Malpelo y los guerreros del santuario - Wojciech Dopierala, Guillermo Prieto

Author´s country of origin: Poland and Colombia.
Filming location: Malpelo (Colombia).
Running time: 31 minutes.
Language: Spanish.
Award: Silver Barandilla in the DOCUMENTARIES category.

Set in the remote waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Malpelo Sanctuary, this documentary explores one of the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems, as well as the ongoing struggle to protect it. Located hundreds of kilometres off the coast of Colombia, Malpelo is a small, isolated island surrounded by thriving marine life. However, its rich ecosystems have long been threatened by illegal fishing fleets operating throughout the eastern Pacific, drawn by the abundance of sharks and pelagic species inhabiting these waters.

Through striking imagery and real-life testimonies, the film reveals both the extraordinary beauty of Malpelo and the harsh reality of its vulnerability. At its heart, the story follows the work of Biodiversity Conservation Colombia, an organisation that has taken on the challenge of protecting this sanctuary in the face of overwhelming odds. Their efforts have led to a remarkable achievement: a reduction in illegal fishing activities of more than 90 per cent in the area. More than just a conservation success story, this documentary is a tribute to the people working on the front line: the guardians of one of the ocean’s last bastions.

By combining underwater cinematography with a human story of resilience and commitment, the film offers a compelling example of how dedicated action can bring about real and measurable change in ocean conservation.