Western Australian documentary announced in inaugural Climate Story Lab Australia
A Western Australian documentary detailing the success of a First Nations business in resurrecting Australia’s sea cucumber trade and restoring seagrass has been selected to take part in the inaugural Climate Story Lab Australia.
Directed by Karla Hart and produced by Renee Kennedy, Saltwater Cowboys of Shark Bay is one of seven documentary projects selected for the three-day event, which will be held from 26-28 August in Sydney (Gadigal).
The six-part series, executive produced by Renée Kennedy, Nathan Gibbs and Karla Hart, tells the story of Malgana entrepreneur Michael Wear and his indigenous start-up, Tidal Moon, in restoring the ecosystem of Shark Bay (Guthaaguda) as they grow the business, empower community and combat climate change.
Saltwater Cowboys of Shark Bay. Photograph by Tidal Moon
Co-hosted by Documentary Australia and the Doc Society, Climate Story Lab Australia will bring together climate documentary makers with climate experts, First Nations leaders, consultants, community, advocates and philanthropists to workshop strategic climate storytelling.
It aims to strengthen climate storytelling projects and impact campaigns, spur partnerships to mobilise strategic audiences and funding opportunities, and grow confidence in the power of social impact storytelling.
Nathan Gibbs said: “Three years ago, Malgana man Michael Wear shared his inspiring vision to launch an Indigenous-led business sustainably harvesting sea cucumbers from the waters of Gutharraguda, also known as Shark Bay. I was captivated by the concept, recognising its potential to empower the community and protect the environment while making for compelling television. To have the project selected as part of the Climate Story Lab is an incredible opportunity for our team.”
Karla Hart said: “I love the concept of Saltwater Cowboys and was inspired to be part of the team because I love what Michael and the team at Tidal Moon are doing in Shark Bay and their aspirations for the future. With deep connections to the ocean from my grandmother’s Goreng boodja, particularly Bremer Bay, I care about what happens to our oceans and I am excited to be a part of the cohort in Sydney to raise the profile of Tidal Moon, their endeavours, and the Shark Bay community. I also am looking forward to learning more about how we can use the platform of film to make powerful statements and change.”
Renee Kennedy said: “I’m thrilled that Saltwater Cowboys of Shark Bay has been chosen for the inaugural Climate Story Lab. Michael Wear’s pioneering vision to establish an Indigenous-led fishing business in Gutharraguda (Shark Bay), focused on sustainable sea cucumber harvesting and seagrass restoration, is both groundbreaking and deeply tied to Malgana cultural and historical roots. This is a remarkable opportunity for our team to work alongside industry experts to develop a compelling impact campaign for this extraordinary screen project.”
Screenwest Documentary Executive Melissa Hayward said: “Climate Story Lab Australia is an exciting opportunity for documentary makers, combining storytelling and strategy to drive real-world change. Screenwest is proud to support WA’s participation in this national initiative, with Saltwater Cowboys of Shark Bay exemplifying the kind of distinctive, compelling, and locally grounded story needed on the climate front.”
Climate Story Lab Australia is supported by Screenwest, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Screen Queensland and the Shark Island Foundation.
Other successful projects to join the inaugural line-up include, documentary podcast Austinmer 2515 which follows a town’s journey to electrification, feature documentary Moblands on First Nations cowboys utilising traditional practices to care for Country, and feature documentary Confidential Gas Project, which uncovers the global supply chain and impacts of the gas industry.
The Climate Story Lab model was first piloted by Doc Society and Exposure Labs in New York in 2019 and has since been successfully rolled out with 33 events around the world.
Learn more about Climate Story Lab Australia here.