A New Film Co-Sponsored by SBCWHA
Is Screening Feb 6th & 7th at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Battle of the Blues is a 25-minute narrative film that highlights the population of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) that reside off the US west coast, specifically in Southern California. As the largest animal the world has ever known, these gigantic whales capture people’s imagination not only with their sheer size and beauty but their troubled past and uncertain future as well.
The film follows passionate advocates including Policy Information and Management Officer Sean Hastings, Marine Biologist and Co-Director of Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area Holly Lohuis, and founder/ head researcher for Cascadia Research Collective John Calambokidis, showcasing their work as ocean conservationists. Throughout the film, we learn about the past, present, and future threats to blue whales, as well as the incredible successes this species has endured as their numbers have rebounded from the brink of extinction.
Produced by local wildlife filmmaker Adam Ernster, Adam’s work highlights his dedication to storytelling about the vast oceans, inspired by his global travels and eight years of experience in the Santa Barbara Channel. From documenting the effects of climate change on salmon in Alaska’s wild frontier to capturing the majesty of whales in Monterey Bay’s deep underwater canyons, Adam’s passion for filmmaking has led him on countless adventures around the world. Whether aboard Santa Barbara Whale Watch’s local boat or on remote expeditions, Adam brings years of expertise as a mariner, naturalist, and cameraman, skillfully capturing awe-inspiring wildlife moments.
“THIS FILM HAS BEEN ON MY MIND SINCE MY EARLY DAYS WORKING IN THE CHANNEL. SOME YEARS, LIKE LAST YEAR IN 2024, WE CAN SEE OVER 50 BLUE WHALES FEEDING THROUGHOUT THE CHANNEL; IT’S ONE OF THE MOST AWE-INSPIRING SIGHTS IN NATURE. SOME DAYS WE CAN ALSO SEE UPWARDS OF 10 GIANT CONTAINER SHIPS TRANSITTING THROUGH THE CHANNEL AS WELL. AS I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS, WHALES, AND COMMERCE, I KNEW I NEEDED TO TELL THIS STORY.”
The Santa Barbara Channel is a truly special place not only because of the whales and dolphins that call our backyard home but because of the people that have devoted their lives to its protection
Because of research groups like Cascadia Research Collective, because of programs like Protecting Blue Whales and Blues Skies that reduce the risk of fatal ship strikes to our whales, and because of responsible ecotourism companies that take people out to see the whales, we at SBCWHA are proud to be part of the eleven Whale Heritage Areas now found around the world. We take immense pride in our cultural connection, from the past, present and future responsibilities in safeguarding our local marine environment.
We’re unsure what the future holds for our ocean and the blue whales that call it home. With warming ocean temperatures, climate change and more and more ships crossing our oceans every day. But we can guarantee that we will do everything we can here in the SBCWHA to advocate for their protection.
Please come join us at SBIFF and enjoy the first film we are thrilled to co-sponsor.
Tickets available here to enjoy this beautiful and very inspiring film:
- Thursday February 6th @ 3pm- Film Center
- Friday February 7th @ 8:40pm- Film Center
You can pick up tickets and passes as well as purchase additional tickets at our WillCall office.
Here is the WillCall Office Info:
Ticketing Office at SBIFF’s Education Center
1330 State Street Suite 101
Monday, February 3 – Saturday, February 15, 2025
9:00 am – 8:00 pm.