered a
package of film content for a summer of wildlife film screenings at the National Museum of Natural Science and other venues. This year saw the partnership expand to include the Delta Foundation Film Festival, where we provided a package of films focussing on marine biodiversity and climate change.
We partnered again with Sunny Side of the Doc in France to support session content and natural history funding pitches.
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WILDSCREEN ARK
’ Wildscreen ARK s vision is a future where there is equity of natural history knowledge and skills, enabling young people to connect with the natural world and feel empowered to create a future that supports climate, biodiversity and sustainability. At one of the most critical times for nature, young people, in particular teenagers, feel less connected with nature than ever before.
THE AIMS OF WILDSCREEN ARK ARE TO:
Make engaging educational natural content available to young people for free.
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Support educators by offering trusted resources so they can teach about natural history and the environment with confidence.
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Build routes into the filmmaking, media and conservation sectors for young people, particularly those with different life experiences.
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Continue the legacy of ARKive, the world s leading audio-visual encyclopaedia of life on Earth.
“ The pictures and videos on the original Arkive.org were a significant part of my childhood and the catalyst for my love of nature today. Having been disappointed when it closed down, I am ” tremendously excited to hear that it is returning!
Wildscreen ARK Supporter
With generous multi-year core funding support from The Garfield Weston Foundation and a multiyear grant from The Linbury Trust, this year we were able to recruit a small project team to develop and launch the ARK prototype.
BUILDING THE TEAM
In Summer 2023 we appointed an ARK Programme Manager and ARK Project Assistant to develop and launch a prototype of Wildscreen ARK. Additional grants were secured to support the recruitment of five ARK Media Researcher internships, to join the team for 3-6 months. We received grants from The Nisbet Trust, University of Bristol and the University of Southampton.
Following an inclusive recruitment process, these roles were focused on reaching young people from underrepresented backgrounds within the environmental and creative space.
All interns are paid the Real Living Wage and are supported by a wraparound mentorship programme delivered by Wildscreen staff.
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PROTYPE BUILD
Following a tender process, Rocketmakers, a Bath-based software development company and a certified B-Corporation, was awarded the contract to develop and build the ARK prototype platform. They also generously contributed £30,000 of pro-bono development time.
As part of the project discovery phase, in-
person workshops were held in Bristol secondary schools located within areas of deprivation, to prioritise key design and functionality elements and ensure co-curation of the project with our core audience of young people. We have so far recruited 6 ARK partner schools, covering ages 11-18, within Bristol to support with co-creation, testing and evaluation of the prototype.
"Thank you to the Wildscreen team for putting on such a fantastic event. It was an excellent opportunity for young people to learn about careers in natural history filmmaking. Although the TV industry is aware of the need to make career entry more accessible, particularly to under” represented groups, there are still very few sessions like this.
Teacher, Bristol Secondary School
Developing a co-created project with young people does have its challenges, especially engaging those not already interested in the environment. We are in a learning process of how to best work with and support schools and community groups and how to be agile in our development and strategy so that we are not prescribing what young people want.
The ARK team have also been focused on media content acquisition, partnerships and the unlocking of the original archive of 100,000+ images from the original Arkive project.
With pro bono legal support from Taylor Wessing, new ARK donor and user license agreements have been created. Nature Picture ’ Library, the world s largest and most bespoke wildlife photography agency, have kindly agreed to include their content within ARK.
In February 2023, we launched the Wildscreen ARK prototype featuring 35 UK species, growing to 120 species, covering 109 taxonomic groups by Spring 2024 and 1,000 images.
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WILDSCREEN EXCHANGE
EDUCATION
Wildscreen Exchange, is a stills library providing free access to 25,000 images of species and habitats to 300 conservation organisations. Whilst some of the content is being absorbed into the ARK platform, the future of the Exchange platform is being explored within the wider context of Wildscreen ARK and will be determined as part of our 2025+ strategy.
Our collection of over 60 curriculum-linked education resources continues to be popular with teachers, with over 54,000 downloads in the UK alone last year. They are also ranked within the top 20 best resources by the STEM learning hub.
These and future resources will be integrated within the Wildscreen ARK platform.
OUTREACH
Teaming up with the West of England Combined Authority, we will create a new education resource section of the ARK platform and deliver outreach programmes in existing and new partner schools to introduce young people to nature storytelling skills and careers. From this we have created a nature photography competition resource for formal and informal learning.
We will be encouraging young people aged 13 – 18 years old from Bath, North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire to tell their nature stories in Summer 2024 through photographs and short films as part of a regional competition.
We hope to use this as a blueprint for a national, teacher-led competition in 2025.
