Savannah Film Festival

GARDENER'S OF EDEN (2014) is a feature documentary produced by SEX IN THE CITY actor Kristin Davis. The film tackles the controversial subject of the near extinction of elephants due to China's unrelenting ivory trade. Passionate about the issue and horrified by the daily slaughter taking place in Africa, which threatens to render the peaceful species to extinction, Kristin took it upon herself to produce the film in hopes of educating and informing, to put an end to the brutal massacre. The film depicts the inside operations of Kenya's David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust as they work daily to stop money hungry poachers at the front line of this war.

The film recently played at the 18th annual Savannah Film Festival. Actor/Producer Kristin Davis attended a screening at the SCAD Museum of Art followed by a Q&A and a red carpet appearance. When asked about her first producing experience, Kristin replied: "I am the only producer of this film. I spent my own money in it, I'm promoting it all by myself so this is all I do but I am happy to do it."

When I spoke with her, here is what she had to say:

Can you tell us about your film, Gardens of Eden?

KRISTIN: Sure. My film is a documentary about the elephant poaching crises. It's called Gardeners of Eden. It's on Netflix and I-tunes in the US and imminently in a number of other countries. I hope you watch it!

Is this the beginning of your producing career?

KRISTIN: I have no idea. It was really hard so I don't know. I knew it would be hard but I didn't really set out to make full length feature, I set out to make a 3 minute film, which I did, but everyone was so impassioned by what was going on and my filmmakers were so talented and it turned into a full length feature and I am learning backwards basically as we go. I don't know but we'll see. I guess it's always a surprise.

Films Details: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust works to save elephants in Kenya before they go extinct. Initial release: October 4, 2014. Directors: Anneliese Vandenberg, Austin Peck. Executive producer: Kristin Davis Screenplay: Austin Peck Cast: Daphne Sheldrick, Nick Trent, Julius Shivenga Cinematography: Anneliese Vandenberg, Austin Peck

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) presents the 2015 Savannah Film Festival, which celebrates cinematic creativity from award-winning professionals and emerging filmmakers. The 18th annual festival, held in downtown Savannah, Georgia, ran from Saturday, Oct. 24, to Saturday, Oct. 31.

-Interview by Vanessa McMahon on October 27th, 2015

View film's trailer here: Trailer: