Biodiversity on the Big Screen

Biodiversity Victor Harbor is bringing environmental storytelling to the big screen, and the response from the community has been inspiring. Our Environment-based Film Nights at the historic Victa Cinema have created a welcoming space to learn, connect and talk about the natural world we love — right here on the Fleurieu Peninsula and beyond.

A strong start: White Rock lights up Victa Cinema

Our inaugural film night, held on November 3, 2025, set the tone for what we hope will become a much-loved local tradition. More than 70 people filled the cinema for a screening of White Rock, a visually stunning and confronting documentary exploring the impact of the long-spined sea urchin on kelp forests along Australia’s south-eastern coastline.

The evening opened with guest speaker Stefan Andrews from the Great Southern Reef Foundation, who introduced the film and provided important context about the ecological challenges facing our reefs. White Rock vividly showed how unchecked urchin populations can devastate kelp forests — ecosystems that support an extraordinary diversity of marine life.

Importantly, the message wasn’t all doom and gloom. Stefan explained that there are ways to respond to this crisis, including the surprising (and hopeful) idea of eating the invaders — long-spined sea urchins are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. The discussion sparked curiosity, conversation and optimism among the audience.

The evening also featured a second guest speaker, Peter Owen, Director of the Wilderness Society of South Australia. Peter spoke passionately about his long-running mission to see the Great Australian Bight declared a World Heritage Site. A powerful short film clip highlighted why this extraordinary marine environment deserves the highest level of protection.

Peter then shared a series of compelling and sometimes graphic slides documenting his 20-year campaign to stop oil drilling in the Bight and safeguard its future. It was a sobering reminder of what’s at stake — and a fitting companion to the film’s themes of conservation, resilience and responsibility.

Coming up: Meet the Penguins — March 16

Following the success of our first event, Biodiversity Victor Harbor is delighted to invite the community to our next film night on March 16, marking our first film and presenter event for 2026.

This time, we’re heading into the enchanting world of Australia’s smallest — and most determined — penguins with the big-screen screening of Meet the Penguins.

This beautifully filmed one-hour natural history documentary follows Dr Ann Jones as she takes viewers behind the scenes of Little Penguin life along Australia’s southern coastline. From the world-famous penguin parade on Phillip Island to the unexpected urban colony at St Kilda, the film follows a cast of unforgettable characters over six dramatic months.

You’ll witness tender moments of domestic harmony, lively neighbourhood rivalries, and the far tougher challenges penguins face beyond the shore — rough seas, powerful currents and ever-changing fish stocks. Warm, surprising and quietly uplifting, Meet the Penguins reveals how these tiny birds — the smallest penguins on Earth — may also be among the most resilient. It’s a story made for the big screen and one that lingers long after the credits roll.

After the screening, the evening continues with a special presentation by Stephen Hedges, who will share a short video and speak about the Little Penguin colony on nearby Granite Island. Stephen is widely recognised for his outstanding contribution to penguin research and conservation. After more than 20 years as a tour guide, he became a research assistant with Flinders University and now leads the Victor Harbor Little Penguin Volunteer Monitoring Program — winners of first prize in the 2025 South Australian Citizen Science Awards. In 2022, Stephen was also honoured with South Australia’s Award for Active Citizenship. A relaxed Q&A session will follow his talk.

Event details

• Doors open: 6.30 pm

• Film commences: shortly after 7.00 pm

• Estimated finish: approximately 9.00 pm

• Entry: Gold coin donation (EFTPOS available)

• Registrations encouraged via the Biodiversity Victor Harbor website Events page

Biodiversity Victor Harbor sincerely thanks the City of Victor Harbor for their support of this event.

For enquiries, please email hello@biodiversityvictor.org.au.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the Victa Cinema — where biodiversity, storytelling and community come together on the big screen. 🎬🐧

Why You Should Join Biodiversity Victor Harbor

Biodiversity Victor Harbor is a community-driven, not-for-profit organisation established in 2023.
Incorporated and registered as a Charity, we unite individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a deep commitment to our region’s natural environment.
Biodiversity Victor Harbor is a member of Landcare South Australia.

Donations are tax-deductible.

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