OUR STORYTELLERS

Jono Allen Smiling person with curly hair and casual shirt, seated in a relaxed pose against a textured background.

Jono Allen

Jono is an Australian underwater photographer, freedive instructor, environmental scientist, marine megafauna guide, and filmmaker dedicated to ocean conservation. His work blends science, storytelling, and adventure to inspire action.

He has documented whale migrations across the Coral Triangle, co-developed sustainable marine tourism strategies, and advocates for ethical wildlife interactions. After rescuing an entangled whale shark in the Maldives, he co-founded the Fuvahmulah Marine Foundation and now serves as Media Director for the Miyaru Programme.

As a marine megafauna encounter guide, Jono leads immersive experiences that connect people with the ocean’s most iconic species. Through his globally recognised imagery and films, he highlights the beauty of marine life and the urgent need to protect it.

Jono Allen swimming in the stunning Swallows Cave, Vava'u, Tonga, captured by Jordan Robbins, showcasing the cave's breathtaking beauty.
Jono Allen, conservationist, swimming under the waves of the ocean with a camera to document marine life and whale migration.

Tom Cannon

Man sitting on the beach in the shallow water, holding a professional camera, with a rocky and green hillside in the background.

Tom is a photographer, filmmaker, and ocean advocate driven by a deep love for wildlife and the ecosystems they support. Born in England and raised in Australia, Tom has spent much of his life in and around the ocean, particularly on the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

He is the founder of Protect What You Love, an organisation that uses storytelling and visual media to inspire connection and conservation. The movement began by challenging fear-based narratives around sharks, especially the misunderstood Tiger Shark, and has since grown into a broader mission to protect wildlife through empathy and education.

Tom’s work has received international recognition, with photography credits including National Geographic, assisting with the BBC Natural History Unit, and Sea Legacy. In the field, he’s known for his humility, positivity, and calm presence. Tom continues to lead with compassion, believing that connection is the first step to conservation.

A man with long hair and a beard in water, wearing a wetsuit, examining a blue underwater camera during sunset.
A free diver in black wetsuit and snorkel gear swimming underwater with a large sea turtle.
Lisa Thomas, Director and Producer of In the Wake of Giants, dedicated to documenting whale migration and ocean conservation.

  • PRODUCER | DIRECTOR

    Lisa is an accomplished director with nearly two decades of experience in the television and film industry, having worked across Australia, Canada, and the UK. Her diverse expertise spans all areas of broadcast, from filmmaking to directing live news bulletins, and she holds associate producer and writer credits. In 2024, Lisa co-founded Morii Media Productions, a film production company committed to creating cinematic stories that connect. A passionate storyteller, Lisa brings her love for photography and filmmaking into every project. She is also dedicated to conservation, volunteering for wildlife organizations such as Wires and Orrca. Her global perspective and commitment to impactful storytelling make her a respected leader in the industry.

Cassandra Hampson, Producer of In the Wake of Giants, committed to creating impactful stories on whale migration and ocean conservation.


  • PRODUCER | MARKETING

    Cassie holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in International Marketing and began her career in management and marketing before transitioning into television and production. With a strong foundation in both strategic thinking and creative storytelling, she has worked with major Australian television networks, contributing to high-profile productions, including the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. A passionate traveler, Cassie has lived in Australia, Canada, France, and Denmark, experiences that have shaped her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Kyle Roepke Black and white image of a scuba diver holding an underwater camera on a boat.


  • DIRECTOR | D.O.P.

    Kyle Roepke is an underwater Director of Photography and adventure storyteller with nine years of experience capturing impactful narratives in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.

    Born and raised in rural Oregon, Kyle’s deep connection to nature fuels his passion for visual storytelling. Specializing in underwater cinematography, expedition coverage, and conservation-focused documentaries, he combines artistic vision with technical expertise to bring unseen worlds to the surface.

