About Our Film

THE FILM

This documentary uncovers the complex narrative of the human wildlife conflict in Africa, a growing hostility born out of a competition for food, water, and the space to live and thrive.

Human populations are increasing at an alarming rate, leading to a sharp decrease in available conservation areas and wild lands. When these disparate populations come into contact, they come into conflict, threatening one another’s existence in an often life or death situation.

Farmers patrol their fields at night attempting to prevent the devastation of crop-raiding elephants. Villagers lock up their livestock in a futile attempt to keep them safe from voracious lions. Wildlife police officers battle poachers and retaliatory killings, while conservation organizations struggle to mitigate the escalating conflicts that threaten both populations.

Here we discover that the only option is to work together with nature, to find a harmony and a balance, or risk losing the wildlife that stands between us and our own extinction.

““ I can’t bear to be here and not do anything about it and so we get up every day and do our best to stop it.””

— Rachel McRobb: Founder & CEO, CSL.

WHY THIS FILM

The Human Wildlife Conflict is reaching crisis levels, but everyday, conservation organizations are working against the clock to uncover solutions necessary for the survival and harmony of both human and wildlife. They raise awareness, they educate, and they connect, but they can’t do it alone.

For their work to continue and thrive, a global response is required and if we fail to meet this demand, if we refuse to work together and live in harmony, we will find that what threatens them, threatens us all.

THE MISSION

Our mission at Kalamo Productions is to tell stories that will educate, inform, inspire and empower the human spirit to understand the world around us and how we can live in harmony with each other and nature.

The mission for this film is to highlight the stories of, the communities, the stakeholders that are affected by the human wildlife conflict in hopes of raising awareness, empathy and ultimately action from around the world.

This film will inspire hope as it tells stories of empowerment and trust as the heroes on the ground work together to achieve an environment where humans and wildlife can not only coexist, but thrive.

This is an unfolding story about the power of the human condition.

We are all connected in this world. The land, the people and the animals. We cannot have a thriving eco-system and expect to exist alone.

Local farmer loses his entire crop to an elephant raid.

“ I feel if we start giving this sense of ownership to every person in the village, they will start changing.”

— Benson Kanyembo, CSL Law Enforcement Advisor.

CSL’s Rapid Response Unit

THE FILMMAKERS

Fairlie Ann Arrow brings a keen eye for story to a lifelong passion for protecting animals. This passion followed her to Africa, where from the moment she set foot in Mfuwe, she fell in love with the people, the land, and the animals. Having built relationships with the organizations on the ground, Fairlie is uniquely positioned to communicate this complex story to a global audience.

A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Jesse D. Arrow brings a passion for simple, yet beautiful cinematography that enhances the story without standing in its way or calling attention to itself. A background in the performing arts enhances his cinematography to be more than just pretty pictures, but a way to relax the audience’s defenses to truly allow them to experience the story they’re watching.

Our camera crew is composed of the most sought-after talent in the industry. If you’re hearing David Attenborough’s narration, chances are that a member of this crew was responsible for capturing the film he’s voicing. It’s hard to take a bad picture in Africa, but this is the crew that knows how to frame it unlike anyone else, giving a unique look and feel to this intricate narrative.

WHY US WHY NOW

We’ve spent several years building the relationships necessary to tell this story with the accuracy it demands and the access that it requires.

Earlier this year, we met with and garnered the approval of the chief of the region, Chief Kakumbi, along with The Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Zambian Government and the heads of Conservation South Luangwa, organizations that are normally reluctant to provide any level of access to outside groups.

Permits by regulatory bodies and the blessings of local tribal leaders have been granted to us, due to the nature of our relationship with our partners on the ground, providing the unique opportunity of unprecedented access to the people closest to the conflict.

Conservation South Luangwa Team

WHY DONATE TO THIS FILM

Using various distribution models, this film will provide an on-going source of funding for our partners on the ground in Mfuwe.

Human-Wildlife Conflict is a largely invisible problem, even for those working closest with the organizations on the front lines. This film will illuminate the conflict for those immediately affected in Mfuwe, as well as similarly affected communities around the world, including those that may not realize how they are being affected.

As a global problem, Human-Wildlife conflict requires a global response. This film will give audiences around the world a chance to engage with the problem and become a part of the solution.

A lack of access to education and information has led members of the community to suppose their own, often misinformed, answers. This film will provide a deep level of access to the inner workings of the organizations that are working tirelessly to help these communities, facilitating a greater understanding of the work required for success and inspiring the villages to become a part of the solution.

As is true with all great things, we can’t do it alone.

A farmers field is raided by elephants. A huge loss for his family.

Towers built for Chili Patrollers to guard safely through the night.

OUR FILM’S PARTNERS

JOIN US

As a partner, we’d like to collaborate with you to complete & share our film to audiences around the world through our National & International Impact Campaign.

Our mission objective is to actively engage and impact our audience through the following initiatives:

Festival & Theatrical Release to build audience and engage national & international press.
High Profile Live & Virtual Events Engage our core audience through influential individuals and media, generate press coverage in markets around the world.
Digital Release commercially through iTunes, Amazon and Netflix.
National PBS Broadcast reaching millions of viewers.

A 45 minute version of the film to do the following

Screening & Discussions: Reaching audiences within leading wildlife organizations, universities, conferences, conventions and schools around the world facilitating these important conversations.
To be distributed throughout Mfuwe and similar communities to dispel rumor and misinformation that is rampant within these areas, fostering confidence for the people working tirelessly on the front lines while encouraging the stakeholders to work together for a sustainable co-existence.
As a Model to disperse & share successful mitigation tactics to similarly affected areas.