Wildscreen Panda Awards 2025 Nominees Announced
Nat Geo dominates with a record-breaking 14 nominations! Wildscreen, has revealed the nominees for its ...
News archive
WildPhotos 2025: Full Programme is Here!
WildPhotos, the one-day nature photography symposium, created in partnership by Wildscreen and Wildlife Photographer of ...
Con Gusto! Supporting Festival Internacional en Las Montañas, Salento
Enabled by Funding from the British Council in Bogotá, Team Wildscreen led a delegation from ...
Introducing the Wildpitch Botswana 2025 Finalists
Wildscreen has revealed the 6 projects from African wildlife and environmental filmmakers to be pitched at Wildscreen Festival Botswana 2025 this June.
WildPitch gives 6 filmmakers, born and living in Africa, the opportunity to pitch their nature-focussed film ideas to a panel of industry experts along with the chance to win cash prizes totalling £9,000.
Wild Pitch was introduced as part of the 40th anniversary edition of the Wildscreen Festival back in 2022 to enable anyone with a story to tell about the natural world to have the opportunity to pitch in front of the world’s key wildlife film and TV decision makers and win a cash prize to bring their project to life.
Over 50 pitches were entered into the competition by filmmakers around the African continent. The six selected projects are:
Finalists:
Sacred Nuisance – Afentse Fenny Lekolwane
Sacred Nuisance is a 40-minute documentary exploring the paradox of
deep-rooted spiritual respect for monkeys by the Bakgatla people, despite their daily struggles with the creatures’ mischievous behavior.
The film delves into the African system of totems—where animals are not
just wildlife, but sacred clan symbols—and shows how this ancient belief system still influences present-day attitudes towards conservation and cohabitation.
The Chimp Woman – Diana Kanweri
In the rainforests of Uganda, a field assistant named Linda spends her days following wild chimpanzees. As she carefully studies them, she learns how complex and emotional their lives are. Through her courage and understanding, Linda learns how similar their struggles are to ours. From being hurt by human set snares, to why it’s important to protect them before vanishing.
The Puppet Parents – Harry Vlachos
In Zambia’s Bangweulu Wetlands, conservationists use local Nest Guards and innovative chick-rearing techniques to save the vulnerable Shoebill. This documentary follows their journey, challenges, and efforts to protect and restore the Shoebill population through a groundbreaking new conservation program.
Hippos In The City – Laone Nelly Chombo
Hippos in the City follows a pod of hippos surviving in a shrinking pond in Maun, Botswana. Blending personal memory, science and local voices, the film explores how these giants adapt to urban life, revealing a powerful story of coexistence, environmental change, and the wild beauty hidden in unexpected places.
Waters Above – Wanjira Maina
In the remote village of Kalokol Kenya, a Turkana fisherman Emeri Lokopu Ewoi braves Lake Turkanas harsh waters, battling climate change and physical limitations. Above Waters captures his resilience and the Turkana people’s fight for survival, showcasing dignity, endurance, and the human spirit against natures relentless challenges.
Living Totems – Ashunganya Nchafac Nkemlemo Precious
Long ago, the Bakweri people of Cameroon settled at Mount Cameroons base, forging a sacred covenant with the God of the Mountain. Elephants became their totem, symbolizing this bond. Today, deforestation threatens their forest and culture. This film follows a young Bakweri boy and an elephant herd navigating human-wildlife conflict.
The six finalists’ projects will be pitched as part of Wildscreen Festival Botswana 2025 which celebrates one of the most actively filmed parts of our natural world. The event takes place in Maun, Botswana from 12 – 13 June 2025, with WildPitch taking place on the 13th June.
Our Best Motswana-Led Pitch prize is supported by Botswana Ignite. The successful Pitch will, in addition to the cash prize, receive production, business and legal support from Botswana Ignite for the following 12 months.
Find out more about Wildscreen Festival Botswana and book your spot now here.
