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. Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok, driven by a passion for authenticity and representation, embarked on a mission to address a glaring gap in the industry. Their journey began with a simple yet profound realization: the scarcity of African wildlife documentary makers and the challenges in accessing animals for filming.
The couple's response was the establishment of the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), a not-for-profit organization with a bold vision. They organized a conference in 2017, bringing together African wildlife filmmakers, but it was the subsequent year's struggle to find African underwater filmmakers that sparked a pivotal moment.
This led to the creation of NEWF's first dive "lab" in 2019, training filmmakers and scientists in scuba diving. Noel Kok, reflecting on the situation, humorously noted the rarity of black African nature filmmakers, a stark contrast to the species conservation efforts on the continent. This realization fueled their determination to bridge the gap in storytelling.
Over the years, NEWF has expanded its reach, training over 200 divers in Sodwana Bay, a haven for Africa's southernmost tropical coral reefs. The organization also ventured into wildlife filmmaking on land, establishing a private game reserve called Bayala. Their commitment to authenticity extends beyond visuals, as they emphasize the importance of representative music in their productions.
In 2021, NEWF introduced composition workshops, addressing the issue of generic background scores in wildlife documentaries. This attention to detail paid off when the music for a National Geographic film about Botswana's Okavango Delta, composed by NEWF fellows, won the best original score at the Jackson Wild film festival, surpassing Hans Zimmer's score for David Attenborough's Frozen Planet II.
The Koks' dedication to inclusivity and authenticity is exemplified by their collaboration with local diver Silindile Mbuyazi, affectionately known as Mama Sli. Mbuyazi's journey began with a personal quest to find her brother's body in Sodwana Bay, but she emerged with a newfound love for the ocean and a deep connection to her cultural heritage.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated base, NEWF established eKhaya, a center built on Mbuyazi's grandmother's land, in November 2023. This facility, named after the Zulu word for 'home,' features an editing suite, a dive pool, and accommodation for fellows. The center has become a hub of activity, hosting interns, musicians, and traditional Zulu officials, all contributing to NEWF's mission.
The impact of NEWF's efforts is evident in the diverse range of projects it supports. Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu, who attended a NEWF workshop, is now working on a film about cheetahs and Mbuyazi, gaining invaluable experience and a deeper understanding of the subjects she films.
As NEWF continues to expand its reach and influence, the Koks are negotiating new funding from National Geographic, with aspirations to purchase a dive boat and build a fellows' house in Bayala. Their journey is a testament to the power of passion, collaboration, and a commitment to authenticity in the world of wildlife documentaries.
