Promoting conservation through film making
Nine up-and-coming filmmakers recently attended the course of a lifetime
THE enthralling underwater spectacle that is Sodwana Bay was the ‘classroom’ for nine up-and-coming film makers who were recently given the opportunity of a lifetime.
NEWF Congress (Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers Congress) in partnership with RAID South Africa and the support of several sponsors, extended an invitation to young South Africans with a passion for conservation of the natural environment.
The only criteria was that the applications needed a background in film making or science communication.
From the 130 applications, nine were chosen to attend the six-day introduction to scuba diving and underwater film making course.
They each acquired their Open Water 1 scuba qualification and became intimately acquainted with parts of the iSimangaliso World Heritage Site.
They witnessed the miracle of endangered turtles hatching from their beach nests at night, tracked African wild dogs in the uMkhuze section of the park, and got up close with hippos and crocodiles while on a boat cruise in the St Lucia estuary.
Under the tutelage of award-winning film makers Grant Brokensha and Candice Odgers, the students’ careers should soar to new heights.
‘I’m never going to be the same again. After seeing the beautiful marine life under water and hearing Peter Jacobs talk about turtles, I’m even conscious of stepping on an ant!’ said Mondli Mtshali.
‘I am extremely passionate about conservation, cinematography and saving the planet.
‘I go out of my way every day to help reduce my carbon footprint and to educate people or invite people to learn more about conservation of the planet,’ said Jess Lambson.
All students echoed these sentiments, with the overall experience having left an impression on these future conservationists.
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