Sharks of the Sea of Cortés: A Lost Treasure?
A film by Pelagios Kakunjá and Azuloceano
Just 30 years ago, dense, swirling schools of hammerheads and giant manta rays made the Sea of Cortés - El Golfo de California - a global diving mecca, and created the city of La Paz’ flourishing tourism economy. But in the 1990s, indiscriminate issuance of shark fishing permits allowed multinational fleets to “strip mine” them in critical habitats, including nurseries. This triggered a cascade of collapse among shark populations, so local fisheries and tourism plummeted. But today, scientists and fishermen work closely together to restore and protect this priceless marine ecosystem.
Directed by: James Ketchum
Executive Producer: Sylvia A. Earle
Produced by: Karina Busto Ibarra, James Ketchum
Directors of Photography: Alfredo Barroso, Liisa Juuti
Language: Spanish / English Subtitles
Duration: 27 mins / México, 2021
We thank all of our donors who made this possible! We also want to acknowledge all of whom contributed to the making of this film: interviewees, scientific advisors, photographers, narrator, translator, designers and postproduction crew!
World Premiere: International Ocean Film Festival, July 11-25, 2021
Q&A - Sharks of the Sea of Cortés: A Lost Treasure?
A livestream conversation about the film and discussion about the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortés) and what is being donde to protect this ecosystem. Panelists:
James Ketchum, Director, Sharks of the Sea of Cortés
Max Bello, Advisor Ocean Policy, Mission Blue
Howard Hall, Underwater Filmmaker, Howard Hall Productions
Eréndira Aceves Bueno, Assitant Profesor, College of Environment, University of WA
Ana Blanco, Executive Director, International Ocean Film Festival, Moderator
Monday July 19, 6:00 PM (San Francisco, CA) - 7:00 PM (La Paz, B.C.S.) - 8:00 PM (CDMX)
Radio Interview: KALW Public Media
On July 19th KALW Public Media presented an interview about the film “Sharks of the Sea of Cortés: A Lost Treasure?”, with guests:
Dr. James Ketchum, director of the film, lead scientist and co-founder of Pelagios Kakunjá.
Alfredo Barroso, award winning underwater cameraman who specializes in natural history.
Liisa Juuti, underwater camera operator who works for wildlife documentaries about oceans.
Radio Interview: Sustentable @Aire Libre
Mexican journalist Alberto Tinoco Guadarrama interviewed Dr. James Ketchum about the release of the new documentary “Sharks of the Sea of Cortés: A lost Treasure?”. The interview was recorded on 27/07/21 for Sustentable, a radio program dedicated to highlight the environment and what people are doing in Mexico and other parts of the world to protect nature and its biodiversity.
Film Festivals
Awards:
Cinematic European Film Festival (Romania) - Honorable Mention
Ciudad de México International Film Festival (México) - Best Documentary Short
Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival (United States) - Audience Feedback Video, Audience Award: Best Sound & Music
Fauna Tepoztlán Animal Festival (México) - Domingo Award “Respeto a la vida salvaje”
Hispanic International Film Festival (United States) - Exceptional Merit
Nature Without Borders International Film Festival (United States) - Exceptional Merit Award
Short Film Factory (Romania) - Best Nature
Shorts Mexico (México) - Mexican Documentary Short Film Special Mention
Official Selection:
Catalina Film Festival (United States) - October, 2022 - Official Selection
CineEco (Portugal) - October, 2022 - Official Selection
Ecoador Festival Internacional de Cine Ambiental (Ecuador) - September, 2022 - Official Selection
Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival (United States) - Audience Feedback Video
Festival Internacional de Cine Tequila (México) - April, 2022 - Tequila, Jalisco. FICTEQ Official Selection
Friday Harbor Film Festival (United States) - October, 2022 - Official Selection
International Ocean Film Festival (United States) - April, 2022 - IOFF Film Festival
International Underwater Film Festival Belgrade (Serbia) - December, 2021
One Earth Awards (India) - March, 2022
Paris Shark Fest (Francia) - September, 2022 - Program 2022
S.O.F.A. Film Festival (Animals, Wildlife, Environment, Conservation) (Online) - October, 2022 - Official Selection
Screenings October 2022:
Film Screenings of “Sharks of the Sea of Cortés: A Lost Treasure?” in October, 2022
Screenings November 2022:
Festival de Cine Todos Santos, Thursday, November 3, Teatro Manuel Márquez de León, 11:40 AM
Screenings from Shorts Mexico at Cinemanía, Wednesday, November 16, Plaza Loreto, Ciudad de México, 18:00 hrs
Special Fall Film Series 2022, FAUNA Tepoztlán Animal Festival, Winners of the “Domingo” Award “Respect of Wildlife”. Screening at Filminlatino from November 20-30 only available in México. Subscribe to Filminlatino and enjoy the film for free!
