My Octopus Teacher, a Netflix documentary which profiles the underwater activities of South African filmmaker, Craig Foster, and his daily visits to an Octopus in False Bay, has bagged the Best Documentary award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Filmed over a full year, the movie was released in 2020. It is also nominated for an Oscar, with the awards ceremony airing later this month.

The film initially began as a project to study the kelp ecosystem, but while chronicling the habits of this undersea creature, Foster formed a deep connection with it, learning a new appreciation for the complexity of marine life, which impacts other areas of his daily life. Craig Foster is also a naturalist, co-founding a non-profit Sea Change Trust in 2012.

“I wish to congratulate the team behind the film on receiving this accolade from BAFTA. As Mayor of this beautiful city, it gives me great joy to see our residents promoting our city, and doing so on such important topics such as marine conservation,” said Executive Mayor, Dan Plato.

“Cape Town’s coastline is home to a rich and diverse undersea environment. This focus places an additional spotlight on Cape Town, which keeps our city in the minds and hearts of filmmakers, tourists and the world. I wish the team behind this documentary all the best on this recognition and look forward to it also taking home an Oscar,” Plato added.