“We must see the world through the eyes of an unborn child.” — Ma’m Gcina Mhlophe
Disconnect to Connect, Read that again! The 2025 NEWF Summit and Congress was a powerful reminder that connection-to-land, to story, to water, to one another, is not a luxury. It is our birthright.
Our amazing team joined the spectacular Africa’s unique NEWF Summit and Congress by Africans that brings people together to tell the story of the Africa we dream of from our own African lenses and conversations.
From the moment Ma’m Gcina Mhlophe opened the space with her deeply ancestral storytelling, the tone was set for something unlike any other convening. Hers was not merely a welcome, it was a spiritual anointing. A summoning. We were not there to consume stories. We were there to become them.
What followed was a multi-day immersion that blurred the boundaries between science and spirit, film and fieldwork, mentor and mentee. As Aunty B reminded us in her fiery invocation, we are not just telling stories for today, we are seeding the future. Are we ready to dream of an Africa that dreams of itself?
Day One & Two: A Masterclass in Vision
“This is the journey to the Africa we dream of.”
The opening days of the Fellows Summit were ablaze with soul-shaking sessions. It was a classroom, a circle, a ritual. From workshops on The Producer Mindset, to intimate labs in cinematography and editing workflow, the programming wasn’t just about technical growth—it was about reclaiming power as African storytellers.
Sessions around Distribution, Impact, and Environmental Journalism sparked conversations about representation, truth-telling, and the need for platforms that carry not just our stories—but our values.
The evening screening of Battle for Laikipia wasn’t just cinema—it was a conversation starter, a provocation. It asked: What happens when conservation fails to listen? Whose land is being saved—and from whom?
Day Three: Congress Begins – With Fire in the Belly
The shift into Congress brought a swelling of the community. More voices. More questions. More fire.
The day opened with a profound ancestral blessing from Connor, infusing the room with a deep sense of belonging. That energy carried into sessions that tackled core questions:
- What does true access look like in the African media ecosystem?
- How do we tell stories rooted in justice, not just aesthetics?
- What connects us across oceans, beyond colonially drawn borders?
One of the most anticipated returns was “A Match Made in Science” an intersection of research and storytelling where scientists pitched their projects to filmmakers. This session reminded us that storytelling is not just a mirror—it’s a bridge.
Another hallmark moment: the Live Pitch, part of the Next Chapter Producers’ Lab. Twelve brave filmmakers stood before a jury, baring their vision for the world to see. The promise? A $7,500 grant to bring their short films to life. But what they gave us was more than a pitch; it was heart, urgency, and truth.
Day Four: Wild Hopes, Real Talks, and Ubuntu
Returning to the Barnyard Theatre, NEWF’s ancestral home from 2019–2023, was a full-circle moment. It wasn’t just nostalgia. It was a legacy. Fellows, mentors, and dignitaries gathered for a private screening of Wild Hope – Rhino Ops, a film produced by NEWF Fellows for a global audience. Supported by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, the project stood as a monument to what happens when community, funding, and creative freedom align.
Field to Frame, a standout session led by National Geographic Explorers, bridged leadership with storytelling, while In Conversation with Patrick Morris opened space for raw, unfiltered truth. That’s what makes NEWF different—there are no veils. No gatekeeping. Only Ubuntu.
Final Day: Dancing With Stories Until the Last Drumbeat
“I cannot believe it’s already Friday,” Iddi shared. “But I will carry this week with me for the rest of my life.”
From impassioned talks on animation, impact storytelling, and co-production, to Oliver Goetzl’s now-legendary bear impersonation, the final day was a celebration of all the colours that live within the African creative soul.
Karen Greenfield left us with a poignant takeaway: “Never lose sight of your passion and embrace the pivots.”
Mongabay’s one-on-one pitch sessions added a final layer of opportunity before the community gathered to award the Next Chapter Pitch winners, screen South to South short films, and dance under the Durban sky one last time.
What did this have in store for Aqua-Farms Organization
Aqua-Farms Organization is rooted in marine conservation that empowers people, protects biodiversity, and honors community narratives. Attending NEWF 2025 wasn’t just about storytelling—it was about transforming conservation into culture and aligning deeply with our values of community-led impact, indigenous knowledge, and environmental justice.
At NEWF, the intersection of science, spirit, and storytelling illuminated the very heart of what we do:
Centering communities as both stewards and storytellers of the ocean.
Building narratives that elevate local voices and challenge outdated conservation paradigms.
Using storytelling as advocacy, ensuring the ocean is protected not just through policy, but through connection.
So… What Now?
The Summit may be over, but the real work begins now. The real story, yours, ours, Africa’s, is still unfolding.
So, ask yourself:
- What stories are waiting for you to tell them?
- Where are you being called to advocate, to disrupt, to honour?
- How can your creativity be an offering—not just a product?
We have returned to the corners of the continent and beyond, and we have carried more than lovely images, footage or notebooks.
We carry a vision: of an Africa seen through its own eyes, spoken in its own voices, loved in its own languages.
And that, dear reader, is the most powerful revolution of all.
