What does it take to protect hope itself?
Guardians of Hope
![Guardians of Hope [Official Teaser]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/25d157_ee662d70775e45fcb0dc57b29aaa78ba~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_2328,h_1310,enc_auto/file.jpeg)
The Film
Guardians of Hope is a powerful documentary born from a year-long journey across Oceania, following rangers on the frontlines of conservation and cultural protection.
Filmed during the Walking the Thin Green Line Oceania expedition, the film offers rare insight into the lives, challenges, and quiet strength of those who dedicate themselves to safeguarding the natural world. From remote islands to rainforest interiors, these unsung guardians reveal what it truly means to protect not just land and culture—but hope itself.
"Hope lives where people choose to protect it" Ranger Amanda Dudgeon
Guardians of Hope Official Poster, design by Studio Mirobo 2025.
Meet the Film Maker
Amanda Dudgeon is a park ranger, documentary filmmaker, and Oceania Representative for the International Ranger Federation.
A proud ambassador for the Thin Green Line Foundation, she created Guardians of Hope to shine a light on the everyday heroes safeguarding Oceania’s future.
Amanda Dudgeon at Karagini National Park, during the Walking the Thin Green Line expedition.
Armidale Screening
An Evening of Inspiration
Hosted by the Protected Area Workers Association (PAWA)
Saturday 13 June 2026
7pm - 9pm AEST (Doors open 7pm for 7:45 screening)
The Playhouse - Armidale NSW, Australia
Come along for an evening of connection, reflection, and inspiration. Whether you’re passionate about social or environmental impact, or simply love meaningful storytelling, this screening offers a chance to engage with an important global conversation.
A snack bar and PAWA merchandise will be available for purchase on the night (cash & EFTPOS), with proceeds supporting PAWA.
Bring your friends, family, and community. Everyone is welcome.
Aotearoa Screening Tour
Guardians of Hope arrives in Aotearoa New Zealand with a series of special screenings from 19 May to 2 June, shining a light on the rangers and kaitiaki working across the motu. Featuring powerful stories from around Oceania including Aotearoa, the film highlights the deep connection between people, culture, and te taiao—from ngahere to coastline—and the vital role rangers play in protecting both community and Country.
Supported by Rangers of Aotearoa New Zealand (ROANZ) and the Department of Conservation (DOC), this tour celebrates the strength of collaboration between rangers, iwi, and communities, while raising awareness of the challenges facing the profession and the importance of supporting those on the frontline.
Public Events
Kerikeri
-
Wednesday 20 May, 10am to 1pm
-
Cornerstone Church
-
Nelson
-
Tuesday 26 May, 5-9pm
-
The Boathouse
-
Christchurch
-
Friday 29 May, 5pm to 7pm
-
Halswell Library and Community Services Centre
-
Te Anau
-
Sunday 31 May, 1-3pm
-
Fiordlands Event Centre
-
Queenstown
-
Tuesday 2 June, 12-1:30pm
-
DOC Visitor Centre
-
Private and DOC Staff Events
Dargaville
-
Tuesday 19 May, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
-
Anzac Theatre
-
Kerikeri
-
Wednesday 20 May, 8-9am (DOC webinar)
Auckland
-
Wednesday 20 May, 7:30pm
-
Arataki Visitor Centre
-
Rotorua
-
Friday 22 May, Time 1pm
-
The Wall and Basement Cinema
-
Wellington
-
Monday 25 May, 1:30pm
-
Conservation House
-
Christchurch
-
Thursday 28 May
-
10am to 12 pm, CCC & ECAN staff
-
2:30pm to 4pm, Lincoln University
-
4:30pm to 6:30 pm, DOC Mahaanui
-
-
Friday 29 May
-
Time 11:30am-1pm, DOC Rangiora
-
Queenstown
-
Tuesday 2 June, DOC Queenstown Office (DOC Webinar)
Upcoming Screenings
Australia
-
ACT - Namadgi National Park August 2026
-
VIC - Bendigo, date and venue TBC
-
NSW - Dates and venues TBC (2026)
-
Ballina
-
Blue Mountains
-
-
QLD - Dates and venues TBC (2026)
-
Brisbane
-
Cairns
-
Townsville
-
-
NT - Dates and venues TBC (2026)
-
Alice Springs
-
Darwin
-
-
WA - Dates and venues TBC (2026)
-
Perth
-
Broome
-
To book a screening or recommend a film festival email - amanda@walkingthethingreenline.com
Guardians of Hope will be available to stream online from late 2026.
![🥾 TRAIL THROWBACK — Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island
📅 4 July 2022 | With Ranger Emma
📊 13km | 875m elevation | 7.5hrs | 166 flights climbed (thanks Apple Watch)
What an epic day. Tackling one of Australia’s most challenging day hikes (...we are claiming) with Ranger Emma was unforgettable — for the views, the conservation, and, yes… the sheer exhaustion. Let’s just say riding bikes back to town post-hike was ambitious. We fell over laughing (and collapsing) in the grass while our much-fitter local guide Jack rode off into the sunset unimpressed by our very cautious descent. 😅
Despite the drama (and a very bossy Woodhen at the summit), the hike was jaw-dropping — passing through the rare, gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest, one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. 🌿
Would we recommend it? 100%.
Should you pray first if you’re scared of heights? Also yes.
Was the pizza at the bowls club the best thing we’d ever tasted? Absolutely.
📚 Learn about the incredible Cloud Forest here: [link in comments]
#TrailThrowback #MountGower #LordHoweIsland #OceaniaRangers #CloudForest #ConservationInAction #GuardiansOfHope](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/495531193_684442714342072_5711311990916940839_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=NU9qEj21vC8Q7kNvwE0u4OA&_nc_oc=AdoDXC0OXTnINI6Xx-abjLug8IkhALsVkMZD148IWb-TE6V8gL1VjJoJjtBMJMCzCvc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=kQnjCXMmQqKSgTqY0jPJdQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQFZN6OASLyjlQpFZALJyXKVzDOjFkkwO3hVrzCQ2T2S8mKnGq1iWsAJlSu4ToL9yAlF_ISh90j4&oh=00_Af9N91MiizBvpBB1_8LoNNus-K1RTeMZtvBCvwDBsseEMw&oe=6A25C099)
The Journey
In 2022–23, Amanda Dudgeon travelled through eight countries in Oceania, meeting and learning from rangers who stand on the frontlines of conservation and culture. The Walking the Thin Green Line Oceania expedition was more than a physical journey—it was a personal mission to listen, connect, and advocate for those protecting the region’s most vital landscapes and stories.
Over 12 months, Amanda travelled by foot, ferry, bush plane, boat, car, train and bus—covering thousands of kilometres across sea and land. She hiked 1,610 kilometres in honour of the 1,610 rangers known to have lost their lives in the line of duty since 2009—each step a tribute, each story a thread in a growing regional network of hope.
Almost entirely self-funded and supported by the Thin Green Line Foundation, the expedition spotlighted the voices and work of rangers who are often unseen and under-resourced. That journey now forms the heart of Guardians of Hope—a documentary about what it means to protect hope itself, told through the eyes of those who live it every day.
Protect Hope. Support Rangers.
Across Oceania, rangers risk everything to protect life, culture, and hope itself. Through the Thin Green Line, you can help train, equip, and support rangers — and honour the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Every action matters: learn, share, and give.
Bardi Jawi Oorani Rangers, Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia. Credit: Amanda Dudgeon 2025
Partners
Sponsors
.png){kind=logo}
Creative Partners
Proudly Supported by
