23
23
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1
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2024
The Black Mermaid – Nivea
The Black Mermaid – Nivea
CLIENT
Nivea
Nivea
PROJECT
Social
Social
LOCATION
Cape Town
Cape Town
Zandi is the first black female freedive instructor and one of BBC's 100 women of 2023
Zandi is the first black female freedive instructor and one of BBC's 100 women of 2023
Zandi is the first black female freedive instructor and one of BBC's 100 women of 2023
As South Africa’s first black female freediving instructor, Zandile Ndhlovu is helping reshape who feels welcome in the ocean. Her work extends beyond diving itself, creating opportunities for people to experience a sense of connection, healing, and belonging in spaces that have historically been inaccessible to many.
As South Africa’s first black female freediving instructor, Zandile Ndhlovu is helping reshape who feels welcome in the ocean. Her work extends beyond diving itself, creating opportunities for people to experience a sense of connection, healing, and belonging in spaces that have historically been inaccessible to many.





The project
The project
NIVEA sought to tell a story that embodied courage, purpose, and positive change through the lens of an inspiring individual. The challenge was to create a film that celebrated Zandile’s achievements while also highlighting the broader social impact of her work.
NIVEA sought to tell a story that embodied courage, purpose, and positive change through the lens of an inspiring individual. The challenge was to create a film that celebrated Zandile’s achievements while also highlighting the broader social impact of her work.


The brief
The brief
NIVEA sought to tell a story that embodied courage, purpose, and positive change through the lens of an inspiring individual. The challenge was to create a film that celebrated Zandile’s achievements while also highlighting the broader social impact of her work.
NIVEA sought to tell a story that embodied courage, purpose, and positive change through the lens of an inspiring individual. The challenge was to create a film that celebrated Zandile’s achievements while also highlighting the broader social impact of her work.
Our approach
Our approach
The film combines intimate personal storytelling with immersive underwater cinematography to place audiences directly within Zandile’s world. By balancing moments of reflection with the visual beauty of the ocean, the story reveals both the emotional and physical significance of her connection to the water.
The film combines intimate personal storytelling with immersive underwater cinematography to place audiences directly within Zandile’s world. By balancing moments of reflection with the visual beauty of the ocean, the story reveals both the emotional and physical significance of her connection to the water.
Production
Highlights
Production
Highlights
Filmed across multiple locations in South Africa, the production combined land-based and underwater filmmaking to capture the full scope of Zandile’s story. Extensive planning and specialist underwater production techniques allowed the team to create a visually immersive experience that reflects both the beauty of the ocean and the transformative role it plays in the lives of those who encounter it.
Filmed across multiple locations in South Africa, the production combined land-based and underwater filmmaking to capture the full scope of Zandile’s story. Extensive planning and specialist underwater production techniques allowed the team to create a visually immersive experience that reflects both the beauty of the ocean and the transformative role it plays in the lives of those who encounter it.
FILMING DAYS
The Impact
The Impact
These results prove the power of cinematic storytelling in brand campaigns. By merging creativity, technology, and culture, Snapdraxxen didn’t just launch a product it launched a movement.
These results prove the power of cinematic storytelling in brand campaigns. By merging creativity, technology, and culture, Snapdraxxen didn’t just launch a product it launched a movement.
More Firstborn Films
More Firstborn Films
Pam Golding – One of a kind
Cinematic portraits of property agents for the brand's 50th anniversary
Cinematic portraits of property agents for the brand's 50th anniversary
Nivea – Serdar (Stink Films)
Survivalist, Serdar Killic talks about the importance of having a strong connection to nature
Survivalist, Serdar Killic talks about the importance of having a strong connection to nature
