Featured Shero: Hannah Walsh
We had the opportunity to chat with filmmaker Hannah Walsh, who is passionate about storytelling, the ocean, and promoting inclusivity in the surf and film industry, she also happens to be the director of our latest film ‘WOMP’. Hannah shares her unconventional path that led her to where she is today, both from a career and personal perspective. She discusses the role of water in her life and how visual storytelling has always been a driving force and opens up about her experiences as a female, LGBTQ+ filmmaker in a male-dominated industry. Let's dive into Hannah's inspiring journey and insights.
CTF: Tell us about the unconventional path that led you here, to the Hannah Walsh that you are today - both from a both a career and personal perspective.
HW: Shucks, “unconventional path” is a pretty accurate way to describe the path of life so far! I suppose this answer starts with the string that has weaved through every chapter of my life so far which is the water, both personally and professionally. Growing up, I was the definition of a water baby and eventually went on to become a surfer, ocean lifeguard, and collegiate swimmer in my teenage years.
I always loved taking a gopro or a point and shoot camera out on my adventures in the water and I would make little edits for my pals and I to encapsulate those memories together. I didn’t realize it at the time, but visual storytelling was always a driving force in my life. When land life started catching up with me, I faced the pressures of a high school senior being pushed to go into debt on college tuition, despite not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I caved, and went to university for multimedia journalism in Florida while also competing for an NCAA DII swim team. That year, the calm ocean eventually made me feel out of place, and I no longer felt like committing to three more years of time and money spent there when I had no clue what I even wanted.
After taking some time to ponder, I ended up finding a miraculous opportunity to work on a documentary film in Costa Rica as an in-water surf cinematographer and drone pilot. With my little experience, I made many mistakes but learned invaluable lessons for the future. I decided to move down there after production and complete my bachelors degree in multimedia journalism online from Costa Rica while working for Bodhi Surf + Yoga. This gave me the opportunity to get in the water for hours on end, every single day and really hone in my in-water cinematography skills.
When the pandemic hit and I fell in love with my soon to be wife, Emma, I took a leap and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. I did a one year program in documentary filmmaking to hone in a few additional skills and I now work full time in film production - both freelance and for a company called FlyOver Attractions. As an independent filmmaker, my deepest passion in action-sports filmmaking is shining light on stories of those who are often underrepresented in the mainstream media.
CTF: Did you always know you wanted to be a filmmaker or was there a specific pivotal moment that you realized you wanted to dedicate your life to filmmaking?
HW: It’s funny - looking back, it’s so obvious to me that the water and storytelling were the driving forces in my life. I suppose it’s easier to look back and connect the dots than to try and figure it out without a road map back then. I have this old 35mm footage of me at four years getting my first polaroid camera and I remember being obsessed with it.
I think the pandemic put a lot into perspective for me. When I realized my four plus years in Costa Rica were coming to an end, I felt ready for that next step in my life. It all unfolded so naturally that my now partner ended up being in Vancouver which is a notorious film city with an amazing documentary program. When I went through the program , I gained this newfound sense of confidence that I could be an independent filmmaker and have really launched more of my career since then. Believing in myself was the best thing I ever did!
CTF: How did you start working with CTF? What has the experience been like for you?
HW: I love this story. Back in 2019, my best friend and I were invited to attend Women and Water, a program that uses sports, participatory audio-visual arts, and wellness workshops, to engage local women and girls as key agents in water management while building their inner and outer strength. I soon learned that CTF was hosting running their WOMP program in the project and that we would all be sharing a one-hundred year old house together.
When we arrived, Becky became our roommate and we were also able to meet Anna and Jianca. The trip was incredible, but we also encountered a nightmare of a spreading gastro illness that was taking everyone down! So needless to say, it was a first of its kind bonding experience for sure. We left with newfound palships formed and excitement to reunite in the future.
