25/08/2026
It is with great sadness that WildBear Entertainment announces the untimely death of our trailblazing, talented and multi-award-winning colleague Bettina (Tina) Dalton.
A much-loved and respected filmmaker, especially in the field of natural history where her dedication to the natural world shone through, Tina was both Emmy nominated and Sundance-selected. Her production credits over 30+ years include the feature documentaries Every Little Thing, Playing with Sharks and Rachel’s Farm. Playing with Sharks was part of the official selection at Sundance Film Festival in 2021 and went on to win numerous awards around the world. Her many TV credits include Boss Croc, King Kangaroo and Dolphin Dynasty for National Geographic, Australia’s Hidden Islands for Love Nature and Bushfire Animal Rescue for ADF/Arte, ZDFE, PBS Nature and SBS Australia.
In Australia, she will be remembered as a pioneer of women in natural history filmmaking, while internationally, she will be celebrated for bringing uniquely Australian stories to the world and for showcasing humanity’s place in nature. Her legacy also includes being an early proponent for building vital Impact campaigns alongside filmmaking.
Michael Tear, CEO of WildBear Entertainment and a longtime friend and colleague of Tina, says: “The world of natural history filmmaking has lost one of its brightest stars and strongest advocates. Everything that Tina did shone an important light on a different aspect of the world around us, with her passion for social and environmental issues in particular helping to promote greater understanding. Our collective knowledge base about the planet is so much richer because of her work.
“Clever, creative, visionary and great fun, Tina was a supportive and inspirational colleague who played a major part in putting WildBear Entertainment on the map. She will be sorely missed by our team, as well as by the extensive international network that she had fostered throughout the industry. But she was also so much more than a colleague and co-principal of the business; she was a dear friend and will leave an unfillable gap in my life. My thoughts are now with her daughters and wider family.”
