In the Wake of Giants is a feature documentary that follows ocean storytellers Jono Allen and Tom Cannon as they travel through Western Australia’s Nyinggulu coastline and remote islands of the Indo-Pacific. As they move through places where the ocean is central to culture and daily life, the film explores what it means to visit these environments with care and responsibility.

Told through quiet, intimate moments above and below the surface, the film looks at our impact as visitors and asks how we can protect the ocean without overlooking the people who live closest to it. It is a story of connection, culture, and what it means to belong to the sea rather than take from it.

More people than ever are travelling to experience wildlife, especially whales, manta rays, and other marine species. When done with respect, these encounters can create jobs, support conservation, and deepen our connection to the natural world.

But unregulated tourism and increasing environmental pressure can harm the very ecosystems we depend on.

This film shows that conservation is complex and that meaningful protection begins within communities themselves. It’s not just about saving a species. It’s about shaping a future where people and the ocean can coexist in a way that is sustainable, culturally grounded, and respectful.

Jono Allen is an underwater storyteller and conservationist whose life has been shaped by close encounters with whales and other marine megafauna. His work now spans ethical tourism, science communication, and policy discussions around wildlife protection.

Tom Cannon is a photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Protect What You Love. His work focuses on education, community connection, and inspiring people to form meaningful relationships with the ocean.

Jono and Tom approach the ocean from different angles, yet they share a deep love for its wildlife. Their perspectives often challenge each other, especially when their beliefs about conservation are confronted by lived experience. Following them allows viewers to journey alongside two relatable guides who are learning, listening, and questioning in real time.

Most nature documentaries focus on the animals. In the Wake of Giants focuses on the relationship between people, place, and the ocean.

Instead of arriving with solutions, the film pays attention to how communities understand and protect the sea through lineage, daily life, and cultural knowledge. Jono and Tom aren’t positioned as experts arriving to direct change. They are there to listen, reflect, and examine their own impact.

The film asks not only how we protect marine life, but how we do so in a way that honours the people who share their lives with these ecosystems.

The documentary is directed by Lisa Thomas and produced by Morii Media Productions. The team includes conservationists Jono Allen and Tom Cannon, Director of Photography Kyle Roepke, and producer/marketing lead Cassandra Hampson. We are also working closely with industry experts and local communities to ensure authenticity and impact.

Filming is taking place across three ocean regions:

• Nyinggulu (Ningaloo Reef), Western Australia – a meeting place of desert and sea, home to whale sharks, manta rays, and seasonal migrations.

• Remote islands of the Indo-Pacific within the Coral Triangle – communities whose lives are closely tied to the rhythms of the ocean and who hold deep cultural and ecological knowledge.

• The Kingdom of Tonga – ancestral waters where whales return each year, offering a model for how ethical wildlife experiences can support conservation and communities.

Each region offers a different lens on how people and the ocean live alongside one another.

We are committed to a reduced-impact production. This includes:

• Hiring local crew wherever possible

• Limiting travel and consolidating shoots

• Offsetting necessary emissions

• Using existing footage to reduce impact while maintaining cinematic quality

Sustainability has shaped not only how we film, but how we think about our presence in the places we visit.

Yes. There are many ways to support the project and its impact:

• Share the film with your community

• Attend screenings and conversations

• Get involved in local conservation initiatives

• Follow our social platforms

• Subscribe to our newsletter

• Join opportunities when we open roles in fundraising, outreach, and community engagement

Your support helps the film reach the people and places where it can make the most difference.

In the Wake of Giants is currently in production, with several shoots already completed. Once filming and post‑production are finished, the film will be released through select film festivals, special community screenings, and later on streaming platforms so viewers around the world can watch.

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