Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa by Aishath Naajila

Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa by Aishath Naajila is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award in Zinema, Bideo eta Animazio Diseinua Competition Category.

ZilarZinema· 2026

Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa

by Aishath Naajila

Client: Two Thousand Isles

Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Zinema Category

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Colors

The Design

About Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa

Liburuaren Testua: Maldivian Fishermen filmak Maldivetan hegaluzea hesol eta amu bakarreko arrantza tradizionalaren bidez harrapatzen dutela erakusten du, uharte-nazio honen bizi-iturri gisa deskribatzen den metodo jasangarria. Belaunaldiz belaunaldi, hegaluzea uharte guztietako eguneroko bizitza mantentzen duen oinarrizko elikagaia izan da. Kontakizun-ikuspegi bat hartuz, ikus-irudi zinematografikoekin eta soinu-diseinu murgilgarriarekin, proiektuak Dhoni tradizional batean erritmo koordinatuan lan egiten duten arrantzale trebeak jasotzen ditu, esperientzia mundu mailako eszenatoki batera eramanez.

The Recognition

About the Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award

Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, goi-mailako, zoragarriak eta liluragarriak diren diseinuei ematen zaien ezohiko aitorpen prestijiotsua. Zilar-mailako irabazleak lan oso distiratsuak eta sormen biziko lanak dira, beren diseinatzaileen aditutasun, talentu eta zorroztasun nabarmenak erakusten dituztenak. Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa erakusleiho-lan zoragarria, nabarmenki profesionala eta sakonki berritzailea izatea espero da. Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu hau asmakizun oso nabarmena eta miretsia da, onura ekartzen duena eta artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren mugak zabaltzen dituena. Maldivian Fishermen Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Bideoa jende askok inbidia duen sorkuntza da, desirak pizten dituena, sentimendu positiboak ekartzen dituena eta harridura eta txunditzea pizten dituena.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This is an independently produced documentary visual project capturing the traditional pole-and-line fishing practice in the Maldives. Created during COVID-19 while in isolation at sea, it combines cinematography, sound design, and immersive storytelling. Its strength lies in its authenticity, produced within real conditions of isolation, offering an intimate, unfiltered portrayal of Maldivian fishermen. The work stands out for its experiential approach, blending heritage, resilience, and cinematic realism.
Dimensions & Packaging: Shot aboard a 100-foot pole-and-line fishing dhoni, the project documents Maldivian fishermen working at sea with precise, coordinated movements resembling a disciplined system. Through aerial perspectives, it captures the ocean’s food chain in motion, sharks, skipjack tuna, and fishermen, framing these moments to reflect the deep connection between this traditional practice and the Maldives’ identity and way of life.
Tags: sustainable, fishing, pole and line, Maldives, tuna, ocean, documentry
Production Technology: Filmed on a Sony A7 III with 35mm, 85mm, and 70–200mm lenses, with aerials via DJI Phantom 4 and underwater footage on a GoPro during freediving, the project was produced independently,covering planning, real-time filming, editing, sound design, and colour grading. An unobtrusive approach allowed fishermen to work naturally, ensuring an authentic, unstaged portrayal without direction.
Design Challenge: The project faced logistical constraints, including limited equipment, a single drone battery requiring precise planning, and long waits for unpredictable moments at sea. The first four days saw no catch due to bait shortages, and underwater footage relied solely on a GoPro. Adapting strategically, key moments were captured to form an authentic narrative of the fishermen’s practice and the ocean’s food chain.
Research: Documentary visual research on sustainable pole-and-line fishing in the Maldives. Field-based observation and immersive filming were conducted over 8 days in March 2020 aboard a local fishing vessel during the COVID-19 period. Data was collected through photography, film, aerial, and underwater footage. Participants included local fishermen. The results highlight ecological balance, resilience, and coordination. The impact emphasizes cultural preservation and awareness of sustainable fishing practices.
Inspiration: Inspired by a lifelong curiosity about fishing in the Maldives, the project evolved through Two Thousand Isles, where travel deepened an interest in storytelling and lived experience. While learning freediving, the filmmaker joined an eight-day trip on a local boat, living at sea, waking before dawn and at midnight, eating the catch, and observing the ocean’s food chain in motion.
Project Duration: Filmed over eight days aboard a fishing vessel in March 2020, during the early stages of COVID-19, the project was later completed with full post-production, editing, sound design, and colour grading, independently carried out later that year.
Operation Flow: Operated on a traditional pole-and-line dhoni, the method relies on coordinated teamwork and timing rather than machinery. Fishermen attract skipjack tuna with live bait, triggering a feeding response where fish are hooked individually. Key moments, bait release, surface frenzy, precise catching, transform ocean activity into a sustainable harvest, reducing bycatch and ensuring quality, rooted in skill, patience, and harmony with marine life.
Patents: All the copyrights belong to Aishath Naajila, 2023.
Image Credits: Videography & Photography: Aishath Naajila