Like NEWF’s year-round programming, its signature event, NEWF Congress, is driven by a bold theory of change: by providing talented, diverse African storytellers with training, mentorship, and access, they will emerge as leaders in wildlife and natural history storytelling. This year’s Congress expands the platform for African storytellers, conservationists, and media professionals to engage and collaborate.
The event’s opening ceremony, and a blessing by renowned South African storyteller Gcina Mhlope, set the stage for an inspiring gathering of thought leaders, conservationists, and filmmakers—all committed to ensuring Africa’s nature and wildlife stories are told by Africans, from an African perspective.
The event also includes a special, never before seen preview of ‘Wild Hope – Rhino Ops’, filmed at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park.The episode, part of the global Wild Hope digital series, will premiere on Wild Hope TV and PBS Nature’s YouTube Channel later this year. The series spotlights the mavericks and change-makers who are protecting our natural world. The preview takes place tonight, 2 April at 17h30.
“Congress is our signature, annual event and it’s the culmination of year-round efforts driven by NEWF, to make high level wildlife filmmaking and conservation storytelling more accessible to African talent. Through our Africa Refocused program, in partnership with the National Geographic Society, our work is giving rise to a growing collective of passionate individuals, each dedicated to empowering themselves to make an impact,” said Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Executive Director at NEWF and National Geographic Explorer.
“We’re excited with the level of engagement, collaboration and the depth of the connections forged in this year’s event, and we’re so proud to see our community grow to over 300 Fellows across 32 countries in Africa,” said Noel Kok, Executive Director at NEWF and National Geographic Explorer.
In addition to industry panels, film screenings, and live pitching, NEWF Congress has also come to represent a “family reunion” for NEWF’s pan-African community of Fellows. NEWF Fellows are individuals who have completed at least one of the skills development labs offered by the organisation. Known as NEWF Labs, these labs impart skills in areas including filmmaking, conservation and SCUBA diving.
This year, NEWF will also welcome multidisciplinary storytellers from Santiago WILD and Green Stories – in order to foster transcontinental exchange between storytellers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Ahead of NEWF Congress, NEWF hosted Fellows Summit, a closed-door event where Fellows can be in community, exchange ideas and learn from one another, and set the stage for future collaborations on films and stories that explore key themes such as indigenous and traditional knowledge and Global South connections.
NEWF’s Congress is more than just an event; it’s a gathering of purpose-driven creators shaping a new narrative for African natural history storytelling. The 2025 edition emphasises equitable access to skills and industry opportunities, empowering African visual storytellers to lead in telling Africa’s stories.
Participants can look forward to:
- Networking & Collaboration: Connect with the #NEWFCommunity, fostering lifelong partnerships among creatives, scientists, and conservation leaders.
- Spotlights & Panels: Engage in dynamic discussions with industry thought leaders on wildlife storytelling ethics and environmental conservation.
- Live Pitch Sessions: Witness emerging filmmakers present their concepts to industry professionals and gain insights on crafting successful pitches, with dedicated funding opportunities.
- Workshops & Case Studies: Participate in interactive learning sessions covering story development, cinematography, and science communication.
- Documentary Screenings: Celebrate African talent through screenings of new documentary shorts and features.
Join Us for #NEWF2025
NEWF2025 is a call to action for the next generation of leaders in nature, environment, and wildlife filmmaking. Whether you are an emerging filmmaker, a seasoned scientist, or an industry decision-maker, this is your opportunity to find your community and purpose. Register now to join us for the remaining days of the NEWF Congress in Durban and become part of a vibrant community reshaping the future of African storytelling—story by story.
For registration details, please visit NEWF Congress 2025.
