R.E.S.C.U.E.
2025 WINNER - BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
2024
Kenya / United States
25 mins
Documentary Film Competition
| Keenan Ferguson, Martha McGuinness | |
| Krista Krieger, Martha McGuinness | |
| Dorothy Lowakutuk (self), Patricia Parkeri (self), Katie Rowe (self), Pauline Leariong' (self) |
R.E.S.C.U.E. is a heartwarming short documentary about resilience, hope and triumph in the fight to protect a species and to empower women and their communities. The film gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the groundbreaking work of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and The Sarara Foundation in Northern Kenya. It is an inspiring example of what is possible in the realm of community-led conservation.

About the Director
Keenan Ferguson creates documentary and commercial content in Southern and Eastern Africa. He has worked with various production companies as a Director and Cameraman. Keenan films predominantly nature content, documenting various conservation stories and commercial work ranging from community uplift projects to anti-poaching films, as well as filming three seasons of three conservation series which air on networks around the world.
Martha McGuinness began a career in journalism as a Fashion Editor at The New York Times. She left print journalism to be a freelance fashion and lifestyle correspondent for WNBC News New York and WCBS News This Morning, then Director of PR for Victoria’s Secret. She continues to freelance write for various lifestyle publications. Martha is a trustee and Director of Documentary Development & Partnerships of Empowers Africa.
Interviews
Awards
2024 Accolade Global Film Festival – Winner Award of Excellence & Special Mention: Documentary Short
2024 Aladerri International Film Festival – Winner Best Documentary Short Film
2024 Independent Short Awards – Winner Platinum Award Best Documentary Short
2024 Indie Short Fest – Winner Honorable Mention Documentary Short
2024 Nature without Borders International Film Festival – Best of Show
2024 NatureTrack Film Festival – Finalist
2024 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival – Nominee
