We are moving stories

“The Last Animals is a beautiful and dynamic film – it’s a sweeping global story that takes the viewer to places they’d otherwise never go and introduces them to extraordinary people on the frontlines of conservation. There’s cutting edge science, a CSI crime component, behind the scenes access, raw emotion and much to be learned about the illegal wildlife trade, which is an international problem and should concern anyone who cares about the planet.”

“with a vérité approach, we’re entering the bush, following a hunter on a lion hunt. We hope that by taking this perspective we’re able to transmit a stronger message on why trophy hunting should be restricted and banned in certain territories and why the international society needs to pay more attention to human-wildlife interactions.”

““Unchained” needs to be seen. Its message is that through pragmatism and persistence, there is hope that ‘captive’ elephants will gain improved respect and welfare. Ultimately, there will be a transition away from abusive elephant training for ‘entertainment’, burdening ‘tourists’ on their spines, to an ‘educated‘ tourist spectacle of herds of unchained ‘captive’ elephants to admire without intrusion; the elephants’ mahouts able to look on with pride, dignity and we hope at long last, a deeply felt mutual respect – a potential atonement indeed.”

“I think it’s tragic that there are incredible species on this planet that will go extinct before most people know they exist. I use beautiful, emotional storytelling to bring awareness and advocate for the conservation of these animals.”

“This story in particular stood out to me though, because it is so hopeful and positive. It’s easy to find stories of problems, but I think that showing solutions is what motivates people more.”

“ want people to become more aware of the complicated issues at play in the demise of pollinators worldwide, but I also want people to feel inspired by the journey of these insects and the work of the conservationists surrounding them. If I can spark some change in people’s everyday habits and viewpoints, I have achieved what all environmentalists desire. It is going to take a lot of passionate people to reverse the clock and we all need to join souls and minds!”

“I was stunned to see the wildlife decimation, the incomprehensible cruelty, and realizing I knew little about Africa (or its wildlife) I filmed over 100 people who have dedicated their lives to protecting nature and African locals who live with wildlife, stopping international crime cartels and Africa warlords, and learning how the West is utterly complicit in the pillaging and decimation of this continent, the birthplace of human beings.”

“Black Mambas rangers come from the same communities that the bushmeat poachers come from. At the beginning of my work on the film and after the first research and interviews I believed that the conflict inside the communities will be the main conflict of the film. After the research trip, however, it became apparent that the main conflict will be the dynamics between the rangers and the power structures in the park itself.”

“Bert is someone that every one should know. With a keen intellect, sharp wit and twinkle in his eye, this 91-year-old newspaper columnist inspires citizens to observe and care about their wild neighbors. And who doesn’t love a good love story, especially a true one.”

“You have probably already heard that we are in the midst of an elephant poaching epidemic across the African continent. These iconic and intelligent mammals are being slaughtered for their ivory tusks at an alarming rate — experts say that if this trend continues, we may be living in a world without wild elephants by 2025!”

“Eeya came out of a larger project I am working on about elephant poaching in the Congo Basin, which is called Silent Forests. For this feature length documentary, I am already following five subjects who are fighting to protect forest elephants in Central Africa. I thought that adding the Baka tribe story would make it a little too ‘crowded” feeling for 90 minutes. However, I was really intrigued by how indigenous groups like the Baka are impacted by poaching and conservation in this area, so I decided to make a separate short film just about that - and that’s how Eeya came to be.”

“It will touch your core. The bison tell their own story and that is different from most wildlife documentaries. It is not ABOUT the animals, but with and for them. Plus, most people do not know the history of these animals and that alone makes it worthwhile to see the film.”

“I made Messages from the Animals - Otter Love to act as a bridge between the animals and the human animals, as a voice for the voiceless. As an interspecies communicator, I constantly run into animals who would like to talk to me and relay a message or messages for my fellow human beings. Hence, I started a series of which the pilot project is Otter Love. Episodes about wolves, bison, bees, snakes, birds, bears and many more will follow...”

“You will see that you belong and that everybody belongs in the web of life, no exceptions. That only when we close the circle and give back if we are an awake, aware and conscious member of the web of life do we all benefit.”

“I went to Standing Rock two years ago and realized that we humans do not know who and what water really is. So I made a film about the relationship between humans and water.”

“As you learn in the film, my ancestors eradicated the last wild wolves near my home town for “our safety”. I vowed back then as a little girl to bring them back from extinction.”

“The film presents the viewer with a complete picture of what it means to advocate for an imperiled species protected within Yellowstone National Park, contrasted against an uncertain future due to the wolf hunting activities taking place just beyond the park’s borders.”

“My interest has always been in wolf recovery bringing the species back to the Wisconsin landscape. I’ve spent over two decades learning about wolf recovery in Wisconsin. When I began tracking in the year 2000, there was a total of 66 wolf packs compared to 234 packs today. I’ve witnessed wolf recovery firsthand as a participant in the program as a citizen scientist volunteer. I learned that they are very elusive and go out of their way to avoid any contact with us humans. I was fortunate enough to learn about a wolf pack that I helped monitor. Through observation learned how family-oriented they are just like us, or like our best friend the dog”

“I always trace the roots of this one back to growing up as a kid with a rescued Alaskan Malamute. She was like a fat happy wolf that would even howl in our backyard, harmonizing with passing firetruck sirens. That experience really informed my feelings about wolves but also misinformed them too. This was a dog, absolutely a people pleaser, and that’s pretty far from what wild wolves are.”

“For the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, land clearing and bushfires have devastated their habitat and pushed these birds to the brink of extinction. This loss is experienced personally by Kirli Saunders, who talks and writes about the significance of Glossies for her and other Aboriginal Australians in the film.”

“I made Betty Feeds the Animals because I think everyone should be exposed to Betty. Someone had to give a voice to the “crazy cat lady” who is so easily dismissed as a punchline but is much more than that.”

“People love the absurdity! Lots of laughter, lots of emotional avoidance.”

“We hope it is enjoyed for its story and comedy, but we also hope that it provokes thoughts about the issues raised around self-awareness and dealing with who you are.”