Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 04/2016 | Page 114

VIDEO REVIEW Making an Ordinary Life an Extraordinary Experience Follow Ellen Cuylaerts from overcoming her fear of water to becoming a shark advocate and defender EPIPHANY IS A real life story about conquering fear and protecting endangered animals, seen through the eyes of a wildlife photographer and mother of an autistic family. As this magazine was going to press, the film’s creator Michael Maes was thrilled to inform us that Epiphany won the category “Best Documentary Feature” at the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival. SDOP 112 FROM COMPUTERS TO CINEMATOGRAPHY Michael is a successful wildlife filmmaker, specialising in big animals and animal behaviour. His portfolio, both underwater and topside, spans the polar regions, temperate waters and the tropics. He has a passionate interest in polar bears and Arctic whales. Ending a career in IT, in 2012, he followed his passion and moved to full-time cinematography. His work has been broadcast on various national television channels, including National Geographic Wild Wild, Outside Television and CBC, and he has received recognition at numerous international film festivals. Michael realised the impact of storytelling through pictures and film and uses this platform to bring awareness of the remarkable wildlife realm to the broader public. At the heart of his films are the beauty and fragility of our blue planet; from the