Those who come before, to inspire us…

I firmly believe that those who read these newsletters are adventurers, those who love the outdoors and who get out there and enjoy wild escapades. Or, perhaps you are simply the armchair traveler and enjoy reading about where others have gone before. Either way, you’re our people and explorers at heart – and it is my privilege to write for you.

But let’s pause for a moment, and consider from whence those impulses originate? It is highly unlikely that the average human will stop, decide to go to the North Pole and get parachuted in! It often begins with a book, an account of some individual’s grand adventure. Or, even more likely, an engaging film, on National Geographic, BBC, Discovery or similar. Have you ever considered the people behind these platforms?

In the past, the making of these “Blue Chip” documentaries (high-budget, high-production value films that prioritize cinematic quality, often featuring stunning visuals and natural settings) and the people involved have, for me, existed only in the ether. Doyens of the craft who exist outside the real world. Explorers and creators who barely breathe the same air – who exist in the rarefied atmosphere far above any day-to-day adventures. Unreachable.

We would be wrong in that assumption. They are extraordinarily talented folk, make no mistake. But they are also just humans much the same of the rest of us, who have decided to do exceptional things with their time on earth. Beyond ‘simply’ producing magnificent visuals and entertainment for us mere mortals, they are actively contributing to conservation in an unapparelled manner. When the public realise how magnificent a region / eco-system is, they are more inclined to want to preserve it!

I was fortunate enough to be involved in an event known as Wildscreen. AI will tell you that “Wildscreen is a leading global charity dedicated to natural world storytelling. It aims to connect people with nature through filmmaking, photography, and other forms of media, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the environment. Wildscreen also supports the conservation of nature by promoting awareness, education, and engagement with the natural world through its various initiatives.” And so it was…

The Botswana Ignite project played a key role in bringing Wildscreen – the world’s largest wildlife filmmaking event – to Botswana. Previously hosted in Kenya and Tanzania, this year’s event took place 12th to the 13th June in Maun. A total of 170 delegates attended, 91 of whom were Batswana. In all, 143 delegates were from Africa, while 27 wereinternational participants. Nine African countries were represented overall.

Eighteen fully funded bursaries were awarded to African storytellers, with 14 of the recipients being Batswana. Additionally, a total prize fund of BWP 160,000 was awarded to African storytellers through the Wildpitch competition.

Never before, in the history of Botswana’s wildlife film and television industry, have so many internationally renowned legends gathered in one place. The atmosphere was positively electric. Wildscreen presented an unparalleled opportunity for local creatives to connect, collaborate, and network with key figures in the global wildlife filmmaking industry. Some of the prominent personalities included Jonny Keeling (Head of the globally renowned BBC Natural History Unit, Jonny has produced and directed some of the Unit’s most successful content, including BAFTA and Emmy award winning series like Seven Worlds, One Planet, Planet Earth and Planet Earth II) and Sreya Biswas (BBC Natural History Unit’s Director of Programmes, a newly created position responsible for ensuring the continued delivery of an outstanding slate of commissioned titles, while also developing an ambitious portfolio of innovative new programmes for multiple global clients across a range of platforms). Caroline Cox (a Production Executive at the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, who is known for Seven Worlds One Planet and Dynasties II) joined them. 

Filmed in Botswana over three years, “Elephant” follows Shani and her spirited son Jomo as their herd travels through the Kalahari Desert on the world’s longest elephant migration. Led by Gaia, the matriarch, they encounter lions, crocodiles and brutal heat on their epic journey through the Okavango Delta and across the Zambezi River. The film, originally narrated by Megan Markle, has been translated into Setswana, with voice over performed by Botswana radio personality, Jazzelle Kebakile. The screening was followed by a Q&A with Roy Conli from Disney Studios and Vanessa Berlowitz from Wildstar Films, moderated by Jazzelle Kebakile.

Also in attendance was Roy Conli (an American executive film producer for Disneynature and Walt Disney Animation Studios, who has produced Born In China, Penguins, Dolphin Reef, Elephant, Polar Bear, and Sea Lions of the Galapagos), Jeff Wilson (Director, Producer and Series Producer for BBC Studios, Disney, Netflix, and currently working for Silverback Films), Vanessa Berlowitz (co-founded Wildstar Films after 25 years of working for the BBC’s Natural History Unit), Jigar Ganatra (an award-winning, visionary Tanzanian filmmaker who is Chairman of the African School of Storytelling or AFRISOS), Graeme Duane (the creative director of Earth Touch) and Kirstin Barwise Heunes(Development Producer at Let It Rain Films) also joined in the excitement of this remarkable event. 

The “Anatomy of a Production Company” panel explored the inner workings of natural history production companies of various sizes. Delegates learned what it really takes to build, run, and sustain a successful production company in today’s industry. L to R: Brad Bestelink, Vanessa Berlowitz, Hans Ngoteya and Jigar Ganatra of AFRISOS (moderator). 

Local celebrities included Brad Bestelink (Founder and Owner of Natural History Film Unit Botswana. A multiple award-winner, Bestelink has filmed, directed, and produced over 35 independent wildlife films, supplying content to all major international broadcasters over the past 15 years. He is celebrated for acclaimed productions such as The Flood, Savage Kingdom, Okavango: A Flood of Life, Surviving Paradise, and Living with Leopards, among others). Seetsele Nthomiwa (filmmaker at NHFU with notable credits on Surviving Paradise, Living with Leopards and Big Cats 24/7 – series 1 & 2), and Reatile Schulte to Brinke (also a filmmaker at NHFU working on Big Cats 24/7) were also representing. 

A veritable who’s who was in town, and more importantly, available to local talent for inspiration and mentoring. It was likely the most prestigious wildlife film event ever held in Botswana / southern Africa.

One could hardly ask for a better networking opportunity – a golden moment in time for local talent to shine, connect, and take their stories from the streets to the screen. Each of these individuals was incredibly generous with their time, meeting with every delegate filmmaker who requested it.

And the ultimate winners, I believe, were us – the general public. Waiting patiently to see the next round of creativity, of exposure to high adventure and remote places – but this time, by our own local talent. Filmmakers from our region, poised on the edge of cinematic glory – and hopefully an Oscar or an Emmy!

May our local talent go on to produce phenomenal content, for both television and the silver screen, taking their rightful place amongst the best in the world. The time is now – and southern Africa is the place to watch…

Jacqui Ikin & The Cross Country Team