Blue Marine’s shocking short film The Bottom Line has scooped two major trophies at the 2025 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards:
- Gold Dolphin Trophy – Environmental Issues & Sustainability
- Black Dolphin Trophy – Best Storytelling
The awards were announced on 25 September at the Gala Dinner on Cannes’ Annex Beach.
Directed by Ben Mallaby (twice BAFTA-nominated) and starring Blue Marine ambassadors Theo James (White Lotus) and Stephen Fry, The Bottom Line exposes one of the UK’s dirtiest fishing secrets: bottom trawling in “protected” marine areas. In the film, a co-production between Blue Marine Foundation and Atomized Studios, James’s refined dinner is violently interrupted by a torrent of ‘bycatch’ – sharks, rays, cuttlefish, juvenile fish – dumped on his table.
The Bottom Line was produced to support Blue Marine’s campaign to push for a ban on bottom trawling in UK marine protected areas. The UK government is consulting on 41 such protected areas now. You can be part of the movement. Please take action and make your voice heard. Respond to the consultation following this simple e-action. Time is ticking; the consultation finishes on 29 September.
Jo Coumbe, Communications Director of Blue Marine, said “A lot of stars had to align to make this film possible, and we all had a feeling we were making something pretty special. It’s hard to bring the challenges facing the ocean to a vast public audience – to make the unseen seen – but I’m delighted we succeeded, and even more thrilled that it’s been recognised by these prestigious awards.”
