On the International Day for Women in Maritime, Bahri celebrates the women who continue to reshape the boundaries of the maritime world. Bahri needed a corporate film that moved beyond operational scale to highlight people, purpose, and progress. The brief focused on showcasing Women in Maritime through real environments, authentic leadership moments, and everyday decision-making at sea and onshore. We delivered a cinematic brand film that balanced scale with intimacy, positioning Bahri as a forward-looking maritime leader committed to inclusion and excellence.

Pre-Production

Pre-production began with stakeholder briefings to align on message, tone, and representation. Our team researched maritime operations, safety protocols, and leadership roles to ensure accuracy. Scripts and shot lists were developed to highlight Women in Maritime naturally within real workflows. Storyboards mapped vessel, bridge, and office sequences, followed by location planning, crew scheduling, and internal approvals to ensure smooth execution across multiple environments.

Production

Production took place across operational vessels, ship bridges, and corporate offices. A compact, experienced crew handled handheld, stabilized, and aerial shots to capture scale and detail without disrupting operations. We used cinema cameras, controlled drone flights, and natural lighting to preserve realism. Special attention was given to capturing confident, unscripted moments that reflected leadership, precision, and responsibility in maritime roles.

Post-Production

Post-production focused on clarity, rhythm, and emotional balance. Editing shaped a steady narrative flow, supported by clean transitions and restrained pacing. Colour correction and grading unified footage from sea, deck, and interiors while preserving natural tones. Audio work included voice-over editing, ambient sound layering, and balanced mixing for clarity. Multiple review rounds ensured alignment with brand guidelines, followed by delivery in broadcast and digital-ready formats.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: Filming Within Active Maritime Operations

Filming onboard working vessels meant strict safety protocols, limited access to certain areas, and zero tolerance for operational disruption. Crew movement, weather conditions, and navigation schedules could not be altered for production needs.

Solution: We conducted detailed pre-shoot coordination with onboard teams and planned flexible shot windows. A minimal crew setup and adaptive shot lists allowed us to capture critical moments safely while maintaining uninterrupted vessel operations.

Challenge 2: Authentic Representation of Women in Maritime

Avoiding staged or performative visuals was essential to maintain credibility. The challenge was to present Women in Maritime in leadership roles without scripting behaviour or forcing symbolic moments.

Solution: We used an observational filming approach, capturing real interactions, decision-making, and daily responsibilities. This allowed genuine leadership moments to drive the narrative, resulting in a more honest and impactful portrayal.

Challenge 3: Visual Consistency Across Extreme Environments

The project involved shooting in harsh daylight at sea, reflective ship surfaces, and low-light interior control rooms. Maintaining a consistent visual tone across these environments was technically demanding.

Solution: We balanced exposure on location using controlled camera settings and refined the look during post-production with careful colour correction and grading, ensuring a cohesive visual identity throughout the film.

Project Outcome

The final film became a key corporate asset for Bahri's brand and communication initiatives. It reinforced leadership values, strengthened internal pride, and supported external positioning around inclusion and progress. Client feedback highlighted the film's authenticity, visual clarity, and its ability to communicate impact without exaggeration—making it suitable for long-term use across presentations, events, and digital platforms.