CLASS OF ‘26
Natalie Clements
Natalie is a wildlife camerawoman based in Wales who has covered conservation stories across the globe.
Following endangered species and the people that support them in rewilding and restorative projects whilst developing her own skills in cinematography, storytelling and crafting behaviour-led narratives.
With a background in fast-paced tv, she has developed her prior broadcast skills to complement her natural history filming techniques. Her goal is to work in high-end blue chip storytelling.
‘I am excited to have the opportunity to explore camera technologies and techniques that have been inaccessible to me so far. Stepping up my camera skills to the next level and spending time with peers and teams of highly skilled crafts people. This is an incredible opportunity to try and learn new things with some camera set ups that will be completely new to me’
Cinematographer
Tarun Saldanha is an India-raised television producer based in Bristol. He has worked on high-end factual and observational documentaries for global broadcasters and streamers, as well as independent films with grassroots organisations in India, bringing locally rooted stories to wider audiences.
Tarun has a strong personal connection to the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats and has spent years returning to the region. Time spent there strengthened his interest in ecology and the natural world, and shaped the direction he wants his work to take.
He is now moving into wildlife documentary production management, with a particular interest in facilitating production and access in India for ecology and wildlife documentary films. He wants to help tell the extraordinary stories of some of the region's most remarkable landscapes and wild places.
Production CoordinatorTarun Saldanha
CLASS OF ‘25
LONDEKA MAZIBUKO
Londeka Mazibuko is a young female filmmaker who brings a unique perspective to the field of visual storytelling. From her appointment as a trainee director on the popular show "Uzalo" to directing the #ThatsNotOK PSA for Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), Londeka has demonstrated her passion for meaningful storytelling. As a film fellow for the 'Integrity Icon' campaign and live broadcasting director at WildEarth, she has engaged audiences through captivating narratives of everyday stories and the extraordinary creatures and humans behind them.
Londeka's expertise led her to join Red Rock Films, as a development producer and researcher where she contributed to projects challenging misconceptions. She is committed to promoting diversity and making a positive impact, inspiring audiences worldwide. Her commitment to making a positive impact is truly inspiring. She has been a preliminary judge for the Jackson Wild Media Awards 2023, and her recent role as a programme co-ordinator for the NEWF story labs has brought her immense joy and excitement, fuelling her anticipation for the future and the endless possibilities that lie ahead
Filmmaker
Akhilesh is a wildlife filmmaker and editor with a deep passion for science and storytelling. Beyond editing natural history and conservation feature films, he collaborates closely with researchers to craft compelling short films to make science more accessible to masses
EditorAKHILESH TAMBE
CLASS of ‘24
KIKI WANG
Kiki Wang is a shooting researcher/assistant producer from northern China. She has a background in broadcast journalism, but wanted to make the move into natural history television. During her time with the Academy so far she has worked as a researcher on two major productions; from preparing research documents, setting up shoots, joining casting calls, to assisting on location; she’s gained experience across the breadth of production. She is being mentored by producers and the series producers of both series, and Executive Producer Anwar Mamon.
“I've had the privilege of engaging with people who were incredibly generous in sharing their experiences and advice. I’ve also enjoyed the diverse range of production experiences, including having drone and dive masterclasses, researching and developing stories, as well as setting up international shoots and going on wildlife shoots!” Kiki Wang
Researcher
Diana Kanweri is a specialist chimpanzee field guide and camera operator. She was the first Ugandan woman to work at the Ngogo Chimp Project - during her time there she worked as a field assistant on the Netflix Chimp Empire series and developed a passion for camera work, going on to shoot footage used in the series. As part of the Wildstar Academy she has been offered three international shoots as a camera assistant. Her first shoot was to film macaws with world-renowned wildlife cinematographer Martyn Colbeck.
“The Academy has broken the barriers in my way, this opportunity to camera training and mentorship is so much helpful, I have been learning all about long lens operating and camera settings, I believe I can take this one on. Martyn Colbeck, my mentor made this all easy for me, teaching me not only to operate cameras but all also the art of filming, shot sizes, composition, framing and timing and also how the editor would use the footage.” Diana Kanweri
Sales ManagerDIANA KANWERI
The Alumni
FAITH MUSEMBI
Faith is a Kenyan director who dreamed of making blue-chip natural history shows. But despite thousands of hours of natural history television being filmed in Kenya, she found few opportunities open for Kenyans to join these teams in creative roles.
However, that all changed with Queens – the first of Wildstar’s productions to take part in the Academy.
She was initially brought on to the production as a freelance director and was mentored and supported in this role, culminating in her joining the project as Producer/Director of her own episode; becoming the first ever black woman to take this role on a major landmark series.
She was mentored by Series Producer and Executive Producer Chloe Sarosh, and Executive Producer and Wildstar Films co-founder Vanessa Berlowitz. Since her time on Queens, Faith has moved to the UK and been working as a Producer/Director at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol.
“I had privileged access to some of the most accomplished minds in natural history filmmaking. An access that saw my skillset nurtured, developed and accelerated in a way that would have otherwise never happened.
So when I say that that the mentorship support changed my life, I am not being hyperbolic.”
Faith’s episode ‘Behind the Queens’ is available to watch on National Geographic and Disney+.
Producer / Director
Erica is a Tanzanian conservationist who has dedicated her career to protecting wildlife, but who also had ambitions to become a wildlife cinematographer.
Being part of the Wildstar Academy gave her hands-on experience with professional filming equipment and specialist cameras.
She gained on-location training with principal Queens cinematographers, including in night-filming with specialist Justine Evans – with Erica becoming the first ever Tanzanian national to film in the Ngorogoro Crater at night.
Since Erica’s time with the Wildstar Academy she has gone on to film and direct her own multi award-winning film ‘Living with Lions’, and now runs her own production company Siima Films.
“This meant a lot to me as the opportunity awaken my career. Filming with international crew, filming using professional kit - all this was such a great honour. It marked my career growth and it was from this, I was able to produce my own film on human lion conflict.”
Conservationist and Cinematographer