Awards & Recognition
SAFTAS
Phillip Lennon was creative Director of National Geographic’s “Taboo Africa” Produced by Clive Morris Pproductions. The film won Best International Format at the 2014 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAS). Beating competitors: Masterchef South Africa, South African Idol and Come Dine with Me South Africa.
MEDIA VEERTJIE (MEDIA FEATHER) AWARDS
Winner of the Media Veertjie in 2010 and 2014. Both for “Best actuality Program”
SAB Environmental Journalist of the Year Merit Awards
Winner of the SAB Environmental Journalist Of The Year Merit Award in 2011 & 2012
Philadelphia Documentary and Fiction Festival
“A Planet Weeps” is a personal account of the devastation of the floods that destroyed Pakistan in 2010. This short documentary made the official selection at the Philadelphia Documentary & Fiction Festival in 2011.
Phillip received recognition from the Endangered Wildlife trusts Urban raptor conservation project for his work in documenting the plight of the Black eagles in an urban environment in the South of Johannesburg.
Coral Tree Films Productions
Coral Tree Films has a diverse Portfolio. From investigative journalism, to reality shows. Over the years animal welfare projects have become a large part of the content that the company produces.
2016 Reality series “DIE BOSBOKKIES”
In early 2016 Phillip Lennon came up with a concept for a new kind of never been done before Reality show. It involved taking eight young women from the city and placing them in the harsh environment of the African bush for two weeks. The girls were mentored in bush survival by two Game Rangers. Over the two weeks the contestants were set a series of challenges that pushed them to the limit. It culminated in a grand finale where two finalists had to skin and gut an antelope carcass.
Program: 5050
Phillip Lennon is one of the main contributors to the long running environmental program 5050. 5050 is broadcast in South Africa by the National broadcaster. The list of programs he has produced is far too long to incude. He has produced literally hundreds of minutes for the show over the last five years.
International Productions
Battle Trains
History Channel: “Battle Trains” Coral Tree Films produced the South African leg of this popular series. It involved visiting the site where Winston Churchill was captured by the Boers and filming a re-enacting of events as they happened.
The Irish at Rorke’s Drift
RTE, Ireland’s National Broadcaster entrusted Coral Tree Films with the task of capturing the drama that unfolded on the 23rd of January 1879 at Rorke’s Drift in KwaZulu Natal South Africa. Using local Historians and International presenters, Phillip Lennon was able to produce a fascinating piece of History for the people of Ireland concerning the untold story of the Irish involvement in the Battle of Rorke’s Drift.
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Feature Documentaries:
9 Little Elephants … a harsh look at the cruelty inflicted behind the scenes on elephants used in elephant back safaries.
A Planet Weeps … Pakistan was devastated by the worst floods in living memory in 2010. Phillip Lennon went to Pakistan to cover a disaster relief program.
The Gift … Kenya is a country that periodicaly gets torn apart by severe drought. Phillip and his camera captured the harshness of the 2011 drought that ravaged part of this beautiful country.
Libya, A place of Despair … Phillip was in Tripoli 24hours after Muammar Gaddafi’s compound fell. Across the road was the city’s zoo. The animals in the zoo were absolutely traumatized by the battle that had raged on around them for days. A team of animal welfare vets was sent to the zoo to treat injured animals and deliver feed. Phillip captured the brutality of war and it’s impact on the innocent victims trapped in the zoo.
Natalie and Nastia…To date, this was the most heartbreaking of the films Phillip has produced. Filmed from late 2011 till early 2013, it takes a look at the brutal “sport” of bear baiting in Ukraine.
Charity work:
Phillip gives of his own time and experience to help organizations like the Lower South Coast SPCA in producing short informative videos for the animal welfare organization. He also produces many short inserts for a local NPO Looking After Leisure Bay of which he is a founding member.