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WILDSCREEN NETWORK
The aim of the Wildscreen Network is to be an inclusive membership community that supports, connects and convenes freelancers and production companies working to give nature a voice. ’ Individual membership was 306 across the year, with 15 corporate members including the world s leading wildlife production companies.
STRATEGY AND TEAM
Network income decreased from the previous year due to the lack of a team member to manage the platform and membership. A Network Coordinator was appointed in August 2023 to oversee the day to day running of the membership and events. This included clearing a backlog of outstanding corporate membership renewal invoicing. Large corporates all
renewed, some smaller corporates have not renewed due to current financial uncertainty in wildlife film and TV industry.
A Task and Finish Group was created comprising of staff and trustees to review the current status of the Network, future objectives, finance and challenges, to feed into the 2025+ organisational strategy.
EVENTS
We delivered 6 in-person networking events in Bristol and London, bringing together 207 industry professionals.
In the lead up to Wildscreen Festival Nairobi, we partnered with Films For African Wildlife, Pridelands Wildlife Film Festival and Jackson Wild to host a virtual speed networking event, with the goal of connecting emerging and
mid-career natural history and wildlife talent from across Africa with global production companies that have, or will have, shadowing, paid and/or mentorship opportunities available within Africa. The event had 18 Producers and Talent Executives meet with 66 attendees based across the African continent.
We delivered 6 webinars, reaching 368 attendees covering topics such as:
• In April 2023, in partnership with the Royal Television Society, West of England, Wildscreen Network hosted a premiere screening of Netflix's Chimp which was attended by 200 people.
‘ ’ • In March 2024, following our new Science In Storytelling symposium, we partnered once again with the Royal Television Society, West of England, to host an exclusive screening and Q&A for the series Queens, a new female-powered docuseries by National Geographic and Wildstar Films. Over 300 industry professionals attended the screening.
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TALENT SCHEMES AND TRAINING
Our annual Emerging Talent month returned in May featuring across the Network and socials. Three free webinars were delivered about accessing the industry reaching over 500 people, covering:
Remote Working in Natural History.
Emerging Talent: Transferring Skills into Production Management .
Breaking into the Natural History Industry: Africa .
In August 2023, we hosted a half-day outdoor cinematography workshop in Bristol with 10 emerging cinematographers, in partnership with ARRI. The attendees got hands on with an ARRI Alexa 35, under the expert guidance of award-winning cinematographer Mark Payne-Gill.
"Just wanted to extend my gratitude and appreciation for yesterday morning. It was a phenomenal session, and a privilege getting to learn from one of the best and a revered individual in the industry. More power to the team at Wildscreen for the brilliant work"
ARRI Cinematography Workshop Participant
ARRI Cinematography Workshop
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OPERATIONS
We continue to build an inclusive, safe and empowering working environment and culture. Hybrid working has remained the norm for our employees and freelance team members, providing flexibility and a healthy work-life balance.
We have grown our team this year to include two new roles, Head of Events and ARK Programme Manager, forming a senior leadership team within the organisation, along with the CEO. In addition we have grown the team this year to include a Project Assistant, Network Coordinator and an ARK Project
Assistant. Ahead of the Wildscreen Festival 2024, a Film Competition and Events Assistant has also been recruited.
We continue to review and implement inclusive and accessible recruitment and employment practices for our internal staff team, our external talent and mentorship schemes and volunteers.
This year we were accredited as a Real Living Wage Employer and a Disability Confident Employer.
COMMUNICATIONS
As an organisation cemented within the natural world storytelling ecosystem, with a mission to connect more people with nature through storytelling, we are committed to growing our own communications.
Media coverage grew year-round at a national and international level, notably expanding outside of the Festival covering Edge of Nature and ARK. Our supporter base on social media continued its organic growth increasing by 11%, and our email marketing list grew by 30%.
KEY STATS IN 2023/24:
Total media coverage (online and print): 75 pieces
Email database subscribers: 5,901
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Website visitors (across all platforms): 27,000 users
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Social Media Followers: Instagram (13,625), Facebook (7,514), LinkedIn (4,554) Twitter (13,437).
Over the coming year, we will invest in growing the communications and marketing expertise across the team.
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FUTURE PLANS
WORKING TOWARDS OUR 2024 STRATEGIC PLAN, OVER THE COMING YEAR OUR GOALS ARE TO:
Develop the world’s leading hybrid, low carbon natural world storytelling festival, supported by global hubs and public outreach programme. Wildscreen Festival 2024 will take place from 14-18 October 2024.
Support authentic, diverse voices to enter and progress within the natural world storytelling industry both within the UK and globally through:
The delivery of talent schemes, paid internships and mentorship programmes both within Wildscreen and with our global partners.
Deliver and grow the EDGE of Nature: Short Film Fund to provide grant funding to emerging natural world storytellers to create new, innovative and outside the box storytelling.
