There was a time when I didn’t know Ellen Cuylaerts and Michael Maes. I started noticing Michael’s videos and then Ellen’s photographs. Both showed a transcendent connection with the animals they filmed and photographed.

Just a few years ago, I was stunned to learn that Ellen had just started photographing, after first overcoming a fear of water and getting certified, and later, overcoming a fear of sharks. Michael’s favorite underwater model picked up a camera after getting bored, and the rest is history. She is now a renowned, prize-winning wildlife photographer.

These days, Ellen is able to pick and choose the trips she wants to go on – from snorkeling with manatees in Florida to killer whales in Norway. Epiphany follows Ellen’s journey as she overcomes her fear of water and becomes a shark advocate, from the perspective of a wife and mother guiding her husband and two children, who have high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The movie explores how Ellen discovers that people affected by autism show a likeness to animals in the wild, and how this revelation can help in her effort to challenge society to understand both the condition and the threats facing the marine environment.

“Epiphany is a true story about love, autism, nature, passion, fear, determination, perseverance and making daunting choices in life,” Ellen writes. “In search for the ‘key’ to communicate with people affected by autism, I discovered similarities with animals in the wild. I wanted to discover whether that key could help me to navigate my loved ones through society.”

You’ll discover her epiphany in her husband Michael Maes’ elegant and beautifully rendered documentary.

The film is available on iTunes to rent at $0.99 or purchase for $11.99 or on the Epiphany website.