Legend of the Statue Documentary Earns Global Recognition and Multiple Accolades

Published 6 months agoon June 26, 2025

Legend of the Statue, a compelling short documentary produced in collaboration with Diveheart, explores the profound journey of war veteran and adaptive scuba diver Gabe Spataro. The film tells the inspiring story of Gabe’s role in installing the legendary “Christ of the Deep” statue in the 1960s and his remarkable return to diving decades later—after losing his sight. Now blind, Gabe rediscovers the underwater marvel he helped bring to life, thanks to Diveheart’s adaptive diving programs.

Legend of the Statue

Legend of the Statue combines powerful storytelling, stunning underwater footage, and heartfelt interviews to celebrate resilience, community, and healing—earning acclaim and awards at top international film festivals. The documentary is now available to watch on YouTube, making this inspiring story accessible to audiences around the world. News articles and more background on Gabe’s story are also available on Diveheart’s website.

Official Selections & Award Highlights

One Ocean Film Tour (Official Selection)
International Christian Film and Musical Festival (Official Selection)
Best Shorts Competition (Official Selection)
Chicago Indie Film Awards (Official Selection)
LA Film Week (Official Selection)
Venice Shorts (Official Selection)
Cine Paris (Official Selection)
New York Film & Cinematography Awards (Best Cinematography in Short Documentary)
New York Film & Cinematography Awards (Best Short Documentary)

Diveheart Founder’s Statement

“Seeing Gabe Spataro return to the ocean and reunite with the statue he helped install is one of the most powerful moments in Diveheart’s history,” said Jim Elliott, founder and president of Diveheart. “His journey embodies everything Diveheart stands for—resilience, healing, and the power of possibility. This film reminds the world that disability doesn’t define a person’s ability to inspire or make an impact.”

About Diveheart

Diveheart is a nonprofit organization that uses scuba therapy to build confidence, independence, and self-esteem in children, veterans, and adults with disabilities. By enabling adaptive divers like Gabe Spataro to rediscover their capabilities beneath the surface, Diveheart opens the door to transformative experiences that change lives.

Contact:

Jim Elliott, Diveheart Founder & President

Jim.Elliott@diveheart.org

www.diveheart.org

Jeff Goodman

Jeff is a multiple award winning, freelance TV cameraman/film maker and author. Having made both terrestrial and marine films, it is the world's oceans and their conservation that hold his passion with over 10.000 dives in his career. Having filmed for international television companies around the world and author of two books on underwater filming, Jeff is Author/Programme Specialist for the 'Underwater Action Camera' course for the RAID training agency. Jeff has experienced the rapid advances in technology for diving as well as camera equipment and has also experienced much of our planet’s marine life, witnessing, first hand, many of the changes that have occurred to the wildlife and environment during that time. Jeff runs bespoke underwater video and editing workshops for the complete beginner up to the budding professional.