Nurture an equitable, global community and next generation of storytellers by expanding our year-round programme of events, including:
Wildscreen Festival Tanzania, to support and platform African wildlife storytellers.
Wildscreen Festival 2024.
Science In Storytelling - convening scientists with storytellers to create and share equitable stories of nature.
Pilot WildPhotos – a one-day conservation photography symposium.
Develop Wildscreen Network as the leading membership and community for the natural world storytelling industry.
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Develop a 5-year strategy for Wildscreen ARK to include:
’ Increasing young people s participation in Wildscreen ARK, empowering the next generation of natural world guardians.
Release global natural history content on ARK.
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Update and release new education resources for global.
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Increase our UK and global audience through partnerships and collaborations with conservation and education organisations to increase impact by creating journeys that lead to conservation action.
Release the legacy content captured in ARKive.
Raise Wildscreen’s visibility and relevance among the public, with a key focus on young people.
This coming year, we will develop and launch our 2025+ strategy. As with all we do at Wildscreen, this will be developed through a collaborative process engaging our team, board, our community, beneficiaries and partners. This strategy will give us a roadmap for the next chapter of Wildscreen, laser-focusing our efforts on where we are best placed to make the most impact for our community and the public during this critical period for our natural world.
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•(" qq 4• FINANCE REVIEW . 27
FINANCE REVIEW
The overall income was £436,089 compared to £780,920 in the previous year. Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2024 were £83,989. It should be noted that the previous year included a Festival, our biennial event which drives our biggest contribution of unrestricted funding. For comparison, income for the previous equivalent non-Festival year, was £167,841, demonstrating the positive steps made towards growing income and diversification of income streams to ’ strengthen the charity s financial resilience.
Despite a challenging and unknown landscape across the charity sector, through the hard work and dedication of its talented team, the charity is in its most financially sustainable position in its most recent history.
Grant funding will continue to support the piloting of activities. Successful projects will aim to attract funding support from non-grant sources to sustain and grow them.
RESERVES POLICY AND GOING CONCERN
The trustees consider the reserves policy should be that the free reserves should wherever possible and appropriate, be sufficient to cover a minimum of three ’ months operating costs.
’ The charity s unrestricted reserves have decreased to £84,257 at 31 March 2024, from £178,962 at 31 March 2023. It should be noted that the previous year included a Festival, our biennial event which drives our biggest contribution of unrestricted funding.
This represents 2.3 months of unrestricted expenditure based on planned expenditure for 2024/25. A target of 3-6 months has been agreed. However, income for 2024/25 has already been secured, specifically for the Festival through submission fees, sponsorship and ticket sales. Consultancy projects have also been secured for both ARK and Festival. We will also seek to grow our additional unrestricted funds over the coming year through growth of our event programme, membership fees and fundraising.
INVESTMENT POLICY
’ When deciding Wildscreen s investment policy, the trustees first take into consideration the level of reserves required on an annual and short-term basis. The current position is that the trustees have decided the ’ charity s funds should be used to maintain its
levels of activity, and it is therefore unlikely that there will be any substantial funds for long term investment. In addition, interest rates remain low and do not currently offer a good return on investment.
28
Finance Review
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
GOVERNING DOCUMENT
Wildscreen is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated as a registered charity on 18 December 1987. It wholly owns two subsidiary trading companies, Wildscreen Trading Ltd incorporated on 14 May 1991 and Wildscreen Network Ltd, incorporated on 28 September 2011. The charity was established under a Memorandum of Association which establishes the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES
Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years, after which they can be reelected for a further three-year period. The trustees also have the power to appoint trustees to fill vacancies on the board of trustees or as additional trustees. Such coopted trustees may include individuals who have previously held office as trustees for the maximum two three-year terms.
Wildscreen has approximately 10 board members at any one time, with no fixed
number, and new trustees are appointed as and when new skills and expertise are ’ required. With a number of current trustees second terms coming to an end in early 2025, over the coming year the Board of Trustees will conduct a board audit and inclusive recruitment process to ensure the organisation has the wide range of skills required to support its governance and deliver its mission in line with the new 2025+ strategy.
TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING
New trustees receive a briefing which covers, among other things, their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and financial performance of the charity.
A Trustee Handbook has also been prepared, drawing information from the various Charity Commission publications. The handbook includes a history and summary of the organisation and is appended with a copy of the Memorandum and Articles and the latest financial statements.
29
Finance Review
ORGANISATION
The board of trustees administers the charity and is responsible for its strategic direction and policy. The board meets every three months. A Chief Executive is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity and to ensure that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met.
GRANT MAKING POLICY
The charity gratefully acknowledges the generous support of a network of volunteers who generously give their time and expertise to Wildscreen.
