NEWF Advanced Underwater Filmmaking Lab
Digital Media
Information
The Advanced Underwater Filmmaking LAB is an intensive diving and underwater storytelling workshop focussed on fast tracking the these specialised skills for established historically excluded African filmmakers in the natural history genre.
A multi-disciplinary team of a Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor and Marine Scientist, are tasked with producing a short/micro film whilst learning how to dive.
Background:
Due to the specialised nature, scarce qualified tertiary institutes coupled with unique historical imbalances the skills set required for nature, environment and wildlife filmmakers, remains a major barrier to entry into this genre of content creation.
Despite the fact that the continent of Africa is surrounded by just over 30 000 kms of coastline, our research through extensive industry engagement has revealed that qualified and experienced Black African underwater filmmakers are rarer than the most endangered species conservationists seek to protect on the continent. NEWF Underwater Filmmaking LABS are an urgent response to these skills development and transformation needs.
This pilot project of the Advanced Underwater Filmmaking LAB, was successfully held in February/March of 2020. The filmed produced by the inaugural cohort is titled “Phefumla”.
