The Island of Giants

The Island of Giants is a documentary that examines the impact of whale sharks on the society and economy of Santa Maria, one of the smallest islands in the Azores. As the only location in Europe where these large marine animals are found in high numbers, the film explores the mysteries of their migration and their tendency to appear alongside thousands of tunas. The narrative follows scientific expeditions conducted over 11 years to determine if the presence of these creatures is linked to rising water temperatures and global warming.

Produced in Portugal, the film was directed by Nuno Sá. The project was a collaboration between several production companies, including RTP, Atlantic Ridge Productions, Oceanário de Lisboa, and Fundação Oceano Azul. Released on May 4, 2026, the documentary has a runtime of 55 minutes.