This young festival held its fourth edition in the coastal city of Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This year, two French films are among the winners and the grand prize was awarded to Alexander Benedik for his film The Mother of Diamonds.
At the end of August, the city of Neum once again hosted the Underwater Film Festival, showcasing the talent of young filmmakers from around the world. During an evening of screenings, audiences, both on site and streaming, could discover the finalist films and vote for their favorite to award the audience prize, which was given to Aquaballet by Marianne Aventurier.
This festival is also an opportunity to raise public awareness about the protection of the seas and oceans, while introducing this environment to the general public. In addition to the screenings, attendees could participate in an educational and ecological workshop led by Jurica Gašpar, jury member, editor, and initiator of the Morski.hr portal and Morska TV. The film Legends of the Light by director Igor Goić was screened to close the event.
The 2024 winners of the Neum Underwater Film Festival
The jury selected the winners of this edition. The grand prize for the year 2024 was awarded to the Austrian film The Mother of Diamonds – Kimberlite, directed by Alexander Benedik. The prize for Best Ecological Film was awarded to the French film Aquaballet by Marianne Aventurier. The Best Camera Award went to the German film The Breath of the Depth by Poul Bracker. Finally, the French film Lumi, directed by Lola Lemuet, received the Best Music Award.
A young festival
The Neum Underwater Film Festival, organized by the Standard Association, was created in 2021. As an international cultural event, it continues to attract an increasing number of filmmakers, spectators, enthusiasts, and underwater world activists each year.
The 2024 lineup of the Neum Underwater Film Festival
Grand Prize 2024 – The Mother of Diamonds – Kimberlite by Alexander Benedik.
A freediving film about the quest to find the mineral Kimberlite under the frozen sea east of Greenland.
« The first time I saw a stone in an iceberg during a dive, I was fascinated. I thought: « If this stone could tell us a story about its origins, its journey, and its final destination, it would be wonderful. » That’s how the idea of making a film about a stone traveling in an iceberg was born – but how to tell such a story? Years later, everything fell into place: professional freediver Anna von Bötticher accompanied me on a trip to Greenland and, by chance, we discovered an iceberg that looked like a diamond. This iceberg contained countless Kimberlite stones, a mineral that contains diamonds. »
Alexander Benedik
>>> Watch the entire film ici <<<
Find Alexander Benedik on Instagram et Youtube and freediver Anna von Bötticher, on Instagram et Facebook.
Best Ecological Film and Audience Award – Aquaballet by Marianne Aventurier
This project is the culmination of several months of filming to achieve the challenging dream of creating a ballet with marine animals. These images captured by Alex Voyer unite Marianne Aventurier’s three passions: dance, the sea, and animals. The film was shot in Polynesia, under the hull of their sailboat, the Diatomée. The music by Stéphane Lopez enhances it all.
Find Marianne Aventurier on Instagram, Alex Voyer on Instagram and their adventure aboard the Diatomée sur Instagram et Youtube.
Best Camera Award – The Breath of the Depth by Poul Bracker
This short documentary tells the story of Mehdi Allam, who discovered a new passion for freediving after a serious climbing accident. Through intensive training and great self-discipline, he managed to bounce back. Mehdi, formerly a climbing photographer, became a free-diving instructor and underwater photographer. The film shows how a tragic twist of fate can lead to a new opportunity. Dive into the fascinating world of the sea and be captivated by Mehdi’s unyielding determination. Discover the transformative power of freediving and the philosophy that comes with it. A story about acceptance and gratitude in overcoming personal limits.
« I am a sports enthusiast and have had my share of injuries. That’s why I understand the importance of talking openly about mental health as a crucial factor in the development of our society. Sports enthusiasts often face challenges that affect us all in times of crisis. That’s what motivated me to share Mehdi Allam’s remarkable recovery story in a short film – as a source of motivation and inspiration for everyone. As a passionate filmmaker, I aim to create films that not only entertain but also evoke emotions. My goal is to initiate positive changes and encourage people to discover new facets of themselves. »
Poul Bracker
Discover Poul Bracker’s work on his website, Instagram et Youtube and follow the freediver Mehdi Allam on Instagram.
Best Music Award – Lumi by Lola Lemuet, music composed by Loïc Menon.
During a performance at the opera, an artist’s extraordinary voice plunges the room into the depths of the ocean. Gradually, the marine universe fills with magic, the world lights up, thus awakening a long-dormant creature.
This film is the graduation project of a team of students from the ARTFX school, an international higher school of cinema, special effects, animation, and video games.
To learn more about this project and the students behind it, follow Lumi on Instagram.
opening image The Mother of Diamonds – Kimberlite © Alexander Benedik.