AKA

Aka’s tribe of bottlenose dolphins crosses paths with a lone sailor in the equatorial mid-Atlantic ocean, exciting Aka because he wonders if his tribe has found a descendant of the long-lost, ancient Sea Kings of Atlantis. When the unimaginable happens, their fates become intertwined, leaving the dolphins with a life-transforming decision to make. This timeless, captivating story reveals an almost-forgotten legend and inspires a call to action—in audiences of all ages—to honor and protect the oceans.

  • Julia F. Mann
    Director
  • based on the novel by Tristan Jones
    Writer
  • adapted by Julia F. Mann
    Writer
  • Julia F. Mann
    Producer
  • Craig Wolf
    Key Cast
    "Sailor & Narrator"
  • Elliot Sudal
    Key Cast
    "Sailor played by"
  • Alex Jenks
    Key Cast
    "Aka voiced by"
  • Julia F. Mann
    Key Cast
    "Kweela voiced by"
  • Jim Syoen
    Key Cast
    "Huk voiced by"
  • Rusty Farst
    Director of Photography & Drones
  • Dave Beaty
    Editing & Visual Effects
  • Dave Beaty
    Sound Design
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Adventure
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 10, 2018
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Flagler Film Festival 2023
    Flagler Beach, Florida
    United States
    January 21, 2023
    BEST IN FLORIDA NOMINEE
  • West Florida International Film Festival 2022
    Naples, Florida
    United States
    WINNER BEST FANTASY
  • Southern Florida International Cinema Festival 2022
    Boca Raton, Florida
    United States
    WINNER BEST FANTASY
  • Awareness Film Festival 2022
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    WINNER MERIT OF AWARENESS
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • Pharos Best Inspiration Film Festival 2022
    Athens, Greece
    Greece
    September 16, 2022
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • KIDS FIRST! Film Festival 2022
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    United States
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Panama City Independent Film Festival 2022
    Panama City, Florida
    United States
    June 2, 2022
    WINNER HONORABLE MENTION
  • Vancouver Independent Film Festival 2022
    Vancouver, British Coloumbia
    Canada
    BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
    QUARTER-FINALIST
  • Treasure Coast International Film Festival 2021
    Port St. Lucie, Florida
    United States
    October 16, 2021
    FIRST-TIME FILMMAKER AWARD NOMINEE
    FLORIDA FILM GEM AWARD NOMINEE
  • The Northern Virginia International Film & Music Festival (The NOVA Fest) 2021
    Fairfax, Virginia
    United States
    ARTIST CIRCLE
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • FESTIVAL ANGAELICA 2020
    Pasadena, California
    United States
    December 21, 2020
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Mediterranean Film Festival Cannes 2020
    Cannes, French Riviera France
    France
    November 30, 2020
    WINNER BEST SHORT FILM
  • Hollywood Florida Film Festival 2020
    Hollywood, Florida
    United States
    November 11, 2020
    WINNER MOST ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTFUL SHORT
  • Sands Film Festival 2020
    Jacksonville Beach, Florida
    United States
    September 5, 2020
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Southern States Indie FanFilmFest 2019
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    United States
    January 9, 2020
    TALENTED NEW DIRECTOR NOMINEE
  • Palm Beach International Mini Movie and Film Festival 2019
    West Palm Beach, Florida
    United States
    December 9, 2019
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Catalina Film Festival 2019
    Catalina Island, California
    United States
    September 25, 2019
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Austin Revolution Film Festival 2019
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    September 6, 2019
    BEST U.S. SCI-FI/FANTASY SHORT NOMINEE
    WINNER BEST INSPIRATIONAL
  • Florence Film Awards 2019
    Florence, Italy
    Italy
    June 30, 2019
    WINNER HONORABLE MENTION: FANTASY
  • Jersey Shore Film Festival 2019
    Asbury Park and Deal Park, New Jersey
    United States
    June 27, 2019
    June 29, 2019
    WINNER BEST ENVIRONMENTAL SHORT
  • Myrtle Beach International Film Festival 2019
    Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
    United States
    April 26, 2019
    WINNER HONORABLE MENTION
  • Fort Myers Film Festival 2019
    Fort Myers, Florida
    United States
    April 13, 2019
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Big Apple Film Festival FLORIDA Filmmakers and Screenwriters Showcase 2019
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    United States
    March 2, 2019
    WINNER SHOWCASE 2019
  • Sunshine City Film Festival 2019
    St. Petersburg, Florida
    United States
    January 17, 2019
    WINNER HONORABLE MENTION
  • Glendale International Film Festival 2018
    Glendale, California
    United States
    October 9, 2018
    World Premiere
    WINNER BEST SHORT MADE BY A WOMAN
Director Biography - Julia F. Mann

Julia Mann chose a career as a certified public accountant, but when she read the novel AKA, by Tristan Jones, she instantly knew she wanted to share this story. With passionate perseverance, she shares this legendary tale in the hope that it inspires respect and care of the oceans. “We have a familiar fascination and curious connection with dolphins. If sharing this epic story inspires one person to become a greater steward of our oceans, then I will be delighted. The more, the better, of course." She lives in Southwest Florida, where she enjoys connecting with dolphins on the water and at the beach.

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Director Statement

"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love
only what we understand; and we will understand only
what we are taught." (Baba Dioum, 1968)