Karim Iliya

Karim Iliya is a photographer, filmmaker and whale swimming guide, based in Iceland and Hawaii. In 2022, he was selected as crew on the dearMoon mission, the first planned civilian space flight around the moon. He is also the co-founder of Kogia, a Karim grew up in the Middle East and Asia and developed a curiosity for the natural world which has taken him into the midst of exploding volcanoes, battling whales, ice worlds of the Arctic, and many of the fascinating places where humans and animals make their homes.Through his photography and films, Karim takes his audiences to hidden underwater worlds as well documenting other natural places in an effort to protect our delicate ecosystems on Earth. Throughout his life he has been fascinated by the hidden mysteries in our universe, from the smallest creatures and the deepest seas, to the great vastness of space. Karim has worked in over 45 countries, and won multiple international awards for his photography work. In 2023 , he co-founded Kogia, a non-profit free media library and film team dedicated to ocean conservation.