Holding Back the Tide

Ghosts of over-farmed oysters haunt New York City, the former oyster capital of the world, with cautionary tales of overconsumption. Meanwhile, environmental hopefuls work to repopulate these queer heroes. This experimental hybrid documentary explores their dated symbolism as high-class aphrodisiacs, celebrating their role filtering the waterways and protecting our coastlines.

Directed by: Emily Packer

Director of Photography: John Marty

Edited by: Lindsey Phillips and Ben Still

Produced by: Emily Packer, Trey Tetreault, Josh Margolis, Ben Still, and Liz Beeson

Associate Producer: Julia Lewis

Fiscal sponsor: The Gotham Film & Media Institute

Non-profit Partners: Waterfront Alliance & Billion Oyster Project

Finalists of Sundance's Documentary Edit and Story Lab

Support from IDA: International Documentary Association and DCTV for a DocuClub audience feedback screening.

Special Preview at Mimesies Documentary Festival 2023

World Premiere at DOC NYC 2023

International Premiere at Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival