The Francisco Pizarro Special Award at Cimasub 2023 was presented to the renowned underwater filmmaker Christian Pétron, a key figure in the history of underwater cinema and a regular contributor to the event for decades.
Born in 1944, he started diving when he was only 10 years old and by the age of 16 he was already shooting underwater photography. After training as a demining diver in the French Navy and working with the company Comex, in 1975 he founded the production company Cinemarine, with which he made more than 20 documentaries for French television.
Among his most notable achievements are his work as director of photography on ‘Le Grand Bleu’ (1988) and ‘Atlantis’ (1990), both directed by Luc Besson, and his participation in the Titanic expeditions in 1996 and 1998 for the Discovery Channel, where he made thirteen dives to a depth of more than 3,800 metres.
Throughout his career, he has worked for networks such as PBS USA, Canal+, ARTE and BBC, and has won several awards at the Antibes World Underwater Film Festival, including two Palmes d'Or. His documentary ‘Les Requins Blancs de Guadeloupe’ (2010) was screened at the Cimasub in 2012, where he was a special guest.
With this award, the Cimasub recognises the career of a pioneer of underwater cinema, whose work has contributed to bringing the oceans closer to the general public through television, film and photography.
Francisco Pizarro Special Award - Cimasub 2023
The Francisco Pizarro Special Award at Cimasub 2023 was presented to the renowned underwater filmmaker Christian Pétron, a key figure in the history of underwater cinema and a regular contributor to the event for decades.
Born in 1944, he started diving when he was only 10 years old and by the age of 16 he was already shooting underwater photography. After training as a demining diver in the French Navy and working with the company Comex, in 1975 he founded the production company Cinemarine, with which he made more than 20 documentaries for French television.
Among his most notable achievements are his work as director of photography on ‘Le Grand Bleu’ (1988) and ‘Atlantis’ (1990), both directed by Luc Besson, and his participation in the Titanic expeditions in 1996 and 1998 for the Discovery Channel, where he made thirteen dives to a depth of more than 3,800 metres.
Throughout his career, he has worked for networks such as PBS USA, Canal+, ARTE and BBC, and has won several awards at the Antibes World Underwater Film Festival, including two Palmes d'Or. His documentary ‘Les Requins Blancs de Guadeloupe’ (2010) was screened at the Cimasub in 2012, where he was a special guest.
With this award, the Cimasub recognises the career of a pioneer of underwater cinema, whose work has contributed to bringing the oceans closer to the general public through television, film and photography.
