Palau, An Ocean Inheritance

"To understand the Ocean is to understand how humanity can redeem and restore itself."

"Palau, An Ocean Inheritance" transports viewers to the incredible islands of Palau, where ancient legends, cultural connections, and unparalleled marine biodiversity converge. This documentary celebrates Palau’s natural wonders, from vibrant coral ecosystems to the majestic species that call these waters home. At the film’s core is a powerful call for ocean justice—a recognition that ocean solutions can be found in Indigenous knowledge and community-led stewardship.

  • Skylar Chen
    Director
  • Rayne Sullivan
    Director
  • Rayne Sullivan
    Writer
  • Ivory Vogt
    Producer
  • Skylar Chen
    Producer
  • Alex Wang
    Producer
  • Rayne Sullivan
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Environment, Adventure, Indigenous, Culture, Biodiversity, Ocean
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Palau
  • Country of Filming:
    Palau
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Skylar Chen, Rayne Sullivan

Skylar Chen:

Skylar Chen is a master dive guide, filmmaker, adventurer, and entrepreneur with roots in Taiwan. With almost ten years of experience working in Palau, he has directed, edited, and produced numerous films showcasing the islands' natural beauty and cultural richness.

His earlier work focused on Taiwanese culture and Indigenous communities of Taiwan, and he remains deeply committed to amplifying the voices of those most affected by climate change. With over a decade of filmmaking experience, Skylar's passion for visual storytelling continues to raise global awareness on critical environmental and cultural issue

Rayne Sullivan:

Rayne is a climate technologist, ocean-islands champion, and internationally recognized “leader saving our planet.” With a deep commitment to accelerating transformative solutions in biodiversity, equitable artificial intelligence, and ocean-climate innovation, Rayne is at the forefront of global efforts to drive a more sustainable future.

In the arena of international climate policy, Rayne has made significant contributions on the world stage. As a United Nations Youth4Climate delegate representing the United States, he played a pivotal role in shaping youth-driven climate initiatives.

His leadership includes co-chairing the Youth Policy Advisory Council at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance and providing strategic advice on ocean innovation to the President and Government of Palau during COP27 and COP28. Rayne’s influence is further underscored by his positions on the TED Vision Council, the Steering Council of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), and the USA board of directors for Fauna & Flora International.

He holds a law degree from Stanford Law School, a master’s degree from the University of Oxford, and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

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Director Statement

As Palau stands at the forefront of climate resilience, this film serves as a testament to the interconnection between culture and biodiversity, intergenerationality, and the collective responsibility to protect our ocean for future generations.

-Rayne Sullivan and Skylar Chen