For the first time the online platform Netflix will broadcast a film produced and shot in Kenya.
The first historical short film that will land on the video streaming on demand is titled "Poachers", and will be screened in world premiere on September 30.
Produced by a Kenyan company in co-production with a British production and directed by Tom Whitworth, "Poachers" tells the story of a desperate farmer who finds himself in trouble after discovering the plots of a gang of poachers.
Poachers, shot in Tsavo Ovest National Park over a week with a cast and crew of just 30 people, won the Best Short Film Award at the 8th Kalasha TV & Film Awards in 2018 and received nominations for Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Supporting Actor in a Film and Best Supporting Actor in a Film.
It has already been screened at several festivals, including the Short Film Festival To The Point (STTP) and the Moscow Shorts International Short Film Festival in Russia.
The film deals with the delicate issue of the illegal ivory trade that risks making the population of elephants and rhinos disappear, especially in Kenya and Tanzania.
According to a UN report, the ineffectiveness of governments' actions and corruption have aggravated the poaching situation.
At the same time, poverty has helped elements of organized crime to recruit, bribe and threaten locals, underpaid police, military personnel and forest rangers to participate in wildlife crimes.
"The illegal trade in wild animals damages sustainable development in Africa. Together we can reverse the trend and protect our wildlife," says Juliette Biao, director of the UN Regional Environmental Office for Africa.
In the film industry, the biggest advantage of having a film distributed on Netflix is simultaneous access to over 130 million subscribers worldwide.
The hope is that "Poachers" can become a "viral" phenomenon and help in the battle against poaching, prompting other authors to take an interest in protecting and preserving the savannah.