
ABOUT SELKET
Selket is an award-winning filmmaker and visual storyteller based in Maui, Hawai‘i, whose work is shaped by a deep connection to culture, the natural world, and years of field experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photojournalism and Visual Communication from the Hussman School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, following her foundational studies at the College of San Mateo.
Guided by a deep commitment to nature, wildlife, and ocean conservation, her career has spanned nonprofits, independent film, and advocacy work. From helping recruit volunteer firefighters with the Emergency Services Corps to supporting displaced animals and emergency efforts with the Maui Humane Society during the Lahaina Fires of 2023, she has remained steadfast in her dedication to community and environmental resilience. Through her continued work with Pacific Whale Foundation, she carries forward the legacy of marine conservation, using visual storytelling as both art and activism.
She is the creator of A Voice for Whales, an award-winning documentary that honors the enduring legacy of her late husband, Greg Kaufman—renowned marine conservationist and founder of Pacific Whale Foundation. Together, they co-founded the World Whale Film Festival in 2017 on the shores of Maui, envisioning more than just a film event. What they created was a movement: a global platform for storytellers—emerging and established—who use the power of film to protect the ocean through science, advocacy, and art. Each year, the festival brings to light urgent environmental narratives, from ocean and wildlife conservation to Indigenous ecological knowledge, serving as a rallying cry for the planet and its defenders.
Known for uniting artistic vision with environmental purpose, Selket uses the lens to tell powerful, truth-driven stories in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Her work preserves authenticity, sparks action, and honors the beauty of truth—rooted in a legacy shaped by love, loss, and deep devotion to the natural world.
Contact me by email: selketkaufman@gmail.com
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Official Selection, 2024, Maui Film Festival, Ocean Guardians
Winner of Outstanding Excellence, 2024, Depth of Field International Film Festival, Return to K’Gari
Semi- Finalist, 2024, Mirada Corta Short Film Festival, Ocean Guardians
Winner for Best Short, 2024, Fauna Tepoztlán Animal Festival,Ocean Guardians
Finalist, 2024, ORION IFF International Film Festival, Return to K’Gari
Official Selection, 2023, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Return to K’Gari
Official Selection, 2023, Wild Earth Oceania Film Festival, Return to K’Gari
Quarter-Finalist, 2023, IFEFA-International Film Festival Australia, Return to K’Gari
Official Selection, 2023, One Ocean Film Tour, Ocean Guardians
Winner Best Short, 2023, MY HERO International Short Film Festival, Ocean Guardians
Official Selection, 2023, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Ocean Guardians
Semi-Finalist, 2023, Hawaii International Film Festival, Ocean Guardians
Honorable Mention, 2022, Big Blue Film Festival, Ocean Guardians
Official Selection, 2021, Mystic Film Festival, A Voice for Whales
Finalist, 2021, MY HERO International Short Film Festival, A Voice for Whales
Official Selection, 2021, Maui Film Festival, A Voice for Whales
Winner, 2020, Documentaries Without Boarder International Film Festival, A Voice for Whales
Official Selection, 2020, S.O.F.A Film Festival, A Voice for Whales
Official Selection, 2020, Wild Conservation Film Festival, A Voice for Whales
2015, Migration Towards Prosperity was showcased at the International Whaling Commission for the Scientific Committee to promote whale conservation awareness.
PUBLICATIONS
Proud to be featured in such esteemed publications and share throughout my community, reflecting my passion for creativity and storytelling.