To celebrate its 50th  anniversary, WWF created a breathtaking short film titled ‘Astonish me’ to showcase some of the extraordinary species recently found around the world. The film stars Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton, Christian McKay and introduces Will Jacklin. An acclaimed writer Stephen Poliakoff and director Charles Sturridge were behind the scenes of this magical tale.

Photo: wwfunitedkingdom’s photostream on flickr, Toby Robinson

The film will debut on July 29  exclusively in Odeon cinemas across the UK, and shown before screenings of this year’s summer blockbusters.

WWF says that 15,000 new species are discovered every year. Among them such creatures as the barreleye with its unique transparent forehead and rotating eyes, an over half a meter long Chan’s megastick and the colossal squid. WWF invites people to check their website ‘for exclusive sneak peeks, interviews with the cast and crew, amazing behind-the-scenes footage and to find out more about the making of ‘Astonish Me’ Competition’. As well as to win in the ‘Oddest One Out’ photo competition.

To win competitors have to guess which the ‘fake’ creature on one of the three photos. The main prize is a conservation trip to find out how new species discoveries are made, explore wildlife and go behind the scenes at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Other prizes include limited edition ‘Astonish Me’ posters, WWF memberships, Odeon cinema tickets and more.