Mission Sea Otter – Saving California’s Kelp Forests
(Mission Seeotter – Rettung für Kaliforniens Kelpwälder)
Along the coast of California, vast kelp forests create one of the most productive and biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth.
These underwater forests provide food and shelter for countless marine species, capture carbon and play an important role in the health of the Ocean.
At the heart of this ecosystem is one of California’s most charismatic marine mammals: the sea otter.
By controlling populations of sea urchins, sea otters help protect kelp forests from being overgrazed.
As kelp forests disappear along the Californian coast, sea otters have become a key species in the fight to restore and protect this vital habitat.
Mission Sea Otter – Saving California’s Kelp Forests follows these remarkable animals through spectacular underwater and topside footage.
The film also explores the work of the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium and other marine conservation organisations working to protect sea otters, restore kelp forests and preserve California’s coastal ecosystems.
Produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion for ARTE and ORF, the film combines wildlife storytelling with marine conservation and scientific research.
It has been recognised at international nature film festivals, including a nomination for Best Marine Film at the Green Screen International Nature Film Festival and a nomination for the German Nature Film Award. The film also received the CINEMARE / International Ocean Film Festival Sister City Award.
A film about sea otters, kelp forests and the race to protect one of California’s most important marine ecosystems.
TEAM
Written, directed and filmed by: Claudia Schmitt, Hendrik S. Schmitt
Additional camerawork: Brandon Garcia, Rose Dalrymple
Editing: Marc Schubert
Assistant editor: Mathis Hohmann
Music composed by: Sebastian Haßler
Sound design and mixing: Alexander Weuffen
Colour grading: Dany Schelby
Graphics: Anastasia Wagner
Production assistant: Karl Hax, Alican Tamkan
Line Producer: Katja Sträter
Producer: Frank Nischk
Executive Producers: Thomas Weidenbach, Sarah Zierul
Editorial Team:
Christian Cools, Felicitas Schwarz, under the supervision of Alexander von Harling (Arte),
Birgit Skulski, under the supervision of Gernot Lercher (ORF)
A production by Längengrad Filmproduktion in co-production with Arte G.E.I.E, ORF, in collaboration with ORF-Enterprise
Special thanks to:
Monterey Bay Aquarium (Jessica Fujii, Emerson Brown, Adrian Samora), Reef Check Foundation (Jaclyn Mann, Jan Freiwald), Sunflower Star Laboratory (Vince Christian, Ashley Kidd, Reuven Bank), Giant Kelp Restoration Project (Keith Rootsaert), Monterey Expeditions, Phil Sammet, Ariella & Brian Simke, Spectre Dive Boat, Sundiver, Waterhorse Charters, Beach Hopper II, Joe Mosquito, Craig Lang, Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo, Aquarius Dive Shop, Ana Blanco & David McQuire