Impact
01.
Working locally, thinking long-term
Across the project, the production collaborated with six local filmmakers (five from Rwanda, one from Uganda), providing 75 days of employment. Whilst also providing training to in-country talent, this also helped significantly reduce the number of international flights needed for crew travelling from the UK.
02.
Workshops
In collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board and local production company Imitana Productions, two filmmaking workshops were held for Rwandan filmmakers – one led by Director James Reed and the other by Executive Producer Alastair Fothergill. The production also hosted 2 x week-long paid work shadowing positions for junior-level Rwandan filmmakers during the shoots. By investing in local talent, future remote shooting becomes more possible, helping to avoid excess travel.
03.
Reducing travel & transport impact
By storing 20+ cases of camera equipment in Rwanda across the six main shoots, the production significantly cut both the carbon footprint and cost of excess baggage.
Drone filming permissions were also secured for the first time in Volcanoes National Park, eliminating the need for helicopter shoots which had been used previously.
04.
Supporting local communities
Throughout all shoots, the crew stayed at Isange Paradise Resort – a hotel owned and run by the charity Future For Kids, with all profits supporting education and training for children and young people in Rwanda. Many of the staff employed at the hotel came through Future For Kids training programmes.
05.
Leaving a legacy beyond the film
As part of the filming contract, two additional short films were produced for the Rwanda Development Board – one on mountain gorilla tourism and one on conservation in Volcanoes National Park.