WaterBear Unveils Content Slate, New Partnerships

WaterBear Network, a free interactive streaming platform dedicated to life on Earth, has revealed its content slate, acquisitions and productions ahead of its December 1 launch.

An innovative digital platform and mobile app, WaterBear will feature original content and curated documentaries inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging viewers to dive deeper, learn more and take action while watching. Sea Change project’s Africa’s Hidden Seaforest leads the lineup of original content that will be available at launch.

Three Bulgarian Lions, a documentary by NGO FOUR PAWS Bulgaria and produced by Clawed Hat Films, is set to premiere on the platform and will be joined by such documentary acquisitions as Chasing Ice, End of the Line, The Last Honey Hunter and The Hunt for Medals Not Lions, as well as content from spoken word artist Prince EA.

Working with storytellers addressing issues that include biodiversity, climate action, circularity and community, WaterBear has partnered with such creators as filmmaker, activist and influencer Jack Harries; producer, director and writer Tom Mustill; environmental journalist and The One Show’s Lucy Siegel; and Emmy Award winner Nicolas Brown, among others.

Film shorts and wildlife docuseries are being sourced from Vulcan Productions, Participant Media, Off the Fence, Black Bean Productions, Go Project Films, Beautiful News, Cineflix, DogWoof, Magnolia Films, Giant and 1091. WaterBear has also licensed films from Rob Sorrenti, Pete McBride and Ben Masters.

Ellen Windemuth, CEO WaterBear, said: “We are proud to be collaborating with such a wonderful group of impact filmmaking producers. It will take a lot of us to tell the stories that bring awareness to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals home to our global audience.”

Andrea Walji, head of content and production at WaterBear, said: “It’s hugely exciting and inspiring to be working with so many talented filmmakers from around the world. We are bringing impact storytelling of the most critical issues of our time all to one platform.”

Swati Foster of SeaChange Project said: “I am looking forward to sharing my story with you in the WaterBear original, Africa’s Hidden Seaforest, coming soon to the WaterBear Network. WaterBear is soon to be a leading platform for content about the living planet and it’s a real pleasure to be able to use storytelling to drive awareness for the healing power of nature and to inspire action for the SeaChange Project.”

Broadcaster and journalist Lucy Siegle commented: “To bring So Hot Right Now, our podcast on climate and nature communications, to the WaterBear platform is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever been involved with. We’ve assembled a team of creative stars to turn wisdom from our climate and nature heroes into short films that we intend to be like capsules of action. For me, it’s a reversal of the old and thankless idea of preaching nature and climate action to an audience assumed to be passive. Instead, we get the chance to make precise but creative content for our fellow active global citizens and share the workings of change. Basically, it’s my dream.”