“Wild Hope: Rhino Ops”: A significant milestone for African filmmaking and conservation

Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF), in a co-production with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and supported by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, have produced Wild Hope: Rhino Ops, a gripping film showcasing the park’s largest rhino horn programme to date.

“This film, an African production being featured on a global platform, is a testament to our mission: to offer a platform where African conservationists and filmmakers can create stories that echo across the world,” says Noel Kok, co-founder and executive director of NEWF.

The film was written, directed and edited by South African filmmaker Nathan Rice, with veteran South African conservation and environmental storyteller and National Geographic Explorer Ntokozo Mbuli as assistant producer on the project.

The film came about when Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife invited NEWF to document its rhino dehorning programme. The project then evolved into a Wild Hope episode, after NEWF pitched the project to Tangled Bank Studios. It brought a crew of NEWF Fellows, from across 9 African countries, on as the production team, along with veteran filmmaker and executive producer of Wild Hope, Geoff Luck, who guided and steadied the process.

The story follows the courageous efforts of conservationists and rangers at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, one of Africa’s oldest game reserves, as they work to protect the continent’s iconic rhinos from poaching and extinction. The film offers an intimate look at the daily challenges, innovative strategies and deep commitment of those on the frontlines of conservation.

Through powerful storytelling and compelling visuals, the film highlights both the urgency of rhino protection and the hope that comes from community-driven action and collaboration.

“For too long, African voices have been positioned on the margins of conservation storytelling,” says Kok. “Our mission is to shift that lens: to show that we are not only protectors of nature but also creators, scientists and storytellers whose perspectives can redefine how the world understands and values our shared environment.”

Since its inception in 2017, NEWF has grown into a vital resource for African conservationists and filmmakers. With more than 355 NEWF Fellows across 35 African countries and global reach across 11 countries in the diaspora and global south – which includes 190 certified divers to date – the initiative provides training and resources to help filmmakers thrive and highlight African voices in science and conservation.

Underscoring the importance of the film, Pragna Parsotam-Kok, executive director of NEWF and National Geographic Explorer: comments: “We encourage audiences across the world to watch the film – not only because it articulates the need to protect our rhinos but also for the fact it is an example of African excellence being brought to the world’s stage, in terms of conservation as well as filmmaking.”

Watch the launch video here.