Maria and Dive Academy diving school, situated on Inis Mor, the largest of the remote Aran Islands, documented the underwater wildlife and coral species in the offshore dive sites surrounding these islands. They used a variety of media, including digital video, photography, and even analogue super 8 video, employing a unique underwater super 8 camera known as the Eumig Nautica.
Maria created an underwater Super 8 short film Straw Island Inis Mor as the videographer, using the Eumig Nautica Super camera to capture the underwater aquatic life surrounding the Island. With sound production by John McDowell, the film has been showcased at the Clare Island Film Festival 2024 and the Underwater Love Film Festival in Venice, Italy, where it was screened on a vaporetto boat.
One of the images from the photography series has been shortlisted for the Love Your Coast Photography Competition, by Clean Coasts Ireland. Two of the images were on display at the Postcards for Gaza exhibition hosted by Engage Art Studios in Galway. This project has received support from the Arts Council of Ireland through the Agility Award.
Super 8 footage of Straw Island Inis Mor
Shot on the Eumig Nautica Underwater Super 8 Camera
Exhibitions and awards
Underwater Love Film Festival, Venice Italy
Clare Island Film Festival Short Film Screening, Clare Island Co.Mayo
Shortlisted for the underwater photography section, Love your Coast photography competition, Clean Coasts Ireland
Postcards for Gaza, Engage Art Studios, Galway
