The Shepherds of Wildlife Society has announced the release of its latest documentary, “The Last Keeper,” the second film in the critically acclaimed “Killing the Shepherd” series by award-winning director Tom Opre. This poignant film delves into the contemporary wildlife management challenges and the struggles of rural communities in the Scottish Highlands.
“The Last Keeper” premiered internationally in Edinburgh, Scotland, on April 24, 2024, inaugurating a 12-stop tour across the UK, with over 1,000 attendees at sold-out theaters.
“The reception in the UK has been incredible,” said Tom Opre, founder of the Shepherds of Wildlife Society. “We recognize this story’s impact on the local political scene and appreciate the opportunity to highlight this story and inspire discussions across the countryside.”
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The documentary illuminates the plight of gamekeepers, ghillies, and stalkers whose traditional roles as stewards of the land are under threat. It follows their fight to maintain healthy ecosystems while preserving their cultural heritage and right to a livelihood.
In June, Opre presented a preview of the film to the Scottish Parliament, discussing the rural Scottish communities’ issues depicted in the film. “We aim to highlight the rights of these rural communities in connecting with the local natural resources, and to screen the film with this prestigious audience was quite an honor,” he said.
“The Last Keeper” has also made waves in the film festival circuit, garnering accolades and selections from numerous international festivals, including:
- Wildlife Vaasa Festival-International Nature Film Festival (Finland); Finalist
- Freedom International Film Festival (USA); Semi-Finalist
- Dubai Film Festival (UAE); Semi-Finalist
- Nature Without Borders International Film Festival (USA); Outstanding Excellence – Environmental
- EuropeNow Film Festival (UK); Semi-Finalist
- Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival (Canada); Official Selection
- Depth of Field International Film Festival (USA); Outstanding Excellence for cinematography, original score, SFX: Visual
- Indie Vegas Film Festival Feature Film (USA); Award Winner – Best Editing
- WorldFest – Houston International Film Festival (USA); Golden Remi Award: Documentary Feature
- Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival (USA); Official Selection
- Nyack International Film Festival (USA); Official Selection
- Paris World Cinema Festival (France); Best Feature Documentary Award Winner
- The Impact DOCS Awards (USA); Award Winner of Merit and Special Mention
- Cannes World Film Festival (France); Award Winner – Best Educational Film
- Terres Travel Film Festival (Spain); Official Selection
- Ferrara Film Festival (Italy); Official Selection
With this warm reception, the Shepherds of Wildlife Society is now hosting a digital cinema event in the United States. Tickets for the digital cinema event, running through August 30, 2024, are available for purchase.
For more information about “The Last Keeper” and the Shepherds of Wildlife Society, visit https://www.shepherdsofwildlife.org/the-last-keeper.
The Shepherds of Wildlife Society, a 501(c)(3) educational organization, aims to reconnect modern society with nature through storytelling, using media and educational materials to bring wildlife and habitat concepts to life for future generations.
Source: International Award-Winning Film ‘The Last Keeper’ Explores Scotland’s Current Land Conflict
