We are committed to bringing different viewpoints to the table in order to creatively engage new audiences to protect and restore our natural world. Two scholarship programs were created to provide financial support and mentorship for filmmakers who will help us diversify our community with regard to race, gender, culture, socioeconomics, geography, and domain knowledge. These scholarships will provide mentorship for emerging conservation media leaders in unique programs that directly connect them with the most influential content creators from around the globe. Recipients will attend the Jackson Wild Summit, September 21 - 27, 2019.
Vulcan Visiting World Filmmakers
Sponsored by Vulcan Productions
Akanksha Sood
Uttar Pradesh, India
With over 17 years of work experience that covers the range and breadth of film production, Akanksha has developed and honed her skills, often in extremely high pressure – high demand settings which range from the jungles to tent pole feature films, crafting scripts to negotiating complex acquisition & co-productions and now to producing and directing her own films. She has won three National Film Awards given by the President of India and nominations at Wildscreen, the UN and Jackson Hole. She is a Juror for the 2018 and 2019 International Emmy ® Awards – Documentary category.
Uttar Pradesh, India
With over 17 years of work experience that covers the range and breadth of film production, Akanksha has developed and honed her skills, often in extremely high pressure – high demand settings which range from the jungles to tent pole feature films, crafting scripts to negotiating complex acquisition & co-productions and now to producing and directing her own films. She has won three National Film Awards given by the President of India and nominations at Wildscreen, the UN and Jackson Hole. She is a Juror for the 2018 and 2019 International Emmy ® Awards – Documentary category.
Faith Musembi
Machakos County, Kenya
Faith is an award winning visual storyteller, with a deep and abiding love for motion pictures, writing and nature. Since obtaining a Master of Arts in the Visual Media Arts from Emerson College, she has crafted a few films including Underwater Treasures and Salt Water Survivors for the award winning Giving Nature A Voice series. These films educate about conservation, but also spark discussions about balanced conservation efforts between the Kenyan government, non-government organizations and local communities. In addition to her background in documentary work, Faith spent a year and a half working as a live TV Broadcast Director for Wild Earth in the Maasai Mara and at Djuma Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Living in the wild has confirmed her commitment and passion for telling stories about wilderness areas, and also for inspiring local communities to share their own narratives.
Machakos County, Kenya
Faith is an award winning visual storyteller, with a deep and abiding love for motion pictures, writing and nature. Since obtaining a Master of Arts in the Visual Media Arts from Emerson College, she has crafted a few films including Underwater Treasures and Salt Water Survivors for the award winning Giving Nature A Voice series. These films educate about conservation, but also spark discussions about balanced conservation efforts between the Kenyan government, non-government organizations and local communities. In addition to her background in documentary work, Faith spent a year and a half working as a live TV Broadcast Director for Wild Earth in the Maasai Mara and at Djuma Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Living in the wild has confirmed her commitment and passion for telling stories about wilderness areas, and also for inspiring local communities to share their own narratives.
Rodrigo Farías Moreno
O'Higgins, Chile
Rodrigo grew up exploring and documenting much of the beautiful Chilean coastline and the surf scene in the last decade, filming, traveling and working with environmental surfer Ramon Navarro. He highlights the spirit of surfing, tells stories of the coast, loves the ocean, and is aware that we must protect and take care for it. His mission is to communicate the sea culture that surrounds this sport, which has led him to be the Parley for the Oceans Chile director and works to raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of our oceans. Together with his team, they have managed to carry out more than 150 beach cleanups, with more than 3,000 volunteers and work in more than 30 locations nationwide.
O'Higgins, Chile
Rodrigo grew up exploring and documenting much of the beautiful Chilean coastline and the surf scene in the last decade, filming, traveling and working with environmental surfer Ramon Navarro. He highlights the spirit of surfing, tells stories of the coast, loves the ocean, and is aware that we must protect and take care for it. His mission is to communicate the sea culture that surrounds this sport, which has led him to be the Parley for the Oceans Chile director and works to raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of our oceans. Together with his team, they have managed to carry out more than 150 beach cleanups, with more than 3,000 volunteers and work in more than 30 locations nationwide.
Jahawi Bertolli
Nairobi, Kenya
Jahawi Bertolli is a National Geographic Explorer, film maker, photographer and music producer from Kenya specialising in wildlife and the underwater world. Growing up in Kenya he nurtured a deep curiosity and love for the natural world and strives to portray the beauty, power and vulnerability of wild environments through his work. His work has taken him across Kenya from the remote northern coast to the Maasai Mara as well as to other distant
corners of the globe such as Myanmar and the Galapagos Islands. His clients have included UNEP, SafariLive, CORDIO and SVT Sweden and his work shown at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington and the UN Headquarters in New York.
