Dubai, UAE – Red Sea Global and Warner Bros. Discovery have joined hands to bring forth a compelling narrative that sheds light on the vital importance of combating climate change’s impact on coral reefs. The collaboration will be showcased in the upcoming film “Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals”, which is set to air on Discovery channel and discovery+ via stc/Jawwy tv on Earth Day 22nd April 2024.

Red Sea Global is the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala. It aims to demonstrate how environmental stewardship is integral to tourism development. Part of this is cultivating global awareness regarding the vital contribution of coral reefs in sustaining the planet’s ecosystem. A first exclusive look of the film was shown during a side event to COP28 in Dubai, hosted by Red Sea Global.

Produced by BAFTA winning production company Park Village and Directed by Emmy & BAFTA award nominated British Director, Ian Derry, “Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals” follows the extraordinary journey of Salma Shaker, a skilled Saudi Arabian free diver, as she delves into the groundbreaking work conducted by scientists at Red Sea Global and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The story transcends borders, including a captivating visit to the reefs in Mexico. The narrative, told through Salma’s eyes, strikes a delicate balance between accessibility and emotional impact, making it a moving exploration of the challenges faced by coral reefs globally.

At the heart of the film is the focus on the undiscovered reefs along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline. Red Sea Global aims to unravel the mysteries of this untapped territory, showcasing its unique biodiversity and the integral role it plays in supporting the global ecosystem. The narrative will delve into the potential benefits of coral research in the Red Sea for ecosystems worldwide.

“At Red Sea Global, we are inspired by nature and led by science. Our destinations, the first of which opened to guests last year, are home to some of the most stunning corals anywhere in the world. They are also among the most resilient, but even Red Sea coral is not invincible. Our scientists are using innovative techniques to protect, nourish, and restore our corals, while also transferring knowledge to support coral reefs worldwide,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “In ‘Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals,’ we aim to spotlight the beauty and vulnerability of these underwater wonders and emphasize the importance of global collaboration in preserving our oceans.”

Kerrie McEvoy, Director, Head of Factual Channels, Discovery Networks EMEA at Warner Bros Discovery, said: “We are immensely proud to announce our partnership with Red Sea Global in presenting ‘Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals’ which will air on Earth Day. Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to leveraging the power of storytelling to not only entertain but also inspire change and this film is a perfect example of how we can do that.”

Edina Constantinescu, Senior Director Marketing EMEA & International, Social Good- Discovery Networks at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “Social good is an important priority for us at Warner Bros. Discovery and we aim to be at the forefront of raising awareness upon social and environmental issues our world faces constantly. Our brands give us the possibility to reach millions of people across the world and I’m so proud that Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals will air on Discovery Channel across the US, Europe, Turkey, The Middle East, Africa and Asia to cast the spotlight on the importance of protecting our reefs. We want our viewers to understand that they can make a difference in the world and be part of the solution in tackling environmental and climate issues and I hope this film will inspire our audiences to do something extra for a better tomorrow.”

The project will leverage contributions from a diverse cast of experts to provide context on the current state of reefs worldwide, their significance in the global ecosystem, the challenges they face internationally, and the ongoing efforts to address these challenges head-on.

The anticipated air date is on Discovery channel and discovery+ via stc/Jawwy tv which will be on Earth Day, April 22, 2024 at 9pm KSA time.