Leave No Trace Brighton documentary
Watch the trailer
This documentary co-created by Daniel Satchell and Coral Evans about the beach-cleaning community group Leave No Trace Brighton has a massive potential for social and ecological impact both nationally and globally. First brainstormed in January 2023, this documentary has taken nearly 2 years to complete.
The film’s content is accessible and its production is dynamic and polished. We are shown how a small passionate community group, using a volunteer-led and multi-organisation partnership approach, can punch above its weight to facilitate significant and lasting change – in this case by clearing up the beaches of Brighton and perhaps more importantly, educating the public about the main drivers of coastal waste and advocating for these destructive practices to cease.
Commercial fishing vessels are exposed as one of the main culprits, responsible for a huge amount of rubbish in the form of abandoned nets, as well as devastation to wildlife.
The film is gorgeously edited, featuring an upbeat funky soundtrack (we are in Brighton after all!), great and easy to understand educational graphics, fun and innovative camera techniques, wonderful nature footage, and multiple interviews with locals and other stakeholders to give a holistic picture of the coastal waste problem along the English Channel and its impact on both humans and marine life.
Featuring:
Coral Evans: Director of Leave No Trace Brighton
Daniel Satchell: Filmmaker and local surfer
Zoe Lyons: Comedian
Representatives from the Salty Seabirds swimming group
Jade Roberts: A local lifeguard who provides incredible footage from her underwater sea swims
Thea Taylor: Insightful managing director of the Sussex Dolphin Project, speaking on the horrific harm done to dolphins and other sea creatures by fishing trawlers
Toby Mariner: A local bodyboarder, photographer and filmmaker
Steve Tapp: The Anglers Line Recycling Scheme
MyRefactory: Based in Hull, recycle all kinds of coastal waste into a variety of useful products, all the way from building materials to jewellery
Other locals and Leave No Trace volunteers are also interviewed
Additionally, we are shown possible remedies to the coastal waste problem, both short and long-term, including some really outside-of-the-box solutions!
For anyone interested in protecting the future of Britain’s biodiverse coastal waters as well as ensuring clean and safe beaches for future generations of holidaymakers and swimmers, this film is absolutely essential viewing.
Screenings
The documentary will be shown at national and international film festivals throughout the year.
The sold out premier of the Leave No Trace Brighton documentary followed by panel discussion took place on 13th March 2025 at the The Komedia Brighton