Nairobi, Kenya
Jahawi Bertolli is a National Geographic Explorer, film maker, photographer and music producer from Kenya specialising in wildlife and the underwater world. Growing up in Kenya he nurtured a deep curiosity and love for the natural world and strives to portray the beauty, power and vulnerability of wild environments through his work. His work has taken him across Kenya from the remote northern coast to the Maasai Mara as well as to other distant
corners of the globe such as Myanmar and the Galapagos Islands. His clients have included UNEP, SafariLive, CORDIO and SVT Sweden and his work shown at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington and the UN Headquarters in New York.
Jackson Wild Emerging Filmmakers
Funding for the 2019 Jackson Wild Emerging Filmmakers scholarship is made possible with generous support from Jeffrey and Darlene Anderson, Disneynature, PBS, Cornell Douglas Foundation, National Geographic Society, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Charles Engelhard Foundation, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Discovery and Vulcan Productions.
JEFFREY & DARLENE ANDERSON
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Tania Escobar
Ceara, Brazil
Tania Escobar is a Camerawoman and Filmmaker from Mexico, currently based in Brazil. She specializes in wildlife behavior, factual and documentary. Her career began working for environmental organizations, making films for WWF, Mexico’s Commission of Protected Areas and others. With the support of a scholarship from the University of Salford, studied a Master in Wildlife Documentary Production in England. After graduating, she began working in Latin-America filming documentaries in Cuba, Brazil and Argentina. Since 2014 she has been working in Equatorial Guinea - Africa, filming Drill Monkeys for NDR|Naturfilm documentary “The Lost Kings of Bioko” and BBC “Primates”. Website. Instagram @taniaeo
Ceara, Brazil
Tania Escobar is a Camerawoman and Filmmaker from Mexico, currently based in Brazil. She specializes in wildlife behavior, factual and documentary. Her career began working for environmental organizations, making films for WWF, Mexico’s Commission of Protected Areas and others. With the support of a scholarship from the University of Salford, studied a Master in Wildlife Documentary Production in England. After graduating, she began working in Latin-America filming documentaries in Cuba, Brazil and Argentina. Since 2014 she has been working in Equatorial Guinea - Africa, filming Drill Monkeys for NDR|Naturfilm documentary “The Lost Kings of Bioko” and BBC “Primates”. Website. Instagram @taniaeo
Sugandhi Gadadhar
Bangalore, India
Sugandhi is a wildlife filmmaker, photographer and naturalist based out of Bangalore, India. She has worked as a cameraperson on several broadcast productions. With a primary interest in animal behaviour and wildlife conservation, she has directed and produced films in local languages for forest departments/NGOs so as to better connect local and rural audiences with the wildlife in their backyard. She is a voiceover artist and lends her voice to the All India Radio for plays that convey messages about science, technology and social causes. She volunteers with Conservation India and the sustainable menstruation movement.
Bangalore, India
Sugandhi is a wildlife filmmaker, photographer and naturalist based out of Bangalore, India. She has worked as a cameraperson on several broadcast productions. With a primary interest in animal behaviour and wildlife conservation, she has directed and produced films in local languages for forest departments/NGOs so as to better connect local and rural audiences with the wildlife in their backyard. She is a voiceover artist and lends her voice to the All India Radio for plays that convey messages about science, technology and social causes. She volunteers with Conservation India and the sustainable menstruation movement.
Pooja Gupta
Hyderabad, India
Pooja is a multimedia artist with a focus on science communication, from Hyderabad, India. With a specialist interest in ecology and wildlife conservation, she uses design thinking to develop multimedia content for science education. Her hands-on approach to communicating conservation has taken her across the world to work on a wide spectrum of projects: from assisting on media workshops in the remote Peruvian Amazon to filming in the Maldives, and developing campaign media to protect the dugongs of the Andaman Islands. She collaborates with a range of experts across disciplines to make a positive impact in conservation, such as field biologists, independent researchers, filmmakers and leading environmental organisations in the country.
