# Sandesh Kadur

Sandesh Kadur is an Indian wildlife film producer and conservation photographer known for contributing to BBC Planet Earth II. In 2024, he was appointed to the National Geographic Society board of trustees, considering his contribution to explorers and groundbreaking wildlife documentary films. Sandesh's films have been shown on various television networks including National Geographic Channel, BBC, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.
Sandesh is a Senior Fellow of The International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) and co-founder of Felis Creations, a visual arts company based in Bangalore, India, which works on a variety of projects ranging from natural history documentaries to art and still photography.

## Life

Sandesh exposes the need for conservation and encourages the protection of the world’s biodiversity. Over the years, Sandesh’s work has garnered many top awards including the CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year, Nature’s Best Award, International Conservation Photographer Award, and twice being nominated for a Green Oscar at Wildscreen.

### Early life

He is the second child of Dr. Bangalore Narayan Viswanath, a documentary filmmaker and notable entomologist from Bangalore. He was motivated when his father presented him a SLR film camera and a bundle of National Geographic films during his birthday. He has traveled extensively in the Western Ghats and the Himalayas.

### Education

Sandesh Kadur did his schooling from The Home School, Bangalore, and graduated in Wildlife Biology from The University of Texas at Brownsville.

### Recognitions

* 2024 Appointed to the National Geographic Society's board of trustees
* 2013 National Geographic Society as an Emerging Explorer
* 2012 North American Nature Photographers (NANPA) Vision Award (recognition of early career excellence, and continuation of vision and inspiration to others in nature photography, conservation, and education.)
* 2012 Senior Fellow of International League of Conservation Photographers

## Wildlife documentaries

| Year | Series | | | Network | | Title | Film Festivals | Award |
| 2024 | Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness | Feature Documentary | Director, Cameraman | | Felis Creations | Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness | | |
| 2020 | Wild Cats of India | TV series | Cameraman, director, producer | National Geographic | | Wild Cats of India | | |
| 2017 | National Geographic Earth Live | TV series | Cameraman | National Geographic | | Earth Live | | |
| 2016 | Planet Earth II | TV series | Cameraman | BBC | | Cities | BAFTA | Photography Factual |
| 2016 | Planet Earth II | TV series | Cameraman | BBC | | Cities | EMMY Award | Outstanding Cinematography for a Non-fiction Program |
| 2016 | Planet Earth II | TV series | Cameraman | BBC | | Grasslands | | |
| 2015 | Wild India | Feature Documentary | Director / DOP | Animal Planet | 21st Century Wild India | 21st Century Wild India | | |
| 2015 | Living with Big Cats | TV series | Cameraman | Animal Planet | Living with Big Cats | Living with Big Cats | | |
| 2015 | Eastern Himalaya | Short Documentary | Director | | Ashoka Trust | Eastern Himalaya - Ancient Risks Future Threats | | |
| 2015 | India: Natures Wonderland | TV series | Cameraman | BBC | India: Natures Wonderland | India: Natures Wonderland | | |
| 2014 | Wonders of the Monsoon | TV series | Cameraman | BBC | Wonders of the Monsoon | Wonders of the Monsoon | | |
| 2013 | Urban Jungle | TV series | Cameraman | National Geographic | Downtown | Downtown | | |
| 2012 | India Tourism | Commercial | Presenter/Cameraperson | | Nirvana Films | Incredible India | | |
| 2011 | Return of The Clouded Leopards | Feature Documentary | | National Geographic | Felis Creations | Return of The Clouded Leopards | | |
| 2011 | Secrets of Wild India | TV series | Cameraman | National Geographic | Icon Films | Elephant Kingdom | International Wildlife Film Festival: Montana | Best Television Series |
| 2010 | North East | Feature Documentary | Presenter/Cameraperson | | Felis Creations | North-eastern Diaries | Vatavaran Festival | Finalist Best Series |
| 2010 | North East | Feature Documentary | Presenter/Cameraperson | | Felis Creations | North-eastern Diaries | Reel Earth Film Festival New Zealand | |
| 2010 | North East | Feature Documentary | Presenter/Cameraperson | | Felis Creations | North-eastern Diaries | Roscar Awards | Best Short Film Nominee |
| 2010 | North East | Feature Documentary | Presenter/Cameraperson | | Felis Creations | North-eastern Diaries | Wildscreen Film Festival: Bristol | Green Oscar Nominee |
| 2009 | Secrets of King Cobra | Feature Documentary | Cameraman | National Geographic | Felis Creations | Secrets of King Cobra | Festival International du Film Animalier | Award for Species Conservation |
| 2008 | Natural World | TV series | Cameraman / Presenter | BBC | Icon Films | Mountains of the Monsoon | Chicago Intl’ Film Festival | Silver Plaque - Cinematography |
| 2002 | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Feature Documentary | Director | Discovery Channel | | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Vatavaran Festival | Special Jury Award for Wildlife Conservation |
| 2002 | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Feature Documentary | Director | Discovery Channel | | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Houston Worldfest | Gold REMI Award - Creative Excellence |
| 2002 | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Feature Documentary | Director | Discovery Channel | | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Wildscreen Film Festival | Green Oscar nominee BBC Newcomer of the Year award |
| 2002 | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | Feature Documentary | Director | Discovery Channel | | Sahyadris - Mountains of the Monsoon | International Wildlife Film Festival: Montana | Merit Award for Cinematography |
| 2000 | Destination Nature | TV series | Director | Magrack Networks | | South India | | |
| 2000 | Destination Nature | TV series | Director | Magrack Networks | | El Cielo- Mexico | | |
| 1998 | Treasures of South Texas | Short Documentary | Director | | NASA / Gorgas Science Foundation | Treasures of South Texas | | |

## Books

| Year | Title | Publisher | Awards |
| 2013 | Himalaya: Mountains of Life | ATREE | |
| 2005 | El Valle : The Rio Grande Delta | Gorgas Science Foundation | |
| 2004 | Sahyadris: India's Western Ghats | ATREE | BANFF Mountain Book Festival - Finalist |

### Publications

* 2013 BBC Wildlife Magazine March 2013 / Snake Charms
* 2013 BBC Knowledge August 2013 / Saving the Unicorn
* 2013 Nature's Best Photography / Indian Fol Pups
* 2013 Saevus March/April 2013 / Of Clouds and Silver Linings
* 2012 National Geographic Traveller September 2012 / Macro Photography
* 2012 BBC Wildlife Magazine August 2012 / Cloud Pleases
* 2010 Current Conservation Volume 5 Issue 1 2010 / Hunting in India

### Contributions as photographer

* 2011 Handbook of the Mammals of the world Vol 2
* 2011 Conservation Biology / Universities Press
* 2010 Survey of The Environment The Hindu
* 2009 Handbook of the Mammals of the world Vol 1

## Awards
### Personal

* 2013 National Geographic Emerging Explorer
* 2005 Infosys - Young Achiever of the Year Award –India

### Photography

* 2013 North American Nature Photographers Association(NANPA) -Vision Award
* 2013 Nature’s Best Windland Smith Rice Awards – Wildlife
* 2012 International Conservation Photography Awards –Honorable Mention
* 2010 International Conservation Photography Award – 1st Place
* 2010 Highly Commended – BBC Wildlife photographer of the Year – One Earth Award
* 2009 International Wildlife Film Festival - Merit Award for New Talent, Sandesh Kadur
* 2008 Environmental Photographer of the Year CIWEM – Winner – Natural World
* 2003 Brownsville International Art Contest
* 2002 Wildbird Annual Photography Contest