OCEAN

INTRODUCTION: Short Doc, WIND FARM – 6 mins

Awarding-Winning OCEAN
Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios 
The Revive Our Ocean Team
a Climate Action NOW Monthly Film Festival Film
Monday October 27, 2025

Ocean with David Attenborough takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the  ocean. In the film the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.

Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.

OUR AWESOME PANEL:

SHANNON CURTIS – is the Assistant Division Director of Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division, where he specializes in clean water initiatives and sustainable stormwater management practices. With over 26 years in environmental science and urban planning, Shannon is dedicated to enhancing water quality and promoting effective stormwater solutions in Fairfax County. His expertise in clean water policies and innovative planning strategies has led to numerous successful projects aimed at reducing pollution and improving local waterways. Passionate about environmental stewardship, Shannon leads a variety of stormwater and watershed assessment, management, and regulatory programs for Fairfax County including: extensive stream assessments, protocols development, watershed management planning, environmental data mapping and analysis, environmental education, and pollution control and enforcement efforts.  He is a VA Tech alum and is a lifelong Northern VA native.

WHITNEY REDDING is Director and “volunteer in chief” of Friends of Holmes Run, a grassroots 501(c)3 that seeks to protect and restore the natural functions of the Holmes Run/Cameron Run watershed through strategic actions, public education, and advocacy.  Friends of Holmes Run connects property owners and community volunteers who are motivated to protect their local streams and green spaces but have no real knowledge on how to go about it, with the necessary knowledge, volunteer opportunities, training and access to resources.

DEAN NAUJOKS is a dedicated environmental advocate with over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. His journey began in 1991 with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and after earning a self-designed degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development from NC State University, he became the first Upper Neuse Riverkeeper from 2001 to 2008. He later took on the role of the first Riverkeeper for the Yadkin River, serving as Executive Director of Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc. until 2014, where he actively engaged the community in vital conservation efforts.

Dean’s impactful work has garnered significant recognition, including River Network’s National River Heroes Award in 2009, celebrating his leadership in protecting rivers. Under his stewardship, Yadkin Riverkeeper also received the 2011 Water Conservation Organization of the Year award from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. Most recently, he was honored with the 2019 Waterkeeper Outstanding Win (WOW) Award from Waterkeepers Chesapeake for his successful fight for safe coal ash disposal in Virginia. Dean’s inspiring journey exemplifies the powerful impact one person can have on environmental preservation.

MODERATOR:

ELLE KATHERINE CLEVELAND is an English and Communication Major at George Mason University, where she is dedicated to honing her skills in effective communication and literary analysis. Raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, Elle’s formative years were enriched by her deep connection to nature, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the environment. Her passion for the natural world informs her academic pursuits and creative endeavors, as she seeks to explore the intersection of language, culture, and the great outdoors.

WIND FARM FILMMAKER:

PAUL JULIAN is a writer, filmmaker, and attorney from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He balances a passion for the arts with a legal practice focused on business litigation and government affairs. His writing has appeared in several literary journals, including Verse Virtual, Right Hand Pointing, and other publications.

EVENT SPONSOR: Climate Action NOW (CAN) 501c3. EVENT PARTNERS: FIRA, Trace – The Zero Waste Store, American Solar, Go Electric DMV.

BOOK SEATS NOW before sold out! Theatre only holds 240.