Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic magazine photographer Ami Vitale has traveled to more than 100 countries, bearing witness not only to violence and conflict, but also to surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Throughout the years, Ami has lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit— keeping true to her belief in the importance of “living the story.” In 2009, after shooting a powerful story on the transport and release of one the world’s last white rhinos, Ami shifted her focus to today’s most compelling wildlife and environmental stories. She is a founding member of Ripple Effect Images and is on the Photojournalism Advisory Council for the Alexia Foundation Currently based in Montana, frequently gives workshops throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. She can be reached at ami@amivitale.com.
Shaba at Jackson Wild
I am proud to say that “Shaba” my film about the first matriarch of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has been selected as a finalist in THREE categories – Conservation Short Form, People & Nature Short Form and Our Human Planet Short Form – at the Jackson Wild Media Awards. Widely considered the most prestigious honor [ … ]
Learn MoreShaba at All living things environmental film festival
Shaba has been selected as selected as a winner at ALT EFF 2020. All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) is a platform that inspires and mobilises communities to take action towards creating a sustainable future, locally and at large. The film festival takes place October 9th – 17th, 2021 in Panchgani, India. Make [ … ]
Learn MoreShaba at Innsbruck Nature Film Festival 2021
“Shaba,” my new film on the first matriarch of Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, has been selected to be shown in Innsbruck at the Metropol Cinema during the Innsbruck Nature Film Festival 2021 from October 19th – 22nd. Short or long, documentary or story, thought-provoking, factual, shocking, fascinating, or just simply beautiful: These words describe the [ … ]
Learn MoreShaba at Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
Shaba is an Award Finalist for the 2021 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, where it will screen this fall. The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF) highlights the finest independent films that promote sustainability and the conservation of biodiversity. These films connect the dots between saving species from extinction and preserving the Earth’s precious resources of [ … ]
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Africa
“Shaba” Honors & Film Festivals: Jackson Wild and more
I am proud to say that Shaba my film about the first matriarch of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has been selected as a finalist in THREE categories – Conservation Short Form, People & Nature Short Form and Our Human Planet Short Form – at the Jackson Wild Media Awards. Widely considered the most prestigious honor in [ … ]
Africa
Shaba: A New Film by Ami Vitale
I am so excited to share my new short film, Shaba, about the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary’s first matriarch elephant and the extraordinary bonds she formed with a herd of baby orphaned elephants and the people who rescued her.
Giraffes
Travel Tales by AFAR: Inside a Daring Giraffe Rescue in Kenya
A decade ago, a group of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes was relocated to a remote lakeside peninsula in Kenya. But in recent years, due to rising water levels, the peninsula became an island, trapping the giraffes. In 2020, a team of conservationists set up a daring rescue—one that wildlife photographer Ami Vitale traveled to document. This is her [ … ]
Africa
Toronto Film Magazine: About Shaba
Ami was interviewed in May by Toronto Film Magazine about her filmmaking and her experience making Shaba. In the mountains of northern Kenya, a Samburu community is doing something that has never been done before. They’ve built a sanctuary for orphaned elephants to try to rehabilitate them back to the wild. The project is not [ … ]
