‘Ripple & Rocket’ is a Finalist for the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Award

The MY HERO Project is pleased to announce that Ripple & Rocket by Marianna Boorman is a finalist for the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award.

Marianna Boorman Marianna Boorman, with permission

Marianna Boorman was just thirteen years old when she began volunteering at the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary over thirty years ago. Since then, she has worked as a volunteer with the Dolphin Care team caring and advocating for dolphins across Australia, as well as implementing education projects in schools and the wider community. Ripple & Rocket, a short animation based on true events, tells the story of two dolphins in the sanctuary from the dolphins’ perspective. The film not only highlights the devastating impact that humans can have on dolphins but is a call to action, encouraging us to do our bit in protecting them.

Marianna has long documented her experience caring for dolphins. On her website Dolphin Dock, she uploads photos, videos, and information about the sanctuary, in the hopes that more of the community will get involved. “When Ripple passed away Rocket spent a lot of time on her own swimming around the marina,” Marianna told MY HERO, “Many volunteers and locals got to know her well and it was so lovely to see so many people looking out for her.”

Marianna Boorman, with permissionRipple and her calf Rocket swim in the Port River.

Inspiring action is at the very core of Marianna’s work. Ripple & Rocket, created through Dolphin Dock in collaboration with Whale and Dolphin Conservation with the support of Fast Break Films, is part of the Dolphin Care education package along with six minute-long videos telling more of the dolphins’ stories.

Ripple and Rocket’s story is tragic, but important. Both their deaths were avoidable, if only humans had taken more care. Through this film, Marianna and the Dolphin Care team hope to demonstrate how easy it is to avoid stories like these.

Marianna Boorman, with permissionMarianna Boorman monitors dolphins in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

Below, you can read Marianna’s interview with MY HERO. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why were you drawn to making this film?

I feel very fortunate to have been able to observe and get to know many of the wild resident dolphins over the years. It has been wonderful to follow their lives, watch them grow, learn different behaviors, form close bonds with other dolphins and have calves, but it has been devastating to see some of them suffer and die because of human activity. Ripple and Rocket’s deaths were avoidable. I made this film so that their story can inspire change and prevent other dolphins suffering the same fate.

What in your opinion is the importance of the film, and what are its strengths?

Ripple & Rocket shows the devastating impact human behavior can have on dolphins. The main strength is being able to show the story from the dolphins’ perspective using animation. The fact that the story is based on actual events allows us to highlight how real these issues are.

What are the issues that are most important to you (in general), and why?

All the issues highlighted in the film, such as habitat destruction, pollution, entanglement, and feeding wild dolphins are important, but the main issue for me is boat strikes. It is completely avoidable. Sadly, many dolphins suffer from propeller strikes and/or blunt trauma when hit by the hull of a boat or jet ski. This suffering and death can be avoided if people out on the water simply slow down and keep a look out.

What was it like for you making this film? What were some of the challenges, successes, and high points?

It has been a huge process, and I am very grateful to another volunteer who spent countless hours helping and supporting me with this film.

The biggest challenge and upset we had occurred in the final stages of completing the film when Rocket was suddenly hit and killed by a boat. The idea of the film was based on the incredible story of how Rocket had survived against all odds and managed to join the rest of the pod despite her mother passing away when she was only 7 months old. We had hoped the film would inspire change to help Rocket and the other dolphins. Her death was devastating and was felt throughout the community that knew her, but it reinforced how real this issue is and the importance of change.

Do you have a mentor or a personal hero?

Dr Mike Bossley. Mike is a lifetime campaigner and educator for Marine Mammal Conservation. He has been studying Adelaide’s Port River dolphins since the 1980s and I am incredibly grateful to him for teaching me so much about this unique pod. Mike is also part of the Dolphin Care team that helped create the Ripple and Rocket film.

Please feel free to speak to the importance of being an official selection for the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award at MY HERO.

The aim of making this film was to spread awareness of the issues dolphins face not just in South Australia but all around the world. We are so grateful for being an official selection for the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award at MY HERO as this helps us spread awareness and share with the rest of the world both Ripple and Rocket’s story and the important issues it highlights.

Credits

Based on a true story documented by Marianna Boorman and volunteers of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

A Dolphin Dock and Whale and Dolphin Conservation project, created with and produced by Fast Break Films.

Funded by Green Adelaide.

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.