The charity benefitted from 27 volunteers who gave 259 hours of time during the financial year. If this is valued at the UK’s Real Living Wage of £12 per hour the volunteer efforts amount to £3,108.
In accordance with FRS102 and the Charities SORP (FRS102), the economic contribution of volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.
VOLUNTEERS
In exceptional cases Wildscreen will award its own grants to not for profit activities that help with ’ the delivery of Wildscreen s own charitable objective. The Board will be notified of these opportunities and will formally approve the transfer of funds in the form of a grant on a case-bycase basis to other parties.
Finance Review 30
RISK MANAGEMENT
The trustees review annually the principal risks which the charity may face and oversee the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
Key elements in the management of financial risks are the setting of a reserves policy and its regular review by trustees; the monitoring of financial performance against budget at each board meeting with financial implications being highlighted and discussed.
The trustees consider that the charity will continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved for the following reasons:
The charity holds reserves of £84,257.
-
There has been a significant increase in the value and number of grants from trusts and foundations across our projects, with two multi-year grants secured.
-
Year-round events programme in the UK and internationally continue to generate year-round income through grants, sponsorship and tickets sales. Wildscreen Festival Tanzania will be delivered in June 2024 and the Wildscreen Festival 2024 has started to generate deferred income through submission fees and sponsorship in advance of the event in October 2024.
-
Wildscreen Network continues to generate year-round income through membership fees and ticket sales.
Consultancy projects for 2024/25 are confirmed.
-
The current financial projections, based on the revised plan for the year, show the ’
-
reserves increasing above the level set by the Reserves Policy.
The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation of the accounts, as detailed in note I (b) to the financial statements.
Finance Review 31
qq STATEMENT OFTRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES VJ
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the group and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity and the group for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and State whether applicable accounting then apply them consistently. standards and statements of recommended practice have been
-
Observe the methods and principles in followed, subject to any material the Charities SORP. departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
-
Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and Prepare the financial statements on the prudent. going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and the group and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 33
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS
GODFREY WILSON LIMITED WERE RE-APPOINTED AS INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS TO THE GROUP AND PARENT CHARITY DURING THE YEAR AND HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE IN THAT CAPACITY.
Approved by the trustees on 16 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Laura Marshall - Chair of Trustees
34
qq INDEPENDENT EXAMINERIS REPORT
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WILDSCREEN
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the consolidated accounts of the Group comprising Wildscreen ('the Company') and its subsidiary undertakings for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 39 to 59.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the trustees of the Company you are responsible for the preparation of the consolidated accounts of the Group in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act') and you have chosen to prepare consolidated accounts for the Group. You are satisfied that the accounts of both the Company and the Group are not required by company law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.
I report in respect of my examination of the consolidated accounts as carried out under ‘ section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ( the 2011 ’ Act ). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the consolidated accounts present a 'true and fair' view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner's statement.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
’ Since the Company s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
Godfrey Wilson Limited also provided bookkeeping and payroll services to the group during the year. I confirm that as a member of ’ the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.
Independent Examiners Report 36
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
(1) Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company and the Group as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act and, with respect to the subsidiaries, as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
(4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
William Guy Blake
Date: 17 December 2024
William Guy Blake ACA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditor 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD
Independent Examiners Report 37
qq STATEMENIOP_. FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 38
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
| Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/ (expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total fund brought forward Total funds carried forward Note 3 4 5 7 8 |
Restricted £ 31,949 100,652 - - 132,601 - 239,866 239,866 (107,265) 56,997 (50,268) 50,000 (268) Unrestricted £ 113,319 12,865 177,128 176 303,488 43,294 297,902 341,196 (37,708) (56,997) (94,705) 178,962 84,257 |
2024 Total £ 145,268 113,517 177,128 176 436,089 43,294 537,768 581,062 (144,973) - (144,973) 228,962 83,989 2023 Total £ 74,865 326,818 379,178 59 780,920 52,881 540,040 592,921 187,999 - 187,999 40,963 228,962 |
|---|---|---|
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 20 to the accounts.
