Echos of the Sound: The Story of Hugo and the Southern Residents
Emma Stafki, Annie Stafki
30 mins | 2024
In 1968, a baby orca, Hugo, was captured in Vaughn Bay and sold to an aquarium, far from his natural habitat and family. This documentary tells the story of Hugo’s capture and captivity, exploring the impact on him and his pod.
Sponsored by:
Friday Harbor Film Festival
In 1968, a baby orca, Hugo, was captured in Vaughn Bay and sold to an aquarium, far from his natural habitat and family. This documentary tells the story of Hugo’s capture and captivity, exploring the impact on him and his pod. The film offers a clear view of how attitudes towards orcas have changed over time, from their first captures to current efforts aimed at rescuing the southern resident orcas from extinction. Echos of the Sound urges viewers to reconsider our impact on marine ecosystems and support efforts to ensure Southern Residents can thrive in their home waters again.
Emma & Annie Stafki
Emma (20) and Annie Stafki (15) are the film-making duo that comprise Two Girls Take on the World. From Key Peninsula, WA, the sister team has been making films since 2016. They started making their first documentary, Echos of the Sound, in May 2023 while Emma attended Pacific Lutheran University and Annie attended Peninsula High School. The two aim to link their passions of filmmaking and the environment. Their goals reach beyond just film-making as they strive to make positive and lasting changes for our environment.
CREDITS
Director
Emma Stafki
Director
Annie Stafki
Producer
Emma Stafki
Producer
Annie Stafki
Key Cast
Howard Garrett
Blackfish
Key Cast
Ric O'Barry
The Cove, Flipper
Key Cast
Raynell Morris
Key Cast
Becca Gjertson
Key Cast
Jason Colby
Key Cast
Andrea Jewell
Key Cast
John Jewell
Key Cast
Ken Gormly
Key Cast
Caitlin O’Morchoe
Key Cast
Lynne Barre
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
We created our documentary Echos of the Sound to tell the untold story of Hugo, who was captured out of Vaughn Bay in 1968 and sent to Miami Seaquarium. Hugo's story has not received the attention it deserves, and its powerful narrative could positively impact the critically endangered southern resident orca population. We aim to inspire and educate others to protect these incredible creatures. We were challenged to learn the ins and outs of documentary filmmaking independently. As students with a limited budget, we were fortunate to borrow equipment and connect with incredible individuals who generously volunteered their time for interviews. As sisters, we've consistently supported one another through every challenge. Our different strengths complement each other perfectly, and creating this film has affirmed our desire to continue working together. Our aspirations extend beyond filmmaking; they are rooted in a desire to make a tangible difference in our world. We are driven to enact positive change in our world so that native species can thrive in their natural habitat once again and future generations can genuinely have the opportunity to live on a sustainable planet.