Hyderabad, India
Pooja is a multimedia artist with a focus on science communication, from Hyderabad, India. With a specialist interest in ecology and wildlife conservation, she uses design thinking to develop multimedia content for science education. Her hands-on approach to communicating conservation has taken her across the world to work on a wide spectrum of projects: from assisting on media workshops in the remote Peruvian Amazon to filming in the Maldives, and developing campaign media to protect the dugongs of the Andaman Islands. She collaborates with a range of experts across disciplines to make a positive impact in conservation, such as field biologists, independent researchers, filmmakers and leading environmental organisations in the country.
Tembisa Jordaan
Durban, South Africa
Tembisa Jordaan is a Resource Use Ecologist, at Ezemvelo KZN wildlife, investigating, analysing and documenting the extraction of marine resources, and a Biodiversity Economy coordinator, overseeing the Biodiversity Economy Initiative that has been strategically rolled out throughout South Africa to ensure sectoral transformation, sustainability in all respects and economic growth in the wildlife and bioprospecting business streams in KwaZulu-Natal. She recently starred in a 3-part marine conservation documentary commissioned by Off the Fence, the called “Our Oceans” and won the New Film pitch competition at the Nature, Environment and Wildlife Film congress, to create a short documentary about the lives of marine Traditional Fishers in KZN.
Durban, South Africa
Tembisa Jordaan is a Resource Use Ecologist, at Ezemvelo KZN wildlife, investigating, analysing and documenting the extraction of marine resources, and a Biodiversity Economy coordinator, overseeing the Biodiversity Economy Initiative that has been strategically rolled out throughout South Africa to ensure sectoral transformation, sustainability in all respects and economic growth in the wildlife and bioprospecting business streams in KwaZulu-Natal. She recently starred in a 3-part marine conservation documentary commissioned by Off the Fence, the called “Our Oceans” and won the New Film pitch competition at the Nature, Environment and Wildlife Film congress, to create a short documentary about the lives of marine Traditional Fishers in KZN.
Paula Kahumbu
Nairobi, Kenya
Considered a driving force behind Africa’s conservation movement, Paula Kahumbu, CEO of NGO WildlifeDirect, believes that the future of Africa’s unique wildlife heritage depends on support Africans especially the leadership. Kahumbu spearheaded the successful Hands Off Our Elephants campaign with Margaret Kenyatta, Kenya’s First Lady to mobilize the justice sector in combating elephant poaching and ivory trafficking. She produces a wildlife documentary series for African and global audiences. Shot on location across her native Kenya, WILDLIFE WARRIORS shines a light on African heroes to inspire future generations of African conservationists. She lectures for Princeton University where she earned her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Nairobi, Kenya
Considered a driving force behind Africa’s conservation movement, Paula Kahumbu, CEO of NGO WildlifeDirect, believes that the future of Africa’s unique wildlife heritage depends on support Africans especially the leadership. Kahumbu spearheaded the successful Hands Off Our Elephants campaign with Margaret Kenyatta, Kenya’s First Lady to mobilize the justice sector in combating elephant poaching and ivory trafficking. She produces a wildlife documentary series for African and global audiences. Shot on location across her native Kenya, WILDLIFE WARRIORS shines a light on African heroes to inspire future generations of African conservationists. She lectures for Princeton University where she earned her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Abdullah Khan
Islamabad, Pakistan
I am a person who hasn’t lost that instinctive fascination with the natural world. I grew up as a kid profoundly curious about hens, pigeons and rabbits, obsessed with the rectangular box in bright yellow. Fast forward some years and I found myself lost in the world of Human Resource Management – a place where I didn’t belong. So I picked up a camera and started photographing the beings that I cherished the most. My wild buddies. Found a volunteer job as a wildlife photographer, then a full time wildlife camera assistant and then took a leap of faith to film the elusive snow leopards in the rugged Karakoram Mountains. Today, I live in ABD Media where we film for conservation – a world where I belong.
Islamabad, Pakistan
I am a person who hasn’t lost that instinctive fascination with the natural world. I grew up as a kid profoundly curious about hens, pigeons and rabbits, obsessed with the rectangular box in bright yellow. Fast forward some years and I found myself lost in the world of Human Resource Management – a place where I didn’t belong. So I picked up a camera and started photographing the beings that I cherished the most. My wild buddies. Found a volunteer job as a wildlife photographer, then a full time wildlife camera assistant and then took a leap of faith to film the elusive snow leopards in the rugged Karakoram Mountains. Today, I live in ABD Media where we film for conservation – a world where I belong.
Ouree Lee
Jackson Hole, WY
Ouree is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker from Wilmore, Kentucky. She graduated from Stanford in 2017 with a B.A. in Film & Media Studies. Her creative endeavors infuse many forms including new (and old) media, film, movement, and installation. Ouree has performed at the de Young Museum, San Francisco Art Institute, and the Gray Area. She moved to Jackson,WY in 2018.
