Productions

Over the past thirty-plus years Tauana Films has produced an impressive array of top quality natural history, conservation, educational and ethnographic films.

Its filmography boasts an impressive forty-four completed productions to date. Its productions have consistently achieved international acclaim and outstanding television ratings worldwide, including second place in the American Film and Video festival, third place in the Grimme Institute ratings. It has received numerous nominations as finalists at the most prestigious international film festivals including IWFF, Missoula and NaturVision.

New and Exclusive:

44. I AM LION (2019)

  • 90 min Documentary Film
  • A radically different look at lions – the first film to explore sentience in lions.
  • A film about our flawed relationship with non-human animals, and what it is costing us.’
  • Proof that non-human animals, even habituated or captive ones, have unique individual stories to tell us about the natural world.
  •  This film will inspire you to care emotionally and intellectually. It will make you laugh, cry, think, feel . Most of all, it will fill you with wonder.
  • Natural History, Conservation, Awareness.
  • Copyright Tauana Films. All rights reserved.

38-43. SAVING SIRGA: Journey into the Heart of a Lion (2016) 

  • 6 x 60 min. series
  • He rescued the dying lion cub from a rogue lion enclosure, but can he save Sirga from a lifetime in captivity?
  • Filmed with unrivaled intimacy this unforgettable and authentic story,  and set against the backdrop of the magnificent Kalahari Desert of Botswana and a brutal conflict between farmers and predators, takes an in-depth look at a remarkable cross-species bond, the consequences inherent in raising a lion cub by hand,  and the passion and dedication required to save just one lion.
  • Shocking, controversial, heart-rending  and beautiful.
  • A unique world-first. A must-see for everyone who cares about the future of large predators in Africa
  • People and places, natural history, conservation
  • Copyright Tauana Films.

37. DIE LÖWEN DER KALAHARI (LIONS OF THE KALAHARI) (2013)

  • The Kalahari Desert ecosystem is stagnating. The vast herds that once migrated across it in search of water and grazing have dwindled to a shadow of what they once were. As a result large predators like lions and wild dogs are coming in conflict with people and are slowly disappearing. The film explores the challenges facing the Botswana Government as it grapples with the challenges of creating viable wildlife corridors that will re-activate the ecosystem, allow herds to grow again, and allow predators to survive into the future.
  • Wildlife conservation.
  • In Collaboration with MDR, ARTE, ARD

36. OHNE PFEIL UND BOGEN: DER SAN IN DER KALAHARI (WITHOUT BOW AND ARROW: THE SAN IN THE KALAHARI) (2012)
part 1 | part 2 | part 3

  • For most of the San in Botswana life is changing rapidly. The days of hunting with bow and arrow, and living a traditional San hunter-gatherer lifestyle has gone forever. This film takes an in-depth look at the San of today. What are their dreams and aspirations for themselves and for their children for the future?
  • People and their world.
  • In collaboration with MDR and 7 ARTE

35. DIE BUSCHMANNER UND IHRE LOWEN ( CORRIDORS OF LIFE) (2009 – 2011)

  • A two-part series about efforts to create wildlife corridors that will link the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, re-activate a stagnant ecosystem and help indigenous wildlife and people in the area find sustainable futures.
  • Trans-frontier Conservation.
  • In Collaboration with MDR, ARTE, ARD

34. MIKE UND DIE WEGE DER ELEFANTEN (MIKE AND THE ELEPHANTS) (2008)

  • A film about the work of Dr Michael Chase, a passionate elephant researcher in Botswana, and the elephants he loves.
  • Trans-frontier Conservation.
  • Finalist in NaturVision.
  • Collaboration with MDR, ARTE, ARD 

33. KAZA: EIN MEGAPARK FUER ELEFANTEN  (KAZA: A MEGAPARK FOR ELEPHANTS) (2005 – 2008)

  • A 2-Part Series
  • A film by Cornelia Volk & Jürgen & Tarina about the forming of a Trans- frontier Conservation Area between five African countries. It is a story of elephants and people and the bid to save both through research, integrated community development and political partnerships in the Kavango/Zambezi region.
  • Trans-frontier Conservation.
  • Finalist NaturVision. One of four international films chosen to be shown at
  • the InternationalClimate Change Conference in Bonn.
  • In Collaboration with MDR, ARTE, ARD

