LOST ORCA

The Legend of Luna

TOGETHER IS HOW WE LIVE

“A Revelation!” “Genuinely moving, beautifully written.” “[I was] deeply enriched.” “A well-told story” — Experts at Giant Screen Asociation conference praise “Lost Orca.”  See below 

A new film brings a beloved whale to the giant screen

That a whale could, would and did reach across that line to connect with us is mystifying.

It reminds me that now more than ever we need to take care of each other.

— Ryan Reynolds, Actor

NEWS

“One of the revelations of the conference –“

“Lost Orca” earns praise at Giant Screen convention

“Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna” won enthusiastic applause in September at the Giant Screen Cinema Association convention in Austin, Texas. The convention was an international gathering of filmmakers and the staffs of museums, science centers and other institutions with giant screen theatres. The film was shown on the spectacular laser-projection giant screen at the Bullock IMAX® Theater.

“Luna was for me one of the revelations of the conference (along with Lost Wolves of Yellowstone),” wrote Daniel Ferguson, one of the noted filmmakers at the event. “Genuinely moving, beautifully written and personal. I can’t imagine anyone not seduced by it. Whatever it lacks in giant screen pedigree, it makes up for in heart and craft. A reminder of the power of a good story well told.”

“I entered the IMAX theatre expecting a wonderful story about an Orca,” wrote Mike Lutz, who has worked with immersive films and venues for 30+ years, “but left deeply enriched by a reminder of our fragility and connection to nature. Luna is one of the most emotional giant screen films I’ve ever experienced.”

NEWS

Lost Orca makes finals for coveted Jackson Wild Media Awards

“Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna,”  was recently named one of three finalists for a major international award.

The award is one of several given annually at the Jackson Wild Summit, a nature-film industry gathering in Jackson, Wyoming at the end of September. The festival’s website says the awards “celebrate excellence and innovation in nature, science and conservation storytelling, and calls them “Nature film’s equivalent to the Oscars®”

The film was a finalist in the best writing category. It was written by Vancouver Island’s Michael Parfit, who co-directed with Suzanne Chisholm. The winning film in the category was a film by National Geographic / Disney, called “A Real Bug’s Life: Love in the Forest.”

“We are deeply proud to have been selected for the final three,” Parfit said. “It’s exciting to compete at this level with the best nature films made by the BBC, National Geographic and some very highly-regarded international studios.”

Parfit said that it is not just his own words that express the heart of the film.

“The eloquence in this film is in the words of the people Suzanne and I got to know and interviewed,” he said. “And then there was Luna, who was eloquent just by being there.”

The film is being distributed by Paul Wild, former director of IMAX® Victoria.

ABOUT THE FILM

A legend loved around the world

“Wondrous to behold . . . a gossamer lyricism.” — Andy Webster, The New York Times

“Deeply philosophical. Moving. Far more affecting than anything Hollywood could serve up.”  — Joe Clay, The Times of London

“Breathtaking. Sends a shiver down your spine.” Katherine Monk, Vancouver Sun

“Blockbuster stuff. But nothing Hollywood could do… would say more about the mysterious relationship between humans and wild animals” — Greg Quill, Toronto Star

“An outstanding story of a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.” — Marc Bekoff, author

“Remarkable. Stunning. This film will stir even the hardest heart.” — Scott Neil, Bermuda Royal Gazette

A breathtakingly beautiful documentary.” — Julie Harris, Winston-Salem Journal

“The lessons about friendship are gigantic indeed.”— Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

“A moving story that raises important issues . . .” — Peter Singer, Philosopher

“The cinematography is brilliant and the personal tales compelling. It is an education, a heart-warming story, and very much a legend.” — Rebecca Bollwitt, E! online

My daughter and I were captivated by “Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna.” The beautiful storytelling showcases breathtaking scenery and eloquently conveys the importance of harmony between humans and nature. It is an immersive experience that truly emphasizes that … together is how we live.” — Darcy M, Canada, Audience review
In 2001, a baby orca lost contact with his family in a fjord on the coast of Vancouver Island. Orcas are highly social beings, and he started trying to make friends with people. What happened then is the stuff of legend.
 
Directors Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit made a film about the little whale in 2007 called “Saving Luna.” Then they teamed up with Ryan Reynolds, who narrated their second film in 2011, “The Whale.”
  
Now new technology to improve the quality of historical footage and high-resolution cameras have helped them make a new film, this time for the grandest theatrical screens in the world.
  
The new film, “Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna,” premiered in February, 2025 at the IMAX® Victoria Film Festival in British Columbia, in Canada. It is now being distributed to giant screens everywhere.

Beauty, empathy, interspecies communication, love are the focus. The film is a triumph.

Exquisite and powerful. So gently and tenderly executed. It took my breath away.

— Holly McNally, Victoria, BC

Trailer

SYNOPSIS

Luna, a baby orca, is separated from his family in a remote Vancouver Island fjord. When he seeks companionship from people, he becomes beloved.

To boaters he’s a charming friend. To conservationists he’s a cause. To scientists he’s a puzzle. To officials he’s trouble. To Indigenous peoples he is the spirit of a chief and a teacher of fundamental truths.

But what are we to him?

As we humans fight over how to save Luna from dangers we have brought to his ocean world, the truths his life reveals are not just about his own deepest needs, but also about ours.

Fun old footage gets a new look for the giant screen

Lost Orca is based on earlier films, but almost all the footage is new.
 
Most of the footage of the magnificence of Luna’s home, Vancouver Island’s remote Nootka Sound, was filmed from boats or a drone over the past three years. But all the historical footage went through a complete renewal based on new and evolving A.I. applications. These apps improve the resolution and sharpness of video without changing any of the actual content.
 
This short video of some of the historic footage, first showing the way it looked when it was shot and then showing how it looks in the new film, will give you an idea of how it was changed. Be sure to click full screen to get the whole picture.