watch film teasers

2017 N.E.W Pitch Film by Liberty NPO (Mlungisi Ntuli)

The River Gives tells the story of a group of township youth from Imbali and Ashdown in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg. They are the EnviroChamps, a group who have become the unlikely protectors of the wetlands and rivers in their community. Through their journey, they reveal what endangers these systems and explore practical conservation solutions, whilst considering the socio-economic challenges they face as a community. This is their story...

2017 N.E.W Pitch Film by Fidel Tshivhasa

All life is connected and sometimes a connection with a kindred spirit spans across land and seas. Writer Fidel Tshivhasa was born in Limpopo but throughout his life has had a fascination with the ocean giants, the Humpback Whale. He finally has an opportunity to explore this mystical yearning when he travels along the coastline in Durban to witness the migration of the Humpback Whales.

2017 N.E.W Pitch Film by Shivan Parusnath

There is a terrifyingly large illegal trade happening across the planet right now, and almost nobody knows about it. Reptiles are the most traded group of animals in the world, and unlike rhinos, elephants and pangolins - they are traded alive and whole, destined for life as pets. Poaching of wild reptiles for the pet trade has led to severe population declines, yet little is known about how poachers operate, and how animals leave their country of origin. In this short film, the illegal reptile trade in South Africa is investigated by biologist and filmmaker Shivan Parusnath.

2018 N.E.W Pitch Film by Emily Cross

Part of the Pack is a short conservation documentary that focuses on an endangered species - the African Wild Dog. This film highlights the organisations who dedicate their lives to make a difference for this species as well as the challenges and life threatening situations that African Wild Dogs have to face on a daily basis. Part Of The Pack brings light on the silent epidemic this species is facing and hopes to be the motivation to get the public involved to make a difference.

2018 N.E.W Pitch Film by Tessa Barlin

Set in rural South Africa, where most people have never had the opportunity to experience wildlife, Queen, Rifumo and Wisani emerge as three young eco-warriors. The film follows how a course in wildlife photography changes their lives. Armed with a camera, the trio aim to rise above their difficult pasts and “reframe” the narrative of wildlife conservation. Queen becomes one of the only black female field guides in South Africa while Rifumo and Wisani start a business together. The trio have one goal - to inspire the youth from their community to protect our natural heritage.

2018 N.E.W Pitch Film by Jessica Singh

This short film hopes to dispel the myths that are widely spread and which people believe to be true. Creating a film that not only entertains audiences but also educates audiences about the vital role snakes play as part of the eco-system. Follow me as I feel privileged and terrified at the same time while witnessing snake rescuer Jason’s first-hand while at the same trying to overcome my own very real fear of these magnificent, deadly creatures.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film by Tami Marriott

When a young pangolin is rescued from the illegal trade by caretaker, Anna Sheehama, they must work together to get Pango strong enough to survive alone, while adjusting to the world around them that is currently suffering through Covid-19.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film by Jamila Janna

Hluleka is a marine conservation themed nature documentary that aims to encourage community engagement in decision-making. The story focuses on South Africa’s smallest marine protected area, Hluleka. We follow Jamila Janna on an emotional journey unpacking the history, the present and the future through the facilitation of solution-based discussions around inclusivity in decision-making.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film Jess Lambson

Between the Tides is a documentary about the conservation of endangered Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles. We meet 5 influential people who dedicate their lives to the conservation of the 120 million year old species.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film by Faine Loubser

The creatures of the sea are always awake to connect with you. Journeying through the life of a dark shyshark foetus, this film is a deep cinematic and aural bowing to the sacredness of the kelp forests and its myriad life forms and non-life forms. It gently reaches out to that which is beyond what can be said about the profundity, mysteriousness and beauty of nature and the universe.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film by Shamier Magmoet

A story of a young man who has found peace in the beauty of the ocean through one experience. Despite his surroundings and the challenges faced daily in one of South Africa's most infamous areas. He now tries to bring about positive change, starting with his family and his community, through education and experiences by reconnecting them with nature and the ocean.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film by Tembisa Jordaan

This is a story about the unheard voices of traditional marine fishers. On the doorstep of iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a nature lover's wonderland that attracts tourists from all over the world - are the homes of the poorest and most marginalised coastal communities who have a high dependency on natural resources for survival. In the heart of the most tranquil beaches, we follow brave village Women as they conquer the harshness of the waves just to provide for their families. We take a walk in their shoes as they share in on their past and present experiences of the ocean, the generational access to marine living resources, their indigenous knowledge on the practice of mussel harvesting and what they hope for in future, especially since they were once criminalised during apartheid times for wanting to provide food for their families.

2019 N.E.W Pitch Film by Rufusiah Molefe

Set in the Okavango Delta, the inhabitants of the small communities of Ditshiping & Boro live an unconventional way of life of human- elephant co-existence in an ecosystem which is home to the majestic African Elephant Species. Driven by an instinct to stay alive, both human life and wildlife are on an even scale in this ecosystem. Due diligence of respect to territory is the only way to stay alive for the people of the wetlands. The aim of this documentary is to express how the unconventional lifestyle of the people of the Okavango Delta has had a major impact in conserving the elephant species of the Delta. Four female characters invite us into their unconventional lifestyle of human-elephant co-existence. Their story reveals the spectacular connection humans have with nature and their due diligence to respect of territory, all entirely based on human instinct and the sole purpose of survival.