Beyond the Frame
FF:W short films on the future of wildlife filmmaking, and the role it plays in the fight against the climate crisis
On 6th November 2021, FF:W held an event at COP26 which featured both a discussion panel hosted by Steve Backshall (which you can watch here now), as well as the premiere of 5 short films. These films are now available to watch on demand here, you can learn about the films below, and click through to watch each of them.
Beyond the Frame with Ashwika Kapur is a wildlife filmmaker based in Kolkata, India – one of the most
populous places on the planet. She has seen the impact wildlife documentaries have had on the
awareness of the Bengal Tiger, but feels this is not enough. The Sundarbans, a coastal mangrove forest,
where the tigers live is being destroyed by human development and climate change. By focusing on just
the pristine tiger reserve we are missing this part of the narrative. It’s time we told our audiences the
whole story. Click the image or this link to watch the film.
The Sound of Silence with Gary Moore: Gary is a wildlife sound recordist. He is a passionate naturalist
and is concerned that in the UK wild places are falling silent. Sound design and mixing is an art form in
the filmmaking world, but the truth is that human sound pollution is inescapable on our planet. If we let
our audiences hear what we hear on location would they have a different idea about the state of
biodiversity? Click the image or this link to watch the film.
Future Matters with Libby Penman: Libby is a young Scottish filmmaker at the very start of her wildlife
journey. She wants to make films that really make a difference, but doesn’t see the stories that she wants
to tell in the big blue chip natural history series. By working with charities and individuals she is trying to
tell the stories she feels urgently need telling. Imagine if the production with the budget and reach did
the same. Click the image or this link to watch the film.
Reframing on Conservation with Mauricio Copetti: Mauricio is wildlife cameraman from Brazil. While
documenting the wilderness of the Pantanal wetlands Mauricio learnt more of the human pressures on
this vital ecosystem. He realised that while documenting the wild was his passion, if he didn’t work to
protect it there would be nothing left. He believes that we must collaborate if we are going to succeed in
the climate and biodiversity crisis. By combining a trio of filmmaking, research and conservation he is
working towards saving the future of the wetlands he loves. Imagine if our industry did this on a global
scale. Click the image or this link to watch the film.
From Crisis to Collaboration with Paula Kahumbu: Paula Kahumbu is a Kenyan ecologist turned wildlife
filmmaker. She has seen first hand how local people are crucial to conservation efforts across Africa and
could see that her academic work was not helping protect species on the ground. She realised the
potential wildlife documentaries have to foster positive relationships between people and wildlife and the
benefit this could have in the conservation of Africa’s iconic species. Despite Africa being the focus of
many wildlife documentaries in the global north they weren’t reaching African TV channels. She made it
her mission to create wildlife and environmental films made in Kenya, filmed by Kenyan filmmakers for
Kenyan audiences. Click the image or this link to watch the film.
