Storytellers for Knowledge
Our Mission
Producing educational films that have a transformational power in conservation. Wildlife and wild places of Africa are not just part of the continent’s heritage – they are part of the Earth’s natural legacy.
Our Role
Based in Tsavo, Kenya since 1998, the AEFF team works year-round on the ground in Africa, filming, editing, and producing innovative and engaging films with an educational purpose about conservation issues; and distributing these films to the people of Africa, in their own languages, and to the world beyond.
Our Vision
To be a force for environmental and wildlife sustainability through the power of storytelling and education. To empower audiences to fight to protect our planet.
WHO WE ARE
About
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Arne Glimcher
Co-Founder & Chairman, Film Director / Producer
Arne Glimcher met Simon Trevor in 1989 in Africa while producing Gorillas in the Mist, where Trevor served as the wildlife cinematographer. During this time, they decided to establish AEFF.
Glimcer is the founder and Chairman of Pace Gallery, which he opened in Boston in 1960 in a small, street-level shop on historic Newbury Street before moving to 57th Street in New York in 1963. Today, Pace has 9 locations across 3 continents, and represents more than 100 significant contemporary artists. Glimcher has played a critical role in shaping the careers and legacies of artists including Jean Dubuffet, Robert Irwin, Agnes Martin, Louise Nevelson, Mark Rothko, and Lucas Samaras. Glimcher also helms 125 Newbury, a project space he opened in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood in 2022.
As a filmmaker, Glimcher has produced and directed several successful films. In 1989 he produced Gorillas in the Mist, which received 5 Academy Award nominations, and in 1992 he made his directorial debut with The Mambo Kings, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. He also directed and co-produced with Martin Scorsese, Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies, which premiered at The Toronto International Film Festival in 2008, was publicly screened at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA, and released theatrically and on PBS. Glimcher is a proud member of the Director’s Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Among many awards he holds the order of Officier in the French Legion of Honor.
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Joan Poggio
Film Director, Cinematographer, & Editor
Joan is an independent director-cinematographer with over 25 years of experience in narrative fiction and non-fiction films. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, since 2005, his work spans diverse projects around the world, more notably across 25 African countries. Joan's filmmaking centers on finding the essence of stories in the most naturalistic and creative way, looking for truth and beauty within the frame. His portfolio ranges from life-changing stories about cattle rustlers trading their AK-47s for sneaker shoes and running marathons, to playful, vibrant, whimsical music videos and commercials.
Joan is known for award-winning films Ni Sisi (2013), Gun Runners (2015), Watatu (2015), Silas (2017), Daydreamers (2023) and Sarah (2025).
His specialization extends to editing, color grading, and online post-production, serving clients across Africa. Joan’s outstanding contributions to the African Environmental Film Foundation (AEFF) have further highlighted his impactful storytelling and filmmaking prowess. Editing alongside Simon Trevor for six years, Joan helped piece together AEFF’s latest project: “Tsavo: a Moment in Time”, a riveting series delving into the rich history of ivory, slavery, and the birth of Tsavo National Park in 1948.
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Simon Trevor
Founder & President, Film Director, Producer & Cinematographer: Kenya
Simon Trevor, Founder of the African Environmental Film Foundation (AEFF), is a seasoned leader with over 40 years of experience in wildlife filming and conservation. As a former Warden in the Kenya National Parks, Trevor brings a unique perspective to his role. His expertise has been acknowledged through numerous international awards for wildlife documentaries, including contributions to the prestigious Survival Anglia television series and renowned films such as "Out of Africa," "Gorillas in the Mist," "White Hunter, Black Heart," and "The Color Purple."
In 1998, Trevor transitioned from commercial filmmaking to establish AEFF, aiming to authentically portray the challenges facing Africa's wildlife and environments. His dual background in filmmaking and conservation positions him as an ideal leader for AEFF's production team, ensuring a nuanced and impactful approach to conveying the complex interplay between environmental issues and the well-being of both wildlife and people across the continent.
LEADERSHIP