The theory of change for our Africa Refocused program, a collaboration with the National Geographic Society says if talented, diverse, African Storytellers are provided the training, mentorship, connections, and access to advance their skills and their careers, then they will become leaders in this field, adding to the diversity of perspectives and experiences within wildlife and natural history storytelling, which is critical for the protection and conservation of African wildlife for current and future generations.
 

But what does it mean to Refocus Africa?

Our vision and mission extends to many of the key areas and disciplines of storytelling and access in the nature, environment and wildlife filmmaking ecosystem - our team, mentors and thought partners are on the ground bearing witness to these dreams coming to life in the most aunthentic, inspiring and energetic ways.

These are some of the ways African storytellers, conservationists and scientists are benefitting from this vibrant, diverse and richly talent Pan-Africa community...

Supporting the development of films through dynamic, multidisciplinary labs and partnerships that promote African-led narratives.

Our African Science Film Fellowship crews finally got to share their long-anticipated Wild Hope TV episodes; Episode 33: Pangolin Protectors (Augusto Bila -📍Mozambique, Carlos Noronha -📍Mozambique and Niaina T. Ramihangihajason -📍Madagascar) Episode 34: Guano Gold (Chisomo Kay Kawaga -📍Malawi, Janado Cher -📍Mozambique, Samira Vera-Cruz -📍Cabo Verde and Tumi Sejoe -📍Botswana).

Setting out with the goal of featuring in this series which platforms compelling documentary shorts highlighting the Wild Hope Heroes’, more than a year and catalogue of biographic films later, these passionate heroes and are being introduced to global audiences.

Featured in Wild Hope TV's recent social feeds and their November newsletter, we are embracing all things Fangs and Scales and celebrating how African-led scientists are taking the spook out of these misunderstood and ecologically significant creatures by showing just how adorable and worthy of protection they are. 

#AfricaRefocused #HHMItangledBankStudios #GorongaNationalPark #WildHopeTV #WildHopeHeroes #AfricanStorytelling #EthicalStorytelling #DiversePerspectives #StoryDevelopment #Cinematography #CommunityEngagement #ConservationHeroes

Attending Bahari Yetu Film Festival, Samira-Vera Cruz (📍Cabo Verde), Carlos Naronha (📍Mozambique) and Elke Korschen (📍Kenya) joined our partners from Lamu Marine Conservation Trust and East Africa Ocean Explorers as mentors for the first Bahari Yetu Film Lab. A local Kenyan cohort made up Amani Karisa (Narrator), Eleanor Nelima (Director of Photography), Evelyn Kimori (Script Writer and Subtitles), Faraj Mohamed (Cast, Editor and Producer) and Shanga Nzole (Director) worked to elevate and weave their Storytelling and Cinematography skills together with the guidance through a hybrid workshop with the goal of producing a beautiful short film - in a matter of days. We look forward to screening Ntanga (Sand) at #NEWF2025.
 

Special thanks to thank Naima’s House, Shela for sponsoring the film and for hosting the NEWF team for the lab and festival.

#AfricaRefocused #BahariYetuFestival #LamuMarineConservationTrust #NEWFcommunity #ChangingTheNarrative #LamuArchipelago #OceanAccess #OurSea #OurStories #AfricanStorytelling #EmergingFilmmakers

Advocating for representation by attending global industry events, film festivals, prestigious awards and initiatives with fellows.

One of the most relevant investments for representation is ensuring we attend key global industry events. And what’s sweeter seeing talented African storytellers represent their countries and continent, than to engage with sessions they are part of!

This years edition of Wildscreen saw Erica Rugabandana (📍Tanzania) , Kristina Obame (📍Gabon), Manu Akatsa (📍Kenya) and Peter Ndung’u (📍Kenya) on the Wildscreen stage delving into their professional experiences topically, and expressing their points of view.

#AfricaRefocused #ChangingTheNarrative #RepresentationMatters
#AfricanLedStorytelling #AuthenticNarratives 

Investing in technical talent through skills-focused labs and opportunities that nurture continued growth for African cinematographers, editors, shooting directors and field specialists.

Immersing in wildlife cinematography in the field with Erin Ranney and Ivan Agerton at Bayala Private Game Reserve; our recent Central African cohort was joined by Hassan Bayyan (global exchange fellow from the diaspora, 📍USA), emerging local cinematographer and NEWF team member Nkosi Mthembu (📍South Africa), and Samira Vera Cruz (📍Cabo Verde), a multidisciplinary fellow who took the role of French-English translator.

As an organisation, we also recognise that women remain unrepresented in many industries, including the film industry and particularly technical, in the field careers. Apart from our inherent support for balanced crews, female-led narratives and industry safety and comfort for all female-identifying people - we also invest in this vision through intentionally crafted opportunities focused on increasing female representation in the industry.

