4 Minute documentary
In the heart of Liberia, a devoted caregiver becomes a mother to orphaned chimpanzees, revealing the powerful bonds between species and the urgent fight to protect what remains.
About the project
In Liberia, countless chimpanzees are orphaned and displaced due to the illegal pet trade and human encroachment. This short documentary offers a moving glimpse into their reality through the eyes of a caregiver who becomes a mother figure to the young chimps, reflecting on the deep emotional bonds that connect us — and the urgent need to protect them.
Currently on festivals
To see the Project in Filmfreeway click here
↓ Teaser
Soon
Director approach
This short documentary is a deeply human portrait set against the lush backdrop of Liberia’s forests — a story where compassion crosses species. At its heart is Jenny, a caregiver who has become a mother to orphaned chimpanzees rescued from the illegal pet trade and habitat destruction. Through her, we explore the raw emotion, patience, and resilience it takes to mend lives broken by human greed.
To ground the film in both emotion and fact, we’ve woven Jenny’s intimate perspective with the voice of Allen, a key figure from Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority (FDA). His contributions provide vital context about conservation efforts, legal frameworks, and the broader implications of this crisis — without losing the personal lens that anchors the story.
Our visual language is intentionally close and tactile. We wanted to bring viewers into the daily routine: the bottle feedings, the quiet moments of play, the grief, the hope. Every frame is designed to feel lived-in and visceral, capturing the texture of Jenny’s connection to the chimps. Natural sound plays a key role — the rustle of leaves, the soft vocalizations of the chimpanzees, the ambient rhythm of the forest — all immersing us in their shared world.
This film is not just about rescue. It’s about rebuilding family, one touch, one gaze, one wordless moment at a time. It’s a call to see these creatures not as others, but as kin — and to recognize the urgency of protecting what remains before it’s too late.
↓ Photography
Why this film?
With habitat loss and the illegal pet trade threatening the survival of chimpanzees across West Africa, this film must be made to spotlight the human stories behind conservation. In Liberia, where decades of conflict have weakened environmental protection, the work of caregivers like Jenny reveals the emotional and ethical urgency of protecting our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Through her bond with orphaned chimps — and the insights of Allen from the FDA — this story shows that conservation is not just about saving wildlife, but about restoring connection, dignity, and coexistence.
↓ Moodboard (created in field)
Distribution plan
Screenings in Goma: Host local screenings to engage and educate the community.
Film Festivals: Submit to regional and international film festivals to raise awareness and garner support.
NGO Collaboration: Partner with local NGOs to use the film as an educational tool in their outreach programs.
Online Platforms: Distribute the film on digital platforms to reach a wider audience.
Workshops and Training Sessions: Integrate the film into beekeeping workshops and training sessions to demonstrate practical applications and benefits.
Impact of the Film
This film has the potential to inspire and educate local communities. The film will serve as a valuable tool for NGOs to promote sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Crew
Co-Director & DoP: Francisco Galeazzi
Co-Director & Script: Pedro Fernandez Quiroga
Producer & Assitant: Zelmira Zavalia Lagos
Second Camera: Makiaveli
Fixer & Journalist: Henri Chikuru
↓ BTS
