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DPG has been telling stories about the ocean for the better part of a decade now. These stories are usually in the form of written words with still images and are told by some of the world’s most influential photographers, editors, divers and conservationists.

At some point I knew I wanted to tell the stories of these DPG contributors that have enriched our community with their words and images. Ideally, this would be through a series of short films. But like all ideas, this one required the right people to execute it properly.

In 2011, I reconnected with Jon Betz, a filmmaker and former classmate of mine, through an event DPG was hosting in Curaçao, and the idea began to turn into reality. We discussed the concept of telling the stories of people that have a special connection with the ocean, from photographers and filmmakers to conservationists and marine scientists.

While writing an article for Scuba Diver Through The Lens about Joe Romeiro, I was surprised to learn he wasn’t at all the adrenaline junkie, thrill-seeker one might expect a shark filmmaker to be, but actually a really thoughtful artist. Joe was the perfect person to profile in a short film. We had the right group of people to get started and our film company DPG Originals was born.

Our first short film, Confronting Sharks, tells Joe’s story. It’s the first original film product by DPG and the first in a series that we are creating in collaboration with Jon Betz Films. I hope you enjoy.