University of New England

UNE Marine Science Center presents lecture and film screening of the world's rarest sea lion species

The University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center will host a presentation and film screening of "Whetu Rere: The Sea Lion and the Comet" by director Kat Baulu on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Alfond 113 on the University Campus in Biddeford.

The lecture and film screening are free and open to the UNE Community.

A true wildlife story, "Whet Rere: The Sea Lion and the Comet" focuses on the world's rarest sea lion species, which has begun a tentative comeback to the mainland of New Zealand. The film features detailed and dramatic footage of sea lion behavior and gives an amazingly intimate portrayal of an individual sea lion pup in the weeks immediately following its birth.

Kat Baulu
Kat Baulu grew up in Barbados on her parents' monkey and wildlife reserve, and after moving to Canada to become a veterinarian, decided to pursue film instead. She has produced and directed many films, including her first documentary "Havana Kids," which focused on young peoples struggles in Cuba and was nominated for Best Short at the Hot Docs festival in 1996.

In addition, she produced a short film "The Rogers Cable," which was chosen for The Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival. She has also written and directed a biography in French about her radio announcer grandfather called "The Golden Voice of Montreal," and directed two conservation documentaries, "Reefs: Rainforests of the Ocean" and "Nomads of the Ocean." Under a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, Baulu studied for a postgraduate diploma in natural history filmmaking and communication at the University of Otago.

For more information, contact Keith Matassa at (207) 602-2670, or visit http://www.sealionfilm.com.