OVER AND ABOVE AFRICA FOUNDER, AND DIRECTOR/PRODUCER OF
BREAKING THEIR SILENCE: WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINE OF THE POACHING WAR
TED X CHARLOTTESVILLE TALK BELOW
Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War” became filmmaker Kerry David's passion after learning of the poaching epidemic and human/wildlife crisis three years ago on a research trip to Africa. In her talk, she discusses the horrors of poaching, the illegal wildlife trade, and the efforts to mitigate these phenomena.
Over and Above Africa was created after Founder, Kerry David attended a Los Angeles fundraiser for elephants that outlined the total devastation poaching and human/animal conflict (population growth pushing animals into smaller and smaller areas) was having on Africa's vulnerable wildlife. The presentation was informative and beautiful, it had been filmed from a drone flying high over Africa's unique landscape effectively protecting the animals below - that's how we got our name "Over and Above Africa" Our vision was in deciding many of these issues could be overcome with a global community's awareness and involvement.
Over and Above Africa's Impact
In our first year we successfully raised over $19,000 in funds and donated to Nambiti Private Game Reserve's Anti-Poaching Unit, our "Boots for Rangers" drive; Petronel Nieuwoudt's "Care For Wild Rhino Orphanage", Damien Mander's IAPF all females Anti Poaching Unit, Akashinga. Nambiti’s "Elephant Relocation and Rhino Conservation Programs" and Dr Johann Marais' "Saving the Survivors". This year we hope to raise even more and bring new and impactful organizations and people working to protect the endangered animals in Africa.
Of course, without YOU, our members and donors, none of this would be possible! So THANK YOU!
Still not a member? Become a member today ($5 a month!) and share this journey with us!
Thank you for taking time to care of our planet - it's the only one we have!
The O&AA Team
Photo credit: Philip Folsom
Over And Above Africa Team
Kerry has always been a passionate advocate for animals. After learning how many of Africa's iconic animals were facing extinction, not only in her lifetime, but in as little as 9 years, she was compelled to act. She started researching the poaching crisis, wildlife trafficking and the human/animal challenges facing Africa and was horrified at what she uncovered. "I don't want to imagine a world without elephants, rhino, leopards, lions, cheetah and other iconic animals roaming freely. This conflict between man and animal has reached a tipping point, we have to intervene if we have any humanity left in us." She Founded "Over and Above Africa" as a global solution that anyone can afford.
"Without our help, these beautiful animals don't stand a chance against the awesome firepower currently reigning down on them. But we can connect as a global community and protect their existence here. We can prevent their suffering and their extinction. Over and Above Africa makes the solution affordable, transparent and enjoyable to a global audience. It's what Over and Above Africa is all about. Now, with COVID-19 shutting the world down, we MUST rethink our relationship to wildlife and this planet!”
A multiple award-winning Producer and Director, Kerry has spent the past 25 years working on feature films and documentaries in Hollywood. Two and a half years working at Paramount Pictures lead to three years working for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman on projects that include Mission Impossible 2, Without Limits, Portrait of a Lady, Peacemaker, Practical Magic, The Blue Room and Eyes Wide Shut with Stanley Kubrick.
She started her own production company in 2000, and in the ensuing years produced multiple projects including, Agent Cody Banks 1 & 2, My Date with Drew, Like Dandelion Dust, Seeking Happily Ever After, Perfect Romance, Deposing the Usual Suspects, Making Miles, The Miles Davis Story and Bill Coors: The Will to Live. She is currently directing and producing, "Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War" through her production company, KDC Films.
In 2001, Kerry Founded Indieproducer.net, an online film & TV community to help new & emerging filmmakers break into the industry. It was named the #1 site for filmmakers worldwide, was in 130 countries with over 82,000 members when she sold it to the Vail Film Festival in 2010.
In 2010 Kerry was hired as CEO and CFO to oversee the creation of an orphanage for children in Ghana, West Africa from inception to completion. From hiring the architects, locating the region and children in need and hiring the staff to run it. She was tasked with overseeing every aspect including the budget and build. She fell in love with Africa and found the process enlightening and challenging but above all, extremely inspirational and completed the orphanage in 2013. She said of her experience, "Meeting the children and working with the kind people in Ghana will remain a highlight of my life."
Over And Above Africa fulfills a personal drive to help prevent the loss of Africa's innocent, vulnerable and iconic animals. "I am dedicated to being an integral part of the movement that prevents Africa's endangered species from extinction".
Kerry spent a good part of 2018 filming Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War. She is currently in production on her feature documentary; Open Secret, filming in North Carolina.
Here’s a recent interview with Over and Above Africa Founder, Kerry David and Common CEO, Mark Eckhardt:
For a more in-depth article on Kerry, click here and for more on Over and Above Africa, click here.
Photo credit: @PhilipFolsom
Philip Folsom - Staff Photographer and Explorer in Residence
Philip Folsom is so proud to have joined the Over and Above Africa team as staff photographer and Explorer in Residence!
Philip is a cultural anthropologist and instructor at USC as well as LACC and sits on the high performance board at Redbull North America. He is a veteran of the United States Army and is the cofounder of the Sparta Project, an international suicide prevention program for warriors. In addition, he is the owner of Human Kind and Philip Folsom Programs which is focused on creating healthy and sustainable high performance for organizations worldwide.
Philip has traveled the world on such varied adventures as studying sword fighting in Japan, diving in cenotes in Central America, working with the special forces in Australia and conducting archaeology in Bonaire. He recently returned from a trip in Africa where he helped the International Aids Healthcare Foundation form an international network of healthcare services across the continent.
When he is home with his wife and daughter in Venice CA he works with corporate work teams from Space X, Redbull, Sony and others to help them upgrade their organizational culture so the humans involved can be healthier, happier and higher performing.
Philip is an avid wildlife photographer his images have won awards and been used in numerous publications and websites around the world.
For more information contact Philip directly at philip@philipfolsom.com.