CORNELLSKOP Freedom From Fear
At a South African sanctuary, Luke Cornell provides a second chance for wildlife, confronting the harsh realities of poaching while revealing the deep emotional bond between the animals and those dedicated to their care.
Documentary Short | 13 min
KEY COLLABORATORS
Director: Nathan Oliva
Narrator: Peter Coyote
Producer: Jack Bart
South Africa Producer: Dixie Cornell
Director(s) of Photography: Michael Faraday & Matthew Alexander
Editor: Grace Lavery
Sound Designer: Jared Patriarca
PRESS LINKS
Variety | SCAD Savannah Film Festival Lineup
Behind the Scenes
Located in the Van der Stel Pass Valley near Botrivier, Cornellskop Animal Sanctuary spans nearly 300 acres and is home to a wide variety of African wildlife, from apex predators to meerkats. Established in 2005 by renowned animal trainer Luke Cornell, the sanctuary was born out of a lifelong bond between Luke and the animals he’s spent over 35 years living and working alongside.
Cornellskop exists to offer rescued animals a second chance—providing a space where their physical and emotional needs come first, and where the goal is not captivity, but care. The sanctuary is regularly inspected by Cape Nature and the State Vet, and operates under strict ethical guidelines: no breeding, no exploitation, and a commitment to creating environments that reflect the animals' natural habitats as closely as possible.
Over the course of six days in November 2024, the crew captured life across the sanctuary, documenting animals that call it home.
