Our Connection
Formerly The Rusty Mokoro, we are now Conservation Connect Films - a film production company based in Zambia and Zimbabwe, dedicated to authentic, story-driven conservation and wildlife filmmaking.
Conservation
We create impactful, story-driven, conservation portfolio and documentary films.
“An excellent and inspiring team to work with, from conception to a world-class final product. Running a production during operational hours of the company is tricky but Conservation Connect Films managed to fit in well with operations yet compromised nothing on the end product quality. Each image and video portray a clear story and message, evoking strong emotions in the audience. While the team provide a clear style recommendation, they were equally willing to adjust to the client needs. I highly recommend Conservation Connect Films and have already booked to do further work with this excellent company."
Nick Ridden, Remote Africa Safaris
Safari Portfolio
We get under the skin of your product, honing in to the heart of your story so we can better translate it to screen.
Documentary Film
Abashimba - Return of Lions to Nsumbu (2025)
Lions have cultural significance in this landscape. The surrounding area is the cultural wellspring of the Tabwa people, whose Royal Family identifies as the “Clan of the Lions” — or "Abashimba." However, lions are missing from the landscape because decades of poaching in earlier years have removed Africa’s apex predator from the park. Returning lions to Nsumbu National Park is ecologically essential. Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme is collaborating with the Zambia-based production company, Conservation Connect Films, to tell the full story of what it takes to be bring back the apex predator to a recovering landscape. The full documentary, to be released in 2025 after the reintroduction has been completed, will explore the complexities of this substantial task, and whether the local community will truly welcome Africa’s top predator back into their homeland.
Make it stand out.
We believe in creating videos that align with your organisation’s unique mission and values. Every video we produce is carefully crafted to ensure your story makes an impact, and gets the attention it deserves.
Our Services
Over the years, we have partnered with a range of conservation organisations and safari operators, allowing us to develop tailored, bespoke media packages that meet the unique needs of each client. To explore how we can support your goals, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Conservation Profile
Film is a powerful tool for building trust and engagement with donors, governments, and global audiences. We collaborate closely with organisations to translate their mission and impact into compelling, emotive stories - delivered through concise, engaging, and strategically targeted visual content.
Documentary
The intricate realities of implementing successful conservation programmes often remain unseen and unheard. Drawing on deep experience within the conservation sector, we produce compelling short- and long-form documentaries that highlight the core challenges, successes, and human stories at the heart of conservation.
Safari Portfolio
By seamlessly blending the sensory richness and emotional depth of the safari experience, our expert team curates refined, story-driven content that inspires discerning travellers and elevates your brand's presence on the global stage
Meet the Team
We are a wildlife and conservation film production company that understands the complexities of conservation. With years of experience working in remote locations, we adapt seamlessly to the ever-changing dynamics of conservation work, ensuring that every story we tell is meaningful and impactful. Our team is self-sufficient, professional, and highly adaptable - able to navigate the challenges of filming in remote locations with minimal support. We work closely with organisations and individuals with a trusted team of freelancers to craft compelling narratives that resonate with the target audiences.
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Founder | Director | DOP
With a background as a social practitioner working in conservation livelihoods and human-wildlife coexistence, Matt combines his experience with his skills as a visual artist to creatively express his feelings for Africa, through storytelling and film. Matt has intimate knowledge of Zambia and Zimbabwe's cultures, wildlife, and conservation efforts. He also works as a field collaborator with productions to help them achieve their assignment goals - whether it is a particular shot, sequence or story.
While we take our work seriously, we never forget to embrace the adventure, the people, and the wild places that inspire us.
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Writer | Director | Photographer
Mana Meadows is a conservation documentary storyteller who has worked as a writer and photographer across southern and east Africa writing for local and international publications. She is the co-founder of the platform Conservation Storytelling, and in 2020 authored, edited and worked as the principal photographer of the commissioned book “Empowering the People of Botswana through Tourism, our journey together” – a forty-year history of Botswana’s oldest safari operator, Desert & Delta Safaris. Mana has been involved in many species relocation exercises across Zimbabwe and Zambia, and specialises in women empowerment narratives.
Our films
You can find more of our completed films on our Youtube Channel.
Going beyond
As a dedicated wildlife and conservation film production company, we are passionate about bringing important, and often unheard, conservation stories to life in the most meaningful and impactful way possible. We understand the challenges of securing high-quality visual storytelling while working within budget constraints. To address this, we have developed an innovative funding model that allows conservation projects to work within their funding constraints, while maintaining high production value. We are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of conservation storytellers through mentorship and hands-on training, fostering a future where every conservation story has the power to create change.
Some of our trusted partners
Contact Us
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