Hosted at Hotel Sky in Sandton, Johannesburg, five of our films won 5 awards across different categories at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) on Friday, 6 June 2025. Over 450 films were submitted from around the world, which culminated in a red carpet event attended by over 200 people from the film, tourism, and conservation industries.
With our partners, Love Africa took home four golds and one silver in various categories across conservation, wildlife and tourism.
“We are honoured to have been recognised in this international festival for our African short films. We are proud to craft these stories with our partners in conservation and tourism – each highlighting the beauty and diversity of this continent we call home. The art of film is a powerful tool in driving awareness and impact in these sectors – thank you to the ITFFA organisers for creating the opportunity to showcase the passion and talent in visual arts.” Nicola Gerrard, Director – Love Africa Marketing.
The winners were selected by a panel of 34 jury members, equally representing the film and digital creation industries and the tourism sector. The films were judged on seven key criteria: impact, subject matter, storytelling, creativity, style, sound, and goal effectiveness with scores out of 10 awarded to each entry.
“We put a lot of work and passion into the stories we tell across Africa. Receiving awards feels like the final chapter of the production, knowing that these stories we have told are recognised by industry leaders.” Sven Musica – cinematographer, Love Africa Marketing.
Award-winning Films:
GOLD Award
‘Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge,’ produced by Love Africa Marketing, was awarded gold in the ‘Tourism Product/ Lodge’ category. This promotional short film profiles Foxes Safari Camps’ island destination along the Swahili coastline. Lazy Lagoon, a gem in the Foxes portfolio, is a 9-kilometre private island and features 12 A-Frame, ensuite bandas (bungalows).
SILVER Award
‘Ruaha River Lodge‘, a Love Africa Marketing and Foxes Safari Camps collaboration, took home a silver award in the ‘Tourism Product/ Lodge’ category. It showcases Ruaha River Lodge within Ruaha, Tanzania’s second-largest national park. The Foxes share the history and significance of the lodge for the family – the first one built in the national park and how truly remote this part of Tanzania is.
GOLD Award
‘Caleb: Beyond the Bite,’ produced by WILDTRUST and Love Africa Marketing, was awarded gold in the ‘Wildlife & Conservation’ category. This moving short film follows award-winning South African actor, para-athlete, and shark bite survivor Caleb Swanepoel. After losing his leg to a Great White Shark in 2015, Caleb returns to the ocean at Aliwal Shoal, KwaZulu-Natal, to swim with sharks for the first time since the incident.
GOLD Award
‘Raging to Nature,’ produced by Love Africa Marketing received a gold award under the ‘Tourism Services’ category at ITFFA. Semonkong Lodge, situated in the mountains of Lesotho in Southern Africa, released a short film showcasing a 204-metre abseil that descends the length of Southern Africa’s longest single-drop waterfall – the Maletsunyane Falls.
GOLD Award
‘Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area,’ took home a gold in the ‘Tourism Services’ category. This film documents the Maloti Drakenberg TFCA and the benefits this area has had on the environment and surrounding communities, highlighting the importance of TFCAs around Africa.
Combined film team with Love Africa Marketing and partners: Nicola Gerrard, Janelle Barnard, Sven Musica, Jordy Johnson, Caleb Swanepoel, Devin Trull, WILDTRUST, Foxes Safari Camps, Semonkong Lodge, Boundless Southern Africa.
ENDS
About International Tourism Film Festival Africa:
ITFFA was founded in 2019 and recognises film content relevant to the tourism and travel industry. The festival aims to honour and promote innovative and exceptional content related to promoting tourism services, products, and destinations. The ITFFA awards was held in Sandton, Johannesburg at Hotel Sky and hosted by CapeInfo.