Filmmaker Interviews

FILMMAKER INTERVIEW SERIES

The WCFF’s engagement program is collaborating with local and international filmmakers to discover and help continue to share incredible wildlife conservation stories with our worldwide audience. Explore with us as we learn about these amazing films, the faces and hearts behind them and the hopes that drive them to create inspiration to make the changes that we can!

EP1: Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS

Meet the Founder & CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF) Christopher J. Gervais, FRGS The WCFF mission is to inform, engage and inspire wildlife conservation through the power of film and media. | Join us at the 10th annual WCFF in New York, NY in October 2020. A ten day event 10/15-25 with over 100 documentary films, panel discussions, networking, receptions, field trips and more. Films represent nations across the planet with international filmmakers scientists, conservationists in attendance. | WCFF in Los Angeles, CA September 8-13 and Monterrey, Mexico November 10-15 | WCFF.org Join the planning committee. Advertise & promote your brand on the big screen in New York. Take a page in the program book. Contact: [email protected].

EP2: April Kelly

In this episode, producer and director, April Kelly, introduces us to her film “The Mark of the Jaguar,” to premier worldwide at the 2020 WCFF in Los Angeles in September. Join us as she takes us on a journey to the wild river banks of the Pantanal in Brazil, to find and document the natural behaviors of jaguars and other local flora and fauna. What happens when you’re cruising down the Cuiaba River and you come face-to-face with a big cat? Watch to find out and tune in every week to meet more of our amazing filmmakers!

EP3: Dave Taylor

In this episode, Dave Taylor, the producer and director of, “In the Footsteps of Giants” and “Mark of the Jaguar,” gives us a behind the scenes look at the filmmaking journey for both of these incredible films. Having premiered at the NYC Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in 2018, “In the Footsteps of Giants,” takes us from the Mkomazi Rhino Reserve in Northeastern Tanzania all the way up to the summit of Kilimanjaro, creating a once-in-a-lifetime film experience for us to follow and enjoy. After connecting through the Kilimanjaro hike, the serendipitous friendship that formed between Dave and April Kelly (E2) created the perfect opportunity to begin the foundation for their co-produced film. What happens when Dave and April combine their individual expertise and inspirations to create “Mark of the Jaguar?” Watch to find out and tune in every week to meet more of our amazing filmmakers! 

EP4: Emily Stanford

In this episode, we are transported around the world with Emily Stanford as she shares her stories about her one-year filmmaking journey for her film “The Truth About Bats,” premiering at the WCFF 2020 NYC film festival in October. Although her journey starts in the Amazon Rainforest hiking in search of bats, it certainly doesn’t end there! Join us as Emily tell us the secrets to living in mud huts in Papua New Guinea and finding the best spots for watching flying foxes wake and fly in the Australian night sky. How do all of these cultures feel about bats and how does that affect their conservation? Watch to find out and tune in every week to meet more of our amazing filmmakers!

EP5: Dr. Mauricio de la Maza

SPECIAL EDITION: During this week, the world is demanding for change, and here at WCFF, we join these efforts and stand up for the black, Mexican and other minority communities during these trying times. There are so many ways to help change lives and we encourage you to listen, donate, sign petitions, share information and stand up for those who have been put down for too long. In this episode, we meet the CEO of Pronatura Noreste and the inspiring conservationist: Dr. Mauricio de la Maza who introduces us to the ups and downs of Mexico’s transition to industrialism and the movement away from the rural life many Mexican’s once knew. With the struggle to balance modernization, the incredible biodiversity unique to this amazing country, is diminishing at an extensive rate that Dr. Mauricio claims, “we can’t ignore any longer.” Identifying himself as a cinematic storyteller, Dr. Mauricio has decided to take matters into his own hands and has been using the power of film to educate and bring awareness to these losses. Watch as we delve into the inspiration behind his documentary, “Ad Memoriam Rei Perpetuam,” which we are excited to premiere worldwide in the NYC Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (October 15-25). What happens when you combine the beautiful culture of Mexico and the incredible flora and fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert into one film? Join us to find out and tune in every week to meet more of our amazing filmmakers!

EP6: Matt Bracken

In this episode, coproducer and director, Matt Bracken introduces us to his film “Boots on the Ground,” which premiered at the 2013 WCFF in NYC. Join us as he describes the tumultuous challenge of becoming an antipoaching ranger and his journey to find the best way to share the stories of those who are front line in the war against organized crime poaching. With so many ups and downs, it’s hard to know where his story may end up but, an amazing solution is seemly discovered in Mozambique in the heart of the riskiest areas for poaching and on the edge of Kruger National Park. After watching him create one of the most successful soccer leagues in all of Africa, we find ourselves asking, can soccer really be the answer? Watch to find out and tune in every week to discover more stories about our incredible community!