Rising Tides of Hope: Stories of Ocean Optimism

Co-organized

Revekka Balancier and Ellen Spooner are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Adam McCain.

Donation protected

The Story:

Rising Tides of Hope: Stories of Ocean Optimism is a collection of three distinct stories, each a testament to our all-important relationship with the sea. Marc Chavez, founder of Native Like Water shares his journey of bringing indigenous youth to reconnect with the water near the land their ancestors were removed from. Jane Relan, M.D., of the Seal Conservancy tells the story of recovering from a tragic loss by making it her mission to protect newborn seals along the beach. And Ellen Spooner tells her own tale of how she turned her anxiety about the future of the ocean and struggles during the pandemic into leading the next generation of the Ocean Optimism movement. Rising Tides of Hope follows these diverse paths from the depths of difficult times to the bright horizon of the future.

The Producers:

Rising Tides of Hope is a collaboration between Ellen Spooner and Adam McCain. Ellen is leading the next generation of the Ocean Optimism movement to create a new narrative of hope for our oceans and share solutions that inspire people to take action. She is a Marine Scientist and Science Storyteller working for Leading Solutions in support of NOAA, a podcast host and speaker at the Green Summit. Ellen partnered with Adam McCain, a filmmaker who specializes in environmental storytelling to co-produce the Rising Tides of Hope.

The Need:

The short documentary is currently in the production phase and seeking financial support to cover the costs of production and post-production. The short is a passion project to help change the narrative about ocean conservation, expand people's sense of what is possible and most importantly to inspire action.

Please help us tell these stories of struggle and hope, by making a donation in time to have the film toured in film festivals around the world, beginning with the San Diego Environmental Film Festival in November 2022.

We appreciate your support.