As we set up our exhibition booth at the 2024 Chapter of MIP Africa's FAME Week held at the CTICC in Cape Town, three things dawned on us.
 

1. We would be in incredible company among African Content Creators, Emerging Young Creatives and big-time distributors. Not only was this our time to shine and share the A-Z of NEWF x Africa refocused, we could explore the incredible initiatives we were not yet familiar and break outside of our impact-driven echo chamber to explore our catalogues purely as a genre with existing and new audiences.

2. The culture of reciprocity and mentorship within our community grows stronger as our impact grows and fellows careers level up outside of NEWF. Attending fellows rallied around the NEWF team to make sure the VR experiences were running smoothly, visitors were always engaged and the sessions and panels went a long way to demonstrate what our impact manifests as in real terms. 

3. While there are certainly audiences for Nature, Environment and Wildlife content, particularly content focused on and led by African storytellers - there is a long way to go for local investments to match the level of enthusiasm. 
 

Thankfully, as we go about our business facilitating year-round programming; opportunities and thought-partnership continues gaining momentum, and with it our catalogues of content is both organically and intentionally refined, expanded and distributed more widely.
 

Just this month Erin Ranney, Geoff Luck and Ivan Agerton showed their  commitment to representation in the film and storytelling industry by joining us and our cohorts to share their expertise and conduct in the field training. 
 

Our recent partnership with the team from The Mind Museum; to create Africa to Archipelago, is gaining momentum through the active development of the program infrastructure as we speak.
 

Building on our passion for using innovative tools like VR as an access, engagement and storytelling medium, Noel and Pragna (Co-Founders, Executive Directors and National Geographic Explorers) will be travelling to Thailand for as part of National Geographic Society's mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
 

The MakeGood Stories initiative in partnership with CASEAN and SX aims to inspire the next generation of impactful storytelling in Southeast Asia and with our recent partnerships, we're excited to explore more threads of connection when immersive, multimedia technology meets conservation narratives and . This project will empower participants to engage with conservation narratives and community-driven storytelling.

All in all, we're geared up for another month of knowledge sharing, ocean exploration and carrying authentic stories into global conversations... thought that was all? This week we're distributing a NEW call out and a note to mark your Calendars for the 2025 chapter of the NEWF Fellows Summit and Congress.

CHANGING THE STORYTELLER 🌍

Curious and eager to learn, the Central Africa Cinematography Cohort spent a week in the bush participating in a dynamic curriculum led by Erin Ranney and Ivan Agerton, with Samira Vera-Cruz live translating to bridge the language barrier that poses a fierce barrier to entry for many African storytellers. At the same time, a cohort of existing fellows made up of filmmakers, multidiciplinary storytellers and producers spent a week at eKhaya Storytelling centre delving into a Story Development curriculum led by Geoff Luck.
 

We are proud to have thought partners and keen mentors who actively demonstrate the spirit of Ubuntu defined by our community by coming on board to exchange knowledge and support our mission.

This is the Africa and industry we dream of!

#AfricaRefocused #AfricanStorytelling #EthicalStorytelling #InTheBush 

#StoryDevelopment #Cinematography #CentralAfrica

Our first FAME Week was an exciting whirlwind! We shared NEWF’s programs and impact with visitors at our booth, in our sessions and during one-on-one exchanges. From VR and film catalogues to unpacking labs and our Africa Refocused program; we are energised by the support for our vision, mission and an equitable future for African Storytellers.

People didn’t just listen; they left wanting to know how they could be part of this movement. Some were interested in becoming divers; others, filmmakers. What struck me most was how our layered and multidimensional conversation brought to life the idea that arts, culture, and filmmaking are crucial access points. These mediums help preserve our history and tell our ocean stories.

ON OUR SLATE

1 - 10 October

Central Africa Dive Lab

This week the Central African Dive Lab Cohort will be based at eKhaya Research at eKhaya Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre to go through a training program led by Sli Mbuyazi, Nkosi Mthembu and their service partners. 

1 - 10 October

NIOMR DIVE LAB

Selected scientists from the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research will be participating in a Dive Lab based at eKhaya. As part of their lab, they will be learning fundamental storytelling skills that compliment their and the institutes’ work. 

3 - 11 October

Bahari Yetu Festival x NEWF Film Lab

Led by Elke Bertolli, Samira Vera-Cruz and a few more fellows stepping into the role of mentor; a group of local participants have been hard at work developing an ocean story to share at the festival. Stay tuned for updates!

14 - 18 October

Wildscreen

Wildscreen Festival is a world-leading international festival, held biennially in Bristol, UK. Celebrating and advancing natural world storytelling. We'll be following through the eyes of a handful of team members and fellows from the NEWF Community.

21 - 25  October

NFVF IMPACT AND DISTRIBUTION LAB (VIRTUAL)

The Environment and Belonging Cohort will be unpacking the impact and distribution ecosystem. We look forward to reporting back on insights from this lab.

EXPLORE OUR OCEAN COMMUNITY