By Bianca Peters, co-producer of the ‘WOW!’ nature film
We did it. Six islands, six adventures, six moments of pure WOW!
What started as a dream on Eagle Beach in Aruba has now become reality. After months of conversations, research, planning, phone calls, filming, sweat, laughter and learning; after waiting for the perfect light, dealing with a broken camera, and even weathering a downpour on our very first day of shooting in November 2024, we can finally say we’ve reached a major milestone for WOW!
We filmed across all six islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for our documentary series. And, just as importantly, on every island we ran the WOW-ies program, we reached 50 children per location – 50 pairs of eyes full of wonder; 50 children who got to know their local nature better; 50 seeds of pride and awareness planted in young hearts. It was intense and it was beautiful.
The true richness of our islands lies not only in nature, but in the people who care for it: Fishermen choosing restoration over depletion, artists capturing history through their work, young people dreaming of a greener future, teachers unlocking knowledge with limited resources, and passionate volunteers caring deeply for “their” plants and animals.
On every island, we witnessed the same spark: Love for the land, care for the sea, and a deep connection to something greater. These stories form the soul of WOW!
Thanks to our partners and everyone who supported us, we didn’t just capture breath-taking footage, our crew was also welcomed with open arms everywhere.
From nature organizations, dive shops, and local entrepreneurs who shared their knowledge, to hotels that offered our team a home base, foundations that guided us, tourism boards that helped brainstorm, and businesses that provided vital funding – “WOW!” wouldn’t be where it is today without them,.
So, what’s next? Now, the real work begins. Hours upon hours of footage sit on hard drives, waiting to be reviewed – moments of magic, silence, struggle, and beauty. Everything must be watched, listened to, and deeply felt because early next year, we aim to premiere six stunning documentaries, both in the Netherlands and on the islands: Documentaries that show not only the beauty but also the fragility, that don’t just inspire awe, but also provoke thought, that raise questions – and maybe, just maybe, spark change.
And, yes, that’s daunting, because the real stories are often rawer, more complex, and more uncomfortable than we wish. But everywhere we’ve been, we see people working tirelessly to make things better and that gives us hope.
This is also a moment for reflection. Why are we doing all this?
Why a film, six documentaries, a WOW-ies program, a database, a platform for local talent, and educational programs for schools, businesses, and governments – both in the Caribbean and the European Netherlands? Because we believe in the power of storytelling. Because we want to help preserve something that’s at risk of fading: Pride and connection – pride in local nature, culture, and each island’s unique identity; and wonder in the European Netherlands at how incredibly beautiful, powerful, and fragile the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom truly are.
These islands aren’t just part of the Kingdom on paper or in policy, they should live in our hearts and minds. In how we see each other, in how we collaborate, in how we shape our shared future.
WOW! is more than a nature film project. It’s an invitation to dialogue within the Kingdom – to truly see, to truly listen, to foster mutual respect and reciprocity. We are building bridges across generations, sectors, and regions, because connection is not a side goal – it’s the heart of this entire project.
When I look at who is already involved – from our ambassadors to the many partners on the islands and in the Netherlands – I know we are creating something truly meaningful. And this is just the beginning.
The next phase is coming into view: Production for the feature film, in which we aim to capture the islands’ natural beauty in breath-taking cinematic quality – that true “WOW!” feeling in images that make you pause and speak straight to the heart. We can only achieve this together – with love, patience, dedication, and connection.
Onward to the next chapter – onward to even more WOW!