Jackson Hole, WY
Ouree is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker from Wilmore, Kentucky. She graduated from Stanford in 2017 with a B.A. in Film & Media Studies. Her creative endeavors infuse many forms including new (and old) media, film, movement, and installation. Ouree has performed at the de Young Museum, San Francisco Art Institute, and the Gray Area. She moved to Jackson,WY in 2018.
Mlungisi Ntuli
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Mr Mlungisi Ntuli is the founder and leader of Liberty NPO. The non-profit organisation focuses on wetlands and river health education in previously disadvantaged communities, while creating learning and job opportunities. He is the producer of a Jackson Wild Special Jury nominee, The River Gives, as well as When We Rise. Mlungisi has also won the SAB Environmental Media and Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2018, and the Wetland Education and Skills Development from National Wetlands Indaba.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Mr Mlungisi Ntuli is the founder and leader of Liberty NPO. The non-profit organisation focuses on wetlands and river health education in previously disadvantaged communities, while creating learning and job opportunities. He is the producer of a Jackson Wild Special Jury nominee, The River Gives, as well as When We Rise. Mlungisi has also won the SAB Environmental Media and Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2018, and the Wetland Education and Skills Development from National Wetlands Indaba.
Anthony Ochieng
Nairobi, Kenya
Anthony Ochieng’ is a Kenyan born, Wildlife Ecologist and Conservationist. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Moi University and currently pursuing Masters in Wildlife Management in Karatina University. As a teenager he had a unique interest in nature, realizing the unique bond between himself and his relationships with others. This informed his way of life, from being a leader in conservation clubs in school, pursuing a wildlife management degree and working for conservation organization and currently running a conservation photography platform called TonyWild.He strongly believes that Wildlife conservation is the base of any economic, political and social issues of a country. We as conservationist understand this, but not everyone does. We need to carefully package this message and share it with every household in the world that wildlife conservation are principles that safeguards our way of life. Therefore, we need to respect and protect wildlife. He decided to join other environmental educators across the country in 2017. He had no idea how, but his obsession for photography and creation of content came in handy to help him pass conservation knowledge to an online audience, knowing that 75 percent of Kenyans are able to access internet, and are on social media platforms. This was a great opportunity and has seen him reach to a number of Kenyans who are not in the conservation field. His images have been features in the following platforms Climate Tracker, Global landscape Forum and he is a WWF Youth Award Nominees 2018
Nairobi, Kenya
Anthony Ochieng’ is a Kenyan born, Wildlife Ecologist and Conservationist. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Moi University and currently pursuing Masters in Wildlife Management in Karatina University. As a teenager he had a unique interest in nature, realizing the unique bond between himself and his relationships with others. This informed his way of life, from being a leader in conservation clubs in school, pursuing a wildlife management degree and working for conservation organization and currently running a conservation photography platform called TonyWild.He strongly believes that Wildlife conservation is the base of any economic, political and social issues of a country. We as conservationist understand this, but not everyone does. We need to carefully package this message and share it with every household in the world that wildlife conservation are principles that safeguards our way of life. Therefore, we need to respect and protect wildlife. He decided to join other environmental educators across the country in 2017. He had no idea how, but his obsession for photography and creation of content came in handy to help him pass conservation knowledge to an online audience, knowing that 75 percent of Kenyans are able to access internet, and are on social media platforms. This was a great opportunity and has seen him reach to a number of Kenyans who are not in the conservation field. His images have been features in the following platforms Climate Tracker, Global landscape Forum and he is a WWF Youth Award Nominees 2018
Ugochi Oluigbo
Lagos, Nigeria
Ugochi Oluigbo is a News Anchor and environmental journalist with TVC News Nigeria. She produces and presents Green Angle, Nigeria's most popular environmental show. Her work has won several journalism awards including the UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Africa. She has hosted the BBC World Service Climate Change radio programme, Local Warming. Ugochi comes from Amucha, a community ravaged by erosion. She believes this inspired her passion for environmental journalism and green film making.. She covers under-reported development stories to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable - from oil polluted Niger Delta to one of Africa's last remaining rain forests. She works to mentor new environmental journalists and green film makers.
