World Premiere May 6 | Global Cinema Event from May 8
Legendary broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough invites audiences on a visually spectacular and emotionally powerful cinematic journey with his latest documentary, OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH. Releasing globally from May 8 to coincide with his 99th birthday, the film explores the vast beauty and critical importance of Earth’s oceans—revealing them as the beating heart of our planet.
Narrated and presented by Attenborough, OCEAN takes viewers beneath the waves to witness awe-inspiring scenes—from vibrant coral reefs and mysterious kelp forests to the expanse of the open sea. With immersive cinematography and cutting-edge filming techniques, the film sheds light on the ocean’s fragility, the urgent threats it faces, and, ultimately, its power to recover.
Speaking about his involvement, Attenborough reflects on a lifetime shaped by the golden age of ocean discovery. Through extraordinary footage and compelling storytelling, he shares why a thriving ocean is essential to life on Earth—and why there is still hope for its restoration.
“The ocean is our most precious resource,” Attenborough says. “Its future is our future. And we now stand at a crossroads.”
World Premiere and Global Rollout
The world premiere of OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH will take place on May 6 at London’s Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall, featuring two exclusive screenings: a daytime “Future Generations” event for students and educators, and a prestigious evening premiere attended by dignitaries and special guests.
From May 8, the film will be released as a Global Cinema Event. Distributed in the UK and Ireland by Altitude, it will screen across the world through a partnership with Piece of Magic Entertainment, reaching audiences in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany, Scandinavia, South Africa, and more.
A Film Three Years in the Making
Directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey, and Colin Butfield, and produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios in association with National Geographic and All3Media International, the film was inspired by the urgency of the upcoming 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Filming spanned over two years, covering remarkable locations including the Azores, California, Indonesia, Antarctica, and the Mediterranean. Scenes with Attenborough himself were captured on the Jurassic Coast and at West Wittering Beach in southern England.
The production broke ground with several filming firsts:
The most detailed footage of coral feeding ever captured
The largest school of yellowfin tuna filmed to date
Rare insight into industrial bottom trawling
Footage of the world’s largest albatross colony in Hawaii
Innovative techniques, such as motion-controlled time-lapse and “tow cam” ocean tracking, elevate the viewer experience to new depths of cinematic immersion.
A Message of Hope
Despite confronting the devastation of coral bleaching and unsustainable fishing practices, OCEAN delivers a hopeful message. Through inspiring global stories of conservation, recovery, and resilience, Attenborough urges us to act—not out of fear, but out of possibility.
“This film is not just a warning,” says director Keith Scholey. “It’s a vision for a healthier future, if we choose to protect what remains.”
Credit – Conor McDonnell © Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios.
