Christopher Cilfone | Filmmaker | Principal Investigator | Torrington, CT USA
At his core, Chris is a storyteller. He utilizes the mediums of film, photography, and narration to portray stories of environmental hope and success. He has showcased his short films in festivals across the US, Europe, and North Africa winning awards at every stop. His work has garnered millions of views and inspired and educated thousands on ocean conservation. Most notably, his short, One Voice, was presented at COP21 in France to leaders from around the globe with the hope of inspiring action on climate change.
In 2018, he received the first-ever National Marine Fisheries Service commercial/educational photography permit, allowing him and his team to approach Humpback whales in Maui County waters in order to gather footage for Koholā Film Project. He has partnered with National Geographic as an Explorer and a Leader on National Geographic’s Student Expeditions Program.
As a naturalist for several years in Alaska, Chris has witnessed first-hand the effects of climate change and has seen – on a large scale – the connection between land and sea. Chris is on a mission to inspire a new wave of conservation: one that demands action, one that is driven by hope, and one that continues to go green, but – at its core – will always be blue!
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
2011 - I was an instructor at a marine science camp in the Keys. Just out of college, bright eyed and hopeful. Unaware, though, of the potential I had to incite change. International week brought 100s of high-schoolers from around the world to discuss ocean issues. After seeing the capacity for unity and thirst for knowledge those teenagers possessed, I volunteered to give the closing keynote. Racking my brain for the perfect message, I decided on one of hope. We are all caretakers of the sea, I told them, and it's our responsibility to be its voice.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I graduated with a degree in marine biology and one in film theory. After school, I went the education route and starting teaching kids about our marine environment. Along the way, I realized the potential film had in educating as well as inspiring. I became a national geographic explorer, using my storytelling abilities to educate and inspire everyone that'll listen. I'm currently running my own nonprofit, called Koholā Film Project, with the mission to document the undocumented ocean.
.What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
Growing up, my family would spend the summer in a little red shack on the coast of Rhode Island. I remember, vividly, walking the shore looking for treasures that may have washed up during the night. Fishing for crabs off the pier. Getting pummeled by the surf. Racing our bikes through the salt marshes... sandy, salty, and sunburt all summer long. Reflecting back, those core memories were the markers that blazed my path of ocean conservation.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
The ego needs to die. It's the reason why nothing can truly change. Collaboration; sharing data and information, compromise, being open to new ideas is not only crucial but necessary. Without checking the ego we won't be able to save anything, including ourselves.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an ocean Storyteller?
Discovery is the catalyst for conservation. Help your audience discover what you love the most. When that happens we'll be unstoppable.
WEBSITE: www.koholafilm.org
INSTAGRAM: @vagabond_of_the_sea