Lagos, Nigeria
Ugochi Oluigbo is a News Anchor and environmental journalist with TVC News Nigeria. She produces and presents Green Angle, Nigeria's most popular environmental show. Her work has won several journalism awards including the UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Africa. She has hosted the BBC World Service Climate Change radio programme, Local Warming. Ugochi comes from Amucha, a community ravaged by erosion. She believes this inspired her passion for environmental journalism and green film making.. She covers under-reported development stories to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable - from oil polluted Niger Delta to one of Africa's last remaining rain forests. She works to mentor new environmental journalists and green film makers.
Annie Roth
Santa Cruz, California
Annie Roth is a freelance environmental journalist based in Santa Cruz, California. She writes about wildlife conservation, marine biology, and the environment for a wide variety of publications including National Geographic, the New York Times and Mongabay. Roth was bitten by the filmmaking bug last spring while attending the International Wildlife Film Festival. She is currently working with the non-profit video production company Wild Lens on several projects that seek to shine a light on neglected wildlife conservation issues. At this year's Jackson Wild Summit, Roth hopes to connect with like-minded filmmakers and conservationists. If you see her, don't hesitate to reach out.
Santa Cruz, California
Annie Roth is a freelance environmental journalist based in Santa Cruz, California. She writes about wildlife conservation, marine biology, and the environment for a wide variety of publications including National Geographic, the New York Times and Mongabay. Roth was bitten by the filmmaking bug last spring while attending the International Wildlife Film Festival. She is currently working with the non-profit video production company Wild Lens on several projects that seek to shine a light on neglected wildlife conservation issues. At this year's Jackson Wild Summit, Roth hopes to connect with like-minded filmmakers and conservationists. If you see her, don't hesitate to reach out.
Mohamed “Tyson” Special Conteh
Makeni, Sierra Leone
My name is Mohamed Special Conteh aka Tyson, the director of the Future View Media Centre in Sierra Leone, a media center and local film organisation that I founded in 2007 with the aim to make films for change. At the age of five I lost my father, and at the age of ten I lost my elder brother and became the sole provider of our family. When the rebel war reached Makeni, my sister was killed right in front of my mother and me, for denying to be raped. She died in my hands, an event which gives me the passion to film. Due to lack of opportunities, I had to drop out of school to work physically to feed and take care of my four children and mother who is now old. Over the years, I have achieved success with Future View Media Centre which is now my life and everything I lived for.
Makeni, Sierra Leone
My name is Mohamed Special Conteh aka Tyson, the director of the Future View Media Centre in Sierra Leone, a media center and local film organisation that I founded in 2007 with the aim to make films for change. At the age of five I lost my father, and at the age of ten I lost my elder brother and became the sole provider of our family. When the rebel war reached Makeni, my sister was killed right in front of my mother and me, for denying to be raped. She died in my hands, an event which gives me the passion to film. Due to lack of opportunities, I had to drop out of school to work physically to feed and take care of my four children and mother who is now old. Over the years, I have achieved success with Future View Media Centre which is now my life and everything I lived for.
Fiona Tande
Nairobi, Kenya
I'm a Kenyan based conservationist and I'm currently branching into wildlife filmmaking which catapulted me into the conservation world in the first place. I was born and raised on the outskirts of Nairobi where I had the privilege of growing up in a virtually untouched and wildly natural part of Kenya. I grew up watching National Geographic where I developed an even greater appreciation of our natural world and learned most of the information I know on animal biology and behavior. I'm humbled and deeply honored to have gotten an opportunity to attend Jackson Wild Summit and get to meet and learn from some of the conservation heroes and filmmakers who inspired me most of my life.
Nairobi, Kenya
I'm a Kenyan based conservationist and I'm currently branching into wildlife filmmaking which catapulted me into the conservation world in the first place. I was born and raised on the outskirts of Nairobi where I had the privilege of growing up in a virtually untouched and wildly natural part of Kenya. I grew up watching National Geographic where I developed an even greater appreciation of our natural world and learned most of the information I know on animal biology and behavior. I'm humbled and deeply honored to have gotten an opportunity to attend Jackson Wild Summit and get to meet and learn from some of the conservation heroes and filmmakers who inspired me most of my life.
Fidel Tshivhasa
Pretoria, South Africa
The principal behind the TIFF Film and Multimedia Design Collective, whose shared philosophy merges creative excellence with social feedback (books to youth in shelters, tree planting initiatives, etc). Fidel has finished a short documentary called Seeking Giants, about the migration of the Humpback whales along Durban's coastlines. He's currently in the process of producing the long feature among other projects within the animation and wildlife disciplines.
