Film / Wildlife
Bristol wildlife filmmaker hopes to spark change with new documentary
A childhood dream came true for wildlife filmmaker Ashwika Kapur when she made Bristol her home.
She grew up in India watching wildlife programmes made at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol which sparked a lifelong love of conservation.
When we met up at Watershed, ahead of the Bristol premiere of her latest documentary Catapults to Cameras, the award-winning filmmaker raved about Bristol being the “Green Hollywood”.
is needed now More than ever
She said: “Moving to Bristol has been a dream come true…All the documentaries that inspired my childhood were made here.
“Being part of this hugely talented industry is a true privilege.”
Wildlife filmmaker Ashwika Kapur belives that conservation begins at “home” – photo: Ashwika Kapur
Kapur is currently a director at the Natural History Unit, working from their new home in Finzels Reach.
She has previously worked for National Geographic and the Discovery Network among others.
The Bristol premiere of her latest documentary arrives off the back of some major industry recognition.
Earlier this year, Catapults to Cameras was shortlisted at the prestigious Jackson Wild Media Awards, sometimes dubbed the “Oscars of nature films.”
The film attempts to explain where conservation should begin: home. Kapur believes conservation does not require arduous expeditions to save endangered species but cultivating appreciation for wildlife in “your backyard”.
She added: “Conservation isn’t always about saving iconic animals in faraway places.
“Conservation begins at home. Sometimes, we just need to do what we can, where we are. If all of us just look after our own patch of the planet, then it’ll all add up to create the bigger picture.”
View this post on Instagram
Her 40-minute film revolves around five boys, aged between 10 and 13-years-old, from the West Bengal Jhargram village community in India.
Between August and September 2022, she recorded the boys as they were given cameras to capture their surroundings.
Typically, these boys would have spent their summer playing with catapults, honing their skills in preparation for the hunting festivals which are popular in the region.
However, much to the astonishment of many, the boys not only ditched the catapults but also became enthralled with the photos they took with their cameras.
The documentary captures their journey.
The Bristol premiere of Catapults to Cameras will be screened at Watershed Cinema – photo: Milan Perera
The film also takes a look at the deep-seated tradition of hunting parties in the region, where people travel several 100 miles for these “blood sports”.
Kapur believes hunting is done neither for money nor food but for the “sheer thrill of it” laced with traits of “toxic masculinity”.
Catapults to Cameras is an indie film with a small budget and Kapur is proud of the conversations it has sparked so far.
Kapur concluded: “Every one of us can make a difference. Kids included! All we have to do is have the will and the passion to get up and give it a try. You’ll be surprised what a difference you can make, even as an individual”
“It’s an infectiously positive, contagiously optimistic film with five of the most charismatic boys taking centre stage who make you laugh and make you cry and walk away filled with hope. I can’t wait to share this film with Bristol.”
Kapur directed the documentary with the support of the RoundGlass Sustain.
Catapults to Cameras will premiere at the Watershed on Monday, August 19.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Main photo: Ashwika Kapur
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
