Image: Marri Shyam / Pexels
Hosted at Hotel Sky in Sandton, Johannesburg, five films won 5 awards across different categories at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa on Friday, 6 June 2025.
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Over 450 films were submitted from around the world, which culminated in a red carpet event attended by over 200 people from the film, tourism, and conservation industries.
Produced by South African company Love Africa Marketing, four golds and one silver were awarded in various categories across conservation, wildlife and tourism, with films showcasing their partners’ conservation work and highlighting Africa’s natural heritage on land and in our oceans.
“We are honoured to have been recognised in this international festival for our African short films. We are proud to craft these stories with our partners in conservation and tourism – each highlighting the beauty and diversity of this continent we call home. The art of film is a powerful tool in driving awareness and impact in these sectors – thank you to the ITFFA organisers for creating the opportunity to showcase the passion and talent in visual arts.” Nicola Gerrard, Director – Love Africa Marketing.
The winners were selected by a panel of 34 jury members, equally representing the film and digital creation industries and the tourism sector. The films were judged on seven key criteria: impact, subject matter, storytelling, creativity, style, sound, and goal effectiveness with scores out of 10 awarded to each entry.
Award-winning films:
GOLD Award
‘Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge,’ was awarded gold in the ‘Tourism Product/ Lodge’ category. This promotional short film profiles Foxes Safari Camps’ island destination along the Swahili coastline. Lazy Lagoon, a gem in the Foxes portfolio, is a 9 kilometre private island and features 12 A-Frame, ensuite bandas (bungalows).
SILVER Award
‘Ruaha River Lodge‘, took home a silver award in the ‘Tourism Product/ Lodge’ category. It showcases Ruaha River Lodge within Ruaha, Tanzania’s second largest national park. The Foxes share the history and significance of the lodge for the family – the first one built in the national park and how truly remote this part of Tanzania is.
GOLD Award
‘Caleb: Beyond the Bite,’ produced by WILDTRUST and Love Africa Marketing, was awarded gold in the ‘Wildlife & Conservation’ category. This moving short film follows award-winning South African actor, para-athlete, and shark bite survivor Caleb Swanepoel. After losing his leg to a Great White Shark in 2015, Caleb returns to the ocean at Aliwal Shoal, KwaZulu-Natal, to swim with sharks for the first time since the incident.
GOLD Award
‘Raging to Nature,’ received a gold award under the ‘Tourism Services’ category at ITFFA. Semonkong Lodge, situated in the mountains of Lesotho in Southern Africa, released a short film showcasing a 204 metre abseil that descends the length of Southern Africa’s longest single drop waterfall – the Maletsunyane Falls.
GOLD Award
‘Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area,’ took home a gold in the ‘Tourism Services’ category. This film documents the Maloti Drakenberg TFCA and the benefits this area has had on the environment and surrounding communities, highlighting the importance of TFCAs around Africa.
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