After traveling around the world to make films about adventure and environmental issues, documentary filmmaker Ian Hinkle returned home to tell a story of how the changing planet was present in his own backyard – the Salish Sea.

“Shooting ‘Reaching Blue’ was a much more personal project in a lot of ways,” said Hinkle of his 2014 documentary, which depicts the life of his native waters under the threat of climate change, but also offers hope for a better future.

Both the film and its maker are coming to Port Townsend this Friday for a screening hosted by the Green Sanctuary Committee of Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (QUUF) and cosponsored by more than 15 local organizations and businesses. The event is set for 6:30 p.m., March 17 at QUUF, 2333 San Juan Ave. To purchase tickets, $10, and get more information, go to

brownpapertickets.com.

STORYTELLER

Hinkle, who currently resides in Victoria, British Columbia, has lived on the shores of the Salish Sea his entire life, including six years in Port Townsend.

While here, he served on the board of the Port Townsend Film Festival, which has screened several of his documentaries, including “The Living Coast,” “Born to the Wind,” “Long Road North” and “Big Joy.”

“I am drawn to the power of storytelling,” said Hinkle. “I believe that sharing important stories can help make conversations happen that can spark real change.”

A short film he worked on about ocean plastics, “Midway” (see midwayfilm.com), helped to broaden the global conversation, he said. “It was a good example of how a story from a single place on the planet can resonate and show just how we are all connected to it, regardless of geography.”

‘REACHING BLUE’

“Reaching Blue,” with its tagline “finding hope beneath the surface,” shares local stories that connect to the bigger picture of climate change and reveal how these changes have impacted the planet’s oceans, including the Salish Sea, Hinkle said.

The documentary is inhabited by Salish Sea residents, from oyster farmers to scientists, writers to researchers. Scenes shot in Port Townsend feature geologist and writer Brett Nunn, and show the vessel Western Flyer, which in 2014 was sitting in the PT boatyard before any plans for its restoration had been made, Hinkle said.

“As we were speaking to ocean researchers and climate scientists, thinking about the changing environment and changing baselines, the Western Flyer seemed like a perfect character to include in the film as well.”

First Nations poet Philip Kevin Paul tells stories of the waters from times past, providing context and showing how drastically the ocean environment has changed in a single lifetime, Hinkle said.

The film also features imagery of underwater life contributed by over 18 cinematographers. “We didn’t just want to tell depressing stories about climate change and bad news – we also wanted to show the Salish Sea as the beautiful place that we know it to be.”

HOW CAN WE HELP?

While there are many challenges to face, Hinkle is optimistic about the future.

“Simply enough, we need to transition to a carbon-free economy,” he said. “That’s a big one, but I have hope, because I know that change can happen.”

And he believes each person can help with that change, which is why Hinkle made the film.

First of all, Hinkle said, we need to talk about it. “Climate change isn’t just a theory that needs more study,” he said.

We need to take steps to transition to a carbon-free economy, he said, and we need to acknowledge that we are all part of the problem – from the cars we drive to the boats that run on gas and diesel engines, including boats used to make “Reaching Blue,” Hinkle said.

“We as consumers can both acknowledge that we have been contributing to the problem, while also being part of the solution,” he said.

“It isn’t a question of the economy versus the environment it is about making choices that support an economy that includes a better environment.”

“Reaching Blue” was produced and directed by Ian Hinkle and Andy Robertson, with support from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and Ocean Networks Canada at the University of Victoria. It has been shown at dozens of festivals around the world. To learn about the film and watch a preview, visit

reachingblue.com.