I'm not sure, but it could be the people who worked to free the whale, like the rescuers or the conservationists.
Perhaps the main characters are the ones who first discovered the whale in need of help. It might also include those who provided the necessary resources and support for the whale's freedom. Maybe there were some local fishermen who noticed the whale was in trouble and alerted the right people. Then there could be scientists or veterinarians who played a key role in assessing the whale's health and coming up with a plan for its release.
Since it's based on the 'Free Willy' concept, the main characters could be the ones who had a connection with the whale. This might include a young person who befriended the whale during its captivity and was a big advocate for its freedom. Also, there could be the adults in charge of the place where the whale was held, some of whom might have been against the idea of freeing it at first, creating a conflict in the story.