Following the 2017 success, Discovery Channel once again partnered with the Jozi Film Festival (JFF) to bring new, exciting and unique African stories to television screens with The Discovery Channel Don’t Stop Wondering award.
The winning short-form film that showcased and celebrated a unique African story and captured Discovery’s ethos of sparking curiosity has officially been named. The 2018 award went to filmmaker, Didi Exelby from Cape Town, South Africa, for her film Burning Embers. This touching film follows the unique story of Amy McMillan, and how her family took inspiration from a tragedy to change the face of elephant conservation and awareness in South Africa.
Exelby was announced as the winner at the Jozi Film Festival closing ceremony in Johannesburg on 30 September, where she received a Canon XF-405 video camera with Singer Manfrotto Photographic accessories worth over $5,800 from Discovery Channel.
“I am so proud and honoured that my team has been chosen as the winner for the Discovery Channel Don’t Stop Wondering award this year. Thank you once again to Discovery Inc. for providing a fantastic opportunity and platform, where awareness can be spread about stories that are so closely aligned to the heart of Africa! I hope that with this film we can communicate the message that the Mike McMillan Nature fund works so hard to support, and spread even more awareness around elephant conservation in Africa. Thank you to Mike’s inspirational family for showing the world how to fuel a culture of change,” says Exelby.
“This year once again saw a winning film that highlighted a huge issue we face in Africa – elephant conservation – brought to life through Didi’s unique filmmaking passion and skill. We are extremely proud of Didi’s great work, and hope that this film will spark curiosity in each of you, and urge all Africans to make a difference,” says Debbie Brady, commercial director, Discovery Inc. Africa.
“Being able to offer African filmmakers this incredible platform is what makes us at Jozi Film Festival tick. Thank you Discovery Inc., for providing the opportunity, and thank you to Canon and Singer for the amazing prizes. Well done to all the Top Ten finalists and congrats to Didi!” said Lisa Henry, founder and organiser of the Jozi Film Festival.
