A Bermudian film-maker’s documentary about the lives of humpback whales has won an award at a conservation film festival in New York.

Secret Lives of the Humpbacks, which examined the role that Bermuda plays in the lives of the animals, received the award for Best Ocean Film at the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival. Andrew Stevenson, who directed the film and attended the festival, said: “It feels great.

“It’s nice to know that my film has caught some attention overseas.”

Secret Lives of the Humpbacks was the sequel to his 2010 documentary Where the Whales Sing and highlighted the use of Bermuda waters by humpback whales.

The film suggested that the whales used the island as a rendezvous point between their feeding and breeding periods.

The film also displayed the intelligence and playfulness of the species.

Secret Lives of the Humpbacks was completed early this year and was screened at the Speciality Cinema in Hamilton four times.

Mr Stevenson said: “I think the basic takeaway is that you realise humans are not unique in this world and that other animals are very intelligent, very caring, very sympathetic, and capable of love and play.”

The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival ran from October 17 to 24 and featured more than 100 short and full-length documentary films about wildlife.