THE STORY
An exotic alien romance movie? Kind of … An epic tale of a life and death struggle for survival and destiny? Kind of … An energetic, entertaining, informative documentary experience that highlights the magic, awesomeness and vulnerability of our natural world via a celebration of one of nature’s exquisitely unique creatures? Most definitely!
The native Australian Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) lives a short (1 to 2 years) but not uneventful life.
Each year between May and August the chilly waters and rocky seabeds off the coast of Whyalla, South Australia, Barngarla Country (land and sea), play host to a gathering like no other, not seen anywhere else in the world – the Giant Cuttlefish mating aggregation. Where thousands of these usually solitary marine animals gather with one mission and one thing on their mind … getting lucky!
But getting lucky at this event is a tricky and at times brutal business. With a ratio of up to ten males for every one female, competition among ardent suitors is fierce. Showing off, defending your space (with ink, tentacle slaps, and/or beak biting), all the while appearing to be the best evolutionary choice, are the name of the game for the males. With the ability to light up their skin with colours, pulsing, flashing pattern displays, they put on a spectacular show. But in the end, it all still comes down to consent. The females choosing who will be their mate (or mates plural, as this polyandrous species does).Once the mating season has finished and all eggs have been laid, hidden as safely as possible, their job is done. They must trust now in the stability of the ecosystem as their babies hatch months later to make their way out into the ocean alone.
A high stakes once in a lifetime opportunity! The fragility of their circumstance can’t be underestimated, with threats from external circumstances such as rising ocean temperatures, pollution reducing food sources and habitats, over-fishing of Giant Cuttlefish in other areas, all meaning one or two years of low reproduction from the mass aggregation event could lead to their rapid endangerment and possible extinction as a species.
The story of Electric Love Fest is one of wonder, intrigue, vulnerability, and hope.
THE PROJECT
We have already been filming the Giant Cuttlefish Aggregation this year,
from May to August (plus egg dens in October), and are now working on going through all the incredible footage,
starting to put the first pieces of the Electric Love Fest story together.
Spectacular underwater footage will be accompanied by lively narration, a groovy disco soundtrack and
enhanced with entertaining, engaging animations/graphics that will provide interesting information about the Giant Cuttlefish – who they are, what they do, how they do it – together with details on the threats to their ongoing survival and the actions, big and small, that can be taken to contribute to their preservation and conservation.
Our story will also include footage of the 2026 mating aggregation yet to come.
JOIN US ON THIS ELECTRIC LOVE FEST JOURNEY
Along the way we want to spread the word and the Giant Cuttlefish joy far and wide.
Not just about the film’s production and progress, but also sharing fun facts, meeting some of our Giant Cuttlefish stars, highlighting the work of stakeholder partners and others doing great work to preserve and conserve our amazing marine life all over the world.
We would love you to follow along with us via the Electric Love Fest social media pages and our newsletter.
We are also very proud to have been approved for fiscal sponsorship by Documentary Australia.
Click the button below to visit our Documentary Australia page, featuring further details on the project, our impact goals, the team, as well as the opportunity to Donate.
All donations are tax deductible (in Aus) and all donors will get to see their name ‘up in lights’ as part of the film’s end credits plus other exclusives along the way!
*Please contact us if you would like to donate but are not based in Australia :)
CONTACT_FOLLOW
Electric Love Fest
C/-STORYVOX
Adelaide, South Australia
STORYVOX acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and all Elders past, present and emerging.
Giant Cuttlefish are Amazing!
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & SUPPORT!