In the Footsteps of Elephant (2020)

In "In the Footsteps of Elephant," we trail behind a band of intrepid filmmakers as they undertake the monumental task of documenting the grand odyssey of African elephants across the unforgiving Kalahari desert for Disneynature's "Elephant". Battling the harsh elements, the team traverses treacherous landscapes, navigates crocodile-infested waters, and engages in close calls with lions, all in a pursuit to illuminate the awe-inspiring lives of these majestic creatures and their age-old migrations. The Herculean task begins with the transportation of the crew and an impressive five tons of camera gear to the secluded heart of the Okavango Delta, an annual rendezvous point for the elephant herds. Despite the elephants' colossal stature, finding them in a sprawling 4,000-square-mile wilderness proves to be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. But serendipity strikes when a local biologist, who tracks elephant populations, lends a helping hand. Once the herd is identified, the real chase begins. Outpaced by the elephants who can cover up to 30 miles per day in their relentless quest for paradise, the crew turns adversity into innovation. They mount a stabilized camera, typically used for aerial filming, on their truck, crafting a fresh perspective for their extraordinary narrative. However, filming in the wild African landscapes is not without its perils. Crew members come face-to-face with crocodiles, find lions hunting impala within their campsite, and capture a nocturnal standoff between a lion and an elephant mother and calf - all from the unsettling openness of a truck. But the risks are greatly eclipsed by the rewards. The filmmakers share cherished memories, from playful scenes of a young calf frolicking with lechwes and egrets, to touching moments of an elephant herd paying homage to a fallen comrade, to the heart-stopping sight of a newborn elephant taking its first steps. Over the course of the year-long expedition, the team grows deeply enamored with their subject, the elephants, celebrating every eccentricity and unique charm. As the journey loops back to its origin, the crew, filled with anticipation, eagerly awaits the return of their beloved herd, marking the end of an unforgettable chapter in their lives and the beginning of another.

In the Footsteps of Elephant is a documentary movie featuring Jeremy Sisto and directed by Vanessa Berlowitz.

In the Footsteps of Elephant is currently streaming on Disney Plus.