Tobias Award
Chris Palmer Receives the 2012 Tobias Award
Legendary filmmaker, author, conservation activist, and educator Chris Palmer of American University received the 2012 Montana State University (MSU) Ronald B. Tobias Award for Achievement in Science and Natural History Filmmaking Education at a ceremony during the Tarkio Retreat at the International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, on May 10. The MSU School of Film and Photography (SFP) selected Professor Palmer as this year's recipient.
The award recognizes those individuals who train the future leaders in media that documents, explains, and celebrates the worlds of natural science. Named in honor of Montana State University Film and Photography Professor Ronald B. Tobias, the distinguished filmmaker, author, and educator who founded the MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking (SNHF) Program, the award is presented annually by the SFP.
Professor Palmer is currently Distinguished Film Producer in Residence in American University's School of Communication and is the Founder and Director of that University's Center for Environmental Filmmaking. An extremely accomplished wildlife filmmaker who has produced hundreds of hours of films for television and IMAX theaters, Professor Palmer has received many awards for his work, including two Emmys, an Oscar nomination, the Environmental Educator of the Decade Award at the Green Globe Film Awards, and a 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Wildlife Film Festival. He also supports environmental filmmaking through his role as president of the MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation. He has led his students into the field through the Classroom in the Wild program that he originated, and he has made sure their films are seen widely through agreements with public television and NOAA. Author of numerous articles about filmmaking and ethics, his book, Shooting the Wild, has inspired many young wildlife media producers.
Professor Tobias, who could not attend the ceremony, prepared a humorous salute to his award-winning colleague. Watch Ronald's video below.
Professor Dennis Aig, the Program Head of the MFA in SNHF, presented the award to Professor Palmer, who graciously accepted by thanking his many friends, colleagues, and students.