In the lead up to Earth Day 2022, The Walt Disney Company, Wildlife Direct, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State have announced that production has commenced on the National Geographic Kids Africa educational entertainment series.
Additionally, the series’ first group of presenters have been announced. Mysha Hodson (13), Marita Lucas (12), Shanah Manjeru (14), Railey Mwai (10) and Adarsh Nagda (12) will serve as studio and Nairobi based hosts for the show. Casting is currently under way for field presenters who will present segments in other regions of Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania.
National Geographic Kids Africa is a collaborative effort to celebrate the environment and raise awareness of conservation and associated issues through a factual entertainment programme for children. The project aims to inspire and promote positive behaviours among its audiences to protect the world in which they live, through engendering a deeper understanding of their environments.
The 26-part television series will be shot primarily in East Africa with additional filming in West and Southern Africa. The series will be produced by The Walt Disney Company with White Rhino Films as the production partner. White Rhino Films is a youthful, creative and vibrant production company, based in Kenya with a passion for crafting quality and engaging stories.
Implementation partner WildlifeDirect will collaborate on research and creative approaches for the series, as well spearhead associated community outreach projects across East Africa, aiming to encourage learners from 200 schools to make a lasting impact on the conservation of species-rich landscapes. By investing in knowledge and skills, through tools such as conservation hubs, educational resources, bespoke educator training, professional exchanges and more, the outreach program aims to develop a passionate community of young explorers with the fascination and desire to protect their continent and their world.
The series will air across Africa on both National Geographic Wild and Disney Channel, late in 2022, with engaging digital extensions on social media platforms that will allow viewers to further explore topics addressed in the series.
About The Walt Disney Company EMEA:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes Disney Parks, Experiences and Products; Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution; and three content groups—Studios, General Entertainment and Sports–focused on developing and producing content for DTC, theatrical and linear platforms. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $65.4 billion in its Fiscal Year 2020.
The Walt Disney Company has been in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for over 80 years and employs thousands across the region. Between Disneyland Paris and its other iconic brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, 20th Century Studios and ESPN, The Walt Disney Company EMEA entertains, informs and inspires millions of consumers in more than 130 countries through the power of unparalleled storytelling. Disney+, the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, is currently available in 17 markets across Europe.
About WildlifeDirect:
WildlifeDirect is internationally recognized as a high impact Kenyan based organization that seeks to change hearts, minds and laws so that Africa’s wildlife endures forever. The mission of WildlifeDirect is to connect people to their wildlife and nature and inspire them to treasure it and act to conserve it. The organization produces Wildlife Warriors, a popular wildlife TV series about our wildlife heroes and heroines, and the animals that they are saving. We aim to transform and catalyze the wildlife film making industry in Africa. The series is screened on national TV as well as in classrooms through the Wildlife Warriors Kids conservation education program.
About USAID:
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. Through our cross-sectoral programming, USAID works to address the world’s most urgent needs, including biodiversity conservation, education, and economic development. USAID works to help lift lives, build communities, and advance democracy. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity; demonstrates American generosity; and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. President John. F. Kennedy created USAID by executive order in 1961 to lead the U.S. government’s international development and humanitarian efforts.
About The U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. Through its 270 diplomatic missions world-wide, the Department of State is committed to supporting public outreach efforts around key foreign policy matters that help build peaceful relations between the people of the United States and people of other countries, as well as advance U.S. foreign policy and national security goals.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) mission is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange that assist in the development of peaceful relations.
