ROB STEWART (Dec. 28, 1979-Jan. 31, 2017)
Rob was a biologist, conservationist, activist and filmmaker. His greatest impact was his two films, SHARKWATER and REVOLUTION, his books and the millions of supporters that carry on his mission worldwide. Born in 1979 and raised in Toronto, Rob graduated from the University of Western Ontario. He dedicated his life to conservation, saying: “Conservation is the preservation of human life. And, that, above all else is worth fighting for.”
Rob's films, SHARKWATER and REVOLUTION, are still, to this day, the number 1 and 3 Canadian documentaries of the last 15 years. They have been awarded more than 70 international awards and are viewed by over 125 million people. SHARKWATER has inspired worldwide bills to ban the importation or sale of fins, including Canadian Senator Michael MacDonald's Shark Fin Importation Ban, as well as bills before the US Senate and House. REVOLUTION was the first film to alert the world to the catastrophic effects of carbon emissions resulting in Ocean Acidification that would devastate the reefs (coral bleaching), kill 25% of the fish populations, and potentially the oceans themselves. His third film, SHARKWATER: EXTINCTION, which he was filming when he tragically drowned, addresses not just shark finning, but the use of shark products in cosmetics, food products, pet foods, livestock, and fertilizer.
He has inspired young filmmakers to follow in his footsteps, among them Julia Barnes with SEA OF LIFE; Natalie Lucier's TO THE ORCAS, WITH LOVE; and Madison Stewart, Australia's "Shark Girl". Rob changed the thinking of the conservationist movement. “We need to stop fighting against things and start fighting FOR what we want.” And he always remained optimistic and inspiring... “Fight for what's beautiful.”
Film festivals, universities, and conservation groups worldwide, continue to honour Rob with lifetime achievement awards, and this year, Water Docs is proud to present Rob (posthumously) with the 2023 Water Warrior Award.
Rob was a biologist, conservationist, activist and filmmaker. His greatest impact was his two films, SHARKWATER and REVOLUTION, his books and the millions of supporters that carry on his mission worldwide. Born in 1979 and raised in Toronto, Rob graduated from the University of Western Ontario. He dedicated his life to conservation, saying: “Conservation is the preservation of human life. And, that, above all else is worth fighting for.”
Rob's films, SHARKWATER and REVOLUTION, are still, to this day, the number 1 and 3 Canadian documentaries of the last 15 years. They have been awarded more than 70 international awards and are viewed by over 125 million people. SHARKWATER has inspired worldwide bills to ban the importation or sale of fins, including Canadian Senator Michael MacDonald's Shark Fin Importation Ban, as well as bills before the US Senate and House. REVOLUTION was the first film to alert the world to the catastrophic effects of carbon emissions resulting in Ocean Acidification that would devastate the reefs (coral bleaching), kill 25% of the fish populations, and potentially the oceans themselves. His third film, SHARKWATER: EXTINCTION, which he was filming when he tragically drowned, addresses not just shark finning, but the use of shark products in cosmetics, food products, pet foods, livestock, and fertilizer.
He has inspired young filmmakers to follow in his footsteps, among them Julia Barnes with SEA OF LIFE; Natalie Lucier's TO THE ORCAS, WITH LOVE; and Madison Stewart, Australia's "Shark Girl". Rob changed the thinking of the conservationist movement. “We need to stop fighting against things and start fighting FOR what we want.” And he always remained optimistic and inspiring... “Fight for what's beautiful.”
Film festivals, universities, and conservation groups worldwide, continue to honour Rob with lifetime achievement awards, and this year, Water Docs is proud to present Rob (posthumously) with the 2023 Water Warrior Award.
Sharkwater
For filmmaker Rob Stewart, exploring sharks began as an underwater adventure. What it turned into was a beautiful and dangerous life journey into the balance of life on earth.
Driven by passion fed from a lifelong fascination with sharks, Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas.
Filmed in visually stunning, high definition video, SHARKWATER takes you into the most shark rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Driven by passion fed from a lifelong fascination with sharks, Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas.
Filmed in visually stunning, high definition video, SHARKWATER takes you into the most shark rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
90 minutes
REVOLUTION
REVOLUTION is a feature documentary about opening your eyes, changing the world and fighting for something. A true life adventure following director Rob Stewart in the follow up to his smash hit SHARKWATER, REVOLUTION is an epic adventure into the evolution of life on earth and the revolution to save us.
Discovering that there’s more in jeopardy than sharks, Stewart uncovers a grave secret threatening our own survival as a species, and embarks on a life-threatening adventure through 4 years and 15 countries into the greatest battle ever waged.
Bringing you some of the most incredible wildlife spectacles ever recorded, audiences are brought face to face with sharks and cuddly lemurs, into the microscopic world of the pygmy seahorse, and on the hunt with the deadly flamboyant cuttlefish. From the coral reefs in Papua New Guinea to the rainforests in Madagascar, Stewart reveals that all of our actions are interconnected.
Discovering that there’s more in jeopardy than sharks, Stewart uncovers a grave secret threatening our own survival as a species, and embarks on a life-threatening adventure through 4 years and 15 countries into the greatest battle ever waged.
Bringing you some of the most incredible wildlife spectacles ever recorded, audiences are brought face to face with sharks and cuddly lemurs, into the microscopic world of the pygmy seahorse, and on the hunt with the deadly flamboyant cuttlefish. From the coral reefs in Papua New Guinea to the rainforests in Madagascar, Stewart reveals that all of our actions are interconnected.
82 minutes
Sharkwater: Extinction
SHARKWATER: EXTINCTION is a thrilling and inspiring action packed journey that follows filmmaker Rob Stewart as he exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it — a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks.
From West Africa, Spain, Panama, Costa Rica, France, and even in our own backyard, Stewart’s third film dives into the often violent underworld of the pirate fishing trade to expose a multi-billion dollar industry.
Shark finning is still rampant, shark fin soup is still being consumed on an enormous scale, and endangered sharks are now also being used to make products for human consumption. Stewart’s mission is to save the sharks and oceans before it’s too late.
But exposing illegal activities isn’t easy; protecting sharks has earned him some powerful enemies.
From West Africa, Spain, Panama, Costa Rica, France, and even in our own backyard, Stewart’s third film dives into the often violent underworld of the pirate fishing trade to expose a multi-billion dollar industry.
Shark finning is still rampant, shark fin soup is still being consumed on an enormous scale, and endangered sharks are now also being used to make products for human consumption. Stewart’s mission is to save the sharks and oceans before it’s too late.
But exposing illegal activities isn’t easy; protecting sharks has earned him some powerful enemies.
85 minutes
Rob Stewart Tribute
A beautiful tribute to the late filmmaker Rob Stewart (1979-2017) who is the recipient of the 2023 Water Docs Water Warrior Award.
6 minutes
Rob Stewart 2023 Water Warrior Award Presentation
The 2023 Water Warrior Award Presentation made posthumously to Rob Stewart and accepted on his behalf by his parents, Sandy and Brian Stewart. The presentation took place on November 17, 2023 at the in-person Water Docs Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the OISE Auditorium.
8 minutes
