US film crew captures Zim tourism story
Still Life Projects, a US-based full-service production studio, made up of National Geographic and Sundance Award-Winning filmmakers, sent a film crew through to Zimbabwe in mid-February to begin filming a documentary series on specific destinations within the country for a client based in the United States.
Focused on “capturing the heart of a story with unrivalled visuals so that audiences are moved to action”, Still Life Projects have worked with a number of well renowned International Brands and organisations to run successful filming projects.
Their three-week trip currently underway has seen the film crew visiting some of the country’s outstanding destinations including Victoria Falls, Matobo Hills National Park, Malilangwe, Great Zimbabwe and Imire Wildlife Conservancy.
The documentary series will showcase the incredible landscapes, wildlife, history and culture of the country while also providing insight into some of the conservation efforts taking place on the ground.
While in Victoria Falls, the tourism hub of the country and the wider Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) region, the film crew participated in many of the adventure and adrenalin based activities that the destination has become renowned for.
Staying at Old Drift Lodge operated by Wild Horizons, the crew followed in the footsteps of past explorers and traders, visiting historic settlement sites and the famous Victoria Falls bridge, navigating the river by canoe with River Wild Safaris, and experiencing aerial views on a “Flight of the Angels” with Chikopokopo Helicopters, whilst partaking in many more of the diverse activities available in and around Victoria Falls.
Two of film crew, Presenter Mick Davie and Producer Michael Bowles, were born in Zimbabwe and have both travelled the world extensively, bringing a “home-grown” pride into the documentary series. Presenter Mick Davie has been chasing dramatic, real-life stories for more than 20 years, from the glaciers of Denali to the front lines of the Balkans and Middle East.
He has won two Emmy Awards for Documentary filmmaking and co-created and served as series director on Oprah Winfrey’s “BELIEF”.
One of the scenes from the documentary
Internationally acclaimed photographer Michael JN Bowles and producer of this series has spanned a 30-year career around the globe covering subjects ranging from Presidents and power players, celebrities and artists to death row inmates, indigenous groups and the disenfranchised.
His work is included in the permanent art collection of the US embassy in Harare as well as numerous collections worldwide.
The film crew also took on the services of local photographers and videographers Dillan Prinsloo and Victoria Falls Productions (Tom Varley) to assist with some of the filming. Working with Zimbabwean-born Sandy Salle, from Hills of Africa Travel in the US, along with specialists on the ground, Still Life Projects have been specific in their mandate: to showcase to the clients audience the incredible offering that Zimbabwe has as a destination with diverse landscapes, exceptional wildlife and activities, and a unique cultural heritage and history.
Watch this space for more information of when the documentary series is launched and where it can be viewed.
Thanks go to the Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting; The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Zimbabwe National Parks & Wildlife Management Authority; National Museums & Monuments of Zimbabwe, and all the private sector operators involved in working together on this project to showcase Zimbabwe to the world. — https://wearevictoriafalls.com/