    Kyle is a certified technical diver with advanced rebreather skills, enabling him to film in extreme underwater conditions and access environments few can reach. He has worked with globally recognized organizations such as the BBC, Discovery, and SeaLegacy, contributing to stories that inspire action and drive awareness. Known for precision, adaptability, and a deep respect for his subjects, Kyle is dedicated to creating visuals that reveal the beauty and fragility of our planet’s wildest places.

Noemi Merz Black and white photo of a woman sitting on rocks by the ocean, holding an underwater camera setup, with a diving mask around her neck.


  • ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

    Noemi is a marine biologist turned cinematographer, combining scientific expertise with a passion for conservation storytelling. With a master’s degree focused on the shark meat trade in Sri Lanka, she has worked extensively in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, documenting marine ecosystems and conservation efforts. Her filmmaking highlights both the challenges facing the ocean and the positive impact of sustainable solutions. Noemi’s deep understanding of marine environments and commitment to visually striking, impactful storytelling drive her mission to inspire awareness and action

Black and white photo of a woman smiling and holding a professional video camera on her shoulder, wearing a cap and casual clothing at the beach with a hill in the background.


  • CINEMATOGRAPHER

    Nicole is a National Geographic Explorer, professional camera operator, and communications specialist dedicated to telling stories of the natural world and our profound connection to it. Focused on expedition filmmaking, underwater animal behavior, and conservation visual storytelling, she creates work that blends fieldwork, data analysis, and filmmaking. Through her work, Nicole aims to inspire a deeper understanding and drive systemic change to protect people and the planet.

Black and white photo of a young woman with long wavy hair, wearing sunglasses on her head, a striped shirt, and a tank top underneath, standing outdoors near a beach with rocks in the background.


  • FIXER, PRODUCER | INDONESIA

    Based in Bali, Magdalena Sastra is a seasoned production professional with extensive experience across international and local projects. Her expertise spans documentaries, TV shows, TVCs, music videos, and digital platforms. Magdalena excels in coordinating all stages of production from pre-production planning and managing locations and permits, to directing field shoots and managing post-production.

    Her strong communication skills and organizational prowess make her an invaluable asset to any team navigating Indonesia’s diverse cultures and production environments.

    Her work has been featured on global platforms including National Geographic, ARTE TV, Channel News Asia, META, Google Indonesia, and more.

Black and white portrait of a man with long hair and a beard, wearing a light-colored button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up, standing with arms crossed against a plain background.


  • IMPACT PRODUCER | PARTNERSHIPS

    Daniel is an award-winning storyteller with a passion for creating impactful, socially driven content across film, television, and digital platforms. His work spans documentary, comedy, drama, and immersive media, with credits for ABC, Netflix, and PBS. A long-time advocate for animal rights and environmental conservation, Daniel brings a global perspective shaped by his love of languages and cultural exploration. An experienced creative multimedia leader, he continues to champion storytelling as a force for connection, awareness, inspiration and ultimately positive change.

A person wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a patterned shirt holding a boom microphone at a rocky beach.


  • SOUND | INDONESIA

    Reza is a professional sound mixer based in Indonesia, with over 11 years of experience in the film, television, and commercial industry. He has worked on a wide range of projects, including feature films, web series, documentaries, and TV commercials.

    With strong expertise in location sound recording and extensive experience operating in RF-crowded environments, Reza is known for delivering clean, reliable audio even under challenging conditions. He is proficient with both analog and digital systems and prioritizes equipment reliability and efficient collaboration on set.

A person standing on rocks by the water holding and operating a drone with a remote control.


  • DRONE PILOT | INDONESIA

    Sherpa Joseph Stephano is a drone pilot and documentary filmmaker based in Bali, Indonesia. He began his career in 2016 with wedding videography before shifting to property videography in 2020. Now his focus is on documentaries, travelling across Indonesia capturing compelling and impactful stories.

    His work includes a Nyepi video for Ayana Museum (Saka Museum) with Overcrank Media, multiple documentary projects, and contributions to Ocean Culture Life’s coral restoration efforts in Makassar. He has also collaborated twice with Orca Aura on the Zayed Awards. Passionate about storytelling, he continues to capture impactful narratives across Indonesia.