The sea has somethong to tell you
Discover the winning reels of MARE SEA REEL 2025
Short stories that give voice to the sea and invite us to see, feel, and act for its conservation. This year’s competition has ended, but we preserve its message here.
Visit the gallery and be inspired.
From the look to the message...
the Balearic Sea inspires, excites and connects.
During the 2025 edition of MARE SEA REEL, creators and sea lovers shared their views on the beauty and fragility of our Balearic Sea.
Through short reels, they showed why this sea, which gives us life, identity, and horizon, deserves to be protected.
These are the winning reels of the 2025 edition, selected by the jury for their creativity, message, and transformative power. Discover how every story, every shot, and every gesture becomes a call to action. Because change starts from the lens to the action.
The winners of MARE SEA REEL 2025
Explore the award-winning reels in the different contest categories.
Use the tabs to navigate between them and discover what distinguishes each award, who the winners were, and what message from the sea captured the attention of the jury… and the audience.
The best reel chosen by the jury
The main award of MARE SEA REEL 2025: this is the best work of the competition.
Selected by a jury consisting of Olivia Mandle, Mar Leza, and Juan Yuste, this award celebrates the reel that best combines creativity, message, and emotion to represent the essence of the Balearic Sea.
César Canudas
- Blue
The sea isn’t just something to protect: it’s something to love, experience, and share. César Canudas reminds us of the importance of passing that love on to our children, because we only take care of what we love.
Jury Finalists
Six reels stood out for their originality and sensitivity.
The jury highlighted their connection with our Balearic Sea, showing from different perspectives why it deserves to be protected.
Mallorca4kids
- Salt
A boy from Mallorca reminds us of something essential: he doesn’t want to swim among plastics.
His message is clear and direct: we can all do something to protect the sea. 🌊
Víctor de Vallés
- Salt
The sea invites us to stop, breathe, and feel. With this video, Víctor de Valles immerses us in an experience of calm, beauty, and connection with the Mediterranean.
María Isabel Pajares Vivar
- Salt
Every wave returns what we throw back into the sea. This video reminds us of the impact of plastics in the Mediterranean and the urgency of changing our habits. It’s not just a waste problem: it’s a matter of respect, responsibility, and the future.
Nica Sirés
- Salt
Beneath the surface of the Mediterranean, an invisible forest grows that sustains life: the Posidonia oceanica. This video reminds us of its essential role in the conservation of the Balearic Sea: it filters the water, generates oxygen, and protects our coasts.
Gerard Pedrero Ripol
- Salt
Beneath the surface, the sea reveals its strength, its calm, and its mystery. This video by Buzo Zurdo, awarded a runner-up prize at the first edition of MARE SEA REEL, reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the Mediterranean we all share.
María Isabel Pajares Vivar
- Salt
Some loves are inherited, like the love of the sea. Historias Formentera tells us about tradition, roots, and the mark left by a grandfather who dedicated his life to the Mediterranean. An intimate story about the legacy passed down from generation to generation: respect, connection, and a deep love for the sea.
The reel most voted by the public
The power of social media at the service of the sea.
This award recognizes the reel with the most likes on Instagram, reflecting the impact a story can have when it moves and is shared.
Experiences that inspire action
Four Top 10 finalists were chosen by the jury for their ability to convey emotion, beauty, and commitment to our Balearic Sea.
This recognition seeks to bring creators closer to the essence of the sea and strengthen the bond with its protection.
Tasia Menaker
- Splash
In a unique marine setting in the Balearic Islands, two dancers transform the movement of water into art. Their choreography, inspired by synchronized swimming, celebrates beauty, harmony, and the profound connection between the human body and the sea.
Aina Darder
- Splash
A day in the Balearic Sea is a journey through life. Beneath the surface, the Mediterranean reveals its incredible biodiversity: seagrass meadows, schools of fish, corals, and landscapes that exude balance and beauty.
Gonzalo Iglesias Hernangomez
- Splash
From the air, the sea reveals its perfect harmony. The blue, the sand, and the light blend into an image that invites calm and contemplation. This aerial shot of a beach in the Balearic Sea reminds us of the fragile beauty of coastal ecosystems and the need to preserve them.
Cristina Buades
- Splash
At the bottom of the Balearic Sea rests a witness to time: a wreck that nature has claimed as its own. What was once a ship is now a refuge. Among its structures live fish, algae, and corals that transform human history into a new ecosystem.
Why participate?
