NEWF’s mission to elevate African storytellers continues to make waves with its signature event, the NEWF Congress, a platform designed to provide talented, diverse African storytellers with the resources they need to lead in wildlife and natural history storytelling. This year’s Congress expands the opportunity for African storytellers, conservationists, and media professionals to engage, collaborate, and make their mark on the global stage.

The opening ceremony of the event, which was blessed by renowned South African storyteller Gcina Mhlope, set the stage for an inspiring gathering of thought leaders, filmmakers, and conservationists—everyone committed to ensuring that Africa’s wildlife and nature stories are told by Africans, from an African perspective.

One of the highlights of this year’s event was the exclusive, never-before-seen preview of ‘Wild Hope – Rhino Ops’, filmed at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. This episode, part of the Wild Hope digital series, will premiere on Wild Hope TV and PBS Nature’s YouTube Channel later this year. The series shines a spotlight on the changemakers protecting our planet, and this sneak peek was just the beginning of the incredible storytelling journey.

Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Executive Director at NEWF and National Geographic Explorer, shared, “Congress is the culmination of our year-round efforts 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, we’re building a collective of passionate individuals who are ready to create impact.”

The growing community of NEWF Fellows now includes over 300 members from 32 African countries. These Fellows have completed at least one of NEWF’s intensive skills development labs (NEWF Labs), where they gain expertise in filmmaking, conservation, and even SCUBA diving. The Congress has become an annual “family reunion” for this pan-African network, offering industry panels, screenings, live pitching sessions, and unmatched networking opportunities.

This year, NEWF Congress also welcomes storytellers from Santiago WILD and Green Stories, facilitating transcontinental exchanges between Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These collaborations are essential in fostering diverse and global perspectives on wildlife storytelling.

Before the Congress kicked off, NEWF hosted the Fellows Summit, a closed-door event where Fellows had the chance to connect, share ideas, and build partnerships. This intimate setting paved the way for future collaborations focused on key themes like indigenous knowledge, the Global South, and innovative ways to protect our natural world through storytelling.

NEWF Congress 2025 is more than just an event—it is a movement. It’s a gathering of creators committed to reshaping the narrative of African natural history storytelling, ensuring that African voices lead the charge in telling Africa’s stories. The 2025 edition emphasises the importance of equitable access to skills and opportunities, empowering African visual storytellers to become the leaders and visionaries of tomorrow.

Participants can expect:

• Networking & Collaboration: Engage with the #NEWFCommunity, creating long-lasting partnerships between creatives, scientists, and conservation leaders.
• Spotlights & Panels: Thought-provoking discussions with industry experts on the ethics of wildlife storytelling and environmental conservation.
• Live Pitch Sessions: Emerging filmmakers will have the chance to present their ideas to industry professionals and gain valuable insights.
• Workshops & Case Studies: Interactive learning sessions on topics like story development, cinematography, and science communication.
• Documentary Screenings: Celebrate African talent through screenings of new, powerful documentary shorts and features.

NEWF Congress 2025 is not just an event; it is a call to action for the next generation of leaders in nature, wildlife, and environmental filmmaking. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, an aspiring conservationist, or a decision-maker in the industry, this is your chance to connect with a community that’s reshaping the future of African storytelling.

Register now to join NEWF for the remaining days of the NEWF Congress in Durban and become part of a vibrant, purpose-driven community that’s telling Africa’s stories, one story at a time.

For registration details, visit NEWF Congress 2025.