Golden Goody Award – Louie Psihoyos receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Goody Awards recognized Academy Award Winner Louie Psihoyos with a Lifetime Achievement for Social Good (aka Golden Goody Award) in recognition of his outstanding achievements in ocean education thru film and photography on Sunday, July 8, 2012, as part of their World Ocean Education Campaign. Along with being an Academy Award Winner, Louie is the Director of “The Cove,” award-winning National Geographic Photographer and Founder of OPS (Oceanic Preservation Society.)

Lillian Müller (International Model, Actress, Health Advocate and International Speaker from Norway) presented this special award to Louie on behalf of the Goody Awards in front of an audience of about 300 independent filmmakers at the LA Convention Center.

Louie then shared inspirational stories about how his “Oceans Eleven” team took a filmmaking class three days before they started filming “The Cove.” Louie also shared that when his they decided to make “The Cove” in Japan, their original goal was to get the film into Sundance, and then they won “just about every award a doc could win” – including Best Trailer (up against “The Dark Knight” and “Avatar”.)

Reflecting on this Golden Goody Award, Louie emphasized, “The most important thing for me in a making a film,…is to make a difference with a film. You can change hearts. You can change minds. And you can change behavior. Aside from all the awards, and thanks for this, the most important thing is that the film has made a difference in Japan where they were killing about 23,000 dolphins and porpoises and year, now they’re killing less than half that.” He also told me in a separate interview backstage that they’ve stopped serving dolphin to children at schools in Japan, which is another positive change.

We also got a sneak peak to the Louie’s new documentary that is another Eco-Thriller / date movie (LOL.) The new film is about 50% complete, and focuses on the unspoken, sixth mass extinction, and what steps we can all take to prevent it. And this movie is about much more than a film; it’s about a movement called “The Wave.” Along with a feature length film, “The Wave” will include a traveling art and education exhibit, a robust educational program for school children and a comprehensive social media and activation campaign.

Louie emphasized that we can all make a difference by quoting, Margaret Mead, who said, “a few thoughtful citizens can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” As a diver and ocean champion, Louie founded OPS (http://www.opsociety.org/) to inspire people to save oceans. While OPS only employs ten people, who Louie jokingly commented, “could all fit in a Mini Cooper,” they have big a goal to save the planet.

Watch for Louie Psihoyos’ next film, and follow his OPS team updates on Facebook where you’ll find tips for reducing your carbon footprint and ocean acidification. While they don’t have a name for the new film, the goal is to take it to Sundance 2014. And join us by supporting the movie’s movement today by tweeting: Congrats Louie, We’re on your wave! @CoveMovie_OPS @GoodyAwards.

Photo Credit: Photo of Louie Psihoyos and Lillian Müller on Goody Awards Home page by MauriceRinaldiPhoto.com

(C) Goody Awards, 2012