Experiencing Interruptions?

Where Devils Return

Where Devils Return is a short documentary filmed in the Azores, one of the few places on Earth where endangered sicklefin devil rays gather in seasonal groups.

At Ambrósio Seamount, off Santa Maria Island, marine biologist Ana Filipa Sobral and the team behind Manta Catalog Azores, an affiliate project of the Manta Trust, uncover the hidden lives of these elusive ocean giants. Using photo-identification, cutting-edge research, and collaboration with local tour operators, they are beginning to understand why these rays return...and why this place is so important.

Blending immersive underwater cinematography with intimate human stories, the film explores the curiosity between species, the cultural shifts in how devil rays are perceived, and the growing pressures they face from overfishing and unregulated tourism.

As global populations decline, Where Devils Return asks what it means to protect not just a species, but a relationship - between people, science, and the sea - and whether places like the Azores can become a model for responsible coexistence.

  • Jasmine Corbett
    Director
  • Jasmine Corbett
    Writer
  • Jasmine Corbett
    Producer
  • Ana Filipa Sobral
    Key Cast
  • Tania Bairos
    Key Cast
  • Nuno Barros
    Key Cast
  • Silvino Santos
    Key Cast
  • Henrique Botelho
    Key Cast
  • Niv Froman
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Conservation, Environment, Ocean, Research, Wildlife, Coast
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 29, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    English, Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Jasmine Corbett

Jasmine Corbett is a media and communications specialist, conservation filmmaker, marine scientist, scuba dive instructor, and award-winning underwater photographer. With over a decade of experience in marine conservation across South and Southeast Asia, she has managed conservation projects, worked in underwater photography, and taught scuba diving.

Jasmine is passionate about making ocean conservation accessible, using her work to educate and inspire others to protect the marine environment. Through engaging content, she aims to raise awareness about the threats facing the ocean and foster a deeper connection to its preservation.

Add Director Biography