Documentary Australia

Delikado

Defending paradise has never been so dangerous.

Delikado is an important and powerful film. The tension is palpable throughout… but so is the incredible courage of the environmental defenders portrayed.
Luciana Tellez-Chavez, Researcher – Environment and Human Rights, Human Rights Watch

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Directors: Karl Malakunas
Producers: Michael Collins, Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Karl Malakunas, Marty Syjuco

Synopsis:

Palawan appears to be an idyllic tropical island. Its powder-white beaches and lush forests have made it one of Asia’s hottest new tourist destinations. But for a tiny network of environmental crusaders and vigilantes trying to protect its spectacular natural resources, it is more akin to a battlefield. 

Delikado follows Bobby, Tata and Nieves, three magnetic leaders of this network, as they risk their lives in David versus Goliath-style struggles trying to stop politicians and businessmen from destroying the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier”.

It is a timely film emblematic of the struggles globally for land defenders as they are being killed in record numbers trying to save natural resources from being plundered by corporations and governments. As the world faces its sixth-mass extinction and the climate emergency worsens, it has never been a more dangerous time to be a land defender.

Delikado offers a story of courage and resilience to inspire others into action.

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About the Environmental Accelerator

We are committed to creating collective action on the world’s environmental crisis through documentary storytelling.

Documentary Australia’s innovative Environmental Accelerator program will amplify the impact of up to 10 new films over three years to increase awareness and action on a range of pressing environmental issues.

Through the Environmental Accelerator, Documentary Australia is connecting documentaries and impact partners in the environmental space, providing opportunities for films to be seen by audiences and used by existing campaigns to amplify and grow the movement.

We are curating a series of events, leveraging the films to increase the visibility of a suite of environmental issues, showcasing the value of documentary in supporting social impact, starting conversations around pressing environmental issues and engaging audiences to take action to support improved environmental outcomes.