2021 UPDATE ON I AM MORGAN ~ STOLEN FREEDOM
Six years after the release of IAMSF the Directors once again produced a compelling short Public Service Announcement. They bring into focus Morgan’s situation 10 years after she was transferred to the Spanish entertainment theme park, Loro Parque.
I AM MORGAN ~ STOLEN FREEDOM (2015)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see the world from an orca’s point of view? Find out in 4 compelling minutes, in this short film by independent film makers.
The film makers have kindly allowed the Free Morgan Foundation
to promote their film as they feel it is intrinsically linked to the FMF and the work that we do.
ABOUT I AM MORGAN ~ STOLEN FREEDOM
DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT
This emotive, 4 minute film, portrays Morgan’s story from the unique view point of an orca. By using her perspective, we hope people will relate to her traumatic life in captivity. Imagine being taken away from your home, locked up, exploited and abused. Among other indignities you are then trained to perform tricks, just so you can eat. Our ultimate goal is that people will speak out for Morgan.
DETAILS
Run-time: 4m34s. I AM MORGAN was filmed exclusively on GoPro Hero 4 cameras and was produced by a voluntary and independent team of European directors. Norwegian orca researcher, Heike Vester (Ocean Sounds) provided recordings of Morgan’s family (P pod). World-renowned big-animal videographer, Andy Cassagrande (ABC4Explore) provided aerial footage of wild orca. Albert Ubels, who was there on the scene when Morgan was captured, provided still photos, used in the credits. Dive! Tutukaka provided the ‘tank’ where some of the scenes were filmed. The Free Morgan Foundation and the Orca Research Trust were consulted to give expert advice on orca and provided footage of wild orca as well as Morgan’s vocalizations.
NUMBER OF VIEWS
First posted online on the 29 of November 2015, I AM MORGAN was viewed more than 59,000 times in just three months. By 22 September 2016 it had received over 107,000 views online at the official location. By 06 February 2021 it had been watched over 222,200 times and the numbers continued to climb when on 17 October 2021 it was watched over 230,700 times and by December 2021 it had reached over 232,000 views.
Additionally, it has screened at numerous venues, globally. It has been selected for screening at a range of international film festivals (see below), including an educational student screening (to over 1,200 interested folks) and ‘tours’ with film festivals. Even in 2021, it is still receiving awards in film festivals.
SELECTED FOR SCREENING AT THE FOLLOWING FILM FESTIVALS
San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival
(San Francisco, USA : 10-13 March, 2016)
International Wildlife Film Festival
(Montana, USA : 16-23 April, 2016)
TopShorts
(Internationally Online : 1-14 May, 2016)
International Open Film Festival
(Internationally Online : 4-8 June, 2016)
Toronto Beaches Film Festival
(Toronto, Canada : 7-8 July, 2016)
Go West Fest
(Oakhurst, California, USA : 17-19 July, 2016)
Wolves Independent International Film Festival
(Saldutiškis, Lithuania : 25-27 August 2016)
Coral Coast International Film Festival
(Sardinia, Italy : originally scheduled for 12-18 September 2016, dates now pending)
Green Screen Internationales Naturfilmfestival Eckernförde
(Eckernfoerde, Germany : 14-18 September 2016)
Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
(New York, USA : 14-23 October 2016)
International Festival Namur Nature
(Namur, Belgium : 14-23 October 2016)
Friday Harbor Film Festival
(San Juan Islands, Washington State, USA : 4-6 November 2016)
BLUE Ocean Film Festival
(10 – 13 November 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA : 10-13 November 2016)
4th dimension Film Festival
(Ubud, Bali, Indonesia: 23-25 December 2020)
Night of Drama Shorts Film Festival
(Online, February 26, 2021)
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS & LAURELS
AWARDS for I AM MORGAN – STOLEN FREEDOM
As of November 2016, IAM~SF has won SEVEN international film awards.
Top Short Audience Choice Award (Inspirational)
Toronto Beach Film Fest (Best Activism Film)
International Open Film Festival (Jury Award “Film on Nature/Environment/Wildlife”)
Go West Fest (Best Experimental Film)
Best Short (Under 5 Minutes)
REVIEWS
“It isn’t often that something which takes less than five minutes of your time can change your perspective on life. But this video may well do exactly that.”
Sam Lipman, The Dodo
“I was impressed with how the team created something that was dynamic and engaging. I suspect that this video will inspire people to take a stand against keeping orca in captivity.”
Dr Ingrid N. Visser – Founder Orca Research Trust & Free Morgan Foundation
“The SFIOFF provides an opportunity to see many films that are otherwise unavailable to the public, inspiring audiences of all ages to be empowered through the powerful medium of storytelling and independent film. We are excited to be the world premiere for I Am Morgan, as it exemplifies the type of films we screen, focusing on a specific need within the ocean realm with a call to action. I highly encourage everyone to see this film.” (Ana Blanco, Executive Director SFIOFF 3 March 2016.)
PRESS KIT
International Premier I AM MORGAN – STOLEN FREEDOM at San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival (SFIOFF)
March 2016
The International Premier of IAMSF occurred in March 2016 at the SFIOFF.
FMF board member Matthew Spiegl and FMF volunteer and filmmaker Heiko Grimm attended and distributed information flyers to the public. Heiko Grimm also made presentations about the film and orca Morgan to 1,200 students as part of the SFIOFF Student Education Program.
I AM MORGAN – STOLEN FREEDOM at Toronto Beaches Film Festival
7-8 July, 2016
Local residents and keen animal advocates on many levels, Diane, Rob and Carly, kindly distributed fliers for IAMSF. They also hosted a Q&A about the issues Morgan faces and discussed the implications of keeping orca in captivity. These are particularly pertinent given that Canada has a lone captive orca, Kiska, held in atrocious conditions at Marineland Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Dr Ingrid Visser ‘attended’ via video conferencing for the Q&A session.
I AM MORGAN – STOLEN FREEDOM at Green Screen, Eckernfoerde, Germany
September 2016
FMF board member Rosina Lisker and FMF volunteer and filmmaker Heiko Grimm attended and distributed information flyers to the public and other film makers during 14-18 September 2016. Additionally, Rosina Lisker attended Green Screen in 2014 and distributed FMF stickers.
I AM MORGAN – appearances through other avenues
The Canary News – a web-based news source has featured “I am Morgan, Stolen Freedom” on their facebook page and received some very heartfelt comments and over 500 shares.
SUPERPOD5 (18-22 July 2016), San Juan Islands, Washington State, USA
An international gathering of people interested orca, Superpod has been run annually for the last five years. A presentation of I am Morgan – Stolen Freedom was screened during a lecture session, along with a presentation by Dr Ingrid N. Visser.
