Experience the moving true story of a woman's quest to befriend and protect wayward wild dolphin Moko this week.

BOP Film, in conjunction with Night Owl Cinema, are presenting a special fundraiser viewing of Amy Taylor's award nominated film Soul in the Sea at a secret location in Papamoa on Thursday, July 7.

Filmmaker Amy Taylor with Moko, the star of her award nominated film ‘Soul of the Sea'. Photo: Supplied

Filmed during the last six months of Moko's life, Soul in the Sea is a journey of discovery, loss, and resolution which breaks through the invisible wall between people and animals.

Filmmaker Amy Taylor says she came across a photo of Moko flying through the air with a stolen boogie board on New Zealand's east coast, and not long after, he then turned up in Whakatāne.

'Even with my background as a marine biologist with years spent filming dolphins and whales, I was still stunned by the experience,” she explains.

'It was an easy decision to start filming, and for the next five months I mostly lived in my van, spending up to ten hours in or on the water each day.”

The film follows Kirsty Carrington, whose life is irrevocably changed when Moko arrives in Whakatāne. She would go on to devote herself to protecting the extroverted dolphin.

Kirsty is joined by Errin Hallen; a dredging boat skipper who led a solitary existence until Moko found him, and Grant Duffield; a young man with a fear of the water who feels compelled to follow Moko into his element.

As Kirsty and the community fall in love with Moko, his popularity peaks and his astonishing antics attract worldwide attention. But Kirsty worries he will suffer the same fate as other dolphins whose friendliness caused their early deaths.

When conflict over Moko's fate erupts, Kirsty finds a new source of strength: a connection to her Māori heritage she had never known.

'It didn't take long to identify the main people around Moko,” adds Amy. 'I was able to follow Kirsty on her mission to be Moko's minder, along with the other locals who became part of Moko's ‘human pod'.”

What unfolded was totally unexpected, and Amy adds she found herself amazed at the impact Moko had on so many people, and the huge amount of love and respect shown for him after his death.

The money raised by next week's special event will help raise funds for BOP Film upcoming projects.

BOP Film and Night Owl Cinema presentsSoul in the Sea at a secret location in Papamoa on Thursday, July 7. Tickets cost $10-$15 and are available online at www.bopfilm.nz or by emailing: [email protected]. The screening location will be revelled upon purchase of tickets.

The photo of Moko which sparked Amy's interest in the story. Photo: Glen Simmers/Supplied