Documentary
Trace of Salt
IN SEARCH OF LOST SPECIES
Synopsis
In Tenerife, a group of local scientists joins an international mission to dive into uncharted waters. With a refurbished submarine, technical divers, and decades of experience, they search for species the world has never seen. Along the way, the film uncovers surprising connections between these hidden creatures and our own lives.Through their stories, Trace of Salt shows the excitement and struggles of discovery. Science appears not as something distant, but as a human journey—driven by risk, curiosity, and wonder. Each new creature is a reminder of how little we know about the seas that sustain us.
PROTAGONISTS
JesusScottDanielaAt the heart of Trace of Salt are three very different explorers. A veteran scientist, a submarine pilot, and a young researcher reveal how curiosity, courage, and dedication drive the search for life in the ocean’s hidden depths.
A veteran marine biologist with over 40 years of exploration, Jesús has discovered nearly 1,000 new species. Together with his close friends Leo and Carmen, he continues to search Tenerife’s waters, combining science with community and a love for sharing knowledge. Though he finds fewer species than in the past, his passion and curiosity remain undimmed.
Born in Kansas, Scott left a successful business behind to follow his dream of piloting a submarine. After rebuilding a 1960s sub from scratch, he moved to Tenerife, where steep seabeds drop to over 2,000 metres. With his small team of engineers, he dives deep on peaceful missions, documenting how even the ocean’s hidden places show the marks of human impact.
A scientist fascinated by the invisible world of microscopic worms, Daniela develops new technologies to study species hidden in the seabed. Her work reveals how tiny creatures can help us understand life on Earth and its future. She shows that we are not so different from them—and that their survival strategies, like adapting to rising temperatures or scarce resources, may hold keys to many of our planetary and human challenges.
WHY IT MATTERS
The ocean is home to the greatest diversity of life on Earth, yet most of it remains unexplored. In its depths live countless species we’ve never seen, each carrying clues to our past, our future, and the health of the planet. Many may vanish before we even discover them.
For more than forty years, Jesús has explored these waters and witnessed the pace of discovery slow. In the early years, new species were found often, but over time they have become fewer. Still, each discovery continues to spark wonder and excitement.
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Trace of Salt celebrates the spirit of exploration and reminds us that
we can’t protect what we don’t know.
TEAM
Co-Director
Helene steiner
Helene Steiner is the co-director and co-founder of OpenCell, dedicated to making biotechnology accessible and driving innovation in life sciences. A Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, she bridges design, science, and storytelling, collaborating with artists and scientists worldwide, with exhibitions at institutions like the Pompidou and V&A.
WEBPAGECo-Director & DOP
JAN STOCKEL
Jan Stöckel is an Italian-German director and cinematographer whose work explores the human dimension of change—from shifting cultures to emerging technologies. Based between Berlin and London, he studied visual anthropology at Goldsmiths University. His films, including Ancora and No Island Like Home, have been shown at international festivals worldwide.
WEBPAGEAssistant & Sound
Luca Ciriello
Luca Ciriello is a filmmaker from Naples and member of the European Film Academy. Founder of Lunia Film, he studied Modern Philology and Cinema at Pigrecoemme. His current project, Wasantha, the Snake Charmer, explores Sri Lankan traditions. Luca’s documentaries combine culture and storytelling, reflecting his passion for global narratives.
WEBPAGEAssistant & Sound
Giulio Gobbetti
Giulio Gobbetti is a London-based documentary director and editor. Trained at UCL, he creates films blending realism and emotion. His shorts have screened at CineLebu, Lago Film Fest, and Open City Docs. His film Nettuno won an artistic residency at Laguna Sud. In 2022, Giulio became a BAFTA Connect Member for emerging filmmakers.
WEBPAGEProduction
lunia film
Lunia Film is a Naples-based production company founded in 2017. It focuses on creative documentaries and author-driven films. Its productions include L’armée Rouge (Festival dei Popoli) and Quaranta Cavalli (Venice Film Festival). Lunia Film also produced content for Netflix’s Ultras, blending cinematic storytelling with cultural insight.
