A milestone in both the global wildlife filmmaking industry and the cultural representation of Setswana speakers was achieved this past week in Maun, Botswana. From 11th to 13th June 2025, the town served as host to the prestigious Wildscreen Festival — a globally recognised celebration of wildlife and nature storytelling — for the first time on Botswana soil. The event not only brought together key players in conservation and filmmaking, but also premiered a landmark version of DisneyNature’s ELEPHANT, entirely narrated in Setswana by renowned Motswana creative, Oratile Jazzelle Kebakile.

The Wildscreen Festival, a cornerstone of the global wildlife filmmaking calendar since 1982, has recently shifted its focus to celebrate Africa’s role in the industry. After being hosted in Kenya and Tanzania in the previous two years, the festival arrived in Botswana in partnership with BBC Studios Natural History Unit and local partner Botswana Ignite. The festival seeks to elevate African storytellers, with initiatives like WildPitch providing direct support and funding to emerging African filmmakers.

At the heart of this year’s Maun event was the African premiere of ELEPHANT, a visually captivating film originally narrated in English by Meghan Markle. This new version, delivered entirely in Setswana, marks the first time a Disney film has been fully localised into the language — a cultural and linguistic breakthrough made possible through the work of Jazzelle Kebakile, who also co-translated the script alongside Isaiah Izzy Mwesi of Elephants Without Borders.

Jazzelle, whose voice has long been a familiar one to Batswana audiences through radio, TV adverts, and corporate events, has now etched her name into film history. Her narration brings a deeply localised authenticity to a film already rich with the natural splendour of Botswana. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “It feels good to be able to say that I have worked with some of the best in their line of work internationally, for this film. This is a tremendous milestone for Setswana-speaking creatives and audiences that have wanted to hear their mother tongue on films that tell stories about our natural heritage. And it is all very exciting to be part of the important transformation of the wildlife and nature filmmaking space in Africa happening in real time.”

Shot over a period of three years in and around Maun, ELEPHANT follows a family of elephants as they traverse the diverse terrain of Botswana, offering an intimate look at the lives of these majestic creatures. The African premiere was attended by acclaimed producers Vanessa Berlowitz of Wildstar Films and Roy Conli of Walt Disney Animation Studios, along with officials from the Department of Broadcasting Services and BITC Board Chairperson Lolo Madikgetla.

Minister of Environment and Tourism, Honourable Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi, officially opened the festival with a strong message of support for Botswana’s creative industries. “The government of Botswana is steadfast in its support of the film and television industry as a pillar for economic diversification and cultural diplomacy,” he said.

What makes this Setswana version of ELEPHANT particularly moving is the way it evokes the storytelling traditions of Botswana — reminiscent of fireside mainane tales shared by ancestors, but now carried through a modern medium and a familiar voice. Jazzelle’s performance blends a soothing narrative with educational insight, in the tradition of wildlife legends like David Attenborough and Angela Bassett, yet uniquely rooted in local culture.

Botswana Television (BTV) is expected to broadcast the Setswana version of the film soon, offering local viewers the chance to experience their country’s natural wonders and language elevated to a global platform. As the film rolls out, it promises not only to spotlight Botswana’s unmatched wildlife but also to affirm the importance of African voices in telling Africa’s stories to the world.

For interview requests or further information on Jazzelle Kebakile’s role in ELEPHANT, contact The Confidence Office at +267 74 039 466 or theconfidenceoffice@gmail.com. More on the Wildscreen Festival can be found at www.wildscreen.org and the Elephants Without Borders Facebook page.