NEWF FILM
& dive Labs
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These labs are designed for filmmakers, storytellers and scientists, in order to broaden the scope of these talented individuals by providing them insight into the development and production of films both above and below the waves. These Labs are run in partnership with Nature Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF), their vision is that the Stories of Africa that celebrate and advocate for the protection of her natural history are told by a connected network of visual storytellers organically led by indigenous African voices. They do this through capacity building and skills development, covenings, knowledge sharing and film screenings.
In collaboration with the National Geographic they host the program, Africa Refocused which aims to elevate African storytellers in global media and conversations about Africa, and ultimately addresses the need to refocus the stories of Africa so they are told by and from the perspective of African people.
LAMU storyTELLING & CINEMATOGRAPHY lab
September - October 2024
​The Lamu Marine Conservation Trust and East African Ocean explorers partnered with NEWF to host the first Storytelling and Cinematography Lab leading up to the Bahari Yetu Festival 2024.
Tasked with producing a short film, this lab involved 5 participants; Amani Karina, Eleanor Nelima, Evelyn Kimori, Faraj Mohamed and Shanga Nzole from the Lamu Archipelago. Though September the lab was kicked off with online story development sessions and preparation for their production time in the field. The in-person workshop was held in the week leading up to the festival, during this time the fellows filmed, edited and delivered their film 'Ntanga'. It was screened on the 9th October, during the festival and will also be shown at the 2025 NEWF Congress in Durban.
LAMU FILM & STORY LAB PARTNERS
Underwater cinematography lab
9 - 13th November 2023
It is only fitting that we held the first NEWF Underwater Cinematography Lab leading up to the opening of eKhaya. The NEWF Dive and Storytelling Centre in Sodwana, South Africa, a locally-led and managed centre that welcomes African storytellers into a space that feels like their own.
This lab was an introduction to underwater cinematography for experienced divers that had reach at least an Advanced dive level and held a minimum of 50 dives. Over 5 days Jahawi & Elke Bertolli mentored 6 fellows; Shamier Magmoet, Muha Mago, Hans Ngoteya, Tessa Barlin, Samira Vera-Cruz and Josh Oginda, from our first Kenya dive lab in 2021.
All the fellows had varying experience with cinematography and filming so instead of looking at specific cameras this lab focused on the theory and techniques involved in capturing the underwater world.
KENYA dive & story lab
3rd-13th Dec 2021
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The NEWF Dive & Story Lab | Kenya is a partnership between NEWF and East African Ocean Explorers made possible with support from the National Geographic Society.
We selected 4 individuals to be involved in a 10 day Underwater Lab held in the Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve with Aqua Venture Diving. During this Lab the participants will undergo both Open Water and Advance Dive certification.
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This lab plans to give these individuals the skills and dive training to start thinking about telling ocean stories to help conserve and protect our coastline alongside highlighting issues it faces. As our team members have a wealth of experience in their respective fields this creates a great opportunity for shared discussions, skill sharing and debate about current issues facing the oceans. During the evenings we will reflect on the Lab, arrange conversations with mentors in the field of ocean story telling, have ocean film screenings, and hold film workshops with a strong focus on story development and pre-production.
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Find out more about the lab and meet the fellows through our blog posts:
The First Kenya Dive and Story Lab!
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