We delivered a three-minute mini documentary featuring Christian and the Project Lawud team, supported by a suite of stills and platform-ready cutdowns. Assets were supplied in multiple aspect ratios with captions and key messages, so The Iris Project and Project Lawud could deploy them across websites, social channels and partner outreach. The story underscores the ecological role of dugongs and the community effort needed to protect them.
Change
Project Lawud protects the Philippines’ critically endangered dugongs by mapping habitats, training young marine scientists and building community awareness in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape. The Iris Project wanted to profile winner Christian Dave Agregado and his team, sharing why dugongs matter for seagrass ecosystems and climate, and how local youth are driving conservation. Our brief was to create an emotive, social-first story that would engage young audiences and inform partners and funders.
Makers
We assembled a specialist local crew in the Philippines, including Jasper, a world-renowned filmmaker and freediver who captured the underwater sequences. The team developed detailed shot lists, worked closely with contributors and drew out the strongest narrative moments in and around Sarangani Bay. Their local expertise kept the story authentic and rooted in lived experience.
Impact
The film amplifies youth-led marine conservation and brings global attention to a fragile habitat. It strengthens Project Lawud’s education and advocacy work by providing versatile, high-quality content that resonates with local communities, decision-makers and potential supporters. The case complements The Iris Project’s winner profile and helps translate science into action.
Having partnered with MakerChange Studio over the past three years, I can confidently say there is nothing they cannot do. No challenge, location, or situation is too difficult for them. They have an incredible capacity to create diverse, authentic, and visually stunning films, always prioritising collaboration with local filmmakers to ensure their work captures the true essence of each project. The projects we support consistently speak highly of their experience working with MakerChange Studio, praising the meaningful relationships formed with local filmmakers. MakerChange Studio is collaborative, are excellent communicators and an absolute pleasure to work with.
Millie Edwards
Director, Iris Project