Making Waves: How Arksen brought the ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ film to life

Q: Can you tell us about the background to this landmark film? How did the original idea or concept for Ocean come about, and what was the original ‘spark’?

A: Like all projects of this scale, the journey to create Ocean has been long and deeply intertwined. At Arksen, our founding idea was to establish 10% for the Ocean as a super fund for ocean rejuvenation – a pledge for individuals and corporates to reallocate 10% of their annual giving to the ocean. At scale, this would unlock billions for our most precious ecosystem, which is at once the least respected, least protected, and least funded.

So far, 10% for the Ocean has supported 60 critical projects across 27 countries, providing unrestricted grants – the most valuable type of support for NGOs. It sits at the very heart of Arksen, ensuring we stay true to our purpose. For us, brand efficacy has always mattered more than brand identity, and that’s why we launched 10% for the Ocean alongside Arksen itself. But to achieve scale requires extraordinary collective action; difficult, but thrilling in its ambition.

The spark for the film from my side came following a conversation with Jochen Zeitz, CEO of Harley-Davidson and a remarkable environmentalist, whilst on his Kenyan conservancy. He spoke of Breaking Boundaries, a film he had made with Silverback, which I found both heartbreaking and motivating. Inspired, I reached out to Keith Scholey at Silverback and Colin Butfield at Open Planet. We spoke of Arksen, of 10% for the Ocean, and our desire to use media to tell stories of global consequence; especially now that funding from streamers for natural history has virtually dried up, leaving brands the opportunity to step into the void.

Q. Clearly, the project involves a collaboration of like-minded people with a shared passion. Can you tell us more about the relationship between Arksen, Open Planet Studios, and Silverback Films?

A. Yes, absolutely. The media landscape has shifted dramatically in the past decade. Broadcasters and streamers once flourished, then faltered, and now natural history budgets are tighter than ever. With Ocean, we were determined that no external funder could influence the narrative – something that so often happens when broadcasters hold final editorial control.

So Silverback and Open Planet, with Arksen and 10% for the Ocean, created a lean but passionate team of ocean advocates and fully funded the production ourselves. Under Silverback’s and Open Planet’s stewardship, and with the remarkable vision of director-producer Toby Nowland, the film came to life.

The crew were world-class: Toby Strong as producer-director, Doug Anderson as DoP, both legends in their field. The soundtrack, composed by Oscar-winner Steven Price (Gravity), is breathtaking. Every frame, every detail, every note reflects the highest level of craft – all anchored by Sir David Attenborough’s timeless voice. At its heart, this film was a collective effort, built on shared conviction to create something profound and necessary.

Q. At what point did Sir David Attenborough become involved, and how did his contribution shape the film?

A. David joined from the very beginning, four years ago, and said this was a film he had long wanted to make. As with all of his work, he was central to how it was shaped and produced.

The ocean faces countless challenges, but David, Keith and Toby wisely focused the film on two of the most urgent: the creation and protection of marine reserves, and the eradication of destructive fishing practices.

David’s involvement lifted the project in countless ways, not least because everyone raised their game. This was not just another natural history film; it became the film about the ocean. For all of us, except David himself, this has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Q. How long did Ocean take to make, and what challenges and financial commitments were involved?

A. The film took four years to develop and complete, with multiple units filming across the globe. Shooting in the ocean is technically demanding, and this film includes several world firsts: vast shoals of tuna the size of cars, extraordinary close-ups of marine life, the harrowing bottom trawling sequence, and the plundering of Antarctic waters. Each demanded bespoke technology, discipline, and extraordinary skill.

Doug Anderson, a legend in underwater cinematography, alongside Toby and Keith, delivered some of the most iconic ocean sequences ever filmed.

As with all such projects, the greatest hurdle was funding. The film cost around £5 million to produce. Once the initial commitment was in place, the expert guidance of Silverback, Toby and Open Planet ensured it remained true to its mission and delivered on time.

Q. What aspects of the production are you most proud of?

A. Above all, I’m proud that Arksen and 10% for the Ocean made this film possible. For a young brand with a passionate team, that feels like a win both for the ocean and for ourselves.

