Last year, Jill and Paul Heinerth were part of the first team ever to explore the deep insides of antarctic icebergs.
Last week, a film about their journey won a top honor. The Explorers Club, a group that has supported some of the past century's most prominent expeditions, awarded first place to the Heinerths' film, Ice Island, at the club's film festival last week in New York.
The film "really took you to a place you've never seen before," said Jeff Stolzer, communications and events director for the Explorers Club, a New York-based nonprofit. "It was a captivating story, and it was beautifully photographed." The film was chosen from among 70 entries.
The Heinerths own the Scuba West dive shop in Hudson.
Last year, they set off from New Zealand in search of the largest iceberg ever recorded, which had just split off the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Rough weather prevented them from reaching the iceberg. But while they were there, they did groundbreaking diving and exploration inside the icebergs in the area.
Receiving the award "was really significant for all of us," said Jill Heinerth, who produced the film. The Explorers Club is "really the organization that has been backing people, to the top of Everest, to the South Pole, to everything. It was really special to be recognized for the best exploration film."
Heinerth's husband, Paul, was a camera man and exploration diver on the project. Wes Skiles was the film's director.
The film will be aired on the Discovery Channel on a date that has not been determined, according to the Heinerths.
To learn more about their expedition, log on to the Internet: www.iceisland.net.
_ Jennifer Goldblatt covers business in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is goldblattsptimes.com.
