Completed "Inspiration" Films

• Kuruwitu: Between a Rock and a Hard Place: This film shows a traditional fishing community on Kenya's coast who declared a no-fishing zone along their stretch of coastline in an effort to halt the total destruction of their marine resources (through over-fishing and the international aquarium trade), to bolster fish numbers through providing safe breeding grounds, and to create opportunities for marine tourism in their area.
  Key issues discussed in this film include:
  
  1. Marine Ecosystems (coral reefs, fish breeding grounds, threats to the ecosystem)
  2. Over-fishing
  3. Aquarium trade
  4. Positive effects for fishermen of creating no-fishing zones
  5. Sustainable marine tourism industry as an alternative livelihood option for coastal communities


• The Turtle Watcher: Seen through the eyes of Kahindi, Field Manager for 'Watamu Turtle Watch', a Kenyan non-profit organization, who works tirelessly to conserve the country's last few turtle nesting sites, this film shows the importance of maintaining intact marine ecosystems, including flagship endangered species like turtles. We also see Kahindi's critical role in educating traditional fishing communities about the importance of keeping turtles alive.
  Key issues discussed in this film include:
  1. Environmental stewardship
  2. Environmental education and community outreach
  3. Importance of preserving marine biodiversity, focusing on turtles in particular
  4. Responsible ( = beneficial) marine tourism versus irresponsible ( = destructive) marine tourism

A SERIES OF SIX INSPIRATION FILMS ABOUT THE MASAI MARA ECOSYSTEM:


• A Gift from the Elders: This film discusses the formation and success of the Mara Triangle, part of the Masai Mara National Reserve which is administered by the TransMara County Council. It shows the important partnership between the local Maasai land-owning community and expert wildlife/land managers (the Mara Conservancy management company), which has created one of the most remarkable wildlife conservation areas in Africa, safeguarding a world-famous natural environment and bringing substantial financial rewards to the local community stakeholders.


• The Migration with No Beginning and No End: The annual wildebeest migration that enters the Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania is a breathtaking, world-famous event and this film shows the benefits it brings to Kenya as a whole, and to the Mara ecosystem in particular. Through this film, our audience will learn the financial and ecological importance of keeping wildlife alive and having such a unique, world-famous wildlife spectacle in their country.


• Endangered Heritage: Despite its prominence nationally and internationally, the Mara ecosystem is under threat from many sides. The destruction of the Mau Forests (which feed the Mara River and help regulate the climate in this part of Kenya) threatens the survival of the entire ecosystem and all the people and animals that depend upon it. Unsustainable tourism levels risk "killing the goose that laid the golden egg" - a balance needs to be found between tourism numbers and the health of the environment. Poaching - particularly poaching for bushmeat - remains a major threat to the Mara, its wildlife and all the people benefiting from this remarkable natural heritage.


• Koiyaki Guiding School - guiding towards sustainability: This film is about a wilderness school that trains local people to become safari guides. Their training gives them a broad-based knowledge of wildlife, plants and environmental issues alongside an introduction to the hospitality industry, allowing them to become professional guides and conservators of their natural heritage. Many of the graduates now work for the Mara Conservancy, safari camps and other tourism venues in the Mara.


• The Fastest Family: This is a film following some of the Mara's famous cheetah families. The cheetah, the world's fastest mammal, is highly endangered and the population thriving in the Mara Triangle offers hope for the future of these remarkable animals.


• The Lion Couple: This film follows a couple of Kenyan researchers, studying the lion population in the Mara Triangle. Through their eyes, we not only gain an insight into lion society but we see how conservation provides employment and career opportunities for Kenyans.

1. The importance of the greater Mara ecosystem economically and ecologically
2. Balance between pastoralism (cattle husbandry) and wildlife
3. Threat of the Mara River drying up due to deforestation on the Mau watershed and excessive off-take upstream
4. Biodiversity and ecology, highlighting threats from poaching - bushmeat poaching in particular
5. Trans-border conservation (the Mara in Kenya joins Tanzania's Serengeti ecosystem, both of which play host to the world-famous annual wildebeest migration)
6. Responsible, sustainable tourism (balance between the number of tourists and the carrying capacity of the environment, so that tourism remains beneficial in the long term as well as in the short term)
7. Wildlife tourism as an important revenue earner for rural communities
8. Local community ownership and stewardship
9. Community partnerships with professionals and experts in management, tourism and wildlife conservation
10. Scientific research
11. Opportunities for young Kenyans to become involved in research and conservation
12. Environmental and conservation education

View all AEFF's completed films

Read about the Inspiration film projects which are next in line for production...