We welcomed NEWF's first Her Len Cinematography Cohort, made up of all-female, Pan-African fellows: Abigail Kelapile (📍Botswana), Aminata Bockarie (📍Sierre Leone), Ato Moroka-Moloto (📍South Africa), ⁠Erica Rugabandana (📍Tanzania), Elshadye Temesgen (📍Ethiopia), Imara Njeri (📍Kenya), Ines Arsi (📍Tunisia), Lateefah Mayaki ( 📍Nigeria) and Shorouk Elkobros (📍Egypt).

#AfricaRefocused #Cinematography #CentralAfrica #REDdigital #Sony #Canon #InTheField #RedefiningSafari

Facilitating the largest ocean access program for African Scientists, Conservationists and Storytellers.

Joining via our Ocean Access Dive Labs; a new cohort from Central Africa (Dissondet Moundzoho - 📍Republic of Congo, Moutsou Mapaga - 📍Gabon, Axell Kongo - 📍Gabon and Assoumou Ono - 📍Gabon) - and an all-Nigerian cohort (Moses Adelakun Salami, Oluwafemi Fakayode, Opeyami and Precious Osariemen) in partnership with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research - broke the surface and started their journey at eKhaya Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre in Sodwana Bay. 
 

For each fellow, immersing in a new world and continuing to skills that redefine their relationships with the ocean; these relationships take on unique meanings as storytellers, conservationists, scientists and researchers. We were moved by the dedication of fellows Kristina Obame (📍Gabon) who stepped in to be the French-English translator and to George Amado (📍Ghana), a divemaster and instructor in training from Coral Reef Ghana who assisted the training team with the pool training.

#AfricaRefocused #OceanAccess #YouCantSaveWhatYouCantSea

#AwakenNewDepths #AfricanPerspectives #AfricanLedScience #AfricanStorytelling

APPLY NOW!

CALL OUT ALERT!

APPLY by 15 November, 23:59 CAT

NEWF is proud to be supporting Terra-Nature | Wild's Conservation Photography Lab.

Six (6) applicants will benefit from an extensive theoretical and practical exchange and experience on Conservation Photographic communication in January 2025.

REIMAGINING AFRICAN NARRATIVES PHOTOGRAPHY FELLOWSHIP

APPLY by 15 December 2024

A 6-month fellowship (facilitated by Peggy-Sue Amison from East Wing and supported by Alexa Becker, Rehab Eldalil, and Federico Estol) the program aims to foster responsible collaboration from an African perspective. Taking a hybrid approach (online and in-person), fellows will receive expert mentorship to advance long-term projects, challenge formats, and engage global audiences through hands-on editing and publishing sessions.

EXPLORE OUR  COMMUNITY

Are you passionate about access, inclusion and the expansion of local audiences for African-led nature, environment and wildlife filmmaking? We will soon be opening registration to join impactful industry sessions, workshops, pitching and networking as we redefine and refocus the narrative in nature, environment and wildlife filmmaking.

The mission of NEWF is simple but transformative: “How do you change the story? You change the storyteller,” says Noel.
 

A recent digital article by Emily Allen in African Business explores how NEWF aims to transform the nature, environment and wildlife film industry.

ON OUR SLATE

AFRIFF,📍Lagos, Nigeria
03 - 09 November 2024

WILDLIFE FILMMAKING AND PITCHING WORKSHOP,
06 November - 10:00 - 15:00

How is NEWF refocusing the narrative in nature and wildlife storytelling across the continent? From our annual Congress, Cine Labs, Story Development and the Largest Ocean Access Program for African Scientists, Storytellers and Conservationists, find out how to join the community. And we introduce you to the art of pitching!

AFRIFF,📍Lagos, Nigeria
03 - 09 November 2024

A TAPESTRY OF STORIES: CELEBRATING AFRICAS’ RICH STORYTELLING TRADITIONS,

08 November, 10:00 - 15:00

The panel explores storytelling techniques, preserving languages, and shared cultural elements and identity synergies among African countries to enhance co-productions.

Green Stories,📍Goa, India

4 - 13 November

Designed as a unique mentoring and pitching forum; the week-long event will be held in Goa, the visual and narrative labs are mentored by industry professionals bringing strategic advice to incubate ideas from filmmakers.

FIELD NAVIGATION LAB, 📍KZN, South Africa

13 - 28 November

Designed to build the skills of fellows from the NEWF community with careers
focused on field production, direction and cinematography; the Lab will be facilitated by professional field guide and qualified FGASA (Field Guide Association of Southern Africa) Accredited trainer, Massimo Rebuzzi.

Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE