“The Festival has become a topic of much interest amongst African leaders, government ministers, international commissioning editors, award-winning filmmakers and newcomers alike, who understand the value of promoting natural history, conservation and eco-tourism through the medium of film,” says Sophie Vartan, festival director.
“Although hosted in Durban, South Africa, the focus is to promote Africa as a whole to international broadcasters such as the BBC, National Geographic and Animal Planet. Approximately 500 delegates will attend the festival this year from the African continent, UK and Europe, Japan and the US”
Durban Wild Talk Africa provides a platform for wildlife, travel and cultural filmmakers to meet, discuss, and network with international and local broadcasters, distributors and commissioning editors. Many of the high-profile international VIPs who attended Wild Talk Africa in 2006 have confirmed their attendance for 2007, thus making it possible for filmmakers to network with influential people in the global natural history filmmaking industry.
The four-day festival incorporates seminars, workshops, the screening of award-winning films, an exhibition area, a photographic exhibition, and evening networking events, including the ROSCAR Celebratory Awards gala event.
The seminars include discussion topics around new media, distribution, climate change, travel and culture, pre-sales and sales, and children's programming, amongst others. The seminars will address cutting-edge issues relevant to the industry, with well-known international and local speakers chairing and sitting on the panels.
The Durban Wild Talk Africa Festival and Conference is sponsored by Durban Africa, Durban Metro, KZN Tourism, e.tv, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Animal Planet, IDC, NFVF, National Geographic Television and supported by IUCN (World Conservation Union), SANParks, Cape Film Commission, and well-known conservationist and Wild Talk Africa patron, Dr Ian Player.
For more information, go to www.wildtalkafrica.com or tel +27 (0)21 422 0023.
