‘Caleb: Beyond the Bite’, a powerful film which captures the inspiring journey of shark bite survivor and para-athlete Caleb Swanepoel, received a prestigious Gold award at the 2025 International Tourism Film Festival Africa.
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 June 2025) – From sports and academia to arts and entertainment, South Africans shine in just about any field, platform or arena you place them on.
Just recently, a proudly South African conservation film, Caleb: Beyond the Bite, was timeously honoured on the global stage, as the world celebrated World Ocean Day on Sunday, 8 June.
‘Caleb: Beyond the Bite’ wins gold
Produced by WILDTRUST and Love Africa Marketing, the short film was awarded Gold at the 2025 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) – a whole year since the film’s release!
The impressive conservation production previously won the Gabriel Figueroa Special Award from the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival. The most recent win marks the fourth Film Festival that the film has been recognised by to date.
The short film follows award-winning actor, para-athlete and shark bite survivor Caleb Swanepoel, and his relationship with the ocean.
In hopes of reconnecting with his experience and better understanding the animal that changed his life, the film follows Caleb as he bravely confronts his past for the first time since a white shark took his leg in 2015.
This is Caleb’s second film, following And Yet, I Remain, which highlighted his return to the ocean after surviving the shark attack so he could learn to become a freediver.
Challenging perceptions of sharks
The ITFFA 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.”
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.”
Raising awareness on shark conservation
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 here.
Sources: Supplied
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