Sharkwater, a Genie nominated documentary, about possibly the most misunderstood species in the ocean, and a vital connection to human survival, follows Rob Stewart an underwater filmmaker, as he sets out to showcase the hidden beauty, and importance of sharks.

Wrote By: Katie Clancy (Calgary Correspondent - Canada)

Sharkwater, a Genie nominated documentary, about possibly the most misunderstood species in the ocean, and a vital connection to human survival, follows Rob Stewart an underwater filmmaker, as he sets out to showcase the hidden beauty of sharks. The adventure includes gun boat chasings, pirate boat rammings, the shark fin mafia and dealings with corrupt governments, if that wasn't enough Stewart defies death by surviving a flesh eating disease while making this film. It is an expose of the shark finning industry and a thoughtful study about sharks. It will change the way you think about the once maligned predators. A surprise hit, Sharkwater is a beautiful and enlightening film.

A ‘n' E Vibe (Katie Clancy): So you are from Toronto originally? Do you travel a lot? 

Rob Stewart: I'm from Toronto though I haven't been home in about two months. I'm going to be in LA full time starting in July. I travel a lot, I've been so many places.  

A ‘n' E Vibe (Katie Clancy): So you studied Biology? Where did you study?

Rob Stewart: I studied Zoology and animal behavior at the University of Western Ontario. Following that I studied in Kenya and Jamaica. 

A ‘n' E Vibe: Why did you set out to make a film about Sharks? What is it that you find so compelling about them?

Rob Stewart: Sharks are like the last Dragons, they are some of the most important predators on earth. Sharks survived 5 major extinctions over 400 million years. They have more senses than people. They have evolved into the perfect predators. They are at the top of the food chain.  

A ‘n' E Vibe: Did you have any prior experience before making the documentary? Why did you decide to create a film about sharks?

Rob Stewart: I was already an underwater photographer, but I had never used a video camera. When I started Sharkwater I was 22 years old. I knew no one in the film industry, and I had no allies. I knew it was a long shot, but I decided to give it a try. At first I was just trying to take beautiful underwater footage of sharks, but things unfolded differently.

A ‘n' E Vibe: It sounds like everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Did you ever think about giving up? 

Rob Stewart: I dealt with corruption and espionage, with pirates. At one point, I had Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, and Tuberculosis at the same time. Everyone was telling me to come home to get proper medical care, but I was also a couple hundred thousand in debt. I was a few months into shooting a movie about sharks with no footage of them. I knew that if I gave up and went home that this film would never get made. The fancy cameras would have to be returned and I would be in a hole for the rest of my life. It was my chance to make a difference, and I had to take it.

I came back from shooting with no money, I broke up with my girlfriend. I went to every film festival to pitch the film and gain support to finish Sharkwater. Every broadcaster and distributor I talked with turned me down, they didn't think it was commercial. I gave up on Sharkwater, and went to shoot a starfish movie for a friend of mine in Australia. I came home and looked at the footage and I knew I had the missing pieces. Everything going wrong ended up being a beautiful thing, because I think it gave the story a personal narrative.

A ‘n' E Vibe: How did you decide on the name Sharkwater? 

Rob Stewart: There was another working title, but it wasn't commercial. I had been using Sharkwater as a screen name and we decided to use that.  

A ‘n' E Vibe: Do you think we can still save the sharks?

Rob Stewart: For sure. We can still save them, but we need to get people involved.

A ‘n' E Vibe: Do you have any advice for people who want to get involved and help to save the sharks? 

Rob Stewart: Just take the first step. Just start doing something. So many people think "I don't know what to do." So they don't do anything...Write letters. Start raising awareness. Tell all your friends and family, hold screenings of Sharkwater. Start directing people towards sustainability. Use your government wisely.

A ‘n' E Vibe: Do you have any plans for the future? Will there be any new projects on the go? 

Rob Stewart: I'm going on vacation for a month and half, and then I will be starting on a new film.

Thanks for talking Rob! 

To learn more about Sharkwater go to: www.sharkwater.com