Puerto Vallarta will become a gathering place for environmental storytelling this September as filmmakers, conservation groups, students and community members come together to explore the challenges facing marine ecosystems.
Documentales para la Vida (Documentaries for Life) will take place Monday, September 21, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Juan Luis Cifuentes Lemus Auditorium at the University of Guadalajara’s University Center of the Coast (CUCosta).
The film marathon is being organized by the Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas Business Association (AEBBA) and Nado por las Ballenas A.C. (Swim for the Whales), in collaboration with CUCosta. The goal is to use film as a starting point for conversations about ocean conservation, marine species and the effects of human activity.
Designed especially for young people and the wider Puerto Vallarta-Bahía de Banderas community, the event will feature six documentary films and short productions from Mexico and abroad. A discussion panel and interactive conservation exhibition will add opportunities for attendees to learn, ask questions and connect with organizations working in the region.
Stories of Whales, Turtles and Oceans
The film selection takes viewers from the history of the blue whale to the growing problem of marine pollution and the consequences of consumerism.
Among the international productions is The Battle for the Blue by Adam Ernster, which examines the history of the blue whale and the threats that have challenged its survival. Craig Leeson’s A Plastic Ocean turns its attention to plastic pollution and its effects on marine environments.
David Garrett Byars’ The Shitthropocene takes a different approach, using satire to examine consumerism and how human activity has transformed the landscape.
The Mexican selection includes Regreso. Salvando a las Tortugas by Ignacio Loera, which follows the transition from exploiting sea turtles to protecting and conserving them.
Two additional productions directed by Jorge Morales will premiere during the event: Brazadas en la Penumbra. El origen de Nado por las Ballenas and Proyectos para la Conservación en el Pacífico mexicano.
Together, the films examine the pressures placed on oceans and wildlife while also pointing toward solutions through education, cooperation and community involvement.
From Swimming to Conservation
The event also highlights the work behind Nado por las Ballenas, including the years of sporting and environmental efforts led by swimmer Stephanie Montero Bending in Bahía de Banderas and along sections of the Jalisco and Nayarit coasts associated with Protected Natural Areas.
Her work connects athletic challenges with environmental awareness, helping bring attention to marine conservation and projects focused on protecting life in the Mexican Pacific.
That message is central to “Documentales para la Vida,” which organizers describe as a call to recognize the value of all living beings and the importance of maintaining ecological balance.
Turning Reflection Into Action
Following the films, attendees will be invited to participate in the panel “Reimagining the Future We Want: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainability.” Representatives from Nado por las Ballenas, AEBBA, CUCosta, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mexico will take part.
The discussion will conclude with a dialogue with the audience, giving participants a chance to share ideas and raise questions about the environmental challenges affecting their communities.
An interactive exhibition will also be installed in the auditorium lobby. It will feature organizations and public institutions involved in conservation projects supported by Nado por las Ballenas as part of its broader marine life conservation strategy.
The exhibition will include educational and interactive activities intended to make environmental learning accessible and engaging for visitors of different ages.
At its heart, “Documentales para la Vida” is about more than watching films. By bringing together storytelling, education, conservation projects and community dialogue, organizers hope to encourage people to see environmental protection as a shared responsibility—and to recognize that meaningful change can begin with understanding the world around them.
The full program is available through the @nadoporlasballenas and @AsociacionAEBBA social media accounts.
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