​Return to Ellison Reef is a powerful short film about the reef that sparked Australia’s modern ocean conservation movement. Sixty years after the original fight that saved it from being mined, Ellison Reef once again becomes a touchstone for what’s at stake as climate change accelerates. More than a historical record, this film is a rallying story of science, culture and community at the heart of today’s reef protection efforts.

 

By linking past action with present-day challenges, it inspires a new generation of reef defenders and reminds Australians that the Fight for the Reef is the fight for all reefs.

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Hosted by the Ocean Lovers Festival and presented by AMCS, the world premiere of this short film blends science, art, culture and underwater storytelling to reflect on the legacy of the original Fight for the Reef campaign and the urgency driving today’s efforts.

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A post screening panel of campaigners, scientists, Mandubarra Sea Country rangers and filmmakers will explore the cultural significance of Ellison Reef, the findings of the resurvey and the growing movement calling for bold action to protect all reefs.

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Return to Ellison Reef is both a tribute and a call to action, reminding us that hope is strengthened through evidence, community and care for Sea Country.