WaterBear swims with Format Factory short

Grey Seal X Wild Swim is about the relationship between humans and nature

Wildlife-themed OTT service WaterBear Network has acquired a short film from UK-based The Format Factory and conservationist and filmmaker Duncan Kenny.

Grey Seal X Wild Swim is about the relationship between humans and nature, focusing on grey seals in the waters off South Devon in England and the wild swimmers who interact with them. The film includes interviews and aerial and underwater footage with a conservation message to promote healthy relationships between humans and animals.

Format Factory’s head of development, Benjamin Field, said: “I’ve been aware of Duncan’s incredibly beautiful work for a couple of years now. His work is not only incredibly timely but also very sensitively produced with an authenticity that is so rarely found. I’m very keen to develop more works with him and WaterBear in the future.”

Kenny added: “As we knowingly approach the great challenges faced by the natural world, our personal and collective impact must be considered. Our incredible biodiversity needs to be better protected. Productive conservation is only possible through effective collaboration.”

WaterBear was launched last December by CEO Ellen Windemuth, a veteran of the documentary scene, with backing from distributor Off The Fence (OTF), where she is also CEO. Its partners include OTF parent company ZDF Enterprises and a group of impact-focused investors.