Where lions once were - live on wild commons

This short film is now streaming on Wild Commons, the new YouTube channel and distribution platform created by Wild Lens and Impact Media Lab.

Where Lions Once Were is a short documentary guided by Ibrahim and Millicent - a portrait of a place, a family, and a fight to be heard. It's a story about what communities stand to lose when decisions about their land are made without them, and why the voices of those who live closest to nature matter most when it comes to protecting it.

Where Lions Once Were, directed by Boni Mbogo and Emily P. Baker, invites audiences into that relationship through the lives of Ibrahim and his mother, Millicent. Rather than telling a sweeping story about conservation from afar, the film remains grounded in the daily lives of a family working to restore the forests around Cha Simba while confronting a future they never chose.

The result is an intimate documentary about place, belonging, and the difficult reality facing many communities around the world: what happens when the landscapes that sustain people become valuable for entirely different reasons?

For Ibrahim and Millicent, restoration is not an abstract environmental project. It is an act of care.

Why This Film Matters
At a time when conversations about biodiversity often focus on species counts or protected areas, Where Lions Once Were broadens the discussion. It asks us to remember that ecosystems are also homes. Protecting them means protecting the cultures, histories, and communities that have evolved alongside them.

That message resonates far beyond coastal Kenya.

Across the globe, local communities are increasingly leading efforts to restore forests, protect wildlife, and safeguard cultural heritage. Their work often receives far less attention than large conservation organizations, yet it frequently determines whether these landscapes endure.

By centering Ibrahim and Millicent’s story, the film reminds us that conservation does not begin in conference rooms or government offices. More often, it begins with people caring for the places they call home.

Film Credits
Directors: Boni Mbogo and Emily P. Baker

Featured Participants: Ibrahim and Millicent

Location: Cha Simba, Kilifi County, Kenya

Courtesy of: Boni Mbogo and Emily P. Baker
Location: Tanjung Luar, Indonesia

Runtime: 13:46 minutes

The film is now available to stream on the Wild Commons YouTube channel, the new filmmaker-owned distribution platform that Wild Lens recently launched in collaboration with Impact Media Lab.