In terms of moments, the premiere was unforgettable: to see HRH The King and 2,300 others celebrating this film was extraordinary. Ocean went on to become the UK’s highest-grossing nature documentary in cinemas this decade, and the widest-released documentary ever. It generated over 561.6 million tracked social impressions between April–June alone, with the bottom trawling clip attracting over 11 million views on Instagram.

More importantly, the film has influenced policy. It is cited as a key driver behind the UK government’s decision to ban bottom trawling in half of England’s protected seas. Private screenings have been held for global leaders including the UK Prime Minister, the European Commission, UNESCO and the UN High-Level Political Forum. Prince William described it as “the most compelling argument for immediate action I have ever seen.” The film has also earned five nominations at the 2025 Wildscreen Panda Awards and a longlisting for the Grierson Awards.

For me, the most poignant sequence is that of Antarctic krill extraction. If the ocean is sentient, this feels like the theft of its life force — and for nothing more than pet food.

Q. Is Ocean intended as a call to action?

A. Absolutely. A film like this succeeds only if it creates lasting change. The central call to action is to support the 30×30 initiative – protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Today we spend 100 times more on ice cream each year than on ocean protection, and 7,000 times more subsidising fossil fuels than nurturing the sea. That imbalance must change. The call to action is simple: insist on marine reserves, insist they are enforced, and demand an end to destructive fishing. And of course, adopt the 10% for the Ocean pledge to re-allocate 10% of your giving to the ocean.

Q. How much difference can Ocean make to the future of our seas and how the world engages with them?

A. The film arrived at a pivotal moment – the midpoint of the UN Decade of the Ocean – just as the sea was slipping dangerously down political agendas. Ocean has reignited global debate, offering both a stark warning of what is at stake and a clear, science-based path to recovery.

Its reach has already been extraordinary. The film has been screened privately more than 500 times to policymakers, NGOs and global leaders, from the UK Prime Minister and members of the European Commission to UNESCO and the UN High-Level Political Forum. It continues to feature at the world’s most influential environmental and economic gatherings, ensuring that the health of the ocean is no longer a peripheral issue but a central part of the conversation.

But perhaps its greatest power lies in its ability to connect emotionally with audiences. By combining world-first sequences with David Attenborough’s unflinching message, Ocean transforms data and policy into human urgency – something that leaders, businesses, and citizens alike can no longer ignore. Already it has been cited as a catalyst for concrete policy proposals, such as the UK government’s decision to restrict bottom trawling in protected seas, and further screenings are planned to drive change at both national and international level.

We see Ocean not as a single film but as a rallying point: a cultural touchstone that has shifted how the ocean is spoken about, prioritised, and valued. Its momentum is still building, and the more audiences it reaches, the greater the impact it will have. If you have a platform, a community, or a forum that could benefit from this message, we are always open to collaboration. Together, we can ensure the ocean is not only seen, but heard — and above all, protected.

Q. How hopeful is Sir David for real change?

A. David has often said his greatest source of hope lies in young people – in their passion, their urgency, and their refusal to accept decline as inevitable. He also reminds us that responsibility lies with each of us: the choices we make today will decide whether the ocean thrives tomorrow.

As he says himself “The ocean is the beating heart of our planet. If it fails, the whole Earth fails. But if we give it the chance, it will recover – and recover spectacularly.”

Q. Could there be a sequel, or another landmark project with this collaboration?

A. That is certainly the plan from our perspective. We aim to build a movement of brands and individuals willing to fund the stories that need telling – stories free of political compromise, that tackle issues head on, and particularly those connected to the ocean.

It’s vital that brands recognise their role here. They can and should be the driving force in delivering this kind of media. For Arksen, yes, we build some of the best boats in the world, but we are far more proud of the impact they enable. Our customers aren’t simply buying a vessel; they’re joining a community dedicated to purpose. Buying Arksen is a statement of intent: to engage, to thrive, and to be part of something that matters. To quote David Attenborough again “What happens to the ocean will define the future of humanity. Its health is our health, its fate our own.”