Take a Deep Dive Into Prada’s Compelling Ocean Conservation and Education Project

We have had the privilege of collaborating with the team at Anima Films UK for over five years, creating the sound design and music for the majority of their projects. Some of the most compelling collaborations have been their films with National Geographic, including a recent project produced in partnership with Prada. This film highlights initiatives from Prada’s collaboration with UNESCO-IOC; the Sea Beyond initiative, which aims to promote ocean conservation and education.

Two of the films feature Benedict Cumberbatch, narrating as he walks through the breathtaking landscapes of Greenland, sharing powerful stories about the Arctic Ocean. The other two films shift the focus to Mexico, where Sadie Sink explores the Pacific, telling stories of its vast and dynamic marine ecosystems.

These films do more than simply showcase stunning visuals, they serve as a call to action, shedding light on pressing environmental issues and inspiring audiences to rethink their relationship with the ocean.

Throughout the series, the films address a range of critical oceanic concerns, from ghost fishing and noise pollution in the Arctic to the rich biodiversity of whale sharks and kelp forests in tropical waters. They connect audiences with the scientists, conservationists, and local communities working tirelessly to study, protect, and restore marine ecosystems. By highlighting the challenges, and then also the solutions, the films emphasise the urgency of ocean conservation, while celebrating the people dedicated to making a difference.

Our approach to composing the music and sound design for these films was deeply intentional.

We crafted a central theme that wove through all the films, subtly adjusting the instrumentation to reflect the unique characteristics of each environment. The underwater scenes in particular, required a delicate touch; creating an ambient, almost ethereal quality, that sometimes veered into the eerie, especially when exploring the mysteries of ghost fishing and hidden kelp forest ecosystems. The goal was to ensure that the music not only complemented the visuals but also reinforced the emotional depth of the narratives.

Bringing characters and experiences to life through sound was another key focus. We used distinct musical themes and evolving instrumentation to highlight their journeys and perspectives. One of the most immersive examples is episode two, which focuses on noise pollution in the ocean, and how damaging that is for sea creatures, such as whales, where It has been shown to deafen them, and even rupture their internal organs.

Here, sound designer Will Ward incorporated distant, muffled explosions and industrial clutter to create an unsettling, yet deeply immersive auditory experience. By using sound as both a storytelling tool, and an emotional amplifier, we were able to enhance the impact of the film’s message.

Working on these projects has been an extraordinary opportunity to blend storytelling with sound, helping to amplify the message of ocean conservation through music and design. It is both a creative and meaningful journey—and underscores the power of film, music and sound design in driving awareness and change. We are incredibly proud to have contributed to this project and look forward to continuing our work with Anima Films in the future.