Statement of Financial Activities (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 39
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Fixed assets Tangible assets investments Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors:amounts falling due within 1 year Net current assets Net assets Funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total charity funds Note 13 14 16 17 19 20 |
The group 2024 £ 4,156 - 4,156 160,457 167,180 327,637 247,804 79,833 83,989 (268) 84,257 83,989 |
The group 2023 £ - - - 19,853 255,719 275,572 46,610 228,962 228,962 50,000 178,962 228,962 The charity 2024 £ 4,156 102 4,258 91,923 36,133 128,056 47,065 80,991 85,249 (268) 85,517 85,249 The charity 2023 £ - 102 102 4,359 71,651 76,010 16,208 59,802 59,904 50,000 9,904 59,904 |
|---|---|---|
For the year ended 31 March 2024, the charitable company was entitled to the exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
No notice has been deposited under section 476 in relation to its accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 and no members have requested an audit.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records complying with section 386; and preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at 31 March 2024, and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with sections 394 and 395, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Statement of Financial Activities (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 40
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
Approved by the trustees on 16 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by
Laura Marshall - Chair of Trustees
41
Statement of Financial Activities (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| Cash used in operating activities: Net movement in funds Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Decrease/ (increase)in debtors (Decrease) /increase in creditors Net cash provided by/ (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities Increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
2024 £ (144,973) 864 (140,604) 201,194 (83,519) (5,020) (5,020) (88,539) 255,719 167,180 2023 £ 187,999 - 39,258 (66,834) 160,423 - - 160,423 95,296 255,719 |
|---|---|
The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.
qq TES TQFINANC'IAL V STAT MENTS 43
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A) BASIS OF PREPARATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Wildscreen is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is Unit 1.11, Temple Studios Temple Gate, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QA.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Wildscreen meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
B) GROUP ACCOUNTS
These financial statements consolidate the results of the charitable company and its whollyowned (controlled) subsidiaries on a line by line basis. Transactions and balances between the charitable company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Balances between the three companies are disclosed in the notes of the charitable ' company s balance sheet. A separate statement of financial activities, or income and expenditure account, for the charitable company itself is not presented because the charitable company has taken advantage of the exemptions afforded by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.
C) GOING CONCERN BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
D) INCOME
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
44
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024)
D) INCOME (CONTINUED)
' ' ' ' Income from the government and other grants, whether capital grants or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Income received in advance of events or services to be delivered in future periods is deferred until criteria for income recognition are met.
E) DONATED SERVICES AND FACILITIES
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
F) INTEREST RECEIVABLE
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
G) FUNDS ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
H) EXPENDITURE AND IRRECOVERABLE VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
I) ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory ’ requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity s activities.
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 45
I) ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS (CONTINUED) These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the following basis:
activities on the following basis: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Raising funds | 7% | 9% |
| Charitable activities | 93% | 91% |
J) GRANTS PAYABLE
Grants which have been authorised and paid are included as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities. Grants which have been authorised but not yet paid are accrued in the balance sheet and are included within trade creditors.
K) TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.
Depreciation is charged on a 3 years' straight line basis.
L) INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS
The charitable company has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Wildscreen Trading Limited, (registered company number 02610585) and Wildscreen Network Limited (registered company number 07790670). The subsidiaries are used for non-primary purpose trading activities. The subsidiary undertakings are valued at cost less any cumulative impairment losses in the charitable company's accounts.
M) DEBTORS
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
N) CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
O) CREDITORS
Creditors and provisions are recognised where there is a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
P) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 46
Q) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the year end.
R) ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND KEY JUDGEMENTS
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
There are no sources of estimation uncertainty during the year.
