'Women & the Wind': Three women, one catamaran, an ocean of plastic pollution

This two-minute trailer gives us a glimpse into a an epic sailing adventure by three women - figurative artist Alizé Jireh, solo sailor Kiana Weltzien, and ocean conservationist Laerke Heilmann. Filmed by Jireh through gale-force winds, seasickness, vulnerability and intense connection, the footage provides an intimate portrayal of Woman and Nature. The three crew - who have all had other careers before forming the Women & Wind Foundation to support women-led, high-risk adventure projects with environmental purpose - set sail aboard the Mara Noka, a 50-year-old wooden catamaran, for the 2,255 nautical mile journey. As they explain, their undertaking was motivated by Kiana’s first North Atlantic crossing in 2019, where she witnessed a plastic-littered ocean. They re-created the voyage in 2022 to follow plastic pollution on its ride to Europe via the Gulf Stream. "Throughout the entirety of the voyage, larger floating debris including fishing nets, buckets, bottles, plastic bags, and nylon ropes were constant companions." Calms and tempests during the 30-day crossing reflected their own inner workings, says the organisation, "and an entire moon’s cycle on the ocean brought their femininity to the forefront. They experienced their fragility and their strengths with an intensity that is unmatched, transforming this film into an intimate portrayal of Woman and Nature". The totally independent film is being self-released on December 25, 2025, and the Foundation behind it is re-investing 50% of all profits "to support other women-led, environmentally-focused, high-risk adventure projects". What impact does the trailer have on you?

Keywords: 'Women & the Wind' documentary, plastic pollution, ocean plastics, women-led environmental projects, women high-risk adventure projects, Alizé Jireh, Kiana Weltzien, Laerke Heilmann