Impact Series - Communication Leadership University of Washington
“The Island of the Shark — Guardians of Malpelo, please join us at this live event with the Communication Leadership at the University of Washington on Friday, March 27, 2026, for the final documentary in the Impact Series.
Doors open at 5:30 PM with refreshments and snacks, followed by a screening of The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo, along with natural history shorts from Colombia. This event is FREE and open to the public (all ages) and will be held at Mary Gates Hall on the University of Washington campus. Details and registration .
It’s also a beautiful time to visit campus—spring break is in full swing, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom. If you’d like to meet up earlier, Annie Crawley be there around 4:30 PM enjoying the full display before heading into this special event.
This film highlights the work of Erika Lopez, co-founder of Biodiversity Conservation Colombia and a member of WOMEN DIVERS HALL OF FAME. The film was created during the past three years.
The Impact Series, created by the Communication Leadership program, has showcased powerful storytelling through new documentaries from Pacific Northwest directors. This has been a phenomenal series featuring in-depth, interactive conversations facilitated by Communication Leadership faculty member Jordan Melograna.
Together, we’ve explored the social, political, and environmental issues at the heart of these films—and how documentary storytelling can create impact beyond the screen by influencing public conversation, supporting education and advocacy, and strengthening community dialogue.
Please join us and share this opportunity with your networks. And if this film resonates with you, I would be honored to bring The Island of the Shark Guardians of Malpelo to a theater in your community.Subscribe to YouTube.com/AnnieCrawley
A Call to Protect Sharks Before It’s Too Late
At the heart of the film is Erika López, Executive Director of Biodiversity Conservation Colombia (BCC), whose extraordinary mission is to protect Colombia’s last stronghold for migratory sharks. López’s journey—from dive guide to fearless conservation leader—unfolds against the backdrop of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, one of the planet’s most biologically rich ecosystems.
Malpelo rises 4,000 meters from the ocean floor and hosts immense schools of hammerheads, silky sharks, whale sharks, and tuna. Yet despite its national park status, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to threaten this fragile ecosystem.
“Erika López is more than a conservationist,” says director Annie Crawley. “She is the heartbeat of Malpelo. Her courage, clarity of vision, and unwavering dedication inspired me to make this film.”
A Global Crisis: 200 Sharks Killed Every Minute
The release of The Island of the Shark comes at a crucial time. One-third of shark species now face extinction, and scientists estimate that more than 70% of oceanic sharks and rays have been fished from the ocean in the past 50 years. Every minute, more than 200 sharks are killed, the greatest threat they face is overfishing.
The film aims to unite people across nations in a call to action—reminding viewers that ocean animals do not recognize borders and that protecting sharks protects entire marine ecosystems.
A Visual Journey of Hope and Resolve
With breathtaking underwater cinematography and raw storytelling, The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo immerses audiences in one of Earth’s last wild sanctuaries. Crawley captures harrowing encounters with illegal fishing, powerful partnerships between conservationists and the Colombian Navy, and the deep emotional connection between humans and the ocean.
Beyond its beauty, the film is a rallying cry—urging nations, divers, and everyday citizens alike to defend sharks before it’s too late.
About the Filmmaker
Annie Crawley is an award-winning filmmaker, underwater photographer, and ocean educator based in Edmonds, Washington. Known globally as “Ocean Annie,” she has built a career telling stories that merge science, conservation, and human connection. Her initiatives—Our Ocean and You, Dive Into Your Imagination, and the Edmonds Underwater Park project—empower communities to protect the sea.
Crawley is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and a leading voice for ocean literacy and youth education.
Film Details and Contact
Film: The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo
Director: Annie Crawley
Featuring: Erika López, Biodiversity Conservation Colombia
The Edmonds Theater: December 12-18 2025 — Edmonds, Washington USA
Press Contact English:
Annie@AnnieCrawley.com
www.AnnieCrawley.com | www.IslandoftheShark.com
Mobile/WhatsApp USA: +1 805-453-1947
Press Contact Spanish:
Erilovi72@gmail.com
https://biodiversityconservationco.org | www.IslandoftheShark.com
Mobile/WhatsApp USA: +57 304 6610957
Follow the film:
#IslandOfTheShark #GuardiansOfMalpelo #KeepSharksSwimming