Daughthers of the sea · Vol. I
A documentary journey that listens to the sea through women
Jeju (South Korea) · Gipuzkoa (Basque Country)
Documentary in development · Expected release 2026
What
is it
Daughters of the Sea is a documentary that connects women from two distant coastlines — Jeju, in South Korea, and Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country — through their direct relationship with the ocean.
Korean haenyeo, Basque net menders, boatwomen, rowers and marine educators share a way of inhabiting the sea that spans generations: from traditional maritime trades with limited generational renewal to contemporary maritime practices currently on the rise.
Separated by continents yet united by the same sea, their voices reveal the ocean as a space of work, physical effort, transmission of values and future.
The documentary creates a dialogue between memory and the present, between heritage and transformation, showing how the bond between women and the sea remains alive, evolving and projecting itself forward.
the pillars of the project
Women and the Sea
The ocean as a space for women's life, work, and belonging.
Living memory
Knowledge and skills passed down from generation to generation.
Connection between cultures
Two territories united by the same marine heritage.
the
documental
Directed by Gemma González , Daughters of the Sea stems from a fascination with coastal communities where women have maintained a deep relationship with the ocean. This first volume portrays the lives of the haenyeo of Jeju—free divers—and the women of the sea in Gipuzkoa, guardians of essential trades such as net making, traditional fishing, and marine education.
The documentary combines intimate interviews, footage of everyday rituals, archival material, and a carefully crafted voice-over to construct a sensitive and honest cinematic narrative.
women
at sea
The heart of the documentary lies in the voices of women who have dedicated their lives to the ocean. Stories of learning alongside mothers and grandmothers, of early mornings by the sea, of hands weathered by the salt, and of a quiet pride in belonging to a tradition that transcends them.
Jeju Haenyeo
Free divers, bearers of an ancient tradition recognized by UNESCO.
Basque net menders
Masters in the art of weaving and repairing nets, an essential and often invisible craft.
Boatwomen
Women who work at sea and break historically masculine stereotypes.
Expanded Universe
The Daughters of the Sea is also a cultural and educational project that extends beyond the documentary.
Illustrated story:
The daughters of the sea: Ye-rin and Alaia
A story starring two girls from Jeju and Gipuzkoa, designed as multilingual educational material for schools and families.
Cultural and educational activities
Screenings with discussions, roundtables, school workshops and community meetings that encourage reflection on women, the sea and sustainability.
Coming soon:
The journey continues
The second volume of Daughters of the Sea is already in development and will expand the project's map to new Atlantic coasts.
Vol. II · Galicia & Scotland
New voices, new landscapes and maritime trades will be added to this choral narrative that connects cultures across the ocean.
collaborates
contact
Daughters of the Sea is a collaborative project open to festivals, cultural institutions, educational centers and entities committed to culture, equality and marine sustainability.
forms of
collaboration
Screenings and festivals
Educational activities
Roundtables and meetings
Press and Dissemination
Project promoted by Ladyred Producciones/ Kulturfemme. In collaboration with Bassim Pictures.
contact
Telefono: 0034 600993202