Best Documentary Award at Cannes FIFI

Cannes, France, 24 June 2026: Eclectic Aspirations is proud to announce that its feature documentary, WEALTH UNTOLD, won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at Cannes FIFI 2026.

More than a story of environmental crisis, WEALTH UNTOLD is a powerful portrait of resilience, ingenuity, and inspiration. The film is set in Belize and explores challenges faced by the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sustains over half the country’s population through fishing, tourism, and cultural identity.

Produced over four years by a dedicated team of independent filmmakers and ocean advocates, WEALTH UNTOLD offers an intimate look at efforts to protect marine ecosystems while balancing economic development. It stands as a beacon of hope for coastal communities worldwide and a testament to the powerful role of women in shaping a sustainable future.

Born from the union of the France-USA and Africa-USA International Film Festivals, Cannes FIFI (Festival International du Film & Inclusion) bridged three continents through the spirit of Ubuntu, the philosophy that our humanity is realized entirely through our relationships with others and our environment. Serving as the voice of the ocean, WEALTH UNTOLD brings this philosophy to life. By showing that the survival of the reef and that of its coastal communities are one and the same, the film powerfully echoes the universal wisdom: “I am because we are”. 

Left to right: Luis Bouillon Baker (Jury President), Candice Usher (Belize Representative), Jackie Vérane Deschamps (Festival Co-Founder), and Eladio Arvelo (Film Director/Producer) holding the Best Documentary Award for WEALTH UNTOLD.

Following the screening of WEALTH UNTOLD at the storied Cinéma Les Arcades on June 19, 2026, festival co-founder Jackie Vérane Deschamps moderated an insightful Q&A with director/producer Eladio Arvelo and Belize representative Candice Usher. The discussion opened with the core motivation behind the film before diving into the evolution of women’s leadership in marine conservation, the creative use of lionfish for jewelry and culinary dishes, and the invaluable participation of world-renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle.

During the Q&A, Candice Usher shared that she found the documentary deeply moving and is honored to support initiatives that promote marine conservation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable tourism. As a Belizean-born professional who has called France home for the past two decades, she serves as an ambassador of Belizean culture abroad, carrying on a proud family tradition of public service as the great-niece of the country’s first Prime Minister, George Cadle Price.

Best Documentary Award for WEALTH UNTOLD.

We look forward to sharing this uplifting documentary worldwide. With only a handful of festival screenings remaining on our calendar, we have started to focus on facilitating in-person community screenings and securing public television broadcasts to reach a much wider audience. As part of the film’s Impact Vision, we also provide bespoke support for mission-aligned partners that wish to leverage the film as a ready-made platform to amplify their own conservation and community goals.

Bring WEALTH UNTOLD to your community: To request a screening or explore collaboration opportunities, contact the producers directly at info@wealthuntoldfilm.com.

The Cannes FIFI poster for WEALTH UNTOLD featured on the marquee of Cinéma Les Arcades in Cannes, France.

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