Underwater cinema, transmitter of love towards our oceans

David Sánchez Carretero, Director of CIMASUB (International Underwater Film Festival of Donostia – San Sebastián), will provide his insights as the festival's organizer. Enrique Talledo Ruíz, a documentary filmmaker, underwater cameraman, photographer, and advocate, responsible for the project secretsdeloceano.com, will offer his perspective as a disseminator and multiple award-winner at CIMASUB. Additionally, various award-winning short films from both Enrique and other creators will be screened.

The International Underwater Film Festival aims to unveil the mysteries of the deep sea and foster respect for it. It was established in 1975 by Subacuáticas de la Real Sociedad, a group of devoted divers passionate about the sea and underwater imagery. Over time, this event has evolved into a platform for raising awareness about the love and preservation of our oceans. Through the captivating mediums of cinema and photography, it showcases the beauty and biodiversity concealed beneath the ocean's surface while highlighting the critical issues arising from human behavior, such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing.

Today, after 47 years of dedicated work, CIMASUB stands as the world's longest-running underwater film festival. It is a global benchmark among underwater film festivals, featuring over 250 short films and documentaries from around the world, representing more than 80 different countries in its most recent edition. This makes it a unique opportunity to experience the finest underwater works on the big screen, combining exceptional quality with compelling environmental awareness and educational content.

CIMASUB invests substantial effort in continuous improvement, striving to deliver higher-quality content, enhance its capacity to inspire the public, and extend its presence to reach a wider audience. All of its activities revolve around themes that help elucidate the significance of the sea and its close connection to the environment, with the ultimate goal of raising awareness, educating, and engaging individuals in addressing the grave issues confronting our marine ecosystems.

Enrique Talledo will share insights into his extensive filming and editing work across various seas around the globe. These experiences have led him to create numerous short films and documentaries that have been subsequently featured on television and at film festivals such as CIMASUB, where he has received multiple awards. Through these avenues, his work has reached thousands of people in different countries, contributing significantly to the promotion, dissemination, and awareness of the imperative need to preserve our oceans.

Within his presentation, he will introduce his most prominent environmental education project, "SECRETOS DEL OCÉANO," which has garnered several accolades, including the 2020 Science in Action award for the best scientific outreach work, endorsed by the CSIC and the Fundación Princesa de Girona, as well as the 2022 Arona SOS Atlántico award. The project's primary goal is to foster environmental consciousness among the younger generation. To achieve this, it employs a multifaceted approach encompassing photographic exhibitions, documentaries, awareness-raising short films, a documentary series, content on social media platforms, lectures, publications, and more.

This Open Activity is an integral part of the "How to Communicate Environmental Issues with and for Young People" Summer Course program.