competing for the Student award Rising Star VIDEO
The land of others
Elise Houben
IHECS – Institut des Hautes Études des Communications Sociales
Belgium
Length: 32 minutes
For the Maasai, land is more than a territory—it is a fundamental part of their identity, culture,and way of life. In northern Tanzania, where lush landscapes and the wildlife of national parks attract tourists from around the world, another reality is unfolding. Behind Western narratives of nature conservation lie policies that are increasingly forcing Maasai communities from their ancestral lands.
Maria, Lengai, Tina, Joseph, Raen, and others are experiencing these profound changes firsthand. Through their voices and personal experiences, the film explores the struggles, resistance, and resilience of Maasai communities facing displacement and the loss of their ancestral territories.
By placing their stories at the centre, the film seeks to shed light on the human realities behind conservation policies and to give space to those whose voices are too often left unheard..