Durban Wild Talk Africa is an international film festival and conference which takes place annually in Durban, South Africa. It attracts the global wildlife, travel and cultural filmmaking industry by offering a forum for networking, debating and negotiating with commissioning editors, distributors and producers.
Durban Wild Talk Africa has become an influential
event for the wildlife, travel and cultural filmmaking industry.
In April 2006, it achieved the attendance of 350 delegates, with representation
from 17 countries. With the support of the global wildlife, travel and cultural
community, the second Durban Wild Talk Africa Festival, held in August 2007,
attracted 480 delegates over the 4 day Festival with representation from 22
countries.
The Wild Talk Africa initiative was founded in 2005 when a group of 30 dedicated enthusiastic individuals gathered together to shape the future of the industry. The initial members of this group included Dr Pallo Jordan - Minister of Arts and Culture, Eddie Mbalo - CEO NFVF, Marcel Golding - CEO e.tv, Mark Wild from Animal Planet and 20 wildlife filmmakers. The decision taken was that Africa, the very continent that has been the setting for international award-winning wildlife films, should host a wildlife film festival to promote South Africa as the centre of excellence in the wildlife filmmaking genre.
One of the goals of the initiative is to unite and promote the South African wildlife,
travel and cultural filmmaking community, and Durban Wild Talk Africa provides the ideal platform for South Africans to meet, discuss, share information and network with other wildlife,
travel and cultural filmmakers, international and local broadcasters, distributors and commissioning editors.
Amongst many others, the festival has been endorsed by:
- Basil Ford, Senior Account Manager IDC
- Marcel Golding, CEO e.tv
- Dr Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture
- Eddie Mbalo, CEO NFVF
- Valli Moosa, President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
- Dr Essop Pahad, Minister in the Presidency
- Dr Ian Player of the Wilderness Foundation
The festival has also attracted the attendance of high-profile international VIP guests in the wildlife,
travel and culture filmmaking industry, with representation from Animal Planet, National Geographic Television and Film, Tigress Productions, Off the Fence and the BBC NHU.
Durban Wild Talk Africa takes place at the ICC Durban (International Convention Centre) which is recognized as Africa’s finest meeting arena offering world class standards of service in a pleasing, aesthetic environment. Centrally located, and just a quarter of an hour from the airport, the ICC Durban is minutes from hotels and beaches.
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