A new documentary about the changing Salish Sea was recently the talk of the environmentally conscious crowd in Washington DC.
One of three finalists selected for the 2015 Eric Moe Sustainability Film Award, “Reaching Blue – finding Hope beneath the surface” was lauded by National Geographic and others at North America’s largest environmental film festival.
Now in its second year, this international award competition recognizes short films that explore innovative solutions to balancing the needs of humans and nature.”
“Reaching Blue” co-producer and ONC’s Video Specialist, Andy Robertson, attended the festival and introduced the film screening to a full house at National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium.
*2015 Eric Moe Award winners include (from left to right) filmmakers Bridget Besaw, Andy Robertson, Steve Fisher and Jason Jaacks. He also met National Geographic’s CEO Gary Knell, and enjoyed hob-nobbing with the National Geo team and a who’s who of the Washington documentary film scene.
There are two versions of this lyrical, thought-provoking story about a writer, an oyster farmer and an ocean scientist on the Pacific coast, each with a unique perspective on the changes occurring in the Salish Sea.
Launched in 2014, the 20-minute award-winning version shown in Washington has been screened at least 50 times in theatres, lecture halls, community spaces, and meeting rooms across the continent from New York to Seattle.
In Fall of 2014, a 45-minute version of "Reaching Blue" premiered on the CBC television series “Absolutely Vancouver” and may be viewed in its entirety for the next year via CBC player.
An eye-catching visual experience reflecting the Salish Sea, the work of twenty-two cinematographers is featured, including imagery from deep sea submarines, drone cameras, and ocean observatory cameras recording life on the seafloor.
Reflecting on the documentary’s success to date, “’Reaching Blue’ shows that we are all connected to the ocean,” says Andy Robertson, “whether it’s at our doorstep, in our dreams about a beach vacation, or on a big screen.”