WEBPAGE
CONTACT
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Synopsis
In Tenerife, a group of local scientists joins an international mission to dive into uncharted waters. With a refurbished submarine, technical divers, and decades of experience, they search for species the world has never seen. Along the way, the film uncovers surprising connections between these hidden creatures and our own lives.
Through their stories, 'Trace of Salt' shows the excitement and struggles of discovery. Science appears not as something distant, but as a human journey—driven by risk, curiosity, and wonder. Each new creature is a reminder of how little we know about the seas that sustain us.
Running Time: 30 min
PROTAGONISTS
At the heart of Trace of Salt are three very different explorers. A veteran scientist, a submarine pilot, and a young researcher reveal how curiosity, courage, and dedication drive the search for life in the ocean’s hidden depths.
JEsusScottDanielaA veteran marine biologist with over 40 years of exploration, Jesús has discovered nearly 1,000 new species. Together with his close friends Leo and Carmen, he continues to search Tenerife’s waters, combining science with community and a love for sharing knowledge. Though he finds fewer species than in the past, his passion and curiosity remain undimmed.
Born in Kansas, Scott left a successful business behind to follow his dream of piloting a submarine. After rebuilding a 1960s sub from scratch, he moved to Tenerife, where steep seabeds drop to over 2,000 metres. With his small team of engineers, he dives deep on peaceful missions, documenting how even the ocean’s hidden places show the marks of human impact.
A scientist fascinated by the invisible world of microscopic worms, Daniela develops new technologies to study species hidden in the seabed. Her work reveals how tiny creatures can help us understand life on Earth and its future. She shows that we are not so different from them—and that their survival strategies, like adapting to rising temperatures or scarce resources, may hold keys to many of our planetary and human challenges.
WHy IT MATTERS
The ocean is home to the greatest diversity of life on earth, yet most of it remains unexplored. In its depths live countless species we’ve never seen, each carrying clues to our past and our future. Many will vanish before we even find them.
For more than forty years, Jesús has explored the seas and witnessed the changing pace of exploration. In his early years, the oceans were full of new findings, but over time they have become rarer. Still, each encounter continues to spark wonder and excitement.
Trace of Salt captures the spirit of curiosity and leaves us with a simple truth:
We can't protect
what we don't know.
- Scott Waters -
TEAM
Co-Director
Helene Steiner
Helene Steiner is the co-director and co-founder of OpenCell, dedicated to making biotechnology accessible and driving innovation in life sciences. A Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, she bridges design, science, and storytelling, collaborating with artists and scientists worldwide, with exhibitions at institutions like the Pompidou and V&A.
webpageCo-Director & DOP
JAN STOCKEL
Jan Stöckel is an Italian-German director and cinematographer whose work explores the human dimension of change—from shifting cultures to emerging technologies. Based between Berlin and London, he studied visual anthropology at Goldsmiths University. His films, including Ancora and No Island Like Home, have been shown at international festivals worldwide.
webpageAD & Sound
Luca Ciriello
Luca Ciriello is a filmmaker from Naples and member of the European Film Academy. Founder of Lunia Film, he studied Modern Philology and Cinema at Pigrecoemme. His current project, Wasantha, the Snake Charmer, explores Sri Lankan traditions. Luca’s documentaries combine culture and storytelling, reflecting his passion for global narratives.
webpageSound
Giulio Gobbetti
Giulio Gobbetti is a London-based documentary director and editor. Trained at UCL, he creates films blending realism and emotion. His shorts have screened at CineLebu, Lago Film Fest, and Open City Docs. His film Nettuno won an artistic residency at Laguna Sud. In 2022, Giulio became a BAFTA Connect Member for emerging filmmakers.
webpageProduction Company
Lunia Film
Lunia Film is a Naples-based production company founded in 2017. It focuses on creative documentaries and author-driven films. Its productions include L’armée Rouge (Festival dei Popoli) and Quaranta Cavalli (Venice Film Festival). Lunia Film also produced content for Netflix’s Ultras, blending cinematic storytelling with cultural insight.
webpageCONTACT
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