Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast International Film Festival

Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert / Canada / 20 min

Cutting-edge underwater drones explore how quadrillions of tiny invasive quagga

mussels are re-engineering the ecosystem of the Great Lakes at a scale not seen

since the glaciers. Part scientific exploration, part natural history adventure – the film

shines a spotlight on freshwater wildlife and environments like never before.

Tyler Schiffman | USA | 9 min

Within the last decade 96% of the kelp forests along California’s coasts have

disappeared. If that many trees disappeared, it would be front-page news

everywhere.” Urgently narrated by Greg Downie, a commercial urchin diver

who, with the disappearance of red sea urchin, has lost his livelihood. This film

educates us about the interdependence of kelp forests, sea-stars, urchins,

and the people who play a role in keeping the ecosystem in balance. 

Chelsea J. Jolly | USA | 25 min

Yakutat, with 400 residents, sits at the mouth of Yakutat Bay north of Glacier

Bay, Alaska. Home to the Tlingit people for centuries, the region offers fishing,

hunting and wild natural beauty, but not much for teenagers––until one native

resident returns from college and introduces them to the pleasures of joyful,

spirit-strengthening surfing, right where they live. Whole families become

involved, contributing boards, wetsuits, and a mix of Tlingit traditions. 

Robert Whitney / USA / 12 min

"Thunder Enlightening" chronicles the week-long deployment a team of Special Operations veterans from FORCE BLUE made to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary as part of their nonprofit organization’s "Tour of Duty".  It is the story of the work they performed, the people they touched and the collective hope that, together, they might inspire others to help preserve and restore one of America’s national treasures. 

Kingdom of Ice

Paul Nicklen & Andy Mann | Canada | 9 min

This bite-sized film takes a “Gary Larsen-esque” look at one of Antarctica’s

most fearsome predators, leopard seals. The bane of hapless penguins, they

confront divers with a fearless ferocity and razor-sharp teeth. The humans

soon discover they are objects of special interest: but as pals…or prey? See

how one encounter revealed our “role” in their world (prepare to be humbled).

A. A. Parker: One Ship, Twice Sunk

Corey Adkins / USA / 12 min

Who would have thought a ship could sink twice? That’s exactly what happened to the wooden steamer A.A. Parker, but on September 19th, 1903, Lake Superior would finally claim the vessel, miraculously no one lost their life. Join us for this mini-documentary and learn how the crew of the Parker was saved in a brave rescue mission. Then, almost 100-years later after it sank, it was discovered by the GLSHS and how they were surprised the way it’s sitting on the bottom of Superior. We also pay an emotional tribute to a diver who loved exploring the bottom of our Great Lakes. 

USA | 16 min

This concise, upbeat film captures the triumph of eelgrass restoration in

Crystal River, Florida. The story unfolds as the community unites to safeguard

manatees, which are threatened by invasive algae. A testament to grassroots

efforts, this film inspires with creative solutions, that illustrate how everyone

can make a difference in preserving ecosystems and protecting wildlife.

A Vision for On-water Experiences at Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast NMS

Great Lakes Outreach Media / USA / 5 min

National marine sanctuaries are living classrooms where people can explore and learn about the nation's spectacular marine life and rich maritime heritage. This short film follows a group of educators and students as they board a research vessel and explore the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary first-hand.