Private Project

Great White Lies

Focusing on the Western Australian Government’s decision in January of 2014 to hunt and kill the white shark, a protected species in Australia, filmmaker Skyler Thomas visits Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand to learn more about the shark culling practices in each of those locations.

Interviewing scientists, politicians, surfers, and activists, Great White Lies thoroughly examines the history of shark culling and ultimately asks the question, “Is this really about human safety or is something else taking place here?”

  • Skyler Thomas
    Director
  • Skyler Thomas
    Writer
  • Skyler Thomas
    Producer
  • Skyler Thomas
    Key Cast
  • Chris Fallows
    Key Cast
  • Jessica Meeuwig
    Key Cast
  • Christopher Neff
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    59 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 15, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Catalina Film Festival
    Catalina, CA
    September 24, 2015
    Conservation Award of Excellence
  • Hollywood Film Festival
    Hollywood, CA
    September 25, 2015
    Official Selection
  • The World's Independent Film Festival
    San Jose, CA
    September 27, 2015
    Best Documentary Award
  • San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival

    March 19, 2015
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
  • Honolulu Film Awards
  • San Francisco Film Awards
  • ITSA Film Festival
  • Accolade Film Awards
Director Biography - Skyler Thomas

This project really began in 2004 when WSV Founder Skyler Thomas saw his first white shark in the wild. While attempting to hold down a full time job Skyler made a few short films over the years in an attempt to share the untold story story of the white shark. Progress was too slow and in 2013 Skyler left the world of tech to start his own nonprofit corporation and pursue shark education and filmmaking full time.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A message from the film director:

"I spent the last few years lamenting the state of affairs with other shark advocates who also knew the truth of what has been taking place. We often asked aloud why no one was doing anything about it. Well, there's a lesson there. We often think that it's always going to be someone else who writes the book, makes the film, or breaks the story...but at some point you have to decide you're gonna be that person. It's a scary notion because it carries the weight of failure as well as pissing off a lot of people that won't like what you have to say. Well, successful or not, I'm here to try.