32. SURVIVING THE SUICIDE SEASON (2005)

  • A filmmaker & an elephant Tusker have to survive the rainy season in the KNP. Each faces his own demons as the rains continue. Will they meet again?
  • Adventure-driven wildlife programme.
  • Produced by Tauana Films

31. PEACE PARK FOUNDATION (2005)                                            

  • Two corporate 15min films to inform potential donors about the Wildlife College in Hoedspruit, and the Hotel School in Graaff Reinette, both run by the Peace Parks Foundation
  • Educational
  • Commissioned by the Peace Parks Foundation

30. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK: WILD AFRICA REBORN (2004)

  • A classic film about life and death in an iconic wilderness area, as it changes from isolation into a trans-frontier Megapark. Kruger National Park.
  • Produced by Tauana Films
  • Natural History
  • Sold to Private Collector

29. DIE RASTLOSEN STAATSDIENER (THE INDUSTRIOUS OFFICIALS) (2003)

  • An in-depth look at Harvester and Fungus-growing Termites and their role in the African savannah.
  • Natural History/ Conservation
  • In Collaboration with MDR, ARTE, ARD

28. DAS GRENZENLOSE PARADIES ( PARADISE WITHOUT BORDERS) (2003)

  • What does it take to recreate the largest wilderness area in the world? The story of the formation of the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park.
  • Trans-frontier Conservation. Finalist NaturVision
  • In Collaboration with MDR, ARTE, ARD

 27. GROSSWILDJAGD IM KRÜGERPARK ( BIG-GAME HUNTING IN KRUGER PARK) (2002)

  • The story behind the formation of the Great Limpopo Peace Park. Filmed in Kruger and in Mozambique.
  • Trans-frontier Conservation.Finalist NaturVision
  • In Collaboration with MDR, ARD & ARTE

26. LIVING WITH LIONS (2001)

  • A unique look at the filmmaker’s life and work with lions in the Kruger National Park
  • Co-production between Tauana Films HIT Wildlife, Nat Geo, NDR & Aquavision.
  • Distributed worldwide by Parthenon Entertainment.
  • People and Places/ Biography
  • Copyright Tauana Films

25. THE ELEPHANT THE WORM & THE BUTTERFLY TREE (1999)      

  • A close look at the Mopaniveldt as the last stand of the Southern elephant. Elephants and their shrinking habitats. South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd.
  • Natural History. Runner-up at IWFF
  • Licensed to Discovery UK, Germany, etc.     

23. LION PRIDE (1998)

  • Special pride of lion in the Tshokwane area, Kruger National Park
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd.
  • Natural History
  • Finalist at IWFF, Natura & Avanti.2000

22. BORN TO BE WILD (1994)

  • Young and wild: A film about young animals in the Kruger National Park
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd
  • Natural History
  • Licensed to Nat Geo, Discovery, RAI, TF1, Finland, etc.

21. INNOCENT KILLER (1994)

  • A film about Anthrax as natural culling mechanism in Kruger National Park
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd in Collaboration with Kruger National Park Scientific Services
  • Natural History
  • Licensed to Nat Geo, NDR, S.A.B.C., etc.

20. AFRICAN SUMMER (1993)

  • After a crippling drought and a time of plenty, the lions of the Tshokwane area in Kruger have to survive a very wet season. Will they cope?
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd.
  • Natural History
  • Licensed to Nat Geo, Discovery & TF 1, NOS, RAI, Sweden, etc.

19. DEADLY SEASON (1992)

  • A murderous drought forces animals to adapt or die in the central district of Kruger National Park.
  • Produced by Tauana Films.
  • Natural History.Finalist IWFF
  • Licensed to Nat Geo Explorer, BBC & Discovery Europe, NDR, ARD, NOS, RAI, TFI , etc. 

18. VALLEY OF THE RHINO (1991)

  • The ecology of the Rhino in the southern district of the Kruger National Park
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd.
  • Natural History
  • Licensed to Discovery, NDR, TF1, RAI, NOS, Sweden, etc.

