Western Australian coastline wins big at Wildlife Conservation Film Festival

Shot across multiple destinations in Western Australia, Jamien Hudson’s ‘From Sky to Sea’ has won the award for the Best Drone category at the 2021 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival. The film features Jamien’s spectacular aerial whale and dolphin imagery.

Unbeknown to most, Jamien is confined to a wheelchair and embarking on a quest to become the world’s first underwater cinematographer with quadriplegia. From Sky to Sea tells the story of Jamien’s struggle against the constraints of his disability and the concerns of those around him as he sets out to prove to himself and the world that nothing will keep him from achieving his dreams.

The film is themed around social impact, aiming to not only advocate for discussions on disability but also promote interest in the landscapes and wildlife of Western Australia.

“From the pristine coastal landscapes in Esperance, spotting humpback whales off Rottnest Island near Perth, to swimming with whale sharks and humpback whales at Ningaloo Reef – the film captures some of WA’s most incredible coastal scenery and marine life encounters,” describes Tourism Australia.

Four-time Emmy® Award nominee and Director of From Sky To Sea, Leighton De Barros, agrees that Western Australia is a very special area to film in due to its isolation and rugged, stunning and natural beauty.

“Western Australia has an amazing variety of coastal habitats, environments and marine life, it’s truly like no other place in the world,” says De Barros.

The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival will celebrate its eleventh year in New York City, screening more than 100 films, including a series of world premieres, from around the globe from October 14 – 21. The festival brings together film producers and scientists to showcase their films and participate in panel discussions and Q&A’s, representing a range of countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The festival’s mission is to inform, engage and inspire audiences about the need and importance of the protection of global biodiversity.

Those who cannot attend the festival can tune in to the Virtual Film Festival Event from November 5 – December 10. Further information and registration will appear on the website in late October.