Lolita – often called “the world’s loneliest orca” – is a 20-foot-long, 54-year-old female southern resident orca, who has been kept in the smallest orca tank in America for the last 50 years with only several dolphins for company. Driven by the desire to raise awareness about orca captivity, The Whale Bowl aims to educate and inspire its audience through a unique combination of artistic animation and archival footage that illuminates Lolita’s truly moving story.
Update:
Despite global efforts to secure Lolita's retirement to a sea pen, she devastatingly passed away, still in The Whale Bowl, on the 18th August 2023.
On the 23rd September 2023, Lolita's remains were scattered off the coast of the Lummi Stommish Grounds, looking out to the San Juan Islands, in a traditional burial ceremony by members of the Lummi nation.
The Whale Bowl has been screened at:
Super Pod 6 2018 - San Juan Island, Washington
The World Whale Conference 2017 - Durban
Winchester Film Festival - 2017
FEST! Film Festival 2017 - Portugal
Wild Film Fest - 2018
Orlando Film Festival 2017
Norwich Film Festival 2017
Bristol Radical Film Festival 2017
Friday Harbor Film Festival 2017
Official Nominations:
"Best Documentary" 2018 Student Bafta Awards
"Best Student Documentary" 2018 Grierson Awards
Rising Star Director Award (21 and under) - Emily George - Camarthen Bay Film Festival 2018
Winner:
Best Documentary - National Student Film Festival 2018
Best Script - Black Bird Film Festival 2018
Best Local Film - Reading Fringe Festival 2017
Best Documentary Sponsored by Betty - UoG CPDA Graduate Show 2017
Best Documentary - SE10 Film Festival 2017
