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Here the Wild Things Are

Kelly Gilbride / Madison Smith
Running time: 9

A global race to discover the wild hidden in our cities

Once a year, New Zealand joins a global competition where thousands of ecologists and enthusiasts from Wellington and Christchurch race to photograph urban wildlife. From seasoned scientists to passionate amateurs, participants dive into a fast-paced and joyful hunt for the weird and wonderful wild within their cities. But it’s not just a playful quest. The “City Nature Challenge” inspires a monumental shift in how we view and connect with nature all around us – not just in forests and mountains but in our cities.  Amid a global biodiversity crisis, with species disappearing at alarming rates, this competition ignites a spirited rivalry around the world and pushes participants to open their eyes to nature like they’ve not done before.

Here the Wild Things Are is not your typical nature documentary—it’s a fast-paced, joyful exploration of urban wildlife hidden in our cities. Centred around the ‘City Nature Challenge,’ this global competition encourages cities to document the most species and engage the most participants. The film follows a diverse group of ecologists and citizen scientists over the course of three days as they delve into urban areas, from pavement cracks to treetops, capturing the often-overlooked beauty of the natural world. This inspiring quest highlights how conservation begins with noticing what’s right in front of us.

Download the Here the Wild Things Are worksheet for kids.

Nature’s all around us – down in the cracks, in the gutter, in your backyard. We have four days to find it all.” Dr. Jon Sullivan

About the Filmmakers

Kelly Gilbride

Kelly Gilbride is an award-winning creative producer and director. Previous work includes music video, theatre productions and the award-winning RNZ 5-part podcast and documentary series The Elephant in the Bedroom, the noted short documentary Asian Men Talk About Sex and the RNZ/The Wireless short documentary Messages to Your Younger Self.

Madison Smith

With a Bachelor of Communication Studies, Madison has gained over a decade of diverse industry experience across roles in production, art department and post-production. She has worked across different formats on both international productions and NZ local favourites. A 2019 recipient of the Emerging Producer’s workshop (NZ Film Commission, SPADA and WIFT NZ), she has gone on to produce music, videos, short films and documentaries.

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