We’re thrilled to share two recent features that spotlight The Rebel Reef: Seeds of Hope, our award-winning short documentary following Christian Carias, Tela’s only divemaster, on a journey of personal and environmental resilience.

Verde Independent: “Sedona Film Festival showcases ‘The Rebel Reef'”

In this March 2026 feature, reporter Nicholas Valdez explores the story behind the film and its journey to the Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF). The piece dives into how the project evolved—including the decision to refilm interviews in Spanish to honor Christian and his family. “If we’re making this film for them, it has to be in their language,” producer Tiffany Duong shares in the article. The piece also touches on Duong’s transition from corporate law to environmental storytelling and the nonprofit work that grew out of her connection to Tela.

Read the full article: https://www.verdenews.com/kudos/sedona-film-festival-showcases-the-rebel-reef/article_37dd155e-1634-45d8-b581-7e6798fe60f8.html

SIFF Filmmaker Interviews: Interview with Tiffany Duong

During the Sonoma International Film Festival, producer Tiffany Duong sat down with Mara June to discuss The Rebel Reef: Seeds of Hope. The conversation covered the film’s origins, the incredible story of Tela’s rebellious reef, and what it meant to bring Christian’s story to an audience for the first time at an in-person festival.

Watch the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1AiORXBCHk

We are deeply grateful to the Sedona International Film Festival for creating opportunities to amplify stories like Christian’s. Festivals do more than screen films: they build community, connect storytellers with audiences, and help important stories find the light they deserve. Thank you for welcoming us into your spaces and for helping us share the magic of Tela with the world.