Grantee Spotlight: Juan Maria Raggio & Mariano Fernández
On the Edge Fund, Storyteller grantee spotlight
05/05/2025
Juan and Mariano are two Argentinian filmmaking veterans with several decades of experience between them.
From Pumas to the critically endangered Hooded Grebe in Patagonia, these two have worked with all manner of species. Mariano even helped Leo finally get his Oscar for The Revenant. Their attention has now switched to the rockstars of the sea, Guitarfish. They want to provide a fresh take on wildlife filmmaking, offering local audiences nature storytelling like they’ve never seen before.
Juan and Mariano’s story and work
Guitarfish are a highly endangered and quite peculiar group of fish famed for their guitar-like shape. These special fish are under threat, as local fishing practices put the already small populations at risk. So, can anything be done to save the guitarfish?
The scene is set at 24 horas de la Corvina Negra, the most important open-sea fishing contest in South America, where fishers flock from around the continent to land the biggest catches, including the occasional stray guitarfish. It is here that the greatest impact is made. These fishers are far from haters of the guitarfish; they’re compassionate about the waters and the fish in them, but they don’t know the species' perils or how to help. In steps Juan and Mariano with ‘The Guitars of the Sea’.
By teaming up with rising star Sebastian, a biologist looking to challenge the norms and create change in the community he grew up in, we’re shown a modern take on a natural history film documenting the plight of the guitarfish and how the local communities can help through tagging and population monitoring. All beautifully presented with a Tim Burton-esque spin.
What they are known for
Juan: ‘Patagonia Magica’ for Disney Nature, ‘The Twilight of the Hooded Grebe’ for Jumara, ‘Steppe Pumas’ for National Geographic, ‘Wild Argentina’ for National Geographic, ‘Heroes of Conservation’ for National Geographic
Mariano: ‘Wild Argentina’ for National Geographic, ‘Steppe Pumas’ for National Geographic, ‘The Revenant’ for 20th Century Fox, Heroess of Conservation’ for National Geographic
Names:
Juan Maria Raggio & Mariano Fernández
Countries of origin:
Argentina
Species of choice:
Shortnose Guitarfish (EN)
Brazilian Guitarfish (CR)
