MADRE and Cultura Inquieta are organizing a reel competition to raise awareness about the importance of the marine environment.
Registration is free and you can participate with up to three videos.
PalmMADRE and Cultura Inquieta have organized a contest of reels to raise awareness about the importance and ecological wealth of the Balearic Sea. The initiative, which aims to reach a younger audience, is endowed with 3,000 euros and the prize for the winner will be 1,000 euros, while the six reels Finalists will be awarded 200 euros; those who achieve the most will be awarded 400 euros. likes and four diving experiences or snorkel for the next four videos in the Top 10 finalists.
The organization has explained that the project wants to demonstrate the "urgent need" to preserve the Balearic Islands' marine environment. "The total number of tourists who visited the Islands during 2024 reached 18.7 million, multiplying by 58 in 66 years," they noted, according to data from theBalearic Sea Report 2024 of the Marilles Foundation. "Each bather involuntarily removes 38 g of sand, 306 tons in 2024, which accelerates coastal erosion. In addition, recreational dives have increased from 12,735 in 2005 to 75,936 in 2023, among other consequences.
"We want to bring marine conservation closer to a younger audience and invite both citizens and visitors to the Archipelago to capture the beauty of the landscape, fauna and flora of the Balearic Sea to share it, learn about the challenges it faces and be an active part of its conservation," they continue. "We have a sea that is a treasure and we want these reels serve to convey this to society and mobilize it. Images have great power, regardless of the format, and we believe they are a starting point for driving real change," says Amador Garcias, coordinator of MADRE.
Stake
Registration is free and you can participate with up to three reels. Therefore, it is necessary to complete a registration form for each reel, share them on Instagram with the hashtag #BeReelForTheSea, follow and tag @marebalear and @culturainquieta in the video description, and keep the account public until the winners are published.
The reels They must include a visual story or creative scene related to the Balearic Sea, showcasing its biodiversity and marine life, or addressing sustainability and environmental responsibility. The jury will be composed of Olivia Mandle, ambassador of the European Union's Climate Pact; Mar Leza, zoologist, researcher, and university professor specializing in marine ecosystems and microplastics; and Juan Yuste, founder and CEO of Cultura Inquieta, a leading Spanish platform for creativity and cultural innovation. The deadline for participation is September 1. and the winners will be announced on September 30.
Audiovisual Competition for the Conservation of the Balearic Sea
Another of the activities MADRE develops, now in its sixth edition, is the Audiovisual Competition for the Conservation of the Balearic Sea. This competition was launched in 2020 with the conviction that photography is an ideal language for showcasing the hidden beauty of the sea, with all its colors and light.
The competition's technical coordinator, Abraham Caleroexplains that "this edition will recognize the ecological importance of shallow bays, with an honorable mention for photographs taken in these spaces." It will follow the classic competition format, with underwater digital photography as its main discipline. It also allows for the documentation of species and habitats, providing essential information on their conservation status.
Until September 15 You can submit a maximum of 20 digital photographs related to the Balearic and Mediterranean Seas, taken within the last five years. These images must showcase their richness and beauty, or people's relationship with the marine environment, whether positive or negative, success stories or criticisms. Three participation profiles are established: those under 16 participate as juniors, and those over 16, depending on their level, can participate as amateurs or experts.
The jury will be composed of Emma Cebrián, a marine biologist specializing in benthic ecosystems and marine habitat restoration; Ana Palacios, a photographer and journalist specializing in human rights and the environment; and Merche Llobera, a photographer specializing in underwater and wildlife photography, recognized for her conservation work and internationally recognized. A total of €10,000 will be awarded in 26 prizes. in the form of financial support and underwater equipment. In addition, six honorable mentions will be awarded: three to Protected Marine Spaces and three to Badies Somes.
