Caleb Swanepoel’s Shark Film Wins Gold on World Stage

South African short film “Caleb: Beyond the Bite” has made waves internationally, clinching gold at the 2025 International Tourism Film Festival Africa.

The award – announced on World Ocean Day, Sunday 8 June – capped off a red carpet event in Sandton, Johannesburg, with over 450 global entries competing.

The film tells the deeply personal story of Caleb Swanepoel, a para-athlete and actor who lost his leg in a shark attack at the age of 19. Rather than fuelling fear, his journey back into the ocean – including swimming alongside sharks – is a moving tribute to resilience, healing, and conservation.

Produced by WILDTRUST and Love Africa Marketing, the short film challenges negative stereotypes about sharks while spotlighting South Africa’s rich marine biodiversity. The moving picture was released as part of a larger campaign urging protection for threatened shark and ray species.

Swanepoel expressed pride in contributing to a project changing perceptions around sharks, saying: “It means a lot that more people worldwide will see the film and hopefully connect with its message.”

“Being part of this project and team [that is] changing the shark narrative is a real privilege,” he added.

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