Draft:Scott Renyard
Biography of documentary filmmaker Scott Renyard based on independent reliable sources.
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The draft has been substantially revised to address notability concerns. Multiple independent, reliable secondary sources have been added, including long-form coverage and interviews from The Starfish, the Vancouver International Film Festival blog, and The Common Sense Canadian. These sources provide significant discussion of the subject’s work, approach to documentary filmmaking, and role in public discussions of environmental sustainability.
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| Submission declined on 7 February 2026 by Gilgongo (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by Gilgongo 38 days ago.
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Comment: Please fix the citations so they all use footnotes —pythoncoder (talk | contribs) 23:02, 10 March 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: I'm afraid this would likely be nominated for deletion as not yet meeting WP:BASIC and not likely to meet WP:CREATIVE either. gilgongo (talk) 09:03, 7 February 2026 (UTC)
Scott Renyard is a Canadian documentary filmmaker, writer, and producer whose work focuses on environmental, ecological, and social issues, particularly in relation to marine ecosystems and coastal communities on Canada’s west coast. He is best known for directing the documentaries Who Killed Miracle? (2009), The Pristine Coast (2014), and The Herring People (2024), which examine the impacts of wildlife captivity, industrial development, and resource exploitation through investigative and historical perspectives. His films have screened at international film festivals and received awards and nominations at environmental and documentary-focused festivals.
Background
Renyard holds a Master of Science degree from the University of British Columbia. His academic work includes research in fisheries and environmental management. In 1986, he co-authored the peer-reviewed article “Sport angler preferences for alternative regulatory methods” with fisheries scientist Ray Hilborn, published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.[1]
His scientific training and research background have informed his later work as a documentary filmmaker, particularly on projects addressing fisheries management, marine ecosystems, and environmental policy.[2]
Public discussion and reception
Renyard’s documentaries have contributed to public discussion on environmental sustainability and marine conservation in Canada. Coverage of The Pristine Coast emphasized its role in synthesizing scientific research, regulatory history, and personal testimony to examine the environmental effects of salmon farming. Media commentary has situated the film within broader debates about aquaculture practices and their long-term implications for wild salmon populations and coastal ecosystems."Pristine Coast doc reveals surprising, untold history of salmon farms". Retrieved 2026-02-10.
Career
Renyard is a Canadian documentary filmmaker whose work has focused on environmental science, sustainability, and marine ecosystems, particularly issues surrounding salmon farming and wild fish populations on the Pacific coast of Canada.
In connection with the documentary The Pristine Coast, Renyard has been the subject of independent media coverage discussing both his filmmaking approach and the environmental themes of his work. A feature interview in The Starfish examined Renyard’s motivations and creative process, highlighting his interest in presenting complex scientific and ecological issues through documentary storytelling and his focus on the long-term impacts of industrial activity on marine environments."Talking salmon and sustainability with The Pristine Coast's Scott Renyard". Retrieved 2026-02-10.
Renyard’s work has also been discussed in the context of public debate around salmon farming. Writing in The Common Sense Canadian, journalist Rafe Mair described The Pristine Coast as an in-depth examination of the history and environmental consequences of salmon aquaculture in British Columbia, situating the film within broader discussions of sustainability, regulation, and ecological risk."Pristine Coast doc reveals surprising, untold history of salmon farms". Retrieved 2026-02-10.
In advance of the film’s screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival, Renyard participated in a festival blog interview in which he discussed his approach to documentary filmmaking, the challenges of communicating scientific uncertainty to general audiences, and the role of film festivals in fostering public engagement with environmental issues."VIFF 2014 BC Spotlight: 6 Questions with Scott Renyard". Retrieved 2026-02-10.
Who Killed Miracle? (2009)
In 2009, Renyard wrote, directed, and produced Who Killed Miracle?, a documentary investigating the life and death of Miracle, a young female killer whale rescued near Campbell River, British Columbia, in 1977. After rehabilitation, Miracle became a popular attraction at Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria, before drowning in 1982 after becoming entangled in netting in her enclosure, as reported by contemporary news coverage.[3] The film examines archival footage, interviews, and historical records to explore the circumstances surrounding her captivity and death.[4]
The Pristine Coast (2014)
Renyard directed The Pristine Coast, a feature-length documentary examining the environmental and political history of salmon aquaculture on Canada’s west coast. The film was selected as part of the Vancouver International Film Festival’s BC Spotlight program.[5]
The Herring People (2024)
In 2024, Renyard directed and produced The Herring People, a feature-length documentary exploring the ecological and cultural importance of Pacific herring. The film examines the role of herring within marine ecosystems and coastal communities, incorporating scientific research, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation perspectives. The film screened internationally at environmental film festivals and received recognition from documentary award organizations.[6]
Filmography
Director
| Year | Title | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Project Cougar | Television documentary |
| 2003 | Check It Out | Television series |
| 2009 | Who Killed Miracle? | Feature documentary |
| 2014 | The Pristine Coast | Feature documentary |
| 2017 | The Unofficial Trial of Alexandra Morton | Feature documentary |
| 2018 | Trial of an Iconic Species | Feature documentary |
| 2021 | Save the Planet Already! | Feature documentary |
| 2023 | Pressure Point | Documentary series |
| 2024 | The Firekeepers | Documentary series |
| 2024 | The Herring People | Feature documentary |
Books
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Who Killed Miracle? – An Illustrated Screenplay |
| 2022 | The Flag That Flew Up |
| 2023 | The Pristine Coast – An Illustrated Screenplay |
| 2023 | The Unofficial Trial of Alexandra Morton – An Illustrated Screenplay |
| 2023 | Trial of an Iconic Species – An Illustrated Screenplay |
| 2024 | Pressure Point: A Series of Mishandled Events – An Illustrated Screenplay |
| 2024 | The Herring People – An Illustrated Screenplay |
Awards and nominations
Who Killed Miracle?
- Best Nature Documentary, Yorkton Film Festival (2010)
- Special Jury Prize, Houston International Film Festival (2010)
- Honorable Mention – Animal Behavior, Blue Ocean Film Festival (2010)
- Official Selection, Victoria Film Festival (2010)
The Pristine Coast
- Official Selection, Vancouver International Film Festival – BC Spotlight (2014)
The Herring People
- Official Selection, Blue Water Film Festival (2024)
- Awards of Excellence, Impact Docs Awards (2024)[7]
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