Leaving Loch Ness: A Documentary Film

At the end of August, the largest search for the Loch Ness Monster in 50 years will take place.

With a prolonged drought bringing the Loch's water levels to their lowest in decades, how does climate change alter the way we think about the mysterious creature's habitat?

Can the hunt for Nessie represent more than just the search for a monster?

We have just one opportunity to find the answers to these questions, and we need your help!

Hello all,

The Loch Ness Monster has for nearly a century captured the hearts and imaginations of countless storytellers, tourists, and monster hunters. While the blurry photos and video clips inspire more than a fair mix of excitement and skepticism, there is no denying that Nessie is the Loch's--and perhaps Scotland's--most famous resident.

However, the world's climate is changing, and Scotland's largest freshwater ecosystem is at risk. Drought conditions have brought Loch Ness's water levels to their lowest point in decades, and warming temperatures have begun threatening the diverse biological makeup of the lake. Fish, otters, seals, plants, and microbial life--along with the famous monster itself-- have all called the Loch home for thousands of years, yet these creatures may soon be forced to leave the Loch for cooler waters if they hope to survive.

With Nessie’s habitat rapidly disappearing, perhaps the largest search for the creature in 50 years can serve as a wake-up call to the global community and spark a larger conversation around conservation efforts. Placing a spotlight on one of the most well-known bodies of water on the planet and the people who passionately observe it day after day can, we hope, show the world that what lives and breathes beneath the surface deserves to be protected.

What we are hoping to create:

We are hoping to create a documentary film chronicling The Quest: the largest search of Loch Ness for the Monster in nearly 50 years. Sponsored by the Loch Ness Centre and Loch Ness Exploration, this event hopes to gather monster hunters from around the world to the Loch at the end of August 2023.

The filmmakers will investigate the human stories surrounding the search for the Loch Ness Monster, as well as the environmental impact that climate change has had on the ongoing search. What purpose do the monster hunters have for undergoing their excursion? What do they hope to find? How has Nessie impacted their lives? Why is it more important than ever for these hunters to find evidence of the creature’s existence?

Once those questions are answered, we hope to then go further, showing how the Loch Ness Monster, the creature or the myth, can stand for something that both believers and skeptics can get behind. Through this lens, we plan to explore how our planet's shifting climate impacts both people and nature in measurable, felt ways.

Who we are:

Justin Minor (Director) - An avid nature-lover and monster enthusiast with a background in short and feature-length documentary filmmaking. Previously co-directed Saving Sasquatch, an investigative look at the impact of deforestation on Bigfoot’s habitat.

Sean Campbell (Producer) - Screenwriter, researcher, and climate doom-scroller, Sean’s work blurs the lines between academic research, science fiction, and horror. He has long been interested in the intersection between monstrosity, identity, and power.

Matt Hoge (Cinematographer) - A fantasy-loving, drone-operating, nerdy camera guy who strives to promote actionable steps to reverse climate change. Traveling to amazing environments and capturing them on film are among his greatest joys in life.

Sarah Villaseñor (Researcher) - A passionate environmentalist with a degree in biology, generalized climate anxiety, and a healthy interest in cryptozoology.

Anastasia Kahn (Graphic Designer) - Contemporary art world professional by day, artist by night with a zeal for illustration and graphic design that has a handmade sensibility. Previously designed the title graphics for Saving Sasquatch.

Filmmaking Approach:

Our approach will be largely “observational” and subject-based. Our characters will tell the story through their actions and supplementary interviews. Talking heads will be minimized in favor of an experiential mode of shooting – this will include observing a day in our subjects’ lives, following them through their investigation, and observing their actions and behaviors. The filmmakers will be “behind the camera,” prompting discussion but not participating on-camera.

Where will your money go:

We are mindful that times are tight right now, and the filmmakers hope to produce this film on as small a budget as possible. This is a passion project, so any help you can provide will go a long way to making this film a reality.

Your support will help with the costs associated with:

Thank you! We look forward to sharing our film with you!

Sincerely,

The Leaving Loch Ness Team