Silverback Films’ A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough has been featured by BAFTA Albert as a sustainability case study, recognising the production’s collaborative approach to filmmaking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Produced over several years, our team worked closely with local filmmakers and communities throughout production, supporting in-country training and skills development as part of the filmmaking process.

The case study highlights how the production team approached filming within one of the world’s most precious natural environments, with a focus on collaboration, local partnership and thoughtful production practices.

Across the project, the production collaborated with six local filmmakers (five from Rwanda, one from Uganda). Pictured above: Kalunga Davis (Camera Assistant, Uganda) with Ben Cherry. Credit: Amy Thompson Amy Thompson and Ben Sadd with Gabriel Nyirijuru (Cameraman, Rwanda) and guide Constantin Twagirayezu. Drone filming permissions were also secured for the first time in Volcanoes National Park, eliminating the need for helicopter shoots which had been used previously. Credit: Amy Thompson

BAFTA Albert is the screen industry authority on environmental sustainability, supporting productions across film and television to reduce environmental impact and create positive change across the industry.

A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough tells the remarkable story of the descendants of Pablo, the young gorilla first filmed by Sir David Attenborough nearly 50 years ago during the making of Life on Earth.

Read the full BAFTA Albert case study here.