A new virtual reality (VR) film called My Africa produced by Conservation International aims to create an immersive portrait of Kenya and the efforts to allow humans and wildlife to leave peacefully side-by-side.
The VR film opens on vivid 360-degree footage of wildebeest as the migrate across the Mara River and a lioness who lies in wait to capture prey. This is taken in a community-led sanctuary in northern Kenya.
My Africa is narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, who helps guide the viewer through the life of a Samburu woman named Naltwasha Leripe as she and her community tend to livestock, dig ‘singing’ wells deep into dry river banks and rescue a baby elephant who has been left orphaned by ivory poachers.
The footage for My Africa was captured at the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Samburu County of northern Kenya at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, where its supporting conservation organisation Northern Rangelands Trust, offers a different model of conservation which is grounded in local leadership and community.
“My Africa is about a path forward for saving the miracle that is Africa — the last place on Earth where significant numbers of the world’s largest land animals still roam,” said project Executive Producer and Conservation International CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan. “If we are going to save nature in a crowded world we need to entirely rethink how we go about it. This film shows a new way, one that unites, rather than divides, people from wildlife. Today, conservation is not about building fences but rather breaking down barriers, so that local communities benefit when nature thrives.”
“Tiffany is proud to continue our support of Conservation International and further our wildlife conservation efforts with the release of My Africa,” said Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chairman and President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. “We believe people need to experience what is at risk of being lost in order to understand what needs to be protected. By transporting viewers to the majestic wildlife and natural landscapes of Kenya, we hope to inspire audiences to become more passionate advocates for conservation.”
Further information on My Africa can be found on the Conservation International website. The VR film can be found on the WITHIN app, and the trailer is available to view below. VRFocus will continue to report on new and upcoming VR content.