2. PRIOR PERIOD COMPARATIVE: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activies Other trading activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income and net movement in funds |
Restricted £ 7,797 54,696 - - 62,493 - 12,493 12,493 50,000 Unrestricted £ 67,068 272,122 379,178 59 718,427 52,881 527,547 580,428 137,999 2023 Total £ 74,865 326,818 379,178 59 780,920 52,881 540,040 592,921 187,999 |
|---|---|
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 47
3. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations | 7,262 | 25,319 | 32,581 | |
| Gifts in kind | - | 38,000 | 38,000 | |
| Grants: | ||||
| Garfield Weston | - | 50,000 | 50,000 | |
| University of Bristol | 1,330 | - | 1,330 | |
| University of Southampton | 2,300 | - | 2,300 | |
| Watershed | 400 | - | 4,00 | |
| Nisbet Trust | 6,001 | - | 6,001 | |
| National Heritage Lottery Fund | 14,656 | - | 14,656 | |
| Total income from donations and legacies | 31,949 | 113,319 | 145,268 |
Wildscreen received gifts in kind during the year relating to goods and services below: Pro-bono legal services: £8,000 IT Consultancy: £30,000
PRIOR PERIOD COMPARATIVE
| Restricted Unrestricted |
Restricted Unrestricted |
2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | - | 130 | 130 |
| Grants: | |||
| Garfield Weston | - | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Screen Skills | - | 11,005 | 11,005 |
| Department for Work and Pensions | - | 5,933 | 5,933 |
| National Heritage Lottery Fund | 4,797 | - | 4,797 |
| West of England Combined Authority | 3,000 | - | 3,000 |
| Total income from donations and legacies | 7,797 | 67,068 | 74,865 |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 48
4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Ticket sales | - | 12,865 | 12,865 | |||
| Grants: | ||||||
| Linbury Trust | 50,000 | - | 50,000 | |||
| Creative Scotland | 1,032 | - | 1,032 | |||
| On The Edge | 49,620 | - | 49,620 | |||
| Total income from charitable activities | 100,652 | 12,865 | 113,517 | |||
| PRIOR PERIOD COMPARATIVE | ||||||
| Restricted | Unrestricted | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Ticket sales | - | 193,313 | 193,313 | |||
| Submission fees | - | 76,809 | 76,809 | |||
| Grants: | ||||||
| Linbury Trust | 50,000 | - | 50,000 | |||
| Creative Scotland | 3,096 | - | 3,096 | |||
| British Film institute | 1,600 | - | 1,600 | |||
| Photography exhibitions and boards | - | 2,000 | 2,000 | |||
| Total income from other trading activities | 54,696 | 272,122 | 326,818 | |||
| 5. INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Sponsorship | 69,638 | 294,221 | ||||
| Membership | 26,172 | 35,753 | ||||
| Consultancy | 80,078 | 14,741 | ||||
| Trade show | - | 14,100 | ||||
| Other income | - | 12,435 | ||||
| Advertising and merchandise | 140 | 5,368 | ||||
| Networking events | 1,100 | 2,560 | ||||
| Total income from trading activities | 177,128 | 379,178 | ||||
| All income from other trading activities in the current and prior period was unrestricted. |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 49
6. GOVERNMENT GRANTS
The charitable company received government grants, comprising funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund to fund activities during the year (2023: funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Department of Work and Pensions (Kickstart Scheme), British Film Institute and West of England Combined Authority). The total value of these grants was £14,656 (2023: £15,330). There were no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants.
7. TOTAL EXPENDITURE
| Fundraising Staff costs(note 9) Grants payable(note 10) Bursaries(note 11) Travel and subsistence Advertising and marketing Office and administration costs Digital development Event and activity costs Premises costs Legal and professional fees Accountancy Consultancy Sub-total Allocation of support and governance costs Total expenditure Raising funds £ 4,306 21,634 - - 196 72 3,986 - 2,456 - - 2,088 - 34,738 8,556 43,294 Charitable activities £ - 170,098 49,620 3,964 6,184 23,525 15,928 89,839 34,914 36,489 - 926 - 431,487 106,281 537,768 Support and governance costs £ - 42,093 - - 2,173 18 31,081 - 3,918 - 16,543 19,011 - 114,837 (114,837) - |
2024 Total £ 4,306 233,825 49,620 3,964 8,553 23,615 50,995 89,839 41,288 36,489 16,543 22,025 - 581,062 - 581,062 |
Charitable activities £ - 116,420 5,000 10,271 3,477 19,318 23,866 - 280,651 14,189 - 8,248 1,846 483,286 56,754 540,040 Raising funds £ 7,679 29,326 - - - 2,411 4,689 - 1,103 - - 2,115 - 47,323 5,558 52,881 2023 Total £ 7,679 170,514 5,000 10,271 6,983 22,332 52,432 - 282,030 14,189 1,737 17,908 1,846 592,921 - 592,921 Support and governance costs £ - 24,768 - - 3,506 603 23,877 - 276 - 1,737 7,545 - 62,312 (62,312) - |
|---|---|---|
Total governance costs were £12,893 (2023: £6,626)
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 50
8. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
This is stated after charging:
| 8. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS This is stated after charging: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Operating lease payments | 29,207 | 10,350 |
| Depreciation Trustees’remuneration |
864 Nil |
- Nil |
| Trustees’reimbursed expenses Independent examiners’remuneration(excluding VAT): |
Nil | Nil |
| •Independent examination | 2,400 | 2,300 |
| •Other services | 3,000 | 4,326 |
In common with other charities of our size and nature we use our independent examiners to assist with the preparation of the financial statements and to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities. Our independent examiners have also provided payroll services to the charity during the year.
9. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
Staff costs were as follows:
| 9. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS Staff costs were as follows: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Salaries and wages | 214,461 | 156,355 |
| Social security costs | 14,166 | 10,307 |
| Pension costs | 5,198 | 3,852 |
| 233,825 | 170,514 |
No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year.
The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees and Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £48,268 (2023: £50,999).
