Humans and Elephants
An eco-tourist realized his experiences visiting elephants in national parks and sanctuaries in Cambodia and Sri Lanka have unintended consequences.
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Alexander LeonardDirectorFounder of AL Media
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Cody DoddsAnimatorsFreelance Animator living in London, Canada
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Millie YoungAnimatorsFreelance Animator living in Ayutthaya, Thailand
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Richard SokAnimatorsFreelance Animator living in London, Canada
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Chandima FernandoIntervieweesEcologist & GIS Specialist for SLWCS
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Chathuranga DharmathneIntervieweesResearch Scientist for SLWCS
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Jessica CordesIntervieweesVolunteer Coordinator alongside Elephant Conservation Centre in Laos
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AL MediaProducerVideo Production Studio in London, Ontario
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Think Elephant InternationalProducer
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Alex LeonardEditorsDirector, Audio Engineer, Narrator
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Ben DurhamEditorsCo-Founder of Defiant Sheep Productions
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Alex LeonardAudio EngineersDirector, Editor, Narrator
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Lliam BuckleyAudio EngineersFounder of Corduroy Studios
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Elephant Conservation Center - Sayaboury, LaoConservation Parks and Centres2017 Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor
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Elephant Valley Project - Mondulkiri, CambodiaConservation Parks and CentresFeatured by National Geographic, BBC, Lonely Planet, World Animal Protection, and more.
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Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society - Wasgamuwa, Sri LankaConservation Parks and CentresInternationally recognized research for Project Orange Elephant
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Save Elephant Foundation - Chang Mai, ThailandConservation Parks and Centres
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Krystle MilloPhotographersSri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society
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Celine GibertPhotographersElephant Conservation Center
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Anne BoydVoice Talent
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John LeonardVoice Talent
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Kelly PeckhamSpecial Thanks toMy Mentor
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David OuletteSpecial Thanks toLeap Junction
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Kelsey CurrieSpecial Thanks toLeap Junction
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Alex LeonardWriter
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Axel Thesleff - "Bad Karma"Music Credits
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CHEE - "Get Hot" ft. NocluMusic Credits
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ZIMT - "Sri Lanka"Music Credits
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Youtube Audio LibraryMusic Credits
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Epidemic SoundMusic Credits
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Motion ArrayMusic Credits
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Adobe Stock AudioMusic Credits
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Project Type:Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student, Other
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Genres:Short Documentary, Environmental, Wildlife, Conservation, Travel, Drama, Research based
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Runtime:23 minutes
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Completion Date:August 25, 2023
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Production Budget:6,000 USD
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Country of Origin:Canada
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Country of Filming:Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Sri Lanka, Thailand
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:DJI Mavic Pro, Sony A7iii, Cam
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Black & White and Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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International Peace AwardsToronto
Canada
Official Nomination -
Climate North (Formerly My Climate Journey Toronto) ScreeningToronto
Canada
August 31, 2023
Private RSVP Sold-Out Screening
Official Selection / Event Organizer -
Toronto Indie Filmmakers FestivalToronto
Canada
March 3, 2024
Official Selection -
Tokyo International Short Film FestivalTokyo
Japan
February 4, 2024
Official Selection -
Athens International Monthly Art Film FestivalAthens
Greece
Honorable Mention -
Cambodia International Film FestivalPhnom Penh
Cambodia
June 28, 2022
Official Selection -
Tulum World Environmental Film FestivalTulum
Mexico
June 12, 2023
Official Selection -
Colorado Environmental Film FestivalColorado
United States
Official Selection
"Humans and Elephants" is the debut film made by Alex Leonard, a current graduate student at Western University in London, finishing his Masters in Environmental Sustainability.
The film has been 8 years or so in the making, following Alex's journey as an elephant ambassador visiting numerous research facilities, sanctuaries, and national parks. The documentary follow's Alex narrative as he discovers the significance and impact of both tourists and local people in their relationship to elephants.
From fundraising in highschool for a sanctuary to traveling at 18 years old visiting the Elephant Valley Project in Western Cambodia, Alex has had several experiences interacting with elephants. Over the years, Alex always kept a camera by his side, which has helped bring the film to life. Alex has fundraised for elephants in Montreal through art sales, presented about their wellbeing in Canada and the UK, conducted research in Sri Lanka, and now created a film about the topic to help educate others.
Elephant conservation has always been a film that Alex has been passionate about and he now hopes to continue his objective of sharing that love for these sentient beings with others.
Humans and Elephants is a compassionate and surprising story about the role that both elephants and humans have on each other in shared spaces over time.
Humans and Elephants is a short documentary told through multiple perspectives, revealing the shortcomings and successes of elephant tourism throughout parts of Asia.
I would love to hear from you and what you took away from my documentary!
You can reach me at 519-902-0340 in Canada or via email at alexleonardmedia@gmail.com from anywhere.
I hope that you consider my film eligible for your film festival. I am focusing to start by submitting my film to environmental film festivals in hopes that it is picked up to help raise awareness.
I wanted my film to spark a larger conversation about tourism and the impact people have, to make them more considerate when abroad next.