Every image tells a story…

A short video production for the Mangrove Breakthrough Mangrove Ministerial event at COP30 to highlight the importance of mangroves for climate, biodiversity and livelihoods. The film features winning photos from the Mangrove Photography Awards 2025 and is a reminder and an invitation to protect our mangrove forests.

The “Mangroves: A Vital Lifeline” photography exhibition was showcased at the IUCN World Congress 2025 and aims to spotlight the vital role of mangroves through a stunning photographs from the Mangrove Photography Awards. Featuring the work of 78 incredible photographers, the collection of 100 images from around the tropics celebrates the beauty, diversity, and fragility of our coastal ecosystems.

IUCN World Congress 2025 photography exhibition was a collaboration between Mangrove Action Project, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative.

Mangrove Action Project (MAP) partnered with The Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) to support community-based mangrove restoration and sustainable livelihoods in the Sundarbans region. MAP first visited in November 2023, working alongside BEDS and community members on small-scale mangrove restoration and knowledge sharing. When MAP returned in February 2025, they came back to listen; to learn from the community and understand the long-term impact of this work.

Director Producer // Leo Thom (Mangrove Action Project)
Project Manager: Md. Mozaedul Islam
In Association with // The Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS)
Special Thanks to // Md. Maksudur Rahman, Md. Shamsur Rahman, Abdul Raheem, and Rita and her family
Funders // The Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) Grants Programme and the Levine Family Foundation

A collaboration between Mangrove Action Project (MAP), Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS), and the community of Laudove, Dacope.

A Global Mangrove Alliance in Indonesia documented an intensive eight-day training on Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR). The Global Mangrove Alliance’s Indonesia National Chapter (GMA-Indonesia) and Mangrove Action Project (MAP) conducted the training to equip participants with the knowledge and scinetific practical skills needed to enhance mangrove restoration efforts in the country.

Director Producer // Leo Thom (Mangrove Action Project)
In Association with // The Global Mangrove Alliance’s Indonesia National Chapter
Special Thanks to // Apri Susanto Astra
Funders // GMA

Managed the full film production cycle, collaborating closely with Mangrove Action Project (MAP) and GMA Indonesia Chapter.

Return of the Mangroves follows the Mangrove Action Project (MAP) team to El Salvador to assess the health of mangroves in the Bay of Jiquilisco. MAP Co-Founder Alfredo Quarto and Jim Enright return to the bay 12 years after they conducted a mangrove restoration training, and with the help of Dr Laura Michie discover the impact of the training on the local people and the mangroves of the bay.

Director Producer // Leo Thom
Archive // Jake Ratner
In Association with // Asociación Mangle
Special Thanks to // José María Argueta
Co-Producer // SALZWASSER e.V

Managed the full film production cycle, collaborating closely with Mangrove Action Project (MAP) and local communities to ensure authentic, community-led storytelling.

The film was shot on the outskirts of Bristol, UK to see how urban communities are coming together to reconnect with nature. Heather runs a non-profit called Bee the Change which aims to halt the pollination Crisis by connecting communities to nature through bee conservation.

Director Producer // Leo Thom
Co-videography // Felipe Rosa, Pedro Furtado, Leo Thom
Voice // Melissa Thom
Graphics // Leo Thom
Music // Wilf de Salis

Pre production, production and post production.
Personal Project

The film takes us to the Andaman Coast in Southern Thailand, and explores the importance of mangrove forests. Much like the rest of Thailand, huge areas of mangroves were cut down during the 80s and 90s to make way for shrimp farms. And as mangrove destruction continues globally at nearly 1% annually, attempts are being made to restore these carbon-rich forests.

We are introduced to Mangrove Action Project who have a unique approach to restoring mangrove forests; encouraging natural regeneration (ecological mangrove restoration), and collaborating with coastal communities (community-based restoration). The results show that these ideas and methods would have a great impact on any restoration project, and need to be implemented globally.

Co-videography // Digital Mixes
Voice // Melissa Thom
Music // Sebastian Fox
Drone Footage // Donnapat Tamornsuwan
Photography // Taylor Weidman

Pre production, production and post production.
Client // Mangrove Action Project

A week filming in the Krabi region on the Andaman coast with wildlife photographer Tim Plowden, followed by post-production. Music produced by singer songwriter Seb Fox from Mt Wolf.

Client // IUCN