Festival Films: Citizens of the Sea

Five films in one combo ticket:

11:00 a.m. Film: Man of the Ocean: Shark Alert in the Seychelles
In 2022, extreme swimmer André Wiersig attempts to set a world record in the Seychelles—and fails. A bitter setback. Two years later, he wants to try again. But the currents are unpredictable, and shark sightings are on the rise. André wants to learn to better understand the behavior of these predators. In Fiji, he dives into the hunting grounds of bull sharks—along with doctoral student Jan Bierwirth. Bierwirth shows him how to react if a shark gets too close.
Germany, 2025, 29 min., FSK unrated
Director: David Enge // Production: NDF Entertainment GmbH

12:00 p.m. Film: The Secrets of the Dolphins
Ferdi, Laura, and young Lia aren’t just nameless dolphins—they’re individuals. A film crew follows the animals in the Red Sea over many months and experiences their lives up close: friendships, play, hunting, mysterious rituals, and an astonishing visit to a “dolphin pharmacy.” Amid coral reefs, dugongs, and tiger sharks, a touching portrait emerges of a dolphin community in a world full of intelligence, humor—and the struggle for survival.
Germany, 2025, 44 min., FSK unrated
Director: Ulf Marquardt // Production: Marquardt Medienproduktion

1:00 p.m. Film: On the Trail of Driftwood
“On the Trail of Driftwood” is an independent production and the debut work of a young biologist from Rostock. The film focuses on beach debris—floating debris—and highlights the surprising importance of seagrass. It reveals ecological connections and sheds light on previously little-known uses, such as for coastal protection or in everyday life. With curiosity and simple means, the film invites viewers to rediscover the familiar and to understand beach debris as a valuable habitat and a natural part of our coasts.
Germany, 2025, 43 min., FSK 0
Director: Lilly Nix

2:00 p.m. Film: Trischen
Trischen is a small island in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, about 20 kilometers off the coast of Büsum. It is under strict nature conservation and becomes an important habitat for tens of thousands of birds between March and October. But Trischen isn’t just important for the birds—and that’s exactly why I wanted to trace and tell its story, even though I was denied direct access to the island. The film approaches Trischen from a distance—through observations, archival footage, interviews, and artistic approaches. It is about the island, its conservation, and the people connected to it.
Germany, 2025, 29 min., FSK unrated
Director: Kinga Nagy

3:00 p.m. Film: Among Humpback Whales – In Search of Their Language
For decades, the songs of humpback whales have puzzled researchers: Their loud, complex calls travel hundreds of kilometers underwater—but what’s the story behind them? Christina Karliczek Skoglund dives right into the fascinating world of these ocean giants. She encounters fighting male humpback whales, strong mothers, and curious calves, and meets scientists who are using modern research and AI to decipher the “code of the whales.” A visually stunning film full of emotion and a call to listen to the voices of the whales and protect these animals.
Germany, 2026, 59 min., FSK: Not Rated
Director: Anna Maria Behrends // Production: Doclights GmbH / NDR Naturfilm

With the combo ticket, you can attend any film screening at the Darß Nature Film Festival at the Ozeaneum. With the single ticket, you can see one film screening.

Date: October 11, 2026, starting at 11:00 a.m.
Doors open: 10:30 a.m.
Location: OZEANEUM Stralsund, Hafenstraße 11, 18439 Stralsund
Price: €16.00 / €8.00 (reduced)
Tickets: https://deutsche-naturfilmstiftung.reservix.de
and at the tourist information offices in the performance venues.