In 2020, I had border issues with getting to Canada and unexpectedly had to drive across the US with all my belongings. I called Becky to catch up and she asked if I wanted to house sit for her and do some video work for CTF while I waited to cross the border again. It was a dream come true! That really began the working relationship and I have since had the honor of editing the 2022 Changing Tides Day video and directing and editing their most recent WOMP film that will hit festivals this summer. Working with CTF aligns with my passions so deeply and I couldn’t be more thankful for the projects we have collaborated on.
CTF: What is it that captivates you about water people and our underwater world? What initially drove you to tell the stories of the sea?
HW: The ocean has always been my guide in life. It has helped me understand my true self, learn to be patient and confident, and to go with the flow in this ever changing environment we call life. It has given me everything and more, and I feel as though it should be humanity's mission to therefore protect it. For me, I do that through sharing stories of the sea, to drive viewers to do their part in taking care of it for future generations.
The stories that inspire me the most are those who are using the water as a tool to spark positive environmental change or to make it a more welcoming place for everyone. Whether it be a story of using a surf program to begin to remove barriers of access in the ocean, or by raising awareness about climate change through stories of mothers raising their children in and around nature, these are the stories that captivate me.
Instead of making films about maneuvers and tricks while riding boards, I am more inspired to get to the root of people's hearts who choose to dedicate their lives to immersing themselves in the sea. It’s those people who can change the world and I am just grateful to be a facilitator of those stories.
CTF: What role does movement play in your workflow?
HW: Movement is everything. During my time in Costa Rica, I was able to surf every day for over four years. When I moved to Vancouver, I got more involved in swimming again but was missing the ability to bike to the waves instead of driving or taking a boat like I have to do now. It was then that I decided to give running a chance. Growing up my Mom was an Ironman athlete and my partner now runs marathons. At first, I really hated it, but after a few years of consistency, I have fallen in love and get a similar endorphin release of a good surf session after a run.
If I don’t move each day, I am less creatively driven. Being a filmmaker and crafting people's lives and stories together can be energetically incredible but also exhausting at the same time. I found that in order to tell people’s stories in the ways that they deserve, I need to make sure I take the time for myself each day first. Therefore, I set a challenge for myself this year and committed to running a minimum of 5k a day for 30 days. After completing that, I kept going and just hit nearly six months (177 days) of running at least 5k a day and I have never been more motivated in my work.
CTF: Describe your relationship with the ocean, and how this relationship inspires you to tell the stories it gives way to?
HW: I feel grateful to have been able to spend the entirety of my upbringing in and around the ocean. I know that with barriers to access, my relationship with the water comes with immense privilege. That is why one of my motivators is using that relationship to tell stories that drive positive change in this chaotic world.
The ocean was the place that allowed me to understand myself and process all the emotions that came with that. It’s where I would go if I were having a hard day, if I needed to clear my head, and was even the place that I came out in regards to my sexuality for the first time. It's given, and given, and given.
This relationship has inspired me to tell stories about that endlessly giving dynamic to drive people to cultivate a more reciprocal relationship with the water. If I can inspire viewers to fall in love with the ocean through my films, then those people are going to be more driven to take care of the places that they play, which is the ultimate goal.
CTF: What has been your experience as a female, LGBTQ+ filmmaker in a male-dominated surf and film industry?
HW: Oof - This is a question I could write an essay on. Simply put, the surf industry has a long way to go. I came out when I was twenty three years old, despite being immersed in a surf culture for the four years leading up to that moment. I think the subliminal causes of that were the lack of representation in the surf industry and not being able to articulate a large part of my identity to myself because I just didn’t see it as much in the world of outdoor sports. We are also living in a polarized time which is frightening if you’re anything but a white man. This year alone, there have been 500 + anti LGBTQQIP2SA legislation bills brought forward in the States and hate crimes have become more and more frequent.
