North Atlantic: The Dark Ocean has been awarded the Grand Prix – Best Film of Festival Award -this weekend at the Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam, beating off some vaunted competitors including BBC’s Our Frozen Planet.
The documentary features Irish underwater cameraman Ken O’Sullivan searching the North Atlantic waters around Ireland for some of the largest animals ever to have lived, including fin and sei whales, killer whales and courtship aggregations of massive basking sharks. It was broadcast in May of this year to an incredibly positive public response.
In presenting the award to Ken O’Sullivan, the judging panel said: “Myths about sea monsters have long shaped our exploitation and maltreatment of marine life. The film that wins the Flamingo Grand Prix 2023 debunks those myths with solid knowledge and, by showing the grandeur and beauty of ocean life, it makes you realize this should be loved and protected.
The film is an epic voyage of discovery. Free diving along with the filmmaker himself, you actually come face-to-face with a multitude of sea creatures, ranging from sprat, herring, basking sharks to killer whales, common dolphins and fin whales. All lovingly portrayed in with great craftsmanship and years of experience. This engaging filmmaker grabs you and takes you down into the dark waters surrounding Ireland. We – the jury – all held our breath until the end.”
North Atlantic was commissioned by RTÉ, produced by Sea Fever Productions and funded by Coimisiún na Meán, Marine Institute, EPA, Dept of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, and the Government’s S481 scheme for Film & TV.
