Telling stories of Africa by and from the perspective of African people.
While African people have been sharing stories about Africa’s wildlife and natural heritage for centuries, the dominant storytellers in global conversations about Africa’s environment have historically been people who are not native to Africa. National Geographic Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok created Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) to refocus these stories — to ensure that the stories of Africa are told by and from the perspective of African people. The Africa Refocused program expands the reach and impact that Noel and Pragna have achieved through NEWF to further train and elevate African nature, environment, and wildlife storytellers.
NEWF offers professional development, capacity building, mentorship, and networking opportunities through convenings such as the annual NEWF Congress and NEWF Fellows Summit, as well as NEWF Labs that provide specialized training such as dive certification, cinematography, music composition, and science communication that enhance storytelling. The Africa Refocused program supports NEWF in offering these opportunities and more — across the continent.
Latest Stories
NEWF Founder Noel Kok and Fellow Labdi Omnes spoke with Semafor about “changing the storyteller” and centering African voices, perspectives, sounds, and rhythms in the continent’s nature and wildlife stories.
It’s time to reclaim the narrative of the ocean from a place of fear to a place of wonder, said NEWF Fellow and divemaster Silindile “Sli” Mbuyazi in an interview with The Standard.
boom saloon rounded up six films by NEWF Fellows that celebrate the beauty of our ocean and inspire its protection.
Films produced and funded by the Society receive awards in the Original Music Score and Short Form – Climate Stories categories; National Geographic Explorer Hans Cosmas Ngoteya wins Rising Star award.
Training Underwater Storytellers
The Sodwana Bay Storytelling, Research and Dive Center — affectionately called “eKhaya,” a Zulu word that means “home” — will host NEWF Fellows participating in specialized skills labs including dive courses and cinematography workshops. In addition, the center will support the local community by providing facilities for swimming lessons, film screenings and discussions.
Impacting Conservation Through Film
Africa Refocused supports a vibrant community of African filmmakers who are changing the way people see Africa, telling nuanced stories informed by their own lived experience, and inspiring communities to protect Africa’s nature and wildlife. Their work has been recognized at international film festivals, and has introduced global audiences to the power of African stories — all told by African people.
Convening Storytellers: NEWF Congress
Now supported by Africa Refocused, NEWF’s signature annual event, NEWF Congress, brings together emerging and experienced filmmakers, storytellers, scientists and conservationists. NEWF Congress provides a platform for them to network and engage, advance and enrich Africa’s film industry with an increased pool of diverse storytellers, and celebrate Africa’s natural heritage through film. Watch the video here.
Meet the Team
Noel Kok
Wambui Waweru
Thuku Kamau
Pragna Parsotam-Kok
Stefanie Titus
Silindile Mbuyazi
Marcia Buwa
Thobile Maphanga
Photo credits (from top of page): NEWF, Mark Thiessen, NEWF, Qiniso Dladla, Jamila Janna/NEWF, NEWF, Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Leigh Vogel, Elke Bertolli/NEWF, Jamila Janna/NEWF, NEWF, Noel Kok, Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Rebecca Hale, Luyanda Shabalala, Rebecca Hale, Aphiwe Mame, Fritz Tyson Kariuki, NEWF, Thomis Sweet-Harvey