Creative Team
About Gavin
Gavin “Wild” Shwahla is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer with a background in wildlife biology and conservation. His work is driven by a burning passion for the natural world and the idea of rewilding the planet through rewilding our souls.
As a filmmaker, Gavin’s notable work includes Wood Vibrations, which earned accolades from SmodCastle Film Festival, IndieFilmopolis, and the award for “Best Homegrown Documentary Short” at the Garden State Film Festival. His other short films have shared impactful stories about different environmental issues and organizations, including his video Topsail Island: A Ballad of the Wild and Serene, which was pivotal in halting the proposed development at Serenity Point on Topsail Island, NC. He is also an IDA Fiscal Sponsorship Awardee for his current feature-length documentary, Saving Summer.
About Keegan
Keegan is an environmental storyteller, writer, and filmmaker using the power of narrative to reconnect people with the planet.
Ever since he was a kid, he’s wanted to fight for our planet. From the early days of staying up late to watch Planet Earth to his work in environmental communications, he has chosen to pursue a life where shedding light on the issues, stories, and inspiring people in the world of conservation, environmental issues, and nature-based wellness.
Over his environmental comms career, he’s collaborated with nonprofits, community organizations, and environmental startups to lead campaigns across different digital platforms, including social media, video series, published articles, and newsletters. His work also spans both the digital and film worlds, from producing award-winning short films on highlining to creating viral conservation stories that have garnered over 13 million views.
At his core is the belief that storytelling and community are two of the most powerful tools we have to drive positive environmental and cultural change.
About John
Originally from Point Pleasant, John is a passionate life-long cinephile who loves creative collaboration. His unique background encompasses many different facets of entertainment.
He’s a director, cinematographer, colorist, editor, sound designer, composer and actor. He’s worked with brands, such as Verizon, WeWork, eHarmony, Stella Artois, STO Building Group, FNA Engineering and Ocean County Recycling, as well as networks, such as HBO, CBS and NBC.
All of this experience, in every aspect of production, on both sides of the camera, gives John a distinct perspective that contributes to interesting storytelling.
About Victoria
Victoria grew up in Denville NJ, making every family reunion into a living room performance. Her first love was the stage, as a trained actor, singer, and dancer, so the musicality in every aspect of film comes naturally to her.
She’s performed in venues such as Paper Mill Playhouse, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Norwegian Cruise Line, acted in several films and TV including HBO, FX, and CBS, and was a sound mixer on a shoot for STO Building Group.
Her superpower is listening to people and truly hearing them, making her an excellent artistic collaborator, and an intuitive marketing professional. She uses both her analytical and creative capabilities to, not only craft thought-provoking projects, but help the world see them.
