Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation Films Earn International Recognition for Ocean Conservation Storytelling

The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation has earned international acclaim after two of its documentary productions received prestigious awards at the 2026 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA), highlighting the organization’s commitment to ocean conservation through powerful visual storytelling.

The Foundation’s documentary Wild Waterfront secured a Gold Award, while Raggies: A Shark Release received Silver in the Documentary TV and Web category. The honours recognize both the quality of the productions and their role in raising awareness about marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

Established in 2019, the International Tourism Film Festival Africa has become one of the continent’s leading platforms for recognizing excellence in tourism, travel, and conservation filmmaking. The awards place the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation among a select group of organizations using film to inspire public engagement with nature and sustainability.

Both documentaries were produced by filmmakers Marguerite Venter and Jerome Stationway through the Foundation’s Ocean Campus Studios. Their work focuses on showcasing the often unseen efforts of conservationists, researchers, and environmental professionals dedicated to protecting South Africa’s marine ecosystems.

Speaking about the recognition, Venter emphasized that the awards are as much about the people working in conservation as they are about filmmaking itself.

“It’s a privilege to tell the stories of a field I know so well and have been part of for 20 years. More importantly, it is an opportunity to highlight the individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting our natural environment,” she said.

Wild Waterfront, supported by the City of Cape Town Film Fund, explores the work of the Marine Wildlife Management team operating within the V&A Waterfront. The documentary offers a rare glimpse into the relationship between wildlife and conservation professionals working in one of South Africa’s busiest tourism destinations.

Through compelling storytelling, the film reveals the challenges of protecting marine species in an urban setting while promoting coexistence between people and wildlife. It also uncovers a hidden side of the V&A Waterfront rarely seen by the millions of visitors who pass through the area each year.

By showcasing the delicate balance between conservation and development, Wild Waterfront encourages audiences to appreciate the importance of protecting urban ecosystems and preserving biodiversity in rapidly growing cities.

Meanwhile, Raggies: A Shark Release focuses on one of the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures. Produced with support from Sharks Conservation and Research (SCAR), the documentary follows the release of a ragged-tooth shark, commonly known in South Africa as a “raggie,” back into the wild.

The film documents the extensive planning, scientific expertise, and teamwork involved in the release process. The Two Oceans Aquarium is among the few aquariums worldwide that successfully collect, care for, and release ragged-tooth sharks into their natural habitat, making the project an important contribution to marine conservation efforts.

Through interviews with marine biologists, conservationists, and shark experts, the documentary challenges common misconceptions about sharks and highlights their critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. The film seeks to replace fear with understanding and encourage greater protection for vulnerable shark populations.

The international recognition received by both productions reflects the collaborative efforts of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, its conservation partners, researchers, filmmakers, and supporters. It also demonstrates the growing influence of documentary filmmaking as a tool for environmental education and public engagement.

As environmental challenges continue to threaten marine ecosystems worldwide, initiatives such as Ocean Campus Studios are playing an increasingly important role in connecting people with the natural world. By telling authentic and inspiring conservation stories, the Foundation hopes to encourage future generations to become active stewards of the ocean.

The success of Wild Waterfront and Raggies: A Shark Release serves as a reminder that some of the most remarkable conservation efforts are taking place close to home, and that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for inspiring positive environmental action.

Courtesy: thenewspaper