The Island President

Politics in the Maldives

On February 7, 2012, Mohamed Nasheed resigned the presidency under the threat of violence in a coup d'etat perpetrated by security forces loyal to the former dictator. This film is the story of his first year in office.

A film about one man's mission to save his nation and perhaps the planet, THE ISLAND PRESIDENT is a riveting, uplifting story that is impossible to take your eyes off of. President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives is confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced - the survival of his country and everyone in it. Nasheed, who brought democracy to the Maldives after decades of despotic rule, now faces an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives and make them uninhabitable. A classic David and Goliath tale, The Island President captures Nasheed's battle to stop global warming - and save his country.

A film by Jon Shenk (Lost Boys of Sudan).
Music by Radiohead and Stars of the Lid.

Winner of the Sundance Institute Hilton Lightstay Sustainability Award
Winner of The People's Choice Award, Toronto International Film Festival