Event

Closing film - A Life Illuminated

CineGlobe 2026 — Closing film and discussion : “A life illuminated”

Come and enjoy “A life illuminated”, the story of biologist Dr. Edie Widder who seeks to unveil bioluminescence, a phenomenon that allows life to communicate in the darkness of the ocean’s depths.

Through her research, Dr Widder has transformed our understanding of the deepest parts of the sea: once perceived as a dark, empty voids, these places are now known to be worlds full of life and light.

Now, Dr Widder embarks on a daring expedition: a descent down one kilometre beneath the ocean’s surface in a quest for discovery. Blending cinematic footage from her journey with never-before-seen archives, the film captures Edie’s mission to reveal the profound beauty of bioluminescence, while emphasising the urgent need to protect the fragile ecosystems of the deep sea.

Documentary | 2025 | Director: Tasha Van Zandt

Following the film, Dr. Edie Widder will join us remotely for a discussion about “Transitioning to an Ocean-Conscious Future” to help us better appreciate the unseen underwater world around us! She will be joined by Sian Owen and Dr. Whitley Saumweber.

Dr. Edie Widder

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Dr. Edie Widder is an American oceanographer and marine biologist known for her pioneering research on deep-sea bioluminescence. She served as Director of the Bioluminescence Department at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and later co-founded the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), where she continues to lead innovative ocean conservation efforts. She has also completed over 250 deep-submersible dives and helped develop key ocean-observing technologies like HIDEX and the Eye in the Sea system.

Widder is widely recognized for groundbreaking deep-sea discoveries, including helping film the first live giant squid in its natural habitat in 2012 and capturing the first U.S. footage of a live giant squid in 2019. Her work has been featured by major media outlets such as BBC and National Geographic, and she is a MacArthur Fellowship recipient for her contributions to marine science and exploration.

Dr. Whitley Saumweber

Dr Whitley Saumweber est professeur clinique en affaires maritimes à l’University of Rhode Island et chercheur associé principal au Center for Strategic and International Studies, où il dirige le Stephenson Ocean Security Project. Ses travaux portent sur la sécurité maritime, le développement durable et les politiques océaniques.

Il a auparavant occupé des postes de haut niveau à la Maison-Blanche et à la National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), où il a piloté d’importantes initiatives américaines en matière de politique océanique, notamment la conservation marine, la traçabilité des produits de la mer et la gouvernance des océans. Il est titulaire d’un doctorat en océanographie biologique de l’University of Rhode Island.

Sian Owen

Now in her third decade of ocean advocacy, Sian has worked with a range of civil society organisations worldwide, focused on the shaping and implementation of international policy frameworks. Her work has sought to better integrate the ocean into global processes around sustainable development, biodiversity protection and climate change. As Executive Director, Sian leads the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition in seeking to protect and safeguard the deep ocean against key existential threats such as destructive fisheries and the potential for deep-sea mining.

Ronald Tardiff

Ron leads ocean innovation at the World Economic Forum and serves as Executive for the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition, connecting ocean innovators with capital, partners, and global platforms to accelerate solutions for ocean health. Over the past three years, he has launched innovation challenges, secured multi-million-dollar funding, and convened international communities to advance regenerative blue economy initiatives. With a background spanning marine sciences, aquaculture, policy, and ecosystem building, he has worked with nearly 100 start-ups and supported hundreds of emerging leaders. Having lived and studied in nine countries, he brings a global perspective and practical experience, focusing on building the partnerships, systems, and investment pathways needed to turn ambitious ideas into real-world impact.

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