Filming Underway In Galápagos Islands On ‘Lions Of The Sea,' Documentary Using "Fantastic Realism" To Explore Majestic Marine Mammal

Production has begun in the Galápagos Islands on Lions of the Sea, a documentary described as "an immersive exploration of the fascinating lives of sea lions within their distinctive habitat."

The film is directed by JAMAICANOPROBLEM, the cinematic alias of Ecuadorian explorer and filmmaker Luis Felipe Fernández-Salvador y Campodónico. Among the notable names involved is producer Adam Leipzig, former president of National Geographic Documentary Films, known for acquiring March of the Penguins, one of the most successful documentaries in history.

The project also features Guillermo Navarro, the Oscar-winning cinematographer of Pan's Labyrinth, leading a team of world-class nature and underwater documentarians. Navarro also serves as an executive producer on the film. Additionally, Oscar-winning sound designer Nicolas Becker (Sound of Metal) is contributing to the project.

The documentary, described as a work of "fantastic realism," delves into the daily lives, social dynamics, and ecological significance of sea lions in one of the planet's most biodiverse and protected environments.

JAMAICANOPROBLEM's previous works include A Son of Man, Ecuador’s official submission for the Best International Feature at the 2019 Academy Awards, and the short film El Cazador (2013). His recent documentary, Waorani Omede Beye Ante Nee Adani, focuses on an uncontacted Amazonian tribe.

In a statement, the director shared: "Lions of the Sea will showcase the captivating character and beauty of Galápagos sea lions. It’s an emotional journey of love and resilience, designed to inspire audiences to value and protect the natural world while emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts for these extraordinary creatures."

The film is a production of Paracas Independent Films, a company committed to creating high-quality, visually stunning films that highlight the natural world's beauty through a lens of realismo fantástico, a signature style of Luis Felipe Fernández-Salvador.

Chadi Abo, known for his work on The Matrix Reloaded, 300, and the Oscar-nominated documentary The Cave, is handling post-production, while Mido DeSanti joins as co-producer.

The Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago located 600 miles off Ecuador's coast, are celebrated for their unique biodiversity. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), they inspired Darwin's theory of evolution and continue to serve as an invaluable living laboratory for scientific research.