Pretoria, South Africa
The principal behind the TIFF Film and Multimedia Design Collective, whose shared philosophy merges creative excellence with social feedback (books to youth in shelters, tree planting initiatives, etc). Fidel has finished a short documentary called Seeking Giants, about the migration of the Humpback whales along Durban's coastlines. He's currently in the process of producing the long feature among other projects within the animation and wildlife disciplines.
Ludovic Burns Tuki
Rapa Nui, Chile
Ludovic Burns Tuki is the Executive Director of the community based organization known as Te Mau o te Vaikava o Rapa Nu, that focuses on marine conservation in Rapa Nui. His origin is from Paumotu and Rapa Nui island, he is passionate about the sea and nature, and is certified as a PADI dive master. He is recognized in Rapa Nui for his contribution to the preservation of the social, cultural and traditions of his native land. Ludovic served as the Executive Secretary of the Rapa Nui Public-Private Council and also as the Executive Director of the Mesa del Mar, which worked tirelessly for the creation of the marine protected area of Rapa Nui signed on June 8 2018, that allows ancestral artisanal and sport fishing to be protected with sustainable practices, leaving a legacy for future generations.
Rapa Nui, Chile
Ludovic Burns Tuki is the Executive Director of the community based organization known as Te Mau o te Vaikava o Rapa Nu, that focuses on marine conservation in Rapa Nui. His origin is from Paumotu and Rapa Nui island, he is passionate about the sea and nature, and is certified as a PADI dive master. He is recognized in Rapa Nui for his contribution to the preservation of the social, cultural and traditions of his native land. Ludovic served as the Executive Secretary of the Rapa Nui Public-Private Council and also as the Executive Director of the Mesa del Mar, which worked tirelessly for the creation of the marine protected area of Rapa Nui signed on June 8 2018, that allows ancestral artisanal and sport fishing to be protected with sustainable practices, leaving a legacy for future generations.
Malaika Vaz
Goa, India
Malaika is a 22-year-old National Geographic Explorer, Wildlife Presenter and Filmmaker. As a Nat Geo Explorer, Malaika just finished presenting and directing a 3-part film series on community-led coexistence with Asiatic Lions, Tigers and Leopards in India. She also presented the 8-part Discovery Channel and Animal Planet TV series titled ‘On the Brink’, which focuses on lesser known and endangered species. Malaika is also a PADI Dive Master, Cessna Pilot, National-level windsurfer, sailor and endurance horse rider. She has previously worked to empower disadvantaged women, survivors of violence and tribal children through adventure sports and outdoor education in the Mulshi Valley in Maharashtra. Deeply interested in creating policy impact in the field of wildlife conservation, Malaika works along with leading international and Indian environmental organisations WildAid and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) on marine trafficking issues in her country.
Goa, India
Malaika is a 22-year-old National Geographic Explorer, Wildlife Presenter and Filmmaker. As a Nat Geo Explorer, Malaika just finished presenting and directing a 3-part film series on community-led coexistence with Asiatic Lions, Tigers and Leopards in India. She also presented the 8-part Discovery Channel and Animal Planet TV series titled ‘On the Brink’, which focuses on lesser known and endangered species. Malaika is also a PADI Dive Master, Cessna Pilot, National-level windsurfer, sailor and endurance horse rider. She has previously worked to empower disadvantaged women, survivors of violence and tribal children through adventure sports and outdoor education in the Mulshi Valley in Maharashtra. Deeply interested in creating policy impact in the field of wildlife conservation, Malaika works along with leading international and Indian environmental organisations WildAid and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) on marine trafficking issues in her country.
Yang Yang
NYC, New York
Yang is an independent documentary filmmaker based in New York City. She received her education in music and art history before shifting gear towards documentaries, where she finds tremendous joy combining the love for adventures, meeting new people, and the strive to be socially responsible in creating powerful visual-sonic stories. She holds a MFA in Social Documentary Film from the School of Visual Arts, and is currently finishing her thesis film Made in Paradise, which explores mass tourism development's impact on the environment and religion in Bali, Indonesia.
NYC, New York
Yang is an independent documentary filmmaker based in New York City. She received her education in music and art history before shifting gear towards documentaries, where she finds tremendous joy combining the love for adventures, meeting new people, and the strive to be socially responsible in creating powerful visual-sonic stories. She holds a MFA in Social Documentary Film from the School of Visual Arts, and is currently finishing her thesis film Made in Paradise, which explores mass tourism development's impact on the environment and religion in Bali, Indonesia.
