A Film by Ben Hamilton
Sitka's Hidden Wonders
Two decades on one wild coast. Whales, bears, seabirds, and the world beneath the surface, filmed from the water by an Emmy-winning cinematographer.
Runtime
40 Minutes
Released
2024
Recognition
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy
Cinematography
Wilderness Legacy Award
Conservation
Daniel Housberg Award
Excellence in Video
The Coast Most People Never See
Sitka's Hidden Wonders takes you into the parts of Southeast Alaska that a cruise ship passes by: the feeding grounds of humpback whales, the salmon streams where brown bears work the tide, the seabird cliffs of St. Lazaria, and the kelp forests below the surface. Ben Hamilton filmed it over nearly two decades on this coast, much of it from a small boat, and it is the closest thing to being here without being here.
Three Ways to See It
Host a Screening
Schools, community halls, lodges, and events. Tell us your venue and date and we will set you up.
Request a ScreeningLicense the Film
Onboard screenings for cruise lines, small ships, and expedition operators. Net rates on request.
Licensing Inquiry
From the Filmmaker
Ben Hamilton
Ben got his start on this coast in 2007, telling conservation stories for the Sitka Conservation Society. Nearly two decades of filming the Tongass followed, with work for National Geographic, the BBC, and the Smithsonian. His films have received the Wilderness Legacy Award, the Daniel Housberg Award for Excellence in Video, and a Primetime Emmy for cinematography.
More About BenIn Their Words
★★★★★ Sitka's Hidden Wonders
“I've been visiting Sitka for 20 years, and this film captured the exact essence of what keeps me coming back every year. I've seen a lot of wildlife in person, but I have never seen anything like the footage Ben managed to capture. The puffin scenes from Saint Lazaria! Incredible!”
★★★★★ Sitka's Hidden Wonders
“Even after seeing the herring spawn and Sitka's wildlife in person, the movie showed moments I've never seen in any documentary. It captures the richness of life here, above and below water, and the collaboration with the Science Centre adds depth through scientific insight.”
★★★★★ Sitka's Hidden Wonders
“The cinematography of wildlife is breathtaking. Not only was I mesmerized, I also came away with a better understanding of how interrelated our ecosystem is. There were six people traveling in my group and we could not stop talking about the film.”
Experience Alaska First hand
Film FAQ
How long is the film?
Forty minutes, suitable for all ages.
Can I stream it at home?
Placeholder: yes, rent it online for $X, or not yet, join the list.
Can I show it at my school, event, or lodge?
Yes. Send us your venue, date, and audience size and we will arrange a screening license and file delivery.
Can we license it for onboard screening?
Yes. We license to cruise lines, small ships, and expedition operators. Net rates and terms on request.
Is it still playing in Sitka?
Not currently. The best way to experience this coast in person is on one of our boat tours.
Bring the Film to Your Audience
Form placeholder: duplicate the Wonder Journeys inquiry form here with fields for name, email, organization or vessel, interest (screening, licensing, rental), date or season, audience size, and notes.