The trailer for The Tuna Truth, a new documentary directed by Sara Pipernos (Sunline FIlms) and commissioned by The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), was released today after the film’s first screening in Asia.
The screening, held at Blue Elephant Bangkok Sukhumvit was held to coincide with TUNA 2026, the major international tuna industry gathering taking place in Bangkok from 14 to 16 September, bringing the film to an audience of industry decision-makers, retailers and sustainability specialists in the city for the conference.
British chef Serena Appleby, known to UK audiences from BBC Three’s Hungry for It, fronts the film which is currently unreleased.
The Tuna Truth was nominated in the Best Onscreen Personality category at the Jackson Wild Media Awards, nature filmmaking’s equivalent of the Oscars, shortlisted alongside Sir David Attenborough and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The Tuna Truth follows Appleby’s journey across the UK and the Azores, interviewing scientists, researchers and fisheries specialists to uncover how seafood reaches our plates and what more sustainable choices look like.
As well as laying out the facts, the documentary is a foodie’s dream, featuring hands-on cooking sessions with chefs, a communal feast with the Azorean fishing community, fishing trips and supper clubs.
The private screening was hosted by the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) in collaboration with Blue Elephant, MMP International, Woolworths, the Sustainable Fisheries and Communities Trust (SFACT) and Blue Marine Foundation.
The Tuna Truth was commissioned by IPNLF and produced by Sunline Films, fellow supporters include Blue Marine Foundation, SFACT, and Human Rights at Sea (HRAS).
Guests included representatives from the government, the seafood industry, members of Thailand’s food, hospitality and sustainability communities.
Commenting on the screening, Sara Pipernos, Director of The Tuna Truth and Founder of Sunline Films, said:
“I am delighted to see The Tuna Truth reaching audiences in Bangkok after our London premiere in June 2026. Consumers now, more than ever, want to make informed choices at the supermarket, so it’s a joy to have directed a film that offers viewers a practical toolkit about how to source sustainable and ethical seafood. Come along for Chef Serena Appleby’s fun, food-fuelled journey across the UK and beyond; you’ll be surprised by what you learn across the way!”
Commenting Martin Purves, IPNLF Managing Director, said:
“This documentary shows how access to sustainable seafood is a global issue that connects us all. We all have a stake in protecting ocean health for future generations and consumers want to feel confident they are making sustainable choices. We believe this documentary lays out the facts about what sustainable tuna fishing looks like and shares the solutions many people are looking for.”
Commenting from Blue Marine Foundation, Jess Rattle, Head of Investigations, said:
“The Tuna Truth highlights how challenging it can be for consumers to know whether the tuna they’re buying is ethically and sustainably sourced, especially given the plethora of claims and voluntary certifications that look good at face-value but fail to rule out human rights abuses or unsustainable fishing practices. It shouldn’t be up to the public to have to decipher the tuna truth themselves – UK and EU retailers should not be selling unethically or unsustainably-caught tuna at all, and I think this film makes that argument clearer than ever”.
IPNLF is now raising funds to take The Tuna Truth to the audiences with most influence over how tuna is caught and sold, including retailers, supply chain decision-makers, policymakers and schools.
Commenting from Rahim Hoosen, Chair, IPNLF Board and Divisional Director Commercial Operations, Woolworths, said:
“Tuna is one of the world’s most important food resources. Yet behind every catch is a human story: of fishers and coastal communities, of custodianship and innovation, of families whose livelihoods are connected to the sea, and of the delicate balance between meeting global demand and protecting marine ecosystems. Our hope is that The Tuna Truth inspires thoughtful dialogue, new partnerships, and renewed determination to ensure that the story of tuna becomes a story of hope, responsibility, and lasting impact”
