We are the only planet with oceans, and they are indispensable for our survival. However, many people are unaware of the importance of ocean creatures and how to protect them. This is because they don’t really see them every day. Sea creatures are just lunch or dinner or an ingredient in cosmetics. Young scuba diver Ema Poposka believes if people could see the beauty of the ocean and of the corals, they will change their minds about sea protection. This inspired her to join Action for a Cause to produce a documentary film about Hong Kong corals. Ema’s aim with the documentary film made by kids is to raise awareness about the uniqueness of Hong Kong corals, the need to start taking care of corals, and how we can do this in our everyday life. This documentary was made by a crew of 12-15-year-old students.

Juror comments: Get ready to dive into the ocean depths of Hong Kong when you watch The Living Sea. The coral in these seas are struggling to survive because of warmer water and large amounts of waste. Learn how climate change is affecting this species and what you can do to stop it.

The Living Sea is an interesting short film that is a perfect fit for anyone who likes coral or people who want to learn more about ocean life. The underwater views are very cool as they bring you up close to sea life. Interesting visuals, such as maps and graphs, are used to help you understand where you are and the scientists and activists that are interviewed are informative and engaging.

This is a documentary that offers lots of information. In the beginning, there is a bit of a backstory about the narrator, which definitely adds to the film's entertainment quality. The underwater views are one of the strongest aspects of this film as it shows us many colorful and cool-looking coral as well as a pretty, blue ocean. Along with the constantly beautiful close-ups of the coral, there are magnificent views of the mountains surrounding Hong Kong. The shots really capture the beauty of the mountains and the river snaking through them. The shots of the water reflecting the mountains are some of the best images I’ve ever laid my eyes on. The locations are captivating; even during some of the interviews, there are lakes and mountains in the background. The sets in the labs where experiments with the coral take place are a cool addition to the film. The key people in this film are the narrator and the people interviewed. They keep it interesting and entertaining, plus they give good advice on how to protect coral and other sea life. The underwater views, combined with the interesting and educational narrative, are my favorite parts of this film. It is a truly spectacular combination.

There are many sad truths revealed in this film, like how all coral could be extinct by 2050 if we don’t do anything to prevent that. So the message is that reducing waste, lessening our carbon footprint, and conclusively helping corals, is a very important cause.

I give The Living Sea 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. This is an interesting and entertaining watch that I highly recommend. Reviewed by Kyla C., KIDS FIRST!