We don’t know exactly what drives you — but maybe…
you’re a natural storyteller looking for a meaningful platform, or you’re a sea lover who feels most alive by the water and wants to share that joy, or you care deeply about the Balearic Islands and want to express your commitment to their future.
Whatever your reason, your participation can make a real difference:
Your story adds a personal voice to a collective movement for marine conservation.
Your reels can inspire others to engage, create, and care.
Your reels help shine a light on the urgent work being done to protect the Balearic Sea.
And yes, there are prizes!
No registration fees. Just your time, creativity, and love for the sea. You could win cash prizes or a diving/snorkeling experience or gain increased visibility for your work.
Tell your story
Capture it
Edit your reel
Submit it
Let your voice be part of something bigger — for the sea we all share.
MARE SEA REEL – Be real for the sea
Instagram Reel Contest for the Balearic Sea
Connect with the magic of the Balearic Sea, its climate and rich biodiversity, and environmental responsibility to creatively express your vision through powerful reels.
Who can enter
The contest is free and open to all, with a special invitation to:
Young people living in the Balearic Islands
Visitors from around the world
How to enter
You can submit up to 3 reels
Create a reel
- Duration: 15 - 60 seconds
- Format (9:16)
- Original footage (no stock or AI-generated videos)
- Optional: add music, voiceover, text overlay
- Language (optional): Spanish, Catalan, or English
Post it to Instagram
- Follow @marebalear
- Use the hashtag #BeReelForTheSea
- Tag @marebalear and @culturainquieta on the video caption
- Make your Instagram account public until the results are announced
Fill out the entry form
Make sure to include your contact details and links to your reels on Instagram.
You can submit up to 3 reels. Just make sure to fill out one entry form for each reel you submit.
Reels should include
- A visual story or creative scene related to the Balearic Sea, including marine life and biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
- A caption or short description (in Spanish, Catalan, or English) explaining your message - personal and emotional tones are encouraged.
- Optional: Creative sound design or voiceover
Prizes
Blue
€1000
for the best reel selected by our panel of judges
SALT
€200
to each of the 6 finalists selected by our judges
Viral
€400
for the most liked reel on Instagram
Splash
A diving or snorkelling experience with a professional diver in one of the Balearic Islands Marine Protected Areas for the next 4 videos in the top 10 finalists.
The winning reels selected by our judges will have the opportunity to be screened at Balearic Film Festivals.
Key dates
1 August 2025
1 September 2025
at 11:59 pm CEST
30 September 2025
On Cultura Inquieta’s and MARE’s Instagram profiles
Jury & Evaluation criteria
Our independent panel of experts will evaluate submissions based on:
Authenticity
Real stories, not staged or AI-generated.
Creativity
Original and compelling storytelling.
Message
Connection with the Balearic Sea and its protection.
Technical Quality
Technical Quality
MARE SEA REEL Jury
Olivia Mandle
Olivia leads the #DolphinsAreNotForCaptivity campaign with 159,000+ signatures to end dolphinariums in Spain. She invented the Jelly Cleaner to fight microplastics, wrote a bestselling book, hosts a climate TV show, and is an EU Climate Pact Ambassador.
Mar Leza
Mar is a zoologist, researcher, and university lecturer based in the Balearic Islands. She works at the intersection of science and environmental advocacy, specialising in pollinators, and is deeply committed to making scientific knowledge accessible and transformative through education and outreach.
Juan Yuste
Juan is founder and CEO of Cultura Inquieta, a leading Spanish platform for creativity and cultural innovation. He promotes emerging talent and powerful visual storytelling through music, art, and social content, fostering a community that celebrates curiosity, diversity, and bold ideas with impact.
Reel submission rules
- You may submit up to 3 reels.
- Reels must use original footage — AI-generated or stock content is not allowed.
- Format must be vertical (9:16), HD quality, and 15–60 seconds long.
Rights & copyright
- You confirm you are the author and copyright holder of all material.
- You grant Marilles Foundation, MARE and Cultura Inquieta, free licence to use your reel(s) (with attribution) for exhibitions, social media, festivals, and publications.
- You remain the author and may continue using your reels freely.
Responsibility
You are fully responsible for the content you share, including music, images, and people featured. Avoid content that may infringe others’ rights or depict harmful behaviour towards the marine environment.
Data protection
Personal data collected via the Entry Form will only be used to manage the contest and contact winners, in accordance with European data protection laws (GDPR). Your data willnot be shared or sold.
@Manel Robert Lora
Reel entry form
