Africa Refocused is a collaboration between the National Geographic Society and Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF), founded by National Geographic Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok. The program equips African storytellers with the training, network and resources to create their own nature and wildlife narratives, leading to more authentic representation in film, music, science and conservation across the continent and around the world.
NEWF offers professional development, capacity building, mentorship and networking opportunities through convenings such as the annual NEWF Congress and NEWF Fellows Summit, as well as NEWF Labs that provide specialized training such as dive certification, cinematography, music composition and science communication that enhance storytelling. The Africa Refocused program supports NEWF in offering these opportunities and more — across the continent.
“How do you change the story? You change the storyteller.”
NEWF Fellows
countries
films created
Latest News
On Africa Day, OkayAfrica Highlights NEWF Fellows Refocusing Stories in North Africa
May 23, 2025
“Our lands are connected, our birds migrate freely across our borders, and our ecosystems share water. We’re already collaborating without our knowing,” NEWF Fellow Shorouk Elkobrosi tells OkayAfrica, on the importance of more North African storytellers joining the NEWF community.
From Santiago to South Africa, Africa Refocused Strengthens Connection Between Filmmakers
May 4, 2025
Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok speak to Chilean news outlet Ladera Sur about Africa Refocused and its collaboration with the Santiago Wild Film Festival to host a transcontinental exchange between storytellers from Africa and Latin America.
Africa Refocused Addresses Need for More African Nature and Wildlife Filmmakers
April 11, 2025
Explorers Noel Kok, Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Nancy Iraba join the BBC’s Africa Daily podcast to discuss their global push for more African filmmakers in nature and wildlife storytelling.
NEWF Congress a “Resounding Success” Says South Africa’s Independent Online
April 11, 2025
As Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) hosts its eighth Congress, Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok share more about the annual gathering of thought leaders, conservations, and filmmakers from across Africa.
Convening Storytellers and Scientists at NEWF Congress
April 3, 2025
Explorer Pragna Parsotam-Kok speaks to South African radio station LotusFM about the significance of NEWF Congress, now in its eighth year, and how expanding access to cutting-edge equipment, outdoor spaces and industry mentors elevates the work of African filmmakers and storytellers.
How African Filmmakers are Driving Conservation and Economic Development
Feb. 19, 2025
Explorers Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok speak to the Brookings Institution’s Foresight Africa podcast about Africa Refocused’s growing community of filmmakers and conservationists, and how storytelling is playing a critical role in spurring the continent’s economic development.
Wildlife Filming Collective Develops Africa’s Attenboroughs
Oct. 25, 2024
Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok discuss ways to ensure that African-led stories and content are reaching African audiences where they are.
Wayfinder Recipient Nancy Iraba on Voice of America’s “Up Front Africa”
Aug. 6, 2024
Iraba, a Tanzanian marine scientist, NEWF Fellow and 2024 Wayfinder Award recipient sits down with Voice of America.
The Pan African Film Podcast Profiles Noel and Pragna Kok
June 27, 2024
Explorers Noel Kok and Pragna Kok discuss why film and storytelling is the medium they are so passionate about, and why, despite being South African, it is so important to cultivate a Pan African community of storytellers.
Voice of America’s “Up Front Africa” Highlights Africa Refocused
June 26, 2024
Meet the South African couple helping ensure the stories of African wildlife are told by and from the perspective of African people.
Kenyan Newspaper The Standard Profiles the Sodwana Bay Dive Center
Dec. 19, 2023
“It’s time to reclaim the narrative of the ocean from a place of fear to a place of wonder,” said NEWF Fellow and divemaster Silindile “Sli” Mbuyazi in an interview with The Standard.
From the National Geographic Society Newsroom
“Our vision is that the stories of Africa that advocate and celebrate the protection of her natural history are told by a connected network of visual storytellers, organically led by African voices. And my dream is that that vision is realized.”
Training Underwater Storytellers
The Sodwana Bay Storytelling, Research and Dive Center, affectionately known as “eKhaya” (the Zulu word for “home”), hosts specialized diving and cinematography labs for NEWF Fellows. The center also provides the local community a space for swimming lessons, film screenings and discussions.
Impacting Conservation Through Film
Africa Refocused supports a vibrant community of African storytellers bringing authentic storytelling to a global stage. By equipping storytellers with the tools to follow their passion and curiosity, the program increases the representation of African voices in nature and wildlife storytelling.
Convening Storytellers: NEWF Congress
Supported by Africa Refocused, NEWF Congress brings together emerging and experienced filmmakers, storytellers, scientists and conservationists to network, strengthen Africa's film industry and celebrate the continent's natural heritage through film.
Meet the Team
Noel Kok
Founder and Executive Director
Kok is a National Geographic Explorer and the co-founder and executive director of NEWF. He is an ideator and storyteller, passionate about creating access and capacity building, and refocusing the narrative of Africa to how the stories of Africa are told and who tells them.
Pragna Parsotam-Kok
Founder and Executive Director
Parsotam-Kok is a National Geographic Explorer and the co-founder and executive director of NEWF. Passionate about representation and female mentorship, she places great value on the power of community and its ability to bring stories to life for nature and her people.
Nkosi Mthembu
Dive and Media Operations
Mthembu is a Sodwana Bay local and dive professional who is passionate about paving the way for local youth to become curious about, and work towards, marine activities and career opportunities. His journey to becoming a dive professional has given him access to hone his underwater cinematography skills and pursue his interest in filmmaking.
Wambui Waweru
Story Lab Lead
Waweru is a Kenyan writer, producer and director. Her love for publishing, both as a writer and editor, lends strong storytelling experience to her role as Story Labs lead for NEWF. Her work centers around the enhancement of Fellows’ story development to produce compelling films.
Stefanie Titus
Communications Lead
Titus is a writer, editor, impact communicator, scuba divemaster and the former director of an ocean initiative. She channels her passion for amplifying African voices, particularly those of women, into her position as communications lead with NEWF.
Thuku Kamau
Cinematography/Post-Production
Kamau is a filmmaker specializing in cinematography and post-production. He lends his skills and creative talent to NEWF both as the lead on technical labs, which includes elements of peer-to-peer mentorship and curriculum design, and as a content creator.
Silindile Mbuyazi
Dive Labs, eKhaya Storytelling
Silindile is a scuba divemaster, instructor and shareholder in eKhaya. Inspired to make a difference and share her knowledge of the ocean, she leads NEWF Dive Labs in Sodwana Bay and hosts educational community cinema screenings, swimming lessons and dive training for local youth.