The Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), founded by Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok, is shifting the narrative of African wildlife documentary filmmaking by training local storytellers. Since 2017, the non-profit has built a network of nearly 400 fellows from 37 African countries, providing essential film and scuba diving instruction to ensure African wildlife stories are told by those living within the region.
Closing the Representation Gap in Wildlife Filmmaking
In 2015, Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok identified a significant lack of diversity in the wildlife documentary sector while producing their own series for South African television. According to Noel Kok, the exclusion of Black African filmmakers resulted in content that felt “not authentic” and “not complete.” To address this, the couple launched NEWF, hosting their first conference in 2017 to connect and empower African creators.
The initiative expanded rapidly when the founders realized many marine biologists on the continent lacked basic swimming or diving skills. By 2019, NEWF launched its first “dive lab.” Today, more than 200 divers have been trained in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, and hundreds more have completed filmmaking residencies at the Bayala private game reserve.
Did you know?
In 2021, a film about Botswana’s Okavango Delta, featuring a score composed by NEWF fellows, won best original score at the Jackson Wild film festival, surpassing the score for David Attenborough’s Frozen Planet II.
Infrastructure and Local Empowerment at eKhaya
The establishment of eKhaya in November 2023 marked a major milestone for the organization. Located in Sodwana Bay on land provided by local diver Silindile Mbuyazi, the facility includes an editing suite, a 3.5-metre dive pool, and residential space for fellows. Mbuyazi, who began teaching for NEWF in 2022, has instructed over 150 fellows in diving techniques.
The center operates as a hub for both creative and technical development. Recent activities at eKhaya include traditional Zulu cultural tours and advanced music composition workshops. According to Noel Kok, the goal is to ensure that regional music reflects the environment, rather than relying on stereotypical orchestral tropes often used in Western-produced wildlife documentaries.
Future Expansion and Industry Impact
Supported by a $1m–$1.5m annual commitment from National Geographic through the “Africa Refocused” program, NEWF is currently scaling its operations. Current efforts involve a 12-month internship program for 30 participants, who engage in projects ranging from community volunteering to marine research.
The Koks are currently negotiating new National Geographic funding and have aspirations for building a six-person fellows’ house in Bayala. These investments aim to extend the duration of workshops and allow for more intensive, long-term fieldwork, such as the cheetah monitoring project currently led by Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu.
Pro Tip:
Authentic storytelling in wildlife conservation relies on local immersion. Filmmakers like Elshadye Berhanu report that staying with subjects for weeks, rather than days, provides the deep, nuanced understanding necessary to capture rare behaviors, such as the bonding observed between two female cheetahs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust?
NEWF aims to increase the presence of African filmmakers in the wildlife documentary industry, ensuring that stories about the continent’s environment and wildlife are told from an authentic, local perspective.
Where are NEWF’s training programs located?
Training takes place primarily in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, for marine and underwater filmmaking, and at the Bayala private game reserve for land-based wildlife cinematography.
How is NEWF funded?
The organization receives significant financial support from National Geographic, specifically through a five-year program called “Africa Refocused,” which provides $1m–$1.5m annually.
Can anyone join the NEWF fellowship program?
NEWF supports a growing cohort of fellows from across the African continent and the global south. Interested individuals can monitor the official NEWF website for updates on residencies, labs, and internship opportunities.
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