The South African short feature documentary Spoiled has won the ‘Terres de l'Ebre’ Award for Best Film Promoting Sustainability at the 10th edition of the Terres Travel Festival (Image supplied)
The award was presented at the festival, held from 12 to 18 September 2026, and is one of two Great Awards at the event. Spoiled was selected from 157 entries submitted by production teams from 29 countries and was presented as one of three “perspectives on nature conservation” during a live screening.
According to the film's producers, the award marks Spoiled's biggest international recognition to date.
Film focuses on coastal communities
The documentary profiles coastal communities, fishers, scientists and activists standing up to the threat of offshore oil and gas exploration along South Africa's coastline.
Produced by Wildtrust and Love Africa Marketing, in collaboration with The Green Connection, the film examines the environmental, social and economic risks associated with offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction in South Africa.
Spoiled takes viewers along the coastline of the Northern Cape and the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape, highlighting what the film describes as the threat to around 90% of South Africa's mainland ocean territory from oil and gas exploration.
Through interviews with local fishers, activists, youth and community leaders, the film examines concerns including flawed Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), a lack of meaningful public consultation and the leasing of ocean space without community consent.
Lauren van Nijkerk, campaigns and communications director at Wildtrust, says, "We are deeply honoured to receive this award for Spolied.
"This film amplifies the voices of coastal communities who are too often ignored or sidelined in government-level decisions about their ocean.
"I feel incredibly privileged to produce films that help give marginalised communities - and nature itself - a voice and a meaningful say in decisions that affect marginalised communities, their livelihoods and, ultimately, our collective future."
Film builds international profile
Spoiled premiered in South Africa at a marine workshop in Cape Town in July 2025, where preliminary findings from a Wildtrust-led project examining the environmental, social and economic risks of offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction in South Africa were presented.
Since its release, the film has recorded more than two million views across social media and has been screened to 20 fishing communities, reaching more than 750 people across three provinces.
It also received a Silver Award at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) 2026.
Nicola Gerrard, film co-director and founder of Love Africa Marketing, says, “We are deeply honoured to receive this award for Spolied at Terres. Thank you for shining a light on this important South African story for our ocean. '
"Through the power of storytelling and film, we hope to build greater public awareness, deepen understanding, and inspire people to value and support our natural heritage. A heartfelt thank you to our crew and partners for their incredible commitment and effort in bringing this story to the screen."
Focus remains on offshore exploration
The Green Connection spokesperson Neville van Rooy says the film comes as offshore oil and gas exploration proposals continue along South Africa's coastline.
“The Africa Energy Corporation-owned ‘Main Street 1549 Pty Ltd is pushing to secure Block 11b and 12b, currently conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with interests in oil and gas exploration off the coast of Mossel Bay.
"This also presents an opportunity for communities and potentially impacted stakeholders to speak up for their oceans – and information on how to have your voice heard is sitting on the film’s website, stopthespoil.co.za.”
The film's producers said the international award could draw further attention to the risks facing South Africa's oceans and the communities most likely to be affected.
Spoiled is available to watch online, while the film's interactive platform provides information on active offshore oil and gas applications along South Africa's coastline.
For more information, go to Stop the Spoil
