The size of a smaller theater at the Cannes film festival doesn’t affect the impact that a film can have on its audience. Sharkwater Extinction is a documentary detailing the shark fishing industry and the effects it has had on shark populations. The film was started by documentarian and conservationist Rob Stewart, who tragically died during filming essentially giving his life to spread awareness of this issue, and was finished by the Rob Stewart Foundation in collaboration with his family, director Sturla Gunnarsson and editor Nick Hector. Before the screening of this film, Stewart’s parents spoke on behalf of their son and his mission to spread awareness of shark poaching and marine life preservation as a whole. Not often does a film where the director passes during filming get finished, but those around him and those in the film industry worldwide felt the need to finish the film and spread his message.

Rob’s work in both communities around the world and cinematography have made great impacts on his viewers and on the shark population. His efforts in both fields have inspired people to join the cause and governments to change their preservation policies regarding shark finning. Rob’s film has been shown in various film festival around the world from Vancouver, Canada to now Cannes, France, helping to spread his message and his specialized work underwater. 

Watch the clip below to see the introduction given by Rob's parents and Patrice Theroux excutiv producer and Bruno Chatelin festival agent:

Sharkwater Extinction from the Award Winning Director of Sharkwater and Revolution has been selected to play at the Positive Cinema Week in Cannes. We would be thrilled to have you attendthis very spoecial screening which will be introduced by Rob's parents Brian and Sandy, and Patrice Theroux the exceutive prodducer who completed the film after Rob tragic diving accident on the shooting.

Sharkwater Extinction screens May 16 at Alexandre 3 Cinema at 12:00 noon sharp (19 Boulevard Alexandre III, 06400 Cannes)

You can RSVP HERE
 
 

" 150 000 000 sharks are killed each year and scientists only account for 70 000 000 of those, there are 80 000 000 sharks that are killed every year and nobody knows why nor where they are going, but WE figured this out.... and if we bring this to the public, things will change."

Rob Stewart

Sharkwater: Extinction (2018) is a thrilling, action packed journey that follows filmmaker Rob Stewart’s, hard-nosed expose of the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it, a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks. From West Africa, Spain, Panama, Costa Rica, France, and even in our own backyard, Stewart's third film dives into the underworld of the pirate fishing trade to expose a multi-billion dollar industry.  Shark finning is still rampant, with shark fin soup still being consumed on an enormous scale, and endangered sharks are routinely added to our everyday products, many intended for human consumption. Stewart’s mission is to save the sharks and oceans before it’s too late. But exposing illegal activities isn’t easy and protecting sharks has earned him some powerful enemies.

Rob was a biologist, conservationist, activist and filmmaker. Sharkwater: Extinction follows his two internationally award winning films, Sharkwater (2006) and Revolution (2012). Sharkwater brought the devastating issue of shark finning used in shark fin soup to the world stage. Revolution was the first feature film to expose the devastating effects that Ocean Acidification would bring; much worse than scientists had thought climate change would be.   Born in 1979 and raised in Toronto, Stewart graduated from the University of Western Ontario. He dedicated his life to conservation, saying: “Conservation is the preservation of human life.  And, that, above all else is worth fighting for.” He taught the world to love the oceans and their creatures and not fear sharks through his iconic images of hugging and free diving with sharks and mantas.

Click to watch Rob's Video

 
Festivals Placements:  Bruno Chatelin
 
Websites: Sharkwater I  Revolution I Revolution on filmfestivals.com