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Average number of employees | 8.8 | 5.9 |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 51
10. GRANTS PAYABLE
During the year, grants were awarded to 4 individuals from the On The Edge grant funding for producing a short film. In the prior year we provided small grants to five production companies and conservation organisations, in partnership with WWF, to support paid internships for 18-35 year olds from underrepresented groups to gain paid, practical experience in the wildlife film industry.
industry. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Total grants committed to during the year were as follows: | 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ | |
| Grants payable to individuals | 49,620 | 5,000 |
11. BURSARIES
Bursaries represent the amount provided by Wildscreen to support attendance at Wildscreen events by underrepresented people as part of our commitment to build a more inclusive natural world storytelling community. These bursaries cover travel, accommodation, per diems and soft admissions to our Festival, year-round events and annual Network membership. These bursaries supported 24 individuals during the year (2023: 40).
12. TAXATION
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes. The subsidiary companies distribute any profits to the charity and therefore no corporation tax is payable.
13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS GROUP AND CHARITY
| 13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
||
|---|---|---|
| GROUP AND CHARITY | Computer equipment £ |
|
| Cost | ||
| At 1 April 2023 | - | |
| Additions in year | 5,020 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 5,020 | |
| Depreciation | ||
| At 1 April 2023 | - | |
| Charge for the year | 864 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 864 | |
| Net book value | ||
| At 31 March 2024 | 4,156 | |
| At 31 March 2023 | - |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 52
14. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS
Wildscreen Trading Limited
The charitable company owns the whole of the issued share capital (2 ordinary £1 shares) of Wildscreen Trading Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. The subsidiary is used for non-primary purpose trading activities. All activities have been consolidated on a line by line basis in the statement of financial activities. Available profits are donated to the charitable company. A summary of the results of the subsidiary is shown below:
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Turnover | 94,507 | 597,719 | |||
| Cost of sales | (36,620) | (274,098) | |||
| Gross profit | 57,887 | 323,621 | |||
| Administrative expenses | (57,363) | (98,394) | |||
| Operating profit | 524 | 225,227 | |||
| Other interest receivable and similar income | - | 10 | |||
| Interest payable and similar charges | - | (111) | |||
| Profit on ordinary activities before taxation | 524 | 225,126 | |||
| Tax on profit on ordinary activities | - | - | |||
| Profit for the financial year after taxation | 524 | 225,126 | |||
| The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and funds was: | |||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Assets | 239,860 | 179,150 | |||
| Liabilities | (239,858) | (18,916) | |||
| Funds | 2 | 160,234 |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 53
14. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS (CONTINUED)
Wildscreen Network Limited
The charitable company owns the whole of the issued share capital (100 ordinary £1 shares) of Wildscreen Network Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. The subsidiary is used for non-primary purpose trading activities. All activities have been consolidated on a line by line basis in the statement of financial activities. Available profits are donated to the charitable company. A summary of the results of the subsidiary is shown below:
| Turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Administrative expenses Operating profit Other interest receivable and similar income Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities Profit for the financial year after taxation The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and funds was: Assets Liabilities Funds 15. PARENT CHARITY The parent charity's gross income and the results for the year are disclosed as follows: Gross income Results for the year |
2024 £ 32,676 (6,926) 25,750 (24,581) 1,169 176 1,345 - 1,345 2024 £ 30,556 (30,456) 100 2023 £ 38,563 (5,449) 33,114 (22,485) 10,629 49 10,678 - 10,678 2023 £ 24,969 (16,043) 8,926 2024 £ 507,746 25,345 2023 £ 283,791 31,903 |
|---|---|
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 54
16. DEBTORS
| 16. DEBTORS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The group | The group | The charity | The charity | |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Trade debtors | 108,546 | 14,514 | 17,599 | - |
| Prepayments | 46,070 | 2,579 | - | 1,599 |
| Othe debtors | 5,841 | 2,760 | 5,841 | 2,760 |
| Amounts owed from subsidaries | - | - | 68,483 | - |
| 160,457 | 19,853 | 91,923 | 4,359 |
17. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS DUE WITHIN 1 YEAR
| The group | The group | The charity | The charity | The charity | The charity | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Trade creditors | 70,176 | 10,160 | 11,141 | 6,547 | |||
| Grants payable | 9,924 | - | 9,924 | - | |||
| Other taxation and social security | 18,511 | 182 | 21,107 | 3,552 | |||
| Accruals | 6,963 | 9,332 | 3,343 | 5,620 | |||
| Other creditors | 3,484 | 1,236 | 1,550 | 489 | |||
