Award-winning director Damon Gameau (Future Council, 2040, That Sugar Film) embarks on a journey to expose a hidden consequence of the climate crisis - the explosion of longspined sea urchins devastating Australia’s kelp forests.

Weaving together insights from Traditional Owners, firsthand accounts from fishers, and lessons learned from emerging industries, White Rock uses stunning stunning visuals and compelling storytelling to highlight the threat, and present tangible solutions to save the kelp forests that surround 70 percent of Australia’s coastline, before it’s too late.

Following the 35 minute film screening, an expert panel will explore how NSW can respond:

Wally Stewart – Walbunja Elder, Director, Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation
Dr Jodi Edwards – Indigenous Senior Research Fellow, University of Wollongong
Dr Tillmann Boehme – Co Founder, University of Wollongong – Blue Futures Translational Research Initiative
Dr Cayne Layton – Marine Ecologist, University of Tasmania
Jo Lane – Founder, Sea Health Products

The discussion will focus on urgent measures to:

Recognise the ecological and cultural emergency facing NSW Sea Country.
Fund urchin removal, kelp restoration and long-term monitoring.
Support a NSW Indigenous Sea Country Partnership so First Nations leadership drives recovery.

The screening will be hosted by Sue Higginson & Cate Faehrmann. The film will be introduced by Stefan Andrews, filmmaker and co-founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation.