Experience an unforgettable evening of storytelling, science and adventure with a special screening of Wolves of the Sea - the iconic killer whale documentary exploring the life cycle of this apex marine predator.
Filmed around the world and narrated by David Attenborough, this documentary brings together powerful cinematography and compelling stories that attempt to reveal the secret lives of killer whales.
From curious belly rubbing behaviour in Canada to the remarkable intentional beaching to hunt seals and sea lions in Argentina, this documentary will have you captivated from start to finish.
Before the screening, audiences will hear directly from acclaimed filmmaker David Parer and killer whale researcher David Donnelly in a fascinating panel discussion hosted by Belinda Smith.
Together, they will share behind-the-scenes insights from the making of the documentary, stories from the field, and the latest research helping us to better understand and protect this iconic marine predator.
Guests will also have the opportunity to take part in an engaging Q&A session after the screening, offering a rare chance to connect with the filmmaker. Whether you are passionate about conservation, captivated by the ocean, or simply love extraordinary storytelling, this promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring event not to be missed.
our Panel
Our Host - Belinda Smith - Belinda started writing about science after realising she wasn't going to cut it as a researcher. She's now senior science reporter with ABC Science and hosts the weekly Radio National program Science Show. Her work's appeared on the BBC World Service and in the Best Australian Science Writing anthology 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024
David Parer - David has been filming and producing wildlife documentaries since 1971, working alongside his wife and creative partner Liz Parer since 1979. Together they have travelled to some of the world’s most remote environments — from Antarctica and Alaska to Papua New Guinea, Norway and the Galápagos Islands — capturing extraordinary wildlife stories for audiences around the globe. Their work has been broadcast on the ABC and co-produced with major international networks including the BBC Natural History Unit, National Geographic Society and Discovery, Inc..
Over their celebrated careers, David and Liz have received more than 130 Australian and international awards for cinematography, sound, editing and music. One of their most acclaimed productions, Wolves of the Sea, narrated by David Attenborough, revolutionised underwater wildlife filmmaking through pioneering camera techniques developed over two years of filming in Canada, Alaska, Norway, Patagonia and the sub-Antarctic. The documentary explores the intelligence, culture and hunting traditions of killer whales and went on to win multiple honours, including an Emmy Award and Wildscreen Panda Awards, becoming one of the most successful wildlife documentaries released in Australia and internationally.
David Donnelly - David is a Melbourne based marine researcher with a passion for marine conservation. He has extensive experience in a range of scientific disciplines as well as field experience ranging from fine scale monitoring of the intertidal zone to open ocean surveys. David’s area of expertise lies in marine mammal research where he has been involved in numerous whale, dolphin, seal and sea lion research projects across Australia, the South Pacific, New Zealand, the subantarctic and Antarctic over the last 25 years.
He is currently employed by the Dolphin Research Institute where he is responsible for vessel-based activities and the running of two citizen science programs; Two Bays Whale Project and Killer Whales Australia. He is also employed by Melbourne based environmental consultancy ‘Fathom Pacific’ where he engages with offshore industries providing expertise through the required environmental planning and environmental impact assessment processes. Since 2002, David has been overseeing the Killer Whales Australia, citizen science program archiving and analysing data on east Australian killer whales. Over the last 12 years, he has been working closely with university students assisting with four PhD projects on killer whales around Australia and Antarctica.
About the Wolves of the sea
Wolves of the Sea explores the natural history of killer whales. Shooting spanned 2 years & looked at the killer whales’ cultural traditions around the world, their hunting techniques, use of sound and the way they teach their young.
It was filmed in Canada, Alaska, Norway, Patagonia and the subAntarctic Crozet Islands. Wolves of the Sea has won many awards including a Panda for Cinematography at Wildscreen, an Emmy for best News Documentary Production and an Emmy nomination for cinematography.
Narrated by David Attenborough.
Produced by David Parer & Elizabeth Parer-Cook for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Natural History Unit
When: 7pm - 9.30 pm (please arrive 10 min early to be seated)
Cost: $20 adult (16+) / $15 concession
Where: Berninneit - Theatre
Punta Norte, Patagonia, Argentina (1991) - Female Killer Whale making an unsuccessful beaching (intentional stranding) attempt to get a South American sea lion pup, “Wolves of the Sea”. Photo credit: D Parer & E Parer-Cook ©
Punta Norte, Patagonia, Argentina (1991) - David Parer filming young Killer Whales practice beaching (intentional stranding) for “Wolves of the Sea” . Photo credit: D Parer & E Parer-Cook ©
Johnson Strait, Vancouver Is, Canada (1990) - David Parer filming a male Killer Whale for “Wolves of the Sea” . Photo credit: D Parer & E Parer-Cook ©
Punta Norte, Patagonia, Argentina (1991) - A Killer Whale tail-flicking a South American sea lion pup to slow it down – so that the young members of the pod can play with it, “Wolves of the Sea”. Photo credit: D Parer & E Parer-Cook ©
Punta Norte, Patagonia, Argentina (1991) - David Parer filming female Killer Whale beaching (intentional stranding) to catch South American sea lion puts, “Wolves of the Sea”. Photo credit: D Parer & E Parer-Cook ©
