In 2022, XPRIZE began collaborating with Glimmer (formerly Storyhunter) to create an independent film competition that answered a simple question: “What does saving the world look like?” 

Thus, the XPRIZE Carbon Removal Indie Film Showcase was born. Shortly thereafter, nine independent filmmakers set out to follow teams competing in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal Milestone round. Each filmmaker documented the competing XPRIZE Carbon Removal teams’ efforts to remove and durably sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, earth, and oceans. 

While this film competition took place alongside XPRIZE Carbon Removal, it was a separate venture. Rather than focusing on the success of any specific carbon removal technology, the film competition focused on how well the filmmakers covered the story, the technical quality of their film, the overall impact it generated, and their ability to convey information about carbon removal technology to a global audience.

While all the stories captured by these international videography teams were inspiring, XPRIZE is proud to announce the winning film: How Whale Poop Can Help Us Remove Carbon Dioxide From the Ocean. 

This film, produced by Kirsty B. Carter, along with ethical film and video production company Painting in Pictures, follows WhaleX in their efforts to harness the carbon negative power of phytoplankton. To do this, WhaleX mimicked an unexpected force in the carbon cycle: whale poop.

Final contestants participating in the $100M prize for XPRIZE Carbon Removal are set to be judged in 2024. For more information about this prize, teams, and exciting developments in the carbon removal industry, check out the XPRIZE Carbon Removal homepage. 

You can watch the winning film below and the full XPRIZE Carbon Removal Indie Film Showcase playlist here.