Rob Stewart

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Summary Profile

Rob Stewart is an award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker. His film, Sharkwater, won the most documentary film awards in 2007, bringing in more than 30 awards at international film festivals, including a Canada's Top Ten Award at the Toronto Film Festival.

The Toronto native began studying underwater photography when he was only 13 years old, and went on to become a scuba instructor trainer five years later. Prior to making Sharkwater, Stewart spent four years travelling the world as chief photographer for the Canadian Wildlife Federation's magazines and as an award-winning freelance photographer.

He has led expeditions to the most remote areas of the world, and has logged thousands of hours underwater. His work has appeared in nearly every media form worldwide, including BBC Wildlife, Asian Diver, Outpost, Entertainment Tonight, Discovery Channel, and ABC.

His idea for Sharkwater began while Stewart was on assignment to photograph sharks in the Galapagos Islands. He discovered people were using an illegal commercial fishing technique called long lining that was indiscriminately killing sharks within the marine reserve. After his attempts to create awareness through print campaigns failed, he decided to make a film to bring people closer to sharks.

This remarkable journey took more than four years, went through 15 different countries, and encompassed more than 400 hours of footage. It also involved corruption, espionage, attempted murder charges, and mafia rings, along with other obstacles including life-threatening health risks for Stewart. In the end, Sharkwater became an incredible human drama instead of an underwater film.

Rob Stewart has had a life-long fascination with sharks and put his own safety in jeopardy to create awareness for one of the ocean's most misunderstood creatures. Audiences will be captivated by his determination and courage as he shares how he overcame multiple challenges to tell his story.

Highlights  

• Sharkwater had the largest opening weekend of any Canadian documentary, and the third largest opening of a documentary in Canadian history, second only to Fahrenheit 911 and Supersize Me
• Authored the hardcover book, Sharkwater: An Odyssey to Save the Planet
• Sharkwater was the most award-winning documentary in 2007, garnering more than 30 awards at film festivals around the world
• Sharkwater premiered at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival and won a Canada's Top Ten Award

Client Testimonials:

"Getting Rob Stewart to speak, very impressive!"

"I heard from many who attended the Sharkwater breakout, it was amazing and kept the audience on the edge of their seats wanting to hear and learn more."

Service Alberta