There are two species of giant pandas today. One lives on the wild eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau; the other is a caged emissary of soft power. For centuries, China has positioned pandas as gestures of goodwill, their presence in zoos the result of diplomatic negotiations. But for all they are adored, these bamboo-munching bears are genetically inferior versions of their former selves, lacking any ability to re-enter the wild. Leased for high fees, their fates are determined by political whim. Capturing the irony and heartbreak of these unwitting animals caught in geo-political conservation, the film questions whether pandas will ever be allowed to exist as just pandas.
Untitled Panda Film
Still from Untitled Panda Film
In Development

Directed by

Devon Blackwell

Produced by

Jessica Kingdon, Harry Vaughn, Sigrid Dyekjær

Untitled Panda Film explores various forms of panda conservation around the world.

Untitled Panda Film is a 2026 (Egg)celerator Lab film.

Meet the Filmmakers
Portrait of Devon Blackwell
Devon Blackwell
Headshot of Devon Blackwell
A headshot of filmmaker Jessica Kingdon. She sits in front of a lake, wearing a black v-neck shirt and a floral printed blazer. Her curly hair is pulled over her right shoulder. She looks at the photographer/viewer smiling.
Jessica Kingdon
Jessica Kingdon, Photo: Tomo Saito
Heashot of Harry Vaughn
Harry Vaughn
Courtesy of Harry Vaughn
topics & tags
Governance/Democracy
Program cohorts
(Egg)celerator Lab 2026