Poacher (film)

2018 short film directed by Tom Whitworth

Poacher

Directed by| Tom Whitworth
Written by| Davina Leonard
Tom Whitworth
Starring| Brian Ogola
Davina Leonard
Lenny Juma

Release date

* August 2018 (2018-08)

Running time

| 29 minutes
Countries| Kenya, United Kingdom
Languages| Swahili
English

Poacher is a 2018 Kenyan / British short film directed by Tom Whitworth. The film received wide international attention after its release in Netflix in September 2020.[1] It also became the first ever Kenyan short film to be premier via Netflix.[2][3]

## Plot

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Shot in a dramatic film format, Poacher tells the story of a desperate farmer who runs into trouble after stealing a stash of blood ivory from a gang of international terrorists. The film seeks to highlight the significant international issue of illegal ivory trade by addressing the plight of Africa's endangered elephant population.[4]

## Cast

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* Brian Ogola as Mutua
* Davina Leonard as Nicola Betts
* Lenny Juma as Juma
* Shiviske Shivisi as Ngina
* Olwenya Maina as Hassan

## Production

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Poacher was filmed over six days in the Tsavo West National Park to the South East of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. The production involved over 30 cast and crew members.[5] Director Tom Whitworth teased the first official still of the film on 10 April 2018, announcing that cinematography was by Nathan Prior and Ishmael Azeli. It was revealed that the short film was originally envisioned as a TV drama.[6]

## Release

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Poacher (2018) was released in August 2018, having been screened at the Short To The Point (STTP) Festival, and been selected for a Best Editing Award.[7] The film premiered in Kenya at the ANGA IMAX Theatre on 10 November 2018 at the Kalasha International Film Awards in Nairobi.[8] Poacher has also screened at the 2018 Moscow Shorts International Short Film Festival in September 2018 in Moscow.[9] The film was streamed via Netflix on 30 September 2020.[10]

## Accolades

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* Nominated for Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Director of Photography, Best Supporting Actor in a Film and Best Actor in a Film for the 8th Kalasha TV & Film Awards.[11]
* Award for Best Short Film at the 8th Kalasha TV & Film Awards in Nairobi, Kenya on 24 November 2018.[12]

## References

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1. ^ Onyango, Fred (2020-10-07). "Why Netflix is a lifeline for African film-makers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
2. ^ pm, Michael Musyoka on 3 September 2020-12:17. "Award-winning Kenyan Film to Make History on Netflix". Kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 2020-10-09.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
3. ^ Kabintie, Winnie (2025-05-28). "Kenyan films on Netflix: a new era for local storytelling and industry growth". The Kenya Forum. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
4. ^ Film, Poacher. "Poacher film". Poacher Film. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
5. ^ Mworia, Tim. "For Your Consideration: Kalasha-Nominated 'Poacher' Is a Triumph of Conservation Filmmaking". KenyaBuzz. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
6. ^ Whitworth, Tim. "Whitworth Instagram Post". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
7. ^ thepoint, shortto. "SHORT TO THE POINT – AUGUST 2018 AWARDS". STTP. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
8. ^ Commission, KenyaFilm. "Kalasha International Film Awards Screening Schedule" (PDF). KenyaFilmCommission. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
9. ^ Shorts, Moscow. "September 2018 – Moscow Shorts Official Selection". MoscowShorts. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
10. ^ "Poacher | Netflix". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
11. ^ Buzz, Kenya. "Full List of Kalasha Awards 2018 Winners". Kenya Buzz. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
12. ^ Buzz, Kenya. "Full List of Kalasha Awards 2018 Winners". Kenya Buzz. Retrieved 2018-11-27.

## External links

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* Poacher at IMDb
* Poacher on Netflix