Regardless of being queer, there is also a misrepresentation of female identifying people as a base. I remember picking up a surfers journal magazine a few years back and counting the 242 pages in the edition and only seeing 2 photos of women. They weren't even surfing in either photograph. This absolutely contributes to young girls not feeling welcomed in the water, as it’s just something they never saw as kids in books, magazines or in the media growing up. There’s a reason why you look out at ninety nine percent of surf lineups in the world and see predominantly men.
My experience has evolved and changed and this is where I’m at now. If you’re a stakeholder in the surfing industry, an organization, or just a surfer in general, and you’re not actively involved in making the water an inclusive place for everyone in this polarized time, then you’re an active participant in the problem. It’s time to use platforms for positive change and to simply be kind and loving to those around you. It’s wild to me how challenging that seems to have become but I know that I will do everything in my power to use my work to do just that and more. The Changing Tides Foundation is a beautiful example of an organization making positive strides in surfing.
CTF: How do you put space between your work and your personal life, seeing as your work is so intertwined with your passions and identity?
HW: This can indeed be tricky being that I am so passionate about telling stories, both personally and professionally. I think that time away from the news and social media is a good start. With so much going on, it’s a constant cycle of harrowing stories and it’s easy to get caught up in it all with no break. Time away from the phone allows me moments to breathe and become grounded. It lets me build the energy needed to craft stories together that can actually make an impact.
My partner Emma and I, along with our new puppy Ruthie, like to spend a lot of time outside in nature to recharge in order to be the best versions of ourselves. Running each day and getting in the water as much as possible are all contributors to that. I have also recently gotten into daily ice baths which I believe have the power to spark so much positive change individually! Overall, It’s important to put the camera down sometimes and truly just be present.
CTF: Do you have any passion-projects you’re working on or would like to create?
HW: There are so many projects I want to make! As of now, my partner and I are looking to get funding for a short documentary about a one-hundred year old swimmer striving to break the 800 meter world record for her age group. Ageism is a topic I have always wanted to take on as my Nana is the most incredible person who I am obsessed with. I think that throughout the pandemic, a portion of the public began to see the elderly and those who are immunocompromised almost as a nuisance which was horrific. I really want to shine a light on stories of triumph and inspiration through this story.
CTF: How has manifestation helped you in realizing your dreams? How do you balance passive trust with active work to make your dreams a reality?
HW: Growing up, I always made vision boards. Shortly before leaving for Costa Rica for my last stint down there in 2019, I made a new one that I still have at my parents house to this day. It is so wild to me how nearly everything on that board has become a reality. Since I made that board, I became true to myself and fell in love for the first time, made full time filmmaking a reality, toured to international film festivals in the realm of social change through sport, and became an overall better version of myself. It’s amazing to me what believing in yourself can do.
Manifesting and active work are completely intertwined in my perspective. I think that the act of manifesting itself is simply a vocal and or mental cue to remind yourself to work harder in the direction of your dreams, ultimately bringing you closer to making them a reality. If I want to tell stories about women in action sports, then I will consciously or subconsciously be taking steps towards getting those jobs each day. It works and it’s amazing to see!!
CTF: Any advice for our CTF community, as we aspire to promote inclusivity in the ocean and beyond?
HW: I think that the first step to promoting inclusivity in the ocean and beyond is by being the best version of yourself. If we can all be the best versions of ourselves, that means that we are comfortable with our identity, and feel safe and loved in this world. If we can do that, then it also becomes our job to allow others to be their best selves. This means loving and supporting those around you and not using judgment as a shield for fear. We need to collectively stop trying to shut down others for simply trying to be themselves. This means being an active participant in speaking out against others using their platforms to cause harm, listening to experts, and supporting organizations who are doing the hard work. Once we can be our best true selves while allowing others to do the same, working collectively to tackle and solve problems like the environmental crisis becomes possible. There is so much groundwork to be done on a human to human level before it becomes possible to work together. If we can do that, anything is possible and that’s exciting.