In a world where entertainment and environmental consciousness collide, the 35th Annual Environmental Media Association Awards proved that Hollywood can be a powerful force for change. Held on Saturday night at Los Angeles' Radford Studio Center, the event celebrated the most impactful and sustainable projects of the past year, blending storytelling with a commitment to our planet. Hosted by reality stars Ariana Madix and Harry Jowsey, the ceremony was a star-studded affair, with luminaries like Malin Åkerman, Miranda Cosgrove, and Selma Blair in attendance, alongside EMA CEO Debbie Levin. But here's where it gets controversial: can entertainment truly drive environmental change, or is it just a feel-good facade? Let’s dive in.
Among the big winners were The Wild Robot and The Daily Show, both lauded for their environmental narratives and sustainable production practices. The Wild Robot, produced by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, took home the Feature Film award, while The Daily Show’s episode highlighting the threats to America’s National Parks won in the Variety Series category. Other notable winners included Grey’s Anatomy for Drama Series, The Americas for Documentary Series, and Mission Unstoppable for Children’s Series. Each of these projects not only entertained but also educated audiences on critical environmental issues.
And this is the part most people miss: the awards weren’t just about on-screen content. Rainn Wilson received the EMA Ongoing Commitment Award for his tireless environmental activism, proving that individual efforts can make a significant impact. Meanwhile, Lance Bass executive produced the event, and Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman delivered a memorable performance, adding a touch of musical brilliance to the evening.
Here’s a breakdown of the winners across categories:
Feature Film
- Jurassic World Rebirth – Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
- The Wild Robot – DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures (WINNER)
- Wicked – Universal Pictures
Documentary Film
- Yanuni – Malaika Pictures (WINNER)
- Octopus! – Amazon MGM Studios, Jigsaw Productions, Wells Street Films
- The Last Rhinos: A New Hope – National Geographic, Sixty-Six Media Inc.
Paul Junger Witt Comedy Series
- Common Side Effects, “S1 Ep 1 Pilot” – Adult Swim (WINNER)
- Abbott Elementary, “Volunteers” – Warner Bros. Television
- The Simpsons, “The Past and the Furious” – A Gracie Films Production in Association with 20th Television Animation
Documentary Series
- The Americas, “The Gulf Coast” – BBC Studios Natural History Unit (WINNER)
- Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, “Safe Passage For Whales” – Hearst Media Production Group
- Wild Hope, “Thunder and Fire” – HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
Reality Series
- The Visioneers with Zay Harding, “Sustainable Skylines” – Hearst Media Production Group (WINNER)
- Top Chef, “Foraged in Fire” – NBCUniversal, Bravo
- Life Below Zero, “Night Moves” – BBC Studios for National Geographic
Children’s Series
- Mission Unstoppable, “Filtering Water, Frog Babies, and Firefighting” – Hearst Media Production Group (WINNER)
- Jane, “Pan Troglodytes” – Apple TV+
- A Real Bug’s Life, “Love in the Forest” – National Geographic
Drama Series
- Grey’s Anatomy, “Drop it Like it’s Hot” – Shondaland & 20th Television (WINNER)
- Yellowstone, “Life is a Promise” – Linson Entertainment
- Paradise, “The Day” – 20th Television
Variety Series
- The Daily Show, “Nick Offerman Is Sounding the Alarm: America’s National Parks Are Under Attack” – Comedy Central (WINNER)
- Aventura Gastronómica Colombia, “S3 episode Taganga” – Sony Pictures Television
- Real Time With Bill Maher, “S23 E13: April 25, 2025” – HBO
Student Film
- Nishi – IAFM – Eco Film Lab Residency (WINNER)
- Patchwork In Progress – Cal State Long Beach
- Ashes to the Eyes – The City College of New York
While the awards celebrated achievements, they also sparked a crucial question: Is Hollywood doing enough to address the climate crisis, or is it merely scratching the surface? What do you think? Are these projects truly making a difference, or is it just another way for the industry to pat itself on the back? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!
