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ReWild Gif

Dressing the Princess

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Dressing the Princess follows Denisha and Alex, two young conservationists from the Cape Flats, as they work to restore Princess Vlei - a wetland rich in cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. Through grassroots activism, they reclaim this sacred space, challenge apartheid spatial planning, and reconnect their community to land, nature, and ancestral memory.

Directed & Produced by Carter Kirlenko; Cinematography by Justin Woods & Gareth Williams; Edited by Alessandra Squarzon
Dressing the Princess
Impact
Global & Local Screenings: 3
Global & Local Screenings: 3
Major Distribution Platform: 1
Major Distribution Platform: 1
Impact 1
Changing Minds: Through screenings in Bristol and Cape Town, the project raised awareness about the importance of ecological restoration in South African townships, not only to protect natural spaces, but to support youth development and challenge the legacy of environmental exclusion. It also reshaped public perception by showcasing township youth as powerful leaders in climate action.
Impact 2
Direct Support: The recognition of the film at the Science Film Festival unlocked the Ecofilmprize grant which was funded back into the Princess Vlei project.
Impact 3
Distribution: The film has been distributed via WaterBear since 2022 and screened internationally and locally, including a community screening in Bristol (2022), the Science Film Festival in Cape Town (2023), and the Cape Town Adventure Film Festival (2024). It also won the Goethe-Institut Ecofilmprize award in 2023.
Award Winning
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Goethe-Institut Ecofilmprize Film Award (2022)

Behind the Scenes