The House Of Fish wins Sustainable Film Competition

The House of Fish: Winning the 2024 Sustainable Film Competition

We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2024 Sustainable Film Competition, organized by VMI and Sustainable Film: The House of Fish, directed and produced by the talented Santiago Burin des Roziers.

The film captivated the judges, earning an overwhelming 5 out of 7 first-place votes. They were particularly impressed by the film’s ambitious scope, the depth of its environmental message, and the fact that it’s being shot exclusively in the stunning location of Talamone, Italy.

As the winner of the competition, Santiago will receive up to four weeks of rental for a comprehensive camera and grip equipment package, along with the calculation of the production’s carbon footprint (via Albert or GPG), as well as a tailored sustainable production methodology and carbon reduction strategy.

A Bold Conservation Documentary

At its heart, The House of Fish is a deeply personal and environmental documentary that follows the efforts of Paolo Fanciuli—known as “Paolo the Fisherman”—in his battle against the destructive practice of bottom trawling. This illegal form of fishing uses heavy, weighted nets dragged across the ocean floor, indiscriminately killing marine life and destroying precious ecosystems.

Paolo’s response is revolutionary: he has set out to build an underwater museum. By placing large blocks of marble on the seabed, he’s creating artificial reefs that block trawlers from damaging the ocean floor. These aren’t ordinary blocks; they are intricately sculpted works of art, sending a powerful message about conservation.

This documentary will highlight Paolo’s ongoing struggle and showcase the urgent need to protect the ocean’s delicate ecosystems, especially the endangered Posidonia Oceanica, a seagrass vital for maintaining marine biodiversity and combating climate change.

Posidonia Oceanica: A Key to Our Oceans and the Planet’s Future

One of the primary focuses of The House of Fish is the Posidonia Oceanica meadows, which play an essential role in the health of the Mediterranean Sea and the fight against global warming. These meadows are often referred to as the “lungs of the sea,” thanks to their ability to absorb vast amounts of CO2, 15 times more than a similarly-sized patch of the Amazon rainforest. They also serve as crucial nurseries for a variety of marine life, offering shelter and nutrition to species of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Unfortunately, despite being protected by national and international laws, Posidonia meadows are under threat. Illegal trawling, along with the damaging practice of “wild anchoring” by pleasure boats, has caused severe degradation to these vital ecosystems. Over the past few decades, the meadows have been disappearing at an alarming rate, and scientists are raising the alarm about the long-term impact on marine life, biodiversity, and climate.

The film will explain why Posidonia is so essential for both the ocean and the planet, and why it must be saved before it’s too late.

The Destruction of Trawling

To understand the urgency of Paolo’s mission, it’s crucial to grasp the destructive effects of bottom trawling. This fishing method involves dragging heavy nets across the ocean floor, destroying everything in their path. The practice is not only wasteful, as it catches untargeted species, but also ecologically damaging, especially to sensitive ecosystems like Posidonia meadows. The biodiversity of the sea suffers when these habitats are destroyed, and species that depend on these spaces for shelter, food, and reproduction are put at risk.

In addition to harming marine life, bottom trawling contributes significantly to climate change. The practice disturbs seabed sediments, which contain vast amounts of carbon that, when released into the water, accelerate ocean acidification and disrupt marine ecosystems. A 2021 study found that the carbon emissions from bottom trawling are on par with those of the entire global aviation industry.

This alarming fact underscores the importance of Paolo’s work and why the fight to protect marine ecosystems like Posidonia meadows is not just an environmental issue—it’s a climate issue.

An Artistic Approach to Conservation

The House of Fish will combine Paolo’s personal journey with a natural history approach to highlight the urgency of ocean conservation. The film’s artistic direction mirrors the beauty of the underwater museum Paolo is building, showing the sea as a living, breathing entity in need of protection.

The documentary will also delve into the science of marine ecosystems, focusing on species most affected by trawling, such as juvenile fish, sea turtles, and invertebrates. Through interviews with marine biologists, local fishermen, and conservationists, the film will provide a comprehensive look at the state of the oceans, the threats they face, and why these ecosystems are so crucial to the planet’s overall health.

The Filmmaking Journey

Santiago Burin des Roziers, the director and producer of The House of Fish, is no stranger to bringing compelling stories to the screen. Originally from Buenos Aires, Santiago has traveled to over 30 countries, creating films for top networks like the BBC, CNN, Channel 4, and VICE. His work has been showcased at prestigious film festivals including Cannes and the London Film Festival, and he has won numerous awards, including Cannes Lions.

Santiago’s passion for both the environment and storytelling is evident in this project, which has already seen significant progress. Two scouting trips have been made, during which he has formed a strong, personal relationship with Paolo. The carving of the latest sculptures, underwater footage of the museum, and interviews with marine biologists and local fishermen have already been filmed, giving the documentary a solid foundation for success.

Protecting Our Oceans for Future Generations

The House of Fish will not only tell the story of Paolo’s fight against trawling but will also serve as a powerful call to action. As climate change accelerates and ocean ecosystems continue to decline, films like this are vital in raising awareness and inspiring change. By combining art, science, and a deeply human story, Santiago and Paolo are creating a documentary that speaks directly to the heart of the urgent need for marine conservation.

In a time when the world’s oceans are under more threat than ever, The House of Fish serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our seas—and the people who are fighting to protect them.

This documentary will inspire viewers to take action, support conservation efforts, and work together to save the oceans before it’s too late.

Learn More and Get Involved

Stay tuned for the release of The House of Fish and join the movement to protect our oceans, preserve biodiversity, and combat climate change. Every action counts, and the ocean needs all of us to fight for its future.