Likeminded industry friends from near and far gathered to feel that sense of hope last weekend at the 15th Durban Film Mart where Noel Kok (Co-Founder and Executive Director of NEWF) participated in a Partnerships and Pathways to Reach Audiences, a discussion presented in partnership with Doc Society's Climate Story Unit, Climate Story Lab ZA, STEPS and GIPA.
Closer to home, that hope presented in spending July sharing these films and releasing new call outs. A fitting pairing, it took me back to the 2024 NEWF Congress, where during our State of the Continent Address, we had the great honour of the brilliant, candid and thought provoking Dr.Winnie Kiiru reminding us that Africa belongs to us. And that in belonging to us, we must embrace that we are African. Not ‘balanced Africans’, bending our lived experiences to mould to the expectations of others, but Africans whose lives are impacted by climate change and the narrow narratives assigned to us. If anything, the social justice movements churning our soil and calling to our hearts across the continent and further afield present a case study on how our time to be bold, brave and deeply creative is now.
In putting ourselves out there by applying for these call outs, and in some cases going on to make compelling, nuanced and culturally inclusive films, we are taking responsibility for our Stories. Most importantly perhaps, these projects organically advocate for and amplifying the voices of the marginalised people and indigenous communities whose knowledge and contributions are often overlooked despite inspiring everything we do in the world - from science, exploration and storytelling, to fireside food, friendship and peer-to-peer learning.
These are the why's and how's that are especially inspiring - the stories from Africa that bring sunshine and moon light out under our bowls - bright enough to ease the path for others. Wishing all those applying for call outs the bravery and heart to be the next revealer of light!
Inspired always, Stefanie | How does African-led science
and storytelling impact the future of Africa’s biodiversity? 🍃 | | As promised in our June Digest, this month we released our ASFF Bio Film showcase on Vimeo and across all our social media and video content platforms.
Hailing from Mozambique 🇲🇿, South Africa 🇿🇦, Malawi 🇲🇼, Kenya 🇰🇪, Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩, Cabo Verde 🇨🇻, Madagascar 🇲🇬, and Botswana 🇧🇼; the African Science Film Fellowship cohort dealt with language barriers and limited time to build a relationships with their allocated scientist. Except, that we know just how lifechanging just a few weeks in the bush with so called strangers can be.
These films are one impactful product of the lab. The rest? Shared cultures, new friendships, camaraderie, memories created in the beauty of wild spaces and sharing life stories and learning around the fire.
Through forging these relationships and and finding a way to introduce their scientist to the audience, as much the science itself - an integral part of bringing Science Communication to life for the communities who are impacted by the work done by these local scientists.
Gorongosa National Park plans on rolling out a travelling cinema program to share these stories with the communities around the park and you can trek with us through remote areas in Gorongosa National Park by clicking the link to watch the showcase! | Immerse in African-led science here. | The African Science Film Fellowship was made possible through a collaboration between NEWF (Africa Refocused), Gorongosa National Park and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. | | | “Cinematography allows me to build engaging storylines that connect and inspire strong emotions, with each frame serving as an opportunity to engage and inspire.”
- Nailla Simbi, NEWF Fellow from Rwanda. |
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