NATIONAL NEWS - As the world celebrated World Ocean Day on Sunday 8 June, a proudly South African conservation film was honoured on the global stage.
Caleb: Beyond the Bite, produced by Wildtrust and Love Africa Marketing, won gold at the 2025 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) - one year since the film’s release.
The film festival received over 450 entries from across the world, which culminated in a red carpet event on Friday evening at the Hotel Sky in Sandton, Johannesburg.
“This film was truly inspirational,” says ITFFA festival organiser Caroline Ungersbock. “It delivered a very strong and necessary message that resonated deeply with our judges and attendees.”
The poster promoting the film and the gold winning team at the awards in Sandton on Friday 6 June.
Caleb's journey
The short film follows para-athlete, actor, and shark bite survivor Caleb Swanepoel’s emotional return to the ocean to swim with sharks, the very species that altered the course of his life in 2015.
Ten years ago on 27 June, 19-year-old Caleb from Prince Albert in the Karoo, was enjoying the coastal waters off Buffel's Bay on a bodyboard, when a great white shark severed his right leg above the knee.
The femoral artery immediately went into spasm, ensuring that Caleb didn't bleed out in a matter of minutes - saving his life.
Caleb Swanepoel swimming with sharks in the big blue. Photo: Devin Trull, Love Africa Marketing
Far from a typical wildlife film, Caleb: Beyond the Bite, offers a deeply human narrative that challenges fear-driven perceptions of sharks and highlights their importance in South Africa’s marine ecosystems.
“I’m incredibly excited that the film has been recognised at the ITFFA Awards,” says Swanepoel. “It means so much that more people around the world will now get to see the film and hopefully connect with its message.
"Being part of the project and a team that’s having an impact and changing the narrative around sharks is a real privilege.”
Caleb only took up surfing after he lost his leg and in the film he speaks of the attack, his love for the ocean and surfing before he ventures into the deep to swim with sharks.
Shark perception and survival
Caleb: Beyond the Bite was released as part of the Wildtrust's Sharks Under Attack campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for shark and ray conservation in South African waters.
The film highlights not only the emotional power of personal transformation, but also the critical role of perception in shark survival.
South Africa is a global hotspot for shark and ray diversity, with approximately 200 species calling its waters home.
Many of these species are endemic (found nowhere else on Earth) and increasingly threatened by habitat loss, overfishing and public fear.
The film provides a compelling call to protect these misunderstood animals through empathy, education and policy change.
“Caleb gives me hope for shark conservation,” says Wildtrust shark scientist Leigh de Necker, who appears in the film and swam alongside Caleb during his return to the deep sea.
“If he can shift his perspective on sharks after such a traumatic experience, then there is hope for all of us to do the same.”
WATCH THE FILM HERE.
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