The Spirit Who Swims
Best Canadian Film — VIMFF 2025
- Director:
- Bev Sellars & Garry Tute
- Underwater cinematography:
- Fernando Lessa
Natural history · Conservation · Science
Documenting the delicate relationship between people and water.
Olá, I'm Fernando
A Brazilian-born natural history documentarist based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
I combine my academic background in Biology (BSc) and Fine Art (MA) with a deep love for the outdoors to create compelling cinematic narratives.
I'm known for my work in conservation and natural history documentation, with a particular focus on freshwater and marine ecosystems. I specialize in capturing the delicate relationship between humans and the natural world in both still and motion forms.
Learn moreTrusted by organisations working in science and conservation
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Recent credits
Water Worlds
APTN / TV
- Director:
- Len Morissete
- Researcher:
- Fernando Lessa
- Additional cinematography:
- Fernando Lessa
The Herring People
Green Channel TV
- Director:
- Scott Reynard
- Underwater cinematography:
- Fernando Lessa
The Soul of the Fraser
- Director:
- Brendan Chu
- Underwater cinematography:
- Fernando Lessa
The Firekeepers
Green Channel TV
- Director:
- Scott Reynard
- Additional cinematography:
- Fernando Lessa
The Heart of the Fraser
- Director:
- Brendan Chu
- Underwater cinematography:
- Fernando Lessa