Join us at Patagonia Pasadena for a screening and panel discussion of The Last Dive, a new documentary following the story of a giant manta ray off the coast of Mexico.
Terry is a legendary figure in Baja Mexico, an American veteran who has spent decades living on—and in—the water. Once a man burdened by a troubled past, Terry’s life was transformed by an unlikely friendship with Willy, a 22-foot oceanic manta ray. For nearly two decades, Willy would slap his wings against the hull of Terry’s sailboat to signal their next dive, and together they explored the ocean’s depths—an extraordinary bond that turned Terry into an unexpected conservationist.
Now in his 80’s, Terry embarks on one final journey to a remote island in hopes of reuniting with his old friend. But he’s also searching for something deeper: peace, closure, and a chance to say goodbye.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Cody Sheehy and produced by acclaimed Mark Monroe, The Last Dive is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant documentary that invites viewers to reflect on our connection to the natural world—and the wild, mysterious creatures that help us find our place in it.
Drinks, snacks, and chance-to-win items (including a discover scuba course at a $200 value with Eco Dive Center) will be available to purchase at the door!
All donations and proceeds will benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
More info on the The Last Dive
IMPORTANT EVENT INFO:
You are welcomed to line up at our back entrance in Smith Alley starting at 6PM in the appropriate line.
It is HOT, please stay hydrated.
Doors open at 6:30PM. Film begins at 7:00PM.
RSVP REQUIRED.
Entry is free and will be based on a first come, first served basis.
Your first beverage is free!
Additional beverages can be purchased at the door or at our beverage table for $5 CASH or through the NRDC Donation Page only.
If you purchase 5 or more giveaway tickets through the NRDC donation page, or if you are an existing NRDC monthly/sponsored donor (valued at a $20 minimum) you will have line priority.
General line will be for cash, $10 donations, or no giveaway tickets. We highly encourage advanced payment if you plan to purchase digitally.
We kindly ask that you do not bring additional guests to add to your original RSVP sign-up.
Registration is requested for each attendee. Please click the RSVP button at the top of this page to sign up.
If sign ups are full, click the 'Add To Waitlist' button and you will be notified of any openings.
If you can no longer attend, please respond to the RSVP confirmation email with a notice.
Thank you!
Lauren Brinkman is a documentary film editor based in Los Angeles. Her most recent film is “The Last Dive,” a feature documentary directed by Cody Sheehy premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival on World Ocean Day. She is known for “Icarus: The Aftermath”, a follow-up to the Oscar-winning Netflix film “Icarus”, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in 2022 to rave audience and critical reviews. She also edits documentary television, including an investigative series called “Keep This Between Us” in 2022 and two upcoming HBO projects produced by A24.
Lauren began as an additional editor on the BAFTA and ACE-nominated Sundance film “The Dissident,” as well as by directing and DP'ing short documentaries and editing scripted projects. Her entry into the documentary world came through development work at the Academy Award-nominated production company Lightbox, where she worked on acclaimed titles such as “Tina” and the Emmy-winning “LA92”.
Prior to setting up shop in Los Angeles, Lauren attended the Florida State Film School. She was born in Houston and raised in the Chicago suburbs.
Since 1980, Joel Reynolds has specialized in environmental litigation and advocacy at all levels of the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He has led several of NRDC’s largest campaigns, including to protect the gray whale birthing lagoon and World Heritage Site at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja California, to reduce ocean noise pollution, to stop the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska, and, most recently, to defend the Gulf of California from development for LNG production and transport. He has twice been selected California Attorney of the Year (Environment), and in 2012 he was appointed NRDC’s Western Director. Reynolds was profiled in the New York Times best seller, "War of the Whales" (Simon & Schuster 2014), and he won an Emmy for Outstanding Nature Documentary in 2017 (“Sonic Sea”). He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1978.
Daniel Hinerfeld is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and award-winning journalist. He co-founded and directs NRDC’s Rewrite the Future, an initiative to help Hollywood tell stories about the climate crisis. Daniel also founded NRDC's documentary film unit and directed films including Sonic Sea, narrated by Rachel McAdams; Acid Test, narrated by Sigourney Weaver; Stories from the Gulf, narrated by Robert Redford; and Wild Things. Hinerfeld previously worked at NPR as the senior editor of the Tavis Smiley Show. At KCRW, he produced Warren Olney's daily news discussion program, Which Way, L.A.?, and co-created the nationally syndicated political analysis show, Left, Right, and Center.
At Eco Dive Center, we believe scuba divers are uniquely positioned to be ambassadors for the ocean. Through our training programs, community initiatives, and sustainable practices, we are committed to empowering divers to become stewards of marine conservation. Every dive is an opportunity to connect with the underwater world, and every diver is a potential advocate for its future.
More information here.
