Natural World Storytelling: In Partnership With The Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF)
NEWF: Natural World Storytelling invites filmmakers to explore the connections between nature, culture, spirituality, identity and conservation, and to rethink what a natural world story can be.
From wildlife cinematography and indigenous knowledge to immersive experiences, this is an invitation to bring more African voices and perspectives to the wild side.
Join us at DFM, 9–12 October 2026.
“So many of the stories emerging from the continent remind us that nature is not separate from people,” says Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Executive Director, NEWF. “Social, environmental and climate justice intersect, conservation films explore people and place, and stories about the natural world can move between documentary, fiction and natural history. Now more than ever, it matters that African voices are part of global conversations about our environment, nature and wildlife. Together, we hope to invite filmmakers who may not yet see themselves as nature world storytellers, to bring their voices, craft and perspectives to the wild side; and to expand what natural world storytelling can be, who gets to shape it and how these stories are shared with the world.”
Beyond the Wild: Representing Nature and Spirituality on Screen. Drawing on their latest film, Pippa Ehrlich and Zolani Mahola in conversation with Dr Gcina Mhlophe and Gogo Lindi Dlamini explore how filmmakers represent African spirituality and the relationships between nature, culture, ancestry and identity on commercial screens. They consider cultural authority, authenticity and the value carried through indigenous knowledge. Panellists include Pippa Ehrlich (Sea Change Project), Zolani Mahola, Dr Gcina Mhlophe (Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust), Gogo Lindi Dlamini.
Beyond the Wild: Getting the Shot. NEWF Fellows unpack the technical and creative decisions behind topside, underwater and aerial wildlife cinematography, using clips and sequences as case studies. Panellists include Chisomo Kawaga, Nkosikhona Mthembu, Carlos Norhona, Elshadaye Temesgen. The session will be moderated by Nathan Rice (Untitled Entertainment)
Beyond the Wild: Expanding Stories About the Natural World. NEWF Fellows behind films exploring indigenous foodways, land restitution and conservation, human-elephant coexistence and environmental legacy discuss the breadth of natural-world storytelling across the continent. Panellists include Matamba Kombila (Dougantsi Films), Nondumiso Masache (Zenkosi Films), Anthony Ochieng Onyango (TonyWild Foundation). The session will be moderated by Thihangwi Ramutsindela (Nga Maanda Awe Film Festival and NEWF).
Delegates can also experience The NEWF Room, an interactive exhibition inviting audiences into Africa’s natural worlds through immersive and emerging storytelling including a 360° VR journey from the wildlife of Zululand to the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay, the multiplayer conservation game Aquabots, and a pop-up macro exhibition revealing the hidden detail of the natural world.
Providing a visual representation of this programme stream, NEWF will present The Wild Side – a curated selection of short films exploring nature, culture and conservation, while celebrating the African storytellers expanding how stories about the natural world are imagined, crafted and shared.
Secure your place in
the sun
Join 1,300+ international delegates in Durban this October.
The 17th edition of Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the
National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.
Questions? Drop a WhatsApp message.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Sharlene Versfeld | Publicist | [email protected]
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where African professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year-round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart). The DFMI is the custodian of Filmmart.africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.