The program features two eco-documentaries about Hong Kong that walk
us through the often-forgotten nature of the “concrete jungle.”The program features two eco-documentaries about Hong Kong that walk
us through the often-forgotten nature of the “concrete jungle.”
C ity of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs 香江遺礁\, directed by Mike Saka s\, uncovers the history of oyster reefs in Hong Kong and highlights the Oy ster Reef Restoration Project led by The Nature Conservancy (Hong Kong).
Breathing Room 白海豚失樂園\, directed by Daphne Wong and produced i n partnership with the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society\, explores th e plight of the Chinese white dolphin\, the 1997 handover mascot whose popu lation has since sharply declined.
Together\, the two films reveal ho w Hong Kong is more than a financial city but also a dazzling node of biodi versity.
Following the screenings\, Ms. Marine Thomas\, Associate Dir ector of Conservation at The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong\, and Ms. Viena M ak\, Vice-Chairperson of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society\, will join us virtually for a Q&A session. The discussion will provide insights i nto the ecological protection efforts of environmental NGOs in Hong Kong an d across Asia.
The films will be shown in their original languages wi th English subtitles. The post-screening conversation will be conducted in English\, with on-site interpretation provided for those wishing to ask que stions in Cantonese and Mandarin.
This talk is free and open to the p ublic. Registration is required.
This event is co-presented by the Sustainability Initiative of the Department of Asian Stu
dies and UBC Hong Kong Studies Initiativ
e\; sponsored by the Workplace Sustainability Fund from the UBC Sustain
ability Hub.
[buttons][button link_text="Register here" link_url="http
s://hksi.ubc.ca/events/event/eco-documentary-screening-conversation"][/butt
ons]
Date & Time:
Thursday\, October 23\, 2025<
br />Screening: 6:30pm - 8:00pm PT
Virtual conversation: 8:00pm - 8:30
pm PT
Location:
Auditorium\, Asian Centre\, 187
1 West Mall\, Vancouver
Directed by Mike Sakas | English | 66 mins | 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SLiTkfSzSQ
Through historical research and scientific explorat ion\, City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs unveils how oysters shaped the Pearl River Delta’s development—diving deeper into the socio-cultural ties between oysters and coastal communities\, the lime industry that fuell ed early infrastructure across the region and the thriving marine ecosystem s that once flourished beneath its waters.
The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) visio n is a world where people and nature thrive together. To achieve this posit ive vision of the future\, we need to recognize the unprecedented challenge s that affect global communities\, and work together to find new ways to he lp nature thrive while securing a more prosperous future for people. TNC is committed to protecting land and water at unparalleled scales\, tackling c limate change\, providing food and water sustainably for a growing populati on\, building healthy cities\, and connecting people and nature.
Directed by Daphne Wong | Cantonese | 30 mins | 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9hl_3xi WPU
Breathing Room\, directed by Daphne Wong\, is a half-hour documentary on the plight of the Chinese White Dolphin in Hong Ko ng. The film brings to light the research and conservation work that is bei ng done to save them\, and discusses the implications of habitat loss due t o continuous coastal developments for these iconic pink dolphins.
Hong Kong Dolphin Cons ervation Society (HKDCS) was established in December 2003 and it i s the only non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of whales\ , dolphins\, and porpoises of Hong Kong. Through scientific research and ed ucating the public\, HKDCS hopes to protect the local dolphins and porpoise s residing in Hong Kong waters.
Ms. Viena Mak Hei-man is Vice-chairperson of Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society. Viena is f rom Macau and moved to Hong Kong for her undergraduate education in Environ mental Science. She has worked as a research associate to monitor cetaceans in Hong Kong and adjacent waters for 12 years. Since 2015\, she became one of the committee members at HKDCS where she began the journey of education and conservation works to promote the protection of the marine mammals and their habitats.
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