THE STORY BEHIND REEF KEEPERS

A documentary about the people restoring Florida’s Coral Reef and the resilience it takes to protect what sustains us all.

ABOUT US

Reef Keepers is a feature documentary in production that follows scientists working to restore Florida’s Coral Reef. Through powerful storytelling and real-world conservation efforts, the film explores climate change, coral loss, and the human resilience driving restoration.

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A group of five people standing on a sandy beach, with the ocean and a clear blue sky in the background. One person is holding a camera, others are talking or listening, two wearing headphones and hats.
Three people gathered around a table, examining a small model of a starfish or coral, with a person operating a camera filming the scene, outdoors with trees and a building in the background.
A behind-the-scenes view of a film or video shoot in an outdoor wooded area with professional filming equipment, lights, and crew members, including an older man sitting and a woman holding a script, surrounded by trees and natural light.
A group of six people standing together on a dock at the marina, smiling for the photo, with boats and the marina building in the background.
People working in a greenhouse examining plants in water tanks, with a camera operator filming the activity.
Close-up of a smiling woman with long blonde hair in an outdoor setting with green foliage in the background. 
Co-Director / Producer

Alyson Larson

Alyson is a documentarian and adjunct lecturer at the University of Florida. Her work includes associate producer and camera operations on Being Michelle, an award-winning documentary that follows the journey of a deaf and disabled woman who survived incarceration and abuse. She has also filmed for Orange Kite Productions’ Eternal Fire Keepers and Seize the Day documentaries still in production. Her National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine-funded short, After Michael, explored Florida Resilient Cities’ work with the city of Port St. Joe as it recovered from a Category 5 hurricane, among other climate crisis issues. 

Close-up of a woman with curly hair, blue eyes, smiling, outdoors with blurred green background. 
Co-Director / Writer

Natalie van Hoose

Natalie van Hoose is a freelance science journalist and a fourth-generation Floridian who reports unexpected conservation stories in her home state and beyond, with a focus on water and wildlife. Her work has appeared in Fast Company, Science News, Creative Nonfiction magazine, Florida Sportsman magazine, National Wildlife magazine, The Invading Sea, The Marjorie and other outlets. She worked with WEDU PBS as writer and co-producer for the Suncoast EMMY-nominated documentary Public Square: Climate Change and as research coordinator for the 2025 documentary Good Natured.

Close-up of a woman with long brown hair, light blue eyes, and light makeup, wearing a dark green striped top, in an indoor setting. 
Editor

Laura Landry

Laura is an award-winning producer and editor. With degrees in anthropology and interactive media, Laura is an astute observer of the human condition. Happiest when editing, she also enjoys producing, connecting with talented crews and gaining intimate insights into people's lives. Her work in public media has earned her seven Suncoast Emmys™, three National Public Media Awards, and the 2021 Griot Drum Community Hero Award from the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists. Dedicated to supporting women in film and fostering opportunities for diverse, emerging filmmakers, Laura mentors on set and volunteers in media education for youth.

A man with dark hair and a beard watching a monitor with a smile in a film or television production setting, with a person holding a clapperboard in the foreground. 
Director of Photography

Kris Spelce

Kris Spelce is a director of photography known for his cinematic eye and dynamic visual storytelling. With a creative career spanning over 15 years, Kris began in the world of 3D animation, crafting high-end visuals for global brands like Hasbro, Verizon, and T-Mobile. His passion for merging CGI and live-action led him into the world of video production. Now based in Florida, Kris has worked with major clients including Amazon, John Deere, Tom Brady, Disney, and Lowe’s. His technical versatility, narrative intuition, and collaborative spirit make him a sought-after DP across branded content, commercial, and documentary projects.

A man with gray beard wearing sunglasses, a cap backwards, and black clothing, holding a camera or device on a boat with a view of the ocean in the background. 
Underwater Director of Photography

Frazier Nivens

Frazier Nivens is an Emmy™ Award-winning underwater cinematographer who has been internationally recognized as one of the leading experts in underwater visual storytelling. His footage has appeared in major productions for Discovery Shark Week, National Geographic, One Strange Rock, Disney, Animal Planet, and the Emmy-winning series “How to Do Florida.” Frazier’s credits span a wide range of networks, including CNN, BBC, PBS, ABC, NBC, MTV, Univision, and Fusion TV. He currently serves as Director of Cinematography and Productions for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, continuing his mission to capture the beauty and urgency of ocean conservation through powerful imagery.

Florida’s Coral Reef has lost more than 90% of its living coral cover to extreme heat, disease, supercharged storms, and pollution. It currently ranks among the most degraded reefs globally.

Group of people conducting marine research or underwater inspection using equipment in a large tank, with one person taking notes or using a device.

WHO WE ARE

As Floridian environmental storytellers, we are deeply connected to this story. Growing up surrounded by Florida’s beauty, we’ve cultivated a lifelong curiosity and a profound respect for the delicate ecosystems that sustain us. Like almost all Floridians, we have also watched lands and waterways close to our hearts degrade beyond recognition.

In this film, we seek to explore the impact of climate change and biodiversity loss through a human lens. Our principal crew is also Floridian and predominantly female, underscoring our belief that change begins with who shapes narratives and representation.

We aim to highlight the enduring spirit of these scientists who are emotionally connected to corals, often naming them like any pet at home. Their daily work is a testament to the resilience and hope we all need to address the long-term impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Reef Keepers is a documentary film that follows scientists working to restore Florida’s Coral Reef while facing climate change, coral loss, and environmental challenges.

  • The film highlights conservation scientists and experts dedicated to protecting and restoring coral reef ecosystems.

  • Yes, the documentary follows real scientists and conservation efforts currently taking place in Florida.

  • It protects coastlines, supports marine life, and contributes billions to the economy, making it a critical natural resource.

  • Reef Keepers focuses on both the science of coral restoration and the human resilience behind it, offering an emotional and immersive perspective.

  • You can support Reef Keepers by making a donation, partnering with the project, or helping share the film’s mission. Your support helps bring the documentary to completion and raises awareness about restoring Florida’s Coral Reef.