The
Great Apes Film Initiative (GAFI) came into fruition with the support
of Filmmakers For Conservation, GRASP,
Nutshell
Productions, BBC
Worldwide and Granada
International. As many of you know, wildlife films
are often most effective if they are seen by those who live where
the films are shot or by those who can make decisions or take action.
The Great Apes Film Initiative has done just this.
Report
from Ian Redmond, Chief Consultant for GRASP UNEP\UNESCO
"The
other big success is down to our new NGO partner Filmmakers For
Conservation. Madelaine finally managed to get contracts out of
the BBC Worldwide and copies (paid for by Born
Free Foundation because GAFI still hasn't got funding)
of the beta tapes of 6 BBC Worldwide and 5 Granada International
documentaries. I carried them here personally and yesterday the
Minister signed the contract giving the free transmission rights
we have negotiated. The reaction here is fantastic, and they immediately
said they want to screen the three-part series on the Congo basin
next week - during the COMIFAC meeting - as an adjunct to the
news coverage of the meeting.
The
Minister also said he'd raise this with the Congo B Minister (I
have six BBC Worldwide tapes for Congo B too, and a contract for
TeleCongo) so we might just pull off transmission in both countries.
The Granada International tapes are in English, hence no copies
yet for Congo, but BBC Worldwide have given us Cousins - 3x50
minutes series on primates, and Congo River - 3x50mins on the
Congo Basin. It is the latter series which we hope will be broadcast
next week. We also may be able to screen parts of the series during
the COMIFAC gathering if the Minister is successful - he said
he'd suggest it to the organisers.
This could be REALLY significant for GRASP
because it is high profile and seen as a big gift - to buy the
broadcast rights would cost thousands of dollars per film, which
is why they are never seen in the countries they are made. Do
I sound excited? I hope you all are, and we owe Madelaine a HUGE
thank you for keeping on the case for MONTHS even though we don't
have funding yet, so she's been living off her dwindling reserves.
Hopefully, once the word is out that it is happening and a success,
sustainable funding will follow... that's all for now, cheers,
Ian "
At
the same time, VHS copies of the films were delivered to Limbe
Wildlife Centre in Cameroon to support their educational
work with school children and the local communities, particularly
with the problems of bushmeat.
There
are another 21 countries that still have endangered great apes
living in them. If you are inspired by the Great Apes Film Initiative
and would like to help, or have any contacts or ideas for fundraising
to get the programmes into every country which needs them, please
contact Madelaine
Westwood.
GAFI
would like to thank all the individuals and company sponsors who
have helped make a difference; GRASP,
Defra,
WSPA,
FFC,
Born Free Foundation, BBC
Worldwide, Granada
International and Films
@ 59. Without the support of these people, GAFI
would still be just a good idea.
The
Way Forward:
There
are another 21 countries that presently have the privilege of
having Great Apes live there. All of these apes are endangered,
with approximately 15-20 years before they are extinct. We have
to fight to keep these apes alive. Therefore, this is what GAFI
shall do:
1. GAFI intends to have films broadcast in every country, with
DVD or VHS copies for NGO's throughout Africa.
2. GAFI intends for additional films from a range of broadcasters
to be added to the present eleven generously donated by BBC Worldwide
and Granada International
3. GAFI will review the films for potential use as radio broadcasts,
thereby reaching millions of additional people across Africa
4. GAFI intends to translate as many films as possible into local
languages
5. GAFI, having established relationships and partnerships for
great apes, will use this 'road map' for the preservation of other
species.
What
is needed to make this happen?
GAFI
urgently need funding to continue to copy tapes and distribute
the films. This means creating partnerships with a range of organisations,
including broadcasters, production companies, distributors, government
departments, national TV broadcasters and conservation organisations.
If
you would like to discuss our initiative, or have ideas to further
it, please contact Madelaine
Westwood
or telephone: +44 (0) 7770 577 549
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