17. CIRCLES IN THE SUN (1990)

  • A film about life, death and the dependence on grass in the central district of Kruger National Park
  • Produced by Tauana Films Ltd.
  • Natural History. Finalist IWFF
  • Licensed to Discovery Channel, TF1, Germany, RAI, NOS, etc.

16. THE RIVER/ CROCODILE RIVER (1988)

  • Life, death and super-crocodiles on the threatened Levhuvhu River in the Pafuri region of Kruger National Park.
  • Copyright Tauana Films Ltd.
  • Natural History
  • Finalist IWFF; Third place Grimme Institute
  • Licensed to Nat Geo Explorer, Holland, France, Italy, BBC, Japan, etc

15. AFRICAN WILDLIFE: BETWEEN HISTORY AND OBLIVION (1987)

  • Changing perspectives in conservation: The utilisation of the wildlife resource in the Third World. Pilanesberg Game Reserve South Africa.
  • Produced by Tauana Films
  • Conservation
  • Sold to ZDF, Germany

14. GWICHABA CAVES (1986)

  • The ecology of ancient water-washed caves in Kalahari Desert, Botswana, where thousands of bats live and die and birds learn to hover to survive.
  • Natural History
  • Produced for ZDF Germany

13. JACKALS OF THE SKELETON COAST (1986)

  • The Black-backed Jackals of the Namib Coast in Namibia flourish against all odds. This is their story.
  • Natural History
  • Produced for ZDF, Germany

12. TURTLES AND TORTOISES OF S.A.(1985)

  • The lives and behaviour of various species of the larger turtles and tortoises of southern Africa
  • Natural History
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

11. YEARS OF THE VULTURE  (1985)

  • The film documents the story of the first full eradication of the Tsetse Fly from the Okavango Delta in the early eighties. Tsetse fly spraying on people and wildlife in the Okavango Delta
  • Produced by Tauana Films
  • Conservation
  • Sold to ZDF, Germany

10. THE LONG TREK SOUTH (1984)

  • This unique story follows a young farmer as he undertakes one of the last great Cattle Treks in Botswana with one thousand head of cattle, and thirteen San on horseback over 760 km through the Kalahari Desert in Botswana.
  • People and Places/ Historical
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

9. THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE (1984)

  • The story of the lives and history of the descendants of the Thirst Land Trekkers who left South Africa after the Boer War and found a home in the remote Kalahari Desert of Botswana.
  • People and Places/ History
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

8. PEOPLE OF THE CEDERBERG (1983)

  • The history and lives of people who live and farm in the remote and mountainous Cedarberg region of South Africa.
  • People and Places
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

7. DRY HORIZON (1981)

  • The effect of a severe drought on people and wildlife in the Okavango Delta.
  • Educational/ Conservation
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

6. OKAVANGO (1980)

  • The story of the river systems and waters that feed and sustain the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
  • Natural History
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

5. NATURE CONSERVATION. WHY? (1979)

  • An educational programme demonstrating the reasons why nature conservation is vital to people as well as wildlife in Africa.
  • Conservation/ Educational
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

4. BAKWENA: PEOPLE OF THE CROCODILE (1979)

  • A unique insight into the role of the Crocodile Totem in the tribal life of the BaKwena people of South Africa.
  • People and Places/ Indigenous African Culture/ History
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

3. THE GOD WITH THE WET MOUTH (1978)

  • An extraordinary and intimate look at traditional role of cattle in the lives of the Northern Sotho People of  South Africa.
  • People and Places/ Indigenous African Culture/ History
  • Produced for S.A.B.C. South Africa

2. OPERATION TSETSE (1976)

  • A grueling document of the first Tsetse fly spraying operation in Okavango Delta, Botswana.
  • Conservation
  • Produced by Tauana Films
  • Sold to Hoechst Germany

1. FREEMAN MENASSE (1976)

  • A uniquely intimate look at the tribal life and rituals of the Herero people of Botswana.
  • Produced by Tauana Films
  • People and Places/ Indigenous African Culture/ History
  • Sold to ZDF, Germany

0. JUST ANOTHER DAY (1976)

  • The story of a day in the life of a San game ranger in Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana.
  • Produced by Tauana Films
  • Natural History
  • Sold to S.A.B.C. South Africa