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Unmasking Monsters Below

Unmasking Monsters Below invites you on a path of shark discovery told through the eyes of the people spending their lives in the presence of the most misunderstood animals patrolling our oceans.

  • Justin Sago
    Director
    Hatchet Jack
  • Justin Sago
    Writer
    Hatchet Jack
  • Justin Sago
    Producer
    Hatchet Jack
  • Ryan Mathews
    Producer
  • Dan Auld
    Producer
  • Kevin Lapsley
    Producer
    LimoCop, The Davissons, The Last One, Motorcycle to Mars
  • Justin Sago
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Joe Alves
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    The Making of 'Jaws 3-D': Sharks Don't Die, The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', The Making of 'Jaws 2'
  • Manny Puig
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Jackass 3D, Jackass: The Movie, Jackass Number Two
  • Ryan Mathews
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Michael Dornellas
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Shark Week - Laws of Jaws: Dangerous Waters, Shark Week - Mystery of the Black Demon Shark
  • Chris Cameron
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Cassandra Scott
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Cade Steurmer
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Debbie Salamone
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Chris Gillette
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Gator Boys (TV Series)
  • Ryan Mathews
    Director of Photography
  • Michael Dornellas
    Underwater Director of Photography
    Shark Week - Laws of Jaws: Dangerous Waters, Shark Week - Mystery of the Demon Shark
  • Mickey Smith
    Underwater Director of Photography
  • Christopher Munyon
    Sound Editor
    Disturbia, Chasing 3000, Battlefield Earth
  • Kevin Lapsley
    Color Correction
    LimoCop, The Davissons, The Last One, Motorcycle to Mars
  • Ryan Mathews
    Video Editor
  • Justin Sago
    Video Editor
    Hatchet Jack
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 28 minutes
  • 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:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Row House Cinema
    Pittsburgh, PA
    United States
    October 15, 2022
    North American Premiere
  • Atlantic City CineFest
    Atlantic City, NJ
    United States
    October 16, 2022
    North American Festival Premiere
    Best Director of Photography
  • CARE Awards
    Parkersburg, WV
    United States
    November 5, 2022
    Best Feature Documentary
  • Central Florida CineFest
    Orlando, FL
    United States
    November 27, 2022
    Best Cinematography
  • Filmyway International Film Festival
    Mumbai
    India
    December 9, 2022
    Southern Asia Premiere
    Best Cinematography, Best Editing
  • Central Florida Film Festival
    Mount Fora, FL
    United States
    January 20, 2023
    Best Documentary Feature
  • Burns Court Cinema
    Sarasota, FL
    United States
    February 9, 2023
    Florida Premiere
Director Biography - Justin Sago

Justin Sago was born and raised in North Central West Virginia and relocated to Western Pennsylvania in 2003 to study film at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Justin’s past projects include Hatchet Jack and the travel/adventure mini-series, A Brug’s Life. In 2015, Justin moved to South Florida to dive into the world of sharks and film the animals that had fascinated him throughout his life. Unmasking Monsters Below is his latest project born out of his desire to learn as much as possible about the often-misunderstood animals of the deep. He currently resides in Sarasota, FL.

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Director Statement

Unmasking Monsters Below has been an amazing journey of self-discovery along with learning about the issues sharks are facing and the importance of protecting them. I speak on behalf of everyone involved when I say the process has been challenging to say the least. We suffered loss of friends during the filming of the project as well as the extreme challenges of creating a documentary during Covid which turned the world upside down less than 1 year into our production. However, we persevered and are extremely honored to be considered for this amazing Film Festival. Thank you.