South African Film Wins Award Ahead of World Premiere at US Festival

Here’s fantastic news for everyone who has supported the production of Stroop, one of South Africa’s most important documentaries, uncovering the war on rhino poaching – the film, titled ‘STROOP, Journey into the Rhino Horn War’, has been awarded the 2018 Green Tenacity Award by the judges of the Eighth Annual San Francisco Green Film Festival.

It’s an incredible achievement for the film which tells the shocking, outrageous… and touching story of the relentless poaching of the rhinoceros,  the ruthless trade in its coveted horn… and the incredible people who fight to protect the rhino.

The film is a true labour of love. As many will remember, director Susan Scott spoke to SAPeople almost four years ago exactly – on 13 August 2014 – when the film had 24 hours to go to raise enough money to be made. The response from SAPeople followers – at home and abroad – to the crowdfunding initiative was amazing, and thanks to all those who supported Stroop, as well as to grants that were given, the film’s important story will now be able to reach the world!

During these past few years Scott and Bonné de Bod, who produces and fronts the film, have sacrificed everything to document what is happening in the fight to save the rhino from extinction. They each had to sell their houses, leave their jobs and move in with their mothers.

And during the filming of the doc – which was meant to only take six months – they often found themselves in extreme danger – from filming inside special ranger units at the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park… to infiltrating the  dangerous back rooms of wildlife traffickers and dealers in China and Vietnam…

According to a press release, the passionate duo have created a “stunning, independent film – made with crowdfunding and grants – that shows why this hunted and targeted species deserves to live in dignity, free from exploitation by illegal traders, poachers, money men and corrupt governments.”

The Green Tenacity Award comes ahead of the film’s world premiere at the festival which will run from Thursday September 6 through to Friday, September 14.

Stroop is one of only 26 films that were selected from 350 submissions, and one of only five to receive an award.

An absolutely delighted De Bod says: “We are over the moon at receiving this prestigious award and it makes all our hard work and dedication to this film that much more worthwhile.

“Hopefully, it also means that the recognition will create additional awareness and encourage even more people to see the film when it releases.”

The Green Tenacity Award is given to filmmakers “who show great tenacity in exploring crucial environmental issues in their work.”

South Africans back home will have to wait until February 2019 for Stroop’s SA premiere, after its played the film festivals overseas.

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