Client work · 2023
Paddling Together
A film for Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians about their joint work restoring salmon habitat on the Stillaguamish River.
On the Stillaguamish River in Washington State, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians are working together to restore salmon habitat. Paddling Together follows that work through interviews with tribal elders, knowledge holders and staff, along with scientists and experts from both governments.
The brief had three audiences. The film had to work for a state agency, for the tribe working in partnership with it, and for the farmers, ranchers and foresters in the area, many of whom saw river restoration as a threat to their way of life.
Salmonberry Studios won the contract through a competitive bid, chosen over larger Washington-based companies for its record of salmon restoration films made with Indigenous partners. It was produced on a short timeline set by funding requirements. According to the client, the film brought the agency and the tribe together in a way their earlier work had not. It reached tens of thousands of organic views and was received as a documentary rather than a promotional video.
What it did
Won through a competitive bid over larger Washington-based production companies. Tens of thousands of organic views. Client reported the film strengthened the working relationship between the department and the tribe.
- Made for
- Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
- Year
- 2023
- Where
- Stillaguamish River, Washington State
- Our role
- Strategy, direction, production, cinematography and editing, with additional shooters and production assistants hired for the shoot
- Running time
- 10 min
- salmon
- habitat restoration
- Stillaguamish River
- tribal partnerships
- Washington State
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