subtle way for viewers to understand the gravity of the topic.
In addition to producing powerful films, Gianna spends her time teaching future filmmakers at Montana State University and is also the executive director of Ocean Media Institute.
OMI works to expand the public’s knowledge of ocean issues and to encourage conservation by taking an artistic approach to ocean education. Gianna explains that OMI’s mission is three-fold: Create, Educate, and Advocate. They do this by, 1) teaching scientists to communicate their stories in interesting ways and working with them to produce and distribute innovative media that compliments their research; 2) pairing media-makers with scientists on expedition to create compelling narratives; 3) shedding light on ocean issues by sharing personal stories of those we seldom hear from, yet whose lives are deeply impacted by each ebb and flow through OMI's signature I Am Ocean campaign.
Founded in 2014 with filmmaker, Jeff Reed, OMI has seen great success in a short period of time under their leadership. Two of OMI's films, I am Ocean: Chad Wiggins and In Pursuit of Plastics were finalists at the BLUE Ocean Film Fest and Chad Wiggins is an official selection at the Le Bois Film Festival. Their film, I am Ocean: Pua Case, won "Best Dotcomentary" at the Reef Renaissance Film Festival and is an official selection in both Ethnografilm Paris and Ekotopfilm in Slovakia. Looking ahead, I am Ocean: Philippines is in edit mode and their newest film, The Shape of a River, about the Yellowstone River, will be touring this spring.
Asked to share advice for future filmmakers, Gianna encouraged others to be bold, take risks, and step out of their comfort zone.
"Latch onto the surprises within the story, those 'wait, what?’ moments," Gianna said. "That's where the energy lies. And find the universal message that speaks to everyone. When you find that common ground, true bridges can be built."
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About Pua Case: As a mother and teacher, chanter and dancer, cultural practitioner and activist, Pua Case is quintessential Storyteller -- and her lessons run deep. She teaches that when you learn about the place where you live, you will always possess a responsibility to care for that place. Raised by her elders in Waimea on Hawai’i Island, she knows intimately of the relationship her people shared with the land and the sea and she has devoted her life to reconnecting people with their sacred traditions. From the summit of Mauna Kea to the depths of the Pacific Ocean, her profound connection to both fuels her passion, shapes her prayers, and ignites her belief that a deeper understanding of ancestral knowledge will restore our natural balance with the environment.
About I Am Ocean: I Am Ocean creates an interactive bridge across oceans and cultures by casting a light on the health of the world's oceans through video snapshots of the people whose lives are deeply impacted by each ebb and flow. OMI pairs with international organizations and schools to teach environmental filmmaking workshops where students learn to tap in and use the power of their own voice to tell the story of their personal relationship with the ocean in the midst of a changing climate. Pairing their stories with powerful imagery, we integrate the students' footage into "video postcards" that serve as a direct call to action for stauncher protections of our seas. These individual postcards act as a piece of a mosaic, each adding to the portrait of our blue planet by illuminating just how intricately entwined each human life is with the health of the ocean and the critical need to protect this fierce, yet fragile environment.