Sophie Vartan

TV Real Weekly, October 22, 2008

Head of the Natural History Unit of Africa (NHU AFRICA) and Festival Director for Durban Wild Talk Africa

The African continent has been the setting for numerous wildlife films over the years, so it seemed fitting for the region to have its very own festival devoted to the genre—hence the creation of the Durban Wild Talk Africa initiative in 2005. “It was established as a platform to unite and promote the South African wildlife, travel and culture filmmaking community and to provide a forum for local and international filmmakers, commissioning editors, broadcasters and producers, to meet, network and do business,” explains Sophie Vartan, the director of the festival, who also heads up the Natural History Unit of Africa. “By creating a world-class event on par with international festivals of a similar focus, Wild Talk Africa’s goal is to reposition South Africa as the primary destination for discussion and conferencing on wildlife, travel and cultural filmmaking.”

Durban Wild Talk Africa was founded in 2005 and since then has hosted two festivals; the most recent, in August 2007, attracted 480 delegates from 22 countries. The next is set for April 19 to 23, 2009. “Components include seminars which cover valuable discussion topics, chaired by key international and well-known speakers; workshops for delegates to be brought up to speed with latest technology and ideas; an exhibition area which showcases products and services; world-class screenings which include an interaction with the filmmakers; evening networking events at different venues around Durban; and the finale gala event, the ROSCARS, a prestigious evening which pays tribute to filmmakers for the outstanding contributions that they are making to the natural history industry,” Vartan explains.

To ensure a relevant, engaging lineup for attendees at the biennial festival, Vartan explains that Wild Talk convened a Strategic Alliance Conference earlier this year, attended by the festival’s board members and founding members as well as representatives from conservation groups, government organizations and key broadcasters and producers like National Geographic Channels International, the BBC and NHK. The event allowed those 45 individuals to “get together to discuss and action any issues raised at the previous festival, to ensure its ongoing success and that the industry continues to move forward. The aim is to prevent the same issues being raised at each festival and no solutions being found.”

Vartan continues: “It was important to have this international support together with the local key players, who brainstormed various topics over the three days, to ensure that Wild Talk Africa grows from strength to strength.”

Among the issues discussed that are being incorporated into next year’s festival were Africa’s unique selling point, the role of conservation groups and encouraging newcomers. As such, “The 2009 festival will focus on Africa’s storytellers since many of Africa’s stories are yet to be told. And we will make special effort to attract delegates from more African countries and not just southern Africa. Equally so, conservation organizations, academics and researchers will be encouraged to attend, with the aim of having an eclectic mix of people with similar goals to work together.”

Other highlights include six new categories for the ROSCAR Awards—in all, filmmakers can enter their titles into 12 categories. Another new offering is the broadcaster’s breakfast, where delegates will have the opportunity to find out exactly what channels are looking for. In addition, four evening networking events will take place in venues around Durban. And for those wishing to make the most of their time in South Africa, “We have also planned pre- and post-festival tours to game reserves,” Vartan says.