Penguin Documentary Premieres At Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Ron Naveen counts penguins for a living in the Antarctic Peninsula.

He traveled 69 hours and 10 minutes to get to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for the premiere of his movie “The Penguin Counters”.

Filmmakers Peter Getzels and Harriet Gorden-Getzels produced, directed and wrote the documentary.

The film follows Naveen and his team as they track penguins as they try to adapt to the changing climate.

“I’ve been studying them for 21 years. With this project two of the species is going to hell in a hand basket and one is thriving. “Why, because we think the food chain has been altered by the Antarctic Peninsula climate where it’s warming faster than anywhere else,” Naveen said.

According to the movie website and Naveen’s research, Gentoo penguins are increasing their numbers and expanding their range, while Adlie and Chinstrap populations are declining.

Naveen said the penguins can teach humanity about climate change and adaptability.

Data from Naveen’s Arctic Site Inventory project has helped form policies among polar scientists and the 50-member nations of the Antarctic Treaty Organization.

“The Penguin Counters” will screen at 7 p.m. Monday at The Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

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