| Deferred income(see note 18) | 138,746 | 25,700 | - | - | |||
| 247,804 | 46,610 | 47,065 | 16,208 | ||||
| 18. DEFERRED INCOME | |||||||
| The group | The group | The charity | The charity | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| At 1 April 2023 | 25,700 | 84,450 | - | - | |||
| Deferred during the year | 138,746 | 25,700 | - | - | |||
| released during the year | (25,700) | (84,450) | - | - | |||
| At 31 March 2024 | 138,746 | 25,700 | - | - | |||
| Deferred income relates to advance sales of festival tickets, festival sponsorship and | |||||||
| memberships. |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 55
19. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS THE GROUP
Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 31 March 2024 Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 31 March 2023 At 1 April 2023 £ - - 50,000 - - - 50,000 178,962 178,962 228,962 Restricted funds BFI - Fan Exhibition Creative Scotland Linbury Trust New to Nature(NHLF) On The Edge ARK Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds PRIOR PERIOD COMPARATIVE 20. MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS Income £ 400 1,032 50,000 14,656 49,620 16,893 132,601 303,488 303,488 436,089 |
Restricted funds £ - (268) - (268) Unrestricted funds £ 4,156 327,905 (247,804) 84,257 Total funds £ 4,156 327,637 (247,804) 83,989 Restricted funds £ 50,000 - 50,000 Unrestricted funds £ 225,572 (46,610) 178,962 Total funds £ 275,572 (46,610) 228,962 At 31 March 2024 £ - - - - (268) - (268) 84,257 84,257 83,989 Transfers between funds £ - - (100,000) - - 156,997 56,997 (56,997) (56,997) - Expenditure £ (400) (1,032) - (14,656) (49,888) (173,890) (239,866) (341,196) (341,196) (581,062) |
|---|---|
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 56
20. MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS (CONTINUED) PURPOSES OF RESTRICTED FUNDS
BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE - FAN EXHIBITION
Funds received to support a new public outreach film screening programme.
CREATIVE SCOTLAND
Funds received to support a new public outreach film screening programme.
LINBURY TRUST
Funds received to support the development of a Wildscreen ARK prototype.
NEW TO NATURE (NHLF)
Funds received from the National Heritage Lottery Fund to support staff costs.
ON THE EDGE
Funds received to support the 'Edge of Nature: Short Film Fund' which provides emerging natural world storytellers from underrepresented backgrounds globally with grants, mentorship and training to create innovative, digital-first, short films aimed at engaging GenZ audiences and spotlighting EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) species and habitats.
ARK
Funds received to support the development and launch of a Wildscreen ARK prototype. Wildscreen ARK is an online nature hub for young people, to inspire curiosity about the natural world empower them to protect it.
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
The transfer from the Linbury Trust is to combine funds for the same project into one. The remaining deficit is topped up using general, unrestricted funds.
FUNDS IN DEFICIT
Funds in deficit are ongoing and further income will be received in financial year 2024/25.
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 57
20. MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS (CONTINUED) PRIOR PERIOD COMPARATIVE
| At 1 April | At 31 March | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Income | Expenditure | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Restricted funds | |||||||
| BFI - Fan Exhibition | - | 1,600 | (1,600) | - | |||
| Creative Scotland | - | 3,096 | (3,096) | - | |||
| Linbury Trust | - | 50,000 | - | 50,000 | |||
| New to Nature(NHLF) | - | 4,797 | (4,797) | - | |||
| West of England Combined Authority | - | 3,000 | (3,000) | - | |||
| Total restricted funds | - | 62,493 | (12,493) | 50,000 | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| General funds | 40,963 | 718,427 | (580,428) | 178,962 | |||
| Total unrestricted funds | 40,963 | 718,427 | (580,428) | 178,962 | |||
| Total funds | 40,963 | 780,920 | (592,921) | 228,962 | |||
| 21. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS | |||||||
| The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as | |||||||
| follows: | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Amount falling due: | |||||||
| Within 1 year | 29,207 | 13,800 | |||||
| Within 1 - 5 years | - | 24,150 | |||||
| 29,207 | 37,950 |
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 58
22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the year, Wildscreen Trading Limited made donations of £160,756 (2023: £64,894) to Wildscreen. Wildscreen made a management charge of £38,780 (2023: £47,000) to Wildscreen Trading Limited. At the end of the period, Wildscreen Trading Limited owed £50,450 to Wildscreen (2023: £nil).
During the year, Wildscreen Network Limited made donations of £10,171 (2023: £14,816) to Wildscreen. Wildscreen made a management charge of £18,113 plus VAT (2023: £12,500 plus VAT) to Wildscreen Network Limited. At the end of the period, Wildscreen Network Limited owed £15,436 to Wildscreen (2023: £nil).
Con Alexander, a Trustee of Wildscreen, is also a partner at Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP. During the year Wildscreen paid £7,195 in fees for legal services related to a trademark dispute.
Notes to Financial Statements (For The Year Ended 31 March 2024) 59
WILDSCREEN, UNIT 1.11 TEMPLE STUDIOS TEMPLE GATE, BRISTOL, BS1 6QA HELLO@WILDSCREEN.ORG WILDSCREEN.ORG