NOVA WEST

Nova West is an award-winning filmmaker, published photographer, creative artist, and environmental educator currently based out of California. As a National Geographic Explorer and member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, they are dedicated to crafting a more diverse and holistic landscape for wildlife storytelling. Their passion lies in exploring our natural world and finding creative ways to lift as they climb.

Nova’s work focuses on a blend of visual arts, science communication, and camera operation, specializing in wildlife, expedition, and underwater documentary filmmaking and photography. They possess a robust portfolio of creative projects across mediums and have collaborated with organizations such as National Geographic, Netflix, PBS, Pristine Seas, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Ocean Exploration Trust throughout their career. In 2023 Nova released their first independent documentary, ‘Diving for Rays’, and has since produced an additional short documentary titled ‘Project Lemon Aid’. Their most recent project, a pilot for a TV show titled Out in the Wild, premiered in 2025. Several other independent projects are currently in production and post-production stages, and are slated to release in 2026 and 2027. Complementing this work, Nova routinely sails as a Video Engineer and Expedition Documentarian aboard the E/V Nautilus, and has spent over 200 days at sea across their career. As a sailor, Nova operates deep-sea submersible camera and broadcast systems while documenting groundbreaking science and exploration operations.

Nova’s achievements have been featured on television networks, streaming services, podcasts, magazines, and articles. From panels, to workshops, classes, screenings, live events, and even virtual classroom interactions from sea, they are an experienced public speaker and have presented at over 100 unique engagements. Nova is also highly involved in film festivals, serving as a participant, judge, and panelist across their career.

Nova celebrating multiple Emmys for Secrets of the Whales on National Geographic TV

At the center of Nova’s passion is their background in Environmental and Outdoor Education, where they developed their goal to spotlight marginalized communities in wild spaces. As the founding Co-Chair of the National Geographic Pride Board and a Jackson Wild Queer Collective Board Member, they have been working to create spaces for creatives across the globe to meet, collaborate, and explore.