Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli by Aishath Naajila

Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli by Aishath Naajila is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Ixcuecuetzaliztli, Tlachializtlahtolpamitl ihuan Olinia Ixiptlaliztli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlIxcuecuetzaliztli· 2026

Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli

by Aishath Naajila

Client: Two Thousand Isles

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Ixcuecuetzaliztli Category

30,649

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #183833

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli

In tlachializtli Maldivian Fishermen quinextia in huehuetlacatlacamichmaliztli ica ce cuahuitl ihuan mecatl in tonyohtin (atún) ompa Maldivas, ce tlamantli tlachihualiztli tlein huel mocahua yehuan quimolhuia ca in yolatl in tlaltepetl atenco. Ipampa miec tlacamecayotl, in tonyoh yeh ce tlacualli tlein tepalehuia in cemilhuiyotl nohuiyan in tlaltepeme. Ica ce tlapohualiztli tlachihualiztli ica cinema ixiptlayotl ihuan tlacaquiliztli caquiztli tlein techtlacatentia, in tequitl quicui in tlacamichmalque tlein huel momatih tequitih ica ce nemachiliztli tlacahuiliztli ipan ce huehuetlaltic Dhoni, quihualcui in machiliztli ipan ceman tlaltipactli tlachialoyan.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Maldivian Fishermen Tlachializtli quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

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