Realscreen, a leading voice in the global unscripted and non-fiction industry, will pay tribute to the late Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, with the Realscreen Action Award during the 2026 Realscreen Awards ceremony. The event is set for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the InterContinental Miami, held as part of the 28th Realscreen Summit.The Action Award celebrates figures whose work in the unscripted and non-fiction field has generated meaningful social impact. Last year’s honoree was acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter.
“Across decades, Jane Goodall’s name has been synonymous with conservation, care for the natural world and boundless curiosity,” said Barry Walsh, content director and editor-in-chief of Realscreen. “Her creative presence in more than 40 documentaries, alongside the vital work of the Jane Goodall Institute, has shaped our understanding of wildlife and the planet we share. We are proud to recognize her extraordinary legacy with this award.”Accepting the honor on Dr. Goodall’s behalf will be Bill Wallauer, her longtime collaborator and wildlife cinematographer for the Jane Goodall Institute.
Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research, global advocacy for biodiversity protection and longstanding commitment to community-centered conservation have inspired generations of filmmakers. Her story has been chronicled extensively, from the 1965 National Geographic special Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees, narrated by Orson Welles, to Brett Morgen’s acclaimed 2017 documentary Jane. Through Jane Goodall Productions, she continued to develop new projects, including Matriarch, produced with BBC Studios, PBS and The WNET Group. Her death in October prompted an outpouring of tributes from world leaders, cultural icons and admirers across the globe.
Launched in 2010, the Realscreen Awards have become a key benchmark for excellence across the non-fiction and unscripted genres, spotlighting standout achievements from international creators and producers.In addition to the Goodall tribute, the Summit will see Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, inducted into the Realscreen Hall of Fame. Turton will also join a keynote conversation, offering insights on the shifting global content landscape. Anaïs Baker, Head of International Formats at Amazon MGM Studios, is likewise confirmed for a keynote session.For 2026, the Summit aligns with NATPE Global under the shared theme “Convergence.” The programming will explore how industry leaders are reshaping the content ecosystem and identifying emerging opportunities. Previously announced keynote speakers include Dhar Mann, founder of Dhar Mann Studios, and Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, who will address the intersection of social-first and traditional content strategies. Their sessions will anchor a mid-week crossover day bringing together the scripted and unscripted worlds in a unified marketplace aimed at sparking collaborations and cross-genre dealmaking.
