Lobster Queen

Lobster Queen | CBC Short Documentary Director of Photography Director: Alix Buck | Streaming on CBC Gem They say women are bad luck on a boat. Captain Gail Atkinson never gave a damn. For more than 30 years, Gail has been breaking barriers in Nova Scotia's male-dominated lobster fishing industry, proving she belongs at the helm. Directed by Alix Buck, Lobster Queen follows Gail as she navigates life on the water, unexpected challenges, and what it means to build a life doing something you love. I had the opportunity to work as Director of Photography on this documentary, filming along Nova Scotia's rugged coastline and aboard Gail's commercial lobster boat. Shooting on the water is one of my favourite places to be, but it comes with its own challenges. Between unpredictable weather, tight spaces, and the realities of working on a fishing boat, you have to be ready for anything. What I loved most about this project was the opportunity to help tell the story of a woman who has carved out her own path in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Stories like Gail's are exactly what draw me to documentary filmmaking. Lobster Queen has screened at festivals across North America, including DOXA, the Victoria Film Festival, Lunenburg Doc Fest, Guelph Film Festival, Available Light Film Festival, and Maine Outdoor Film Festival. The film is also currently available to stream nationally on CBC Gem.