Recently a high profile panel featuring some of the biggest names in the wildlife filmmaking world has been revealed as a headline event at the upcoming Wildscreen Festival Botswana 2025, set to start on June 12.
The panel will include award-winning cinematographer Brad Bestelink, long-lens specialist Gaokgonwe Seetsele “Sets” Nthomiwa, and rising talent Reatile “Rea” Schulte to Brinke, all of whom are featured in BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s groundbreaking series Big Cats 24/7. A special screening and Q&A session with the filmmaking team is set to anchor the festival’s celebration of African-led storytelling.
This marks a historic moment for Botswana’s creative industry as Wildscreen, the UK-based wildlife storytelling charity behind the globally renowned Wildscreen Festival, officially plants its flag in Maun in 2025. Known for its scenic wilderness and exceptional local talent, Botswana is now poised to become a hub for the next generation of African wildlife storytellers.
“I believe the festival will be a good thing for people to come out and share their perspectives on how to tell stories through their own lenses, and I think we will all have a chance to have dialogue and find ways on how to tell African stories better,” said Rea Schulte to Brinke, one of the local talents featured in the panel.
According to Wildscreen CEO Lucie Muir, Botswana’s selection was both strategic and symbolic. Despite its relatively small production community, the country “punches well above its weight internationally” and is renowned for its powerful storytelling rooted in natural world heritage. Government initiatives like Botswana Ignite have further created fertile ground for growing a sustainable film economy.
The festival promises more than just screenings. It offers real opportunities for African filmmakers through mentorship programs, bursaries, commissioning sessions, and the WildPitch event, which gives filmmakers the chance to pitch live and win up to £8,000 to fund their projects.
“Throughout the WildPitch process, shortlisted pitches will receive tailored, bespoke feedback and mentorship,” said Muir. “Motswana winners will receive production, business and legal support from Botswana Ignite for one year.”
This approach is designed to confront long-standing challenges African filmmakers face—such as lack of funding, limited access to international platforms, and underrepresentation behind the lens.
Wildscreen is actively working to shift the narrative away from African wildlife being captured solely by international crews. By establishing a permanent presence in Africa and partnering with local organizations, the festival aims to empower African voices not just as subjects, but as creators.
“We recognise the inequitable nature of the industry thus far and are seeking to dismantle the grip held around who is telling the story,” Muir explained. “We want stories about African wildlife to come home.”
The festival will go beyond traditional conservation messaging to spotlight themes such as indigenous knowledge, climate justice, and human-wildlife conflict. Sessions will also provide toolkits for African filmmakers to break into international markets and build sustainable careers.
“Every wildlife storyteller wants to make a positive impact for our planet,” said Muir. “That is core to the Festival.”
While the 2025 event in Botswana is the first of its kind in the country, it may be the beginning of a larger transformation. Wildscreen’s past festivals in Kenya and Tanzania have led to cross-country collaborations, job creation, and sustained mentorship. The hope is that Botswana’s involvement will leave a long-term legacy and establish the country as a key player in global wildlife storytelling.
“By choosing Botswana and collaborating with local partners, Wildscreen aims to build a lasting legacy that could continue a more equitable industry in Botswana, as a key hub for wildlife filmmaking,” Muir said.
