PRESS RELEASE Guardians of the Tide

The MY HERO Project is happy to announce that the production team behind “Guardians of the Tides” have been named student finalists for the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award. The short documentary follows the work of sea turtle conservationists in Malaysia and their efforts to protect one of the country's most iconic marine species and the fragile ecosystems they call home.

From "Guardians of the Tides"Courtesy of Chuah Yi Ling, Charmaine Tee

Created as part of a university assignment, “Guardians of the Tides” was produced by a group of broadcasting students from the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Given the freedom to choose any topic for a documentary, they settled on a topic so ambitious that it shocked their teacher.

“We thought, why not try something someone has never done before?” said Johanna Siew, the screenwriter for the film, in a statement to MY HERO. “Which is go to Terrenganu, 5–6 hours from [Kuala Lumpur] to film sea turtles.”

Due to many turtles stopping in Malaysia to lay eggs, they’ve become a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. Despite this, there is a general unawareness in how these turtles live and the efforts that go into protecting them.

“Many people are unaware of the challenges these animals face and the efforts required to protect them,” said directors Chuah Yi Ling and Charmaine Tee in a statement to MY HERO. “Through this documentary, we hoped to highlight not only the beauty and resilience of sea turtles, but also the urgency of conservation work.”

The team partnered with PULIHARA, a non-profit marine conservationist organization seeking to protect sea turtles and their nesting grounds. Filming took place over four days at the turtle reserve Pantai Chakar Hutan, where the students documented both the turtles themselves and the conservationists working behind the scenes to ensure their survival.

From "Guardians of the Tides"Courtesy of Chuah Yi Ling, Charmaine Tee“I saw the programs they had were interesting, and not many people have filmed them before,” Siew said. “I thought it’s a good way to promote and also for us to learn about sea turtles. They are experts, who knows better about marine life than them?”

The project marked the filmmakers' first experience producing a wildlife documentary, and the learning curve was steep. Unlike scripted productions, the students had little control over what they would capture. Sea turtles emerge according to their own schedules, often arriving on beaches late at night to lay eggs. To avoid disturbing them, the crew worked with minimal lighting and relied on red lights while filming in near darkness.

“Documentary filmmaking is unpredictable,” Siew said. “We couldn’t ask the sea turtles to act, and we couldn’t know whether they would come up to lay their eggs.”

The coastal environment presented additional challenges. Strong winds complicated audio recording, and the filmmakers often had to shoot from a distance to avoid interfering with conservation efforts. Yet those difficulties became part of what made the experience so rewarding.

For Siew, one of the most meaningful aspects of the project was discovering a world she previously knew little about. Before making the documentary, neither she nor her peers had much exposure to wildlife conservation. Spending time alongside PULIHARA's staff gave them a new appreciation for the people dedicating their lives to protecting endangered species and preserving the natural world.

“We also learned that the people behind all this are such amazing heroes to be able to dedicate their lives to saving animals and keeping our ecosystem in balance, keeping the ocean safe,” Siew said.

The filmmakers hope “Guardians of the Tides” will inspire audiences to take a greater interest in conservation and recognize that even small actions can help protect vulnerable species.

“By sharing their story, we aim to encourage greater appreciation for wildlife, inspire responsible environmental practices, and remind people that even small actions can contribute to the protection of endangered species,” the directors said.

From "Guardians of the Tides"Courtesy of Chuah Yi Ling, Charmaine Tee 

Watch the film HERE.

About the Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award

MacGillivray-Freeman Films Educational Foundation’s One World One Ocean Campaign sponsors the ‘Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award’ annually at the MY HERO International Film Festival. One World One Ocean is a global non-profit campaign designed to connect people emotionally to the world's ocean. Their mission is to raise awareness of ocean degradation, to inspire audiences through cinematography and to spark a global movement to protect our seas.

Sylvia Earle is a world-renowned oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer, leader, and research scientist who has led more than 70 expeditions, logging more than 6,500 hours underwater. Formally chief scientist of NOAA and now a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, she was awarded the 2009 TED Prize for her proposal to establish a global network of marine protected areas, called “hope spots.”

Said Greg MacGillivray, Chairman of MacGillivray Freeman Films, “Sylvia Earle is our ocean hero, and we hope this award inspires aspiring filmmakers to shine a spotlight on other dedicated people from all walks of life who are working tirelessly on behalf of our oceans."

Read more about the award, and its sponsors, here.

To see previous winners of the MY HERO Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, or enter for 2027, go to: myhero.com/sylvia-earle-ocean-conservation-award

About the MY HERO International Film Festival:

The My Hero Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the power of the human spirit. Hosted by Eva Haller, a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social change, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.

The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.