Underwater films & documentaries
Mission Sea Otter – Saving California’s Kelp Forests
43 / 52 minutes documentary produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion for ARTE/ORF
Kelp forests are the home of sea otters – California’s charismatic marine mammals. What few people know is that sea otters are the last hope for this unique habitat, which is on the brink of disappearing. Our new film follows the lives of sea otters and highlights the work of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other marine conservation organizations dedicated to protecting sea otters and kelp forests. Winner of the CINEMARE / IOFF Sister City Award and nominated for Best Marine Film at the Green Screen International Nature Film Festival and for the German Nature Film Award.
For more info – click here! |. Watch in the ARTE media library now!
Wild Philippines
Underwater cinematography for this 3 x 52 minutes documentary produced by Terra Mater Studios/Catkin Media, Doclights/NDR, Blue Ant Media
Home to some of the rarest and most remarkable species on Earth, the Philippines is a true biodiversity powerhouse. We chose to explore this nation of islands because its wildlife tells a story found nowhere else — a story shaped by volcanoes, oceans, and time. The Philippines is a new documentary series that explores this beautiful country, and it’s diverse and unique wildlife!
Campaigns for Suunto Nautic & Nautic S
– two new dive computers from finland
Suunto, the Finnish pioneer in precision instruments and dive technology, launches two new dive computer series: Suunto Nautic and Suunto Nautic S. These next-generation devices mark a leap forward in Suunto’s dive legacy, blending rugged reliability with modern innovation to meet the needs of divers at every level.
We were honored to create the videos and images for these exciting new dive computers!
Good News from planet earth
“Good News from Planet Earth” shows the small and big successes of people, organizations and companies who are fighting to improve conditions for people and nature. Positive news giving courage –and often getting lost in the daily flood of bad news.
We’ve contributed 9 short films for this series produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion for BR, MDR in co-production with ARTE. They show that everyone can do something about the crises of our time even when policymakers hesitate or fail.
Timor Leste – Land of the Sleeping Crocodile
43 / 52 minutes documentary produced by k22 film for NDR/ARTE
Timor Leste is a secret paradise just north of Australia and one of the youngest countries in the world. It is an almost pristine wilderness full of natural treasures: home to huge whales, the most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth, and some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in existence. Long years of isolation have allowed its nature to flourish undisturbed, making the island a refuge for rare species and ancient cultures. Timor Leste is full of surprises – and incredible people whose stories are waiting to be told. For more info – click here!
The Shark with a thousand names
Rumor has it that some fishermen have a very special relationship with whale sharks. A team of underwater filmmakers and photographers step off the beaten path and take their cameras on a journey deep into an almost unknown region in Indonesia to discover this secret whale shark population, get up close and personal with the animals underwater, and tell a rare story of peaceful coexistence between humans and sharks. A story that we can take something away from.
After dozens of film festival screenings, this film is available online now!
About us
Award-winning underwater, nature and wildlife filmmakers
The Jetlagged are award-winning underwater, nature and wildlife filmmakers, creating documentary films for leading public broadcasters and international production companies like Marco Polo Film AG, Längengrad Filmproduktion GmbH, K22 Film, Terra Mater Studios and Blue Ant Media, ARTE, ORF, NDR, MDR, BR.
Founded by filmmakers Claudia and Hendrik S. Schmitt, The Jetlagged combine decades of experience in filmmaking with a deep expertise in the underwater world. Hendrik works as a director, cinematographer and underwater filmmaker, while Claudia is a producer, filmmaker and one of the few female underwater videographers working in the industry today. Together, they bring a rare combination of creative storytelling, technical expertise and first-hand knowledge of marine ecosystems to every project.
From the polar circle to the equator, their films explore the underwater world and the people working to understand and protect it. But for The Jetlagged, filmmaking is about more than documenting what is happening beneath the surface. Their aim is to create stories that connect audiences with the Ocean, make complex environmental issues accessible and turn scientific knowledge into something people can see, feel and understand. By combining compelling characters, strong visuals and in-depth research, their films seek to inspire curiosity, empathy and, ultimately, action.
With their 360° VR films, The Jetlagged have pioneered new ways of bringing audiences into the Ocean: fully immersive experiences that make viewers feel as though they are actually there. Immersive storytelling has become a powerful tool for Ocean conservation, allowing audiences to experience fragile ecosystems and environmental challenges in a deeply personal way.
Over the years, The Jetlagged’s films have reached audiences worldwide – on public television, at international film festivals and across digital platforms – earning recognition for both their scientific and journalistic rigor and their emotional, visually driven storytelling.
Filmography
Awards
– Awards Selection –
Sister City Award | CINEMARE & International Ocean Film Festival San Francisco, Germany/USA 2026
Best Short Film for Kids | INFF Innsbruck Nature Film Festival, Austria 2025
Ocean Dome Award | CINEMARE International Ocean Film Festival, Germany 2025
3rd Prize Documentary | CIMASUB Ciclo Internacional de Cine Submarino de Donostia, Spain, 2023
Grand Prix 3rd Prize | 38th International Festival of Diving Films and Photographs MFPF Slovakia, 2023
Best Nordic Short Film | Ocean Films Húsavík, Iceland, 2022
Best Travel Feature | Natur & Tourismus Film Festival Natourale, Germany, 2022
Immersive Storytelling Award | The MY HERO International Short Film Festival, USA, 2021
Audience Award – Best Short Film for Kids | Green Screen International Nature Film Festival Germany, 2021
1st Prize Long Documentary | CIMASUB Ciclo Internacional de Cine Submarino de Donostia, Spain, 2020
1st Prize Best Beach & Sea Film | Arrábida Film Art & Tourism Festival, Portugal 2019
Best Ocean Film | Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, USA, 2018
Best of the Best | Silently 6 Underwater Movie Festival, Serbia, 2018
Nominee Best Newcomer | Green Screen International Natur Film Festival Germany, 2018
Audience Award – Best Short Film for Kids | Green Screen International Nature Film Festival Germany, 2017
Innovation Award | San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival, USA, 2016
Contact us
Send us an email with your enquiries:
info@thejetlagged.com
You know about a great ocean related story? Collaborate with us, invite us for shooting a video with you or simply, sponsor us. There is a lot we can do for you and even more we can do together. For the oceans.
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Find us
Upcoming Screenings:
Green Screen Nature Film Festival (-> Tickets)
Mission Seeotter
11 Sept 2026 | 18:00 | OIC
12 Sept 2026 | 16:00 | Nicolaikirche
Die Philippinen – Im Reich der Regenwälder
13 Sept 2026 | 14:00 | Stadthalle Eckernförde
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