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