‘Born from the Reef’ tells the story of Coco, a passionate and self-taught coral reef scientist from the Maldives. After increasingly frequent coral bleaching events, Coco and his team work to restore Maldivian coral reefs and protect those who rely on them. Using a cutting-edge strategy known as larval restoration, the team attempts to track coral spawning in hopes of collecting and releasing millions of coral larvae onto degraded reefs. The only challenge is whether or not it’s already too late for these coral reefs to spawn.
The YouTube link is private and strictly shared with collaborators or film festival submissions.
Director Biography – Owen Bornhorst
I am a 23-year-old cinematographer and photographer from Cleveland, Ohio specializing in underwater imagery and storytelling.
I graduated in 2023 from the University of Miami, where I studied Biology and Marine Science, focusing on coral reef bleaching and disease. Combining my backgrounds in research and photography, I began to see how storytelling can be a powerful tool not only for showcasing the beauty of the natural world but also for scientific communication. During university, I made my first short film, ‘The Giving Trees’, and have never looked back since. I want to capture the beauty of our natural world in an effort to educate and inspire others about preserving wildlife and wild spaces.
From mosquito ridden swamps to the pumping swell of reef breaks, I have thousands of hours behind the camera out in the wild. While I especially enjoy filming beautiful creatures in their natural habitats, I also have a passion for sharing the stories of the people who work to protect them. Through my work I have had the pleasure of working for NGOs, scientific institutions, and even 5-star resorts helping to share their stories and highlight their positive impact on our planet.
I believe well-informed, cinematic storytelling is one of the most powerful means for inspiring empathy and responsibility for the natural world, and I want to use my passions to do just that.
