The South African trailblazers seeking to change how wildlife documentaries are made
In the realm of wildlife documentaries, a groundbreaking initiative is reshaping the narrative. The Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), founded by Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok, is on a mission to empower African filmmakers and marine biologists, bridging the gap between storytelling and authenticity. Their journey began in 2015 when they encountered the stark reality of limited access to animals for filming and a dearth of African wildlife documentary makers.
The Koks' response was twofold: establishing NEWF and organizing a conference for African wildlife filmmakers in 2017. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 2018 when they struggled to find African underwater filmmakers for a panel discussion on oceans. This realization underscored the need for a more comprehensive approach.
In 2019, NEWF introduced its first dive "lab" for filmmakers and scientists, marking the beginning of a transformative journey. The program has since grown, with nearly 400 fellows from 37 African countries and 13 more in the global south. The Koks' vision is to revolutionize wildlife documentaries by fostering a diverse and inclusive community of storytellers.
One of the key challenges they identified was the lack of representation in music. Noel Kok highlighted the frustration with generic scores in wildlife documentaries, emphasizing the importance of regional authenticity. This led to the introduction of composition workshops in 2021, where NEWF fellows learned to create music that authentically represented the African landscape.
The impact of these efforts was evident in a National Geographic film about Botswana's Okavango Delta, whose score, composed by NEWF fellows, won the best original score at the Jackson Wild film festival in 2023. This achievement challenged the industry standard, showcasing the power of authentic storytelling.
NEWF's commitment to inclusivity extends beyond filmmaking. They recognized the need for a dedicated training facility, leading to the establishment of eKhaya, a dive and filmmaking center in Sodwana Bay. This center, built on Silindile Mbuyazi's grandmother's land, opened in November 2023 and offers an editing suite, a dive pool, and accommodation for fellows.
Mbuyazi, a local diver who defied community warnings to learn scuba diving, found a new purpose. She began teaching diving with NEWF in 2022 and proposed a partnership to build the center on her grandmother's land. eKhaya has since become a hub of activity, hosting interns, musicians, and traditional Zulu officials, all contributing to the NEWF community.
The Koks' influence extends beyond South Africa. They have trained Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu, who attended a NEWF workshop in November 2024. Berhanu's residency focused on a film about cheetahs and Mbuyazi, showcasing the program's impact on both practical skills and creative depth.
As NEWF continues to evolve, the Koks are negotiating new funding from National Geographic, with aspirations to expand their reach. From acquiring a dive boat to building a fellows' house in Bayala, their vision is to create a sustainable ecosystem for wildlife storytelling, ensuring that the stories of Africa's wildlife are told authentically and authentically.
