As the world celebrated World Ocean Day on Sunday, 8 June, a proudly South African conservation film was timeously honoured on the global stage. Caleb: Beyond the Bite, produced by WILDTRUST and Love Africa Marketing, has been awarded Gold at the 2025 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) – one year since the film’s release. This marks the fourth Film Festival that the film has been recognised by to date.
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 of the film festival.”
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.
Far from a typical wildlife film, it 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: 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 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.”
Caleb: Beyond the Bite is available to watch online:
WATCH THE FILM: https://sharksunderattackcampaign.co.za/caleb-beyond-the-bite/
Download Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TOvopXSEP2r95THKy8Cxx0COHUwN46xn?usp=drive_link
For more information on shark and ray conservation, visit:
- Website:www.sharksunderattackcampaign.co.za
- Campaign socials: Instagram: @sharksunderattack | X: @sharks_u_attack | Facebook: /sharksunderattack
- Caleb’s socials: @calebswanepoel on Instagram
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