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The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Award-winning documentary on HERD's Khanyisa now online
HOEDSPRUIT – South Africans finally have the chance to watch the moving and award-winning documentary Diary of an Elephant Orphan, which tells the remarkable true story of Khanyisa, a rare albino elephant calf whose fight for life captured hearts around the world. The film, directed by Hermien Roelvertvan Gils, is available locally for the first time today, World Elephant Day, via the online streaming platform Eventive. Access costs R170 and is time-limited: once purchased, you have seven days to start watching. 'In early 2020, Khanyisa was discovered in South Africa, badly injured after being caught in a wire snare. She was only three months old, alone, and entirely dependent on milk to survive. The snare had cut deeply into her cheeks and ears, leaving severe wounds that required immediate attention. She was taken to the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD) Trust, South Africa's first and only dedicated elephant orphanage,' said Marlien van der Westhuizen, public relations officer and senior fundraiser. Also read: Orphaned albino elephant turns 5 at Hoedspruit rehab She said that HERD founder Adine Roode and her team faced a daunting challenge. 'Khanyisa's survival depended not only on medical care and round-the-clock feeding but also on something far less certain: acceptance into the Jabulani herd. Integrating a young orphan into a wildbonded elephant family, especially one still reliant on human feeding, had never been attempted before. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Diary of an Elephant Orphan (@diaryofanelephantorphan) 'Diary of an Elephant Orphan, released internationally in 2024, captures this extraordinary journey of care, hope, and resilience. The film has UPCOMING EVENT earned 11 international awards, including the Encounters Al Jazeera Award, Wildlife Film Festival in Rotterdam, Romford Film Festival in the United Kingdom, and multiple festivals in the United States such as Reel East, Prairie, Poppy Jasper, Ocean City, Chesapeake, Buffalo, and Catalina,' she added. W A T C H T H E T R A I L E R : But Khanyisa's story is more than one calf's survival; it is a window into a growing conservation crisis. 'Over the past decade, Southern Africa has seen a significant rise in orphaned and displaced elephant calves. This is largely due to escalating poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and the destruction of traditional elephant habitats. Calves are often found wandering alone after their mothers are killed, leaving them vulnerable to predators, starvation, and injury. HERD Trust, established in 2019, was created to give these calves a second chance. Also read: Hoedspruit's 5-year-old albino elephant weaned 'The sanctuary now cares for 16 elephants, providing them with stable social structures and the opportunity to bond with a herd. The goal is not only survival but emotional and physical rehabilitation, allowing elephants to grow in a safe environment before being fully reintegrated into a herd. In Diary of an Elephant Orphan, viewers witness the tireless dedication of the HERD carers, the patience of the Jabulani herd, and the determined spirit of Khanyisa herself. It is a rare glimpse into the emotional lives of elephants and the people who fight to protect them,' she said.
Vancouver Sun
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
5 picks to check out at this year's Vancouver Short Film Festival
Vancouver Short Film Festival When: June 13-15 Where: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver (online via Eventive) Tickets: $20 single ticket/100 pass ($60 for students) The 15th annual Vancouver Short Festival showcases 47 entries from across Canada. Divided into six themed programming blocks, the shorts include documentaries, animation, experimental student films, genre twists, comedies, and horror. There are also filmmaker events, including a workshop on pitching and self-presentation in networking and interview settings. An opening night gala will feature food trucks, live music, and a caricature artist. An awards presentation and party close the event. Here are five films we think are worth checking out. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Clementine : In this comedy-drama from Toronto's Allie Dunbar and Beth Evans, 'shocking' discovery gives the title character the good swift kick in the pants that she needs to get her life in order. Dunbar, who wrote and co-produced with director Evans, gives a deadpan performance as Clementine, who is trying to avoid a big decision against the sage advice of her guardian angel, played by a charming Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll. Pitch-perfect and fun. Queen of the Underworld : A part of the festival's After Dark programming, which is geared toward late-night viewers and horror heads, Queen of the Underworld treads familiar grief-stricken ground. But a standout performance by Morgan Taylor Campbell as a woman dealing with the loss of her partner and her own addiction grounds Vancouver writer-director Stephanie Iszak's dark tale. Note: Queen of the Underworld has received two Leo nominations in the Shorts Program, for Iszak's direction and Taylor's performance. Or Forever Hold Your Peace : Judging from the sleek professionalism of this 20-minute mini-comedy-drama, Toronto writer-director Tope Babalola is ready to helm a streaming miniseries about angst-ridden, attractive Gen-Zers navigating life and love. The ultra-expressive Kalissa Persaud is the star here — she plays a maid of honour who decides that her best friend's wedding must proceed no matter what. But the whole cast is game, the cinematography is Hallmark Christmas movie crisp, and the story beats and timing are assured. Lost Media: The animated shorts, including the nostalgia-tinged Heartland, the darkly whimsical The Murderer, and the poignant Have I Swallowed Your Dreams, seem particularly strong this year. My favourite was Lost Media, a five-minute stop-motion film from Vancouver's Rebeca Spiegel. It's a visually inventive meditation on memory, discarded media, 20-something ennui, and Laika the Soviet space dog. Serious Buyers Only : I'm not really sure if I got the point of this story about a young couple and a pharmaceutical family warring over an empty urban lot. Toronto real estate is hell? Beware duplicitous real estate agents? But writer-director Samuel Larson's comedy-drama unfolds merrily thanks to strong performances and comic timing.
