CREW

FILMS &

GRAPHICS

Henk Ekermans

Barend Van Der Watt

Henk fell in love with film at a young age and never looked back. After graduating with Honours from AFDA, where he won Best Editor and taught editing in his final year, he built a thriving career in television and film.

His early work included editing hit shows such as Durban Beach Rescue, Red Bull Beat Battle, Come Dine With Me, Caught in the Act, and 3 Days in Dimona, collaborating with leading production companies like Rapid Blue, Urban Brew, and MTV Africa. His career took him across the African continent — from Nigeria and Kenya to Ghana, Tanzania, and Niger — giving him a deep appreciation for the diversity of people, places, and stories Africa holds.

Over time, Henk’s curiosity for storytelling and his fascination with nature grew into something more. Together with his husband, Barend, he co-founded Rooted Media, a production company dedicated to telling wildlife stories with heart and originality. At Rooted Media, they produce, film, write, and edit every project themselves — focusing on the extraordinary in the ordinary, and on the beauty of the small, often overlooked details in nature.

A natural storyteller in every sense, Henk writes all the screenplays for their films, weaving science, humour, and emotion into each script. Whether behind the camera or in the edit suite, he brings humour, passion, precision, and a deep sense of wonder to every frame.

Barend’s journey into filmmaking began in the wild. After working as a Game Ranger and Field Guide in the Kruger National Park from 2002 to 2004, his love for nature and storytelling led him to join renowned National Geographic filmmaker Kim Wolhuter. That opportunity sparked a career that has taken him across continents and deep into the heart of wildlife filmmaking.

In 2008, Barend moved to Washington, D.C., to work at the National Geographic Society Headquarters, gaining invaluable experience in global documentary production. He has since worked on numerous productions for National Geographic, Animal Planet International, and other leading broadcasters — both in the field and in the edit suite. His credits include Hyena Queen, A Dog’s Life, Manyari: The Lioness, Faces of Africa, and Caught in the Act, among many others.

Over the years, Barend has become a skilled wildlife cinematographer, editor, and producer — able to shape a story from the first frame of footage to the final cut. He produces all of Rooted Media’s films, managing every stage of production with precision and creativity.

Since meeting Henk, the two have formed the perfect filmmaking team — blending vision, craft, and a shared love for the natural world. Together, they have honed their skills in the field and inspired each other to create stories that reveal the beauty and wonder of life on Earth.