Planet Soil
Laurels

Discover the fascinating world beneath our feet in Planet Soil

Poster

The film

PLANET SOIL is a groundbreaking documentary that unveils the vital, yet often overlooked, world beneath our feet. With more living creatures in a teaspoon of soil than there are people on Earth, this ecosystem is essential for supporting all life on our planet.

By showcasing the interconnectedness, immense potential and strength of soil organisms, the film inspires us to reimagine our relationship with nature. It offers tangible solutions to improve soil health, combat climate change, and enhance food security.

PLANET SOIL is a global wake-up call, urging us to protect and restore our soils for a sustainable future. This film challenges viewers to embrace the power of the underground and make a positive impact on our planet.

Planet Soil makes this unseen world seen

Prof. Dr. Toby Kiers, the Jane Goodall of fungi and mycorrhizal networks

The Message

PLANET SOIL is a powerful call to recognize and appreciate the world beneath our feet. It emphasizes the incredible biodiversity and complex interactions of life on Earth. By showcasing the abundance of life in a teaspoon of soil and the immense potential of soil organisms, the film urges us to prioritize soil health and conservation. It offers hope and practical solutions, encouraging individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices that nurture and restore our soils.

The film delivers a clear message: by understanding, respecting, and working in harmony with nature and specifically the underground world, we can address pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, our health, and biodiversity loss, ultimately creating a sustainable and thriving future for all.

This is a must watch.

bestselling author and soil food web advocate Jeff Lowenfels

Impact Campaign

We are building on strong relationships with partners focusing on food security, soil health advocacy and education. Together, we will raise awareness of these important issues through:

  • Regenerative & Food garden in- and outdoor screening events convening members of your community
  • Theatrical screenings in selected cities with filmmakers and/or community introductions and Q&A’s
  • Digital Release for use in community webinars and discussions High-Profile Live & Virtual Screening Events Engage audiences, policymakers, community groups and influencers
  • Youth Education through our Planet Soil Junior* film and turnkey educational package
* AN IMPORTANT STORY FOR CHILDREN Besides PLANET SOIL, we also produced a film version for children aged 6-12 named Planet Soil Junior. With this version comes an extensive (visual) educational package.

Planet Soil is like the story of the subcutaneous part of our body that determines how we feel and what we radiate outwardly

Piet Oudolf, landscape artist

THE TEAM

Director Mark Verkerk is an award-winning filmmaker for broadcasters like RTL, National Geographic, and Discovery. 'Buddha's Lost Children' was his Oscar-nominated film. Producer/Distributor Ignas van Schaick specializes in cross-media, education, and e-commerce. He produced acclaimed films, like 'The New Wilderness'. Distributor/Producer Jeffrey de Graaff has held senior (marketing)management roles at Entertainment One and Sony Music and others. He co-founded M&N Media Group with van Schaick, producing the Netflix Original 'Kitty Love' in 2020. Together, their expertise spans directing, producing, marketing and distribution in the film industry.

We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot.

Leonardo da Vinci
Please feel free to contact us for more information about Planet Soil.

“M&N Media Group makes the unseen seen. With Planet Soil we delve deep down in the world beneath our feet, it’s astonishing and magical.”

Ignas van Schaick

Ignas van Schaick

co-owner M&N Media Group

Contact

Ignas van Schaick has over 30 years of experience in the media industry, beginning his career as a publisher. He played a vital role in the success of the film The New Wilderness as the person responsible for the production execution, educational package, marketing, sponsoring, and partnerships surrounding the film. He is currently working on a series of follow-up films with director Mark Verkerk, such as Holland: Natuur in de Delta, This is Holland, and Wild Amsterdam.

Van Schaick has developed cross-media concepts and e-commerce for various products, including books, magazines, collections, DVDs, games, events, and digital media. He was also responsible for the expansion and localization of brands such as BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and Quest.

Moving forward, Van Schaick is excited to bring his expertise in production, marketing, and distribution to the M&N media group. He believes that the group's themes of Nature and Music align well with his personal and professional interests.

Jeffrey de Graaff

Jeffrey de Graaff

co-owner M&N Media Group

Contact

Jeffrey has a broad background in the music and film industry. He has extensive experience in various senior marketing and management roles within the film production and distribution and music industry. He worked for companies like Entertainment One, Sony Music, Warner Music and AT Bookings.

Jeffrey is creative, driven, down-to-earth, he has a passion for film, music and long walks through nature.

Videos

Video

Art or fungi?

In this clip from the film Planet Soil, we dive into the world of fungi, a complex but fascinating kingdom of organisms. Fungi are more closely related to humans and animals than to plants and keep soils healthy. As we see in this clip, they do so partly by converting organic matter. Plants can then reabsorb those nutrients.

Video

The importance of ants

Ants are tremendously important for the soil. As omnivores, they feed on a variety of food sources, including dead insects that are dragged into their nests. Ants are capable of carrying loads up to 10 to 50 times their own body weight, and if the prey proves to be too heavy, they can always rely on their excellent teamwork.

Video

Unique images of a snail hatching from the egg.

Like all soil organisms, snails play a vital role in the health of our soil. These little creatures are important decomposers and recyclers of nutrients. They break down dead plant matter, recycle nutrients back into the soil, and help to create a healthy soil structure.

So the next time you see a snail in your garden, take a moment to appreciate its important role in the soil and the fascinating process of its lifecycle.

Seeing a snail hatch from an egg is a unique and rare experience. It reminds us of the incredible diversity and complexity of life on our planet. Planet Soil takes us into this unseen world.

Video

The importance of earthworms

Earthworms may seem small and insignificant, but they play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and promoting plant growth. They help to break down organic matter and release valuable nutrients that plants need to grow. They also aerate the soil, allowing oxygen and water to penetrate deeper, which helps to prevent soil erosion and improve drainage.

The movie Planet Soil showcases the incredible life cycle of earthworms in spectacular ways, as we can see in this clip. From their mating rituals to the hatching of their eggs, this movie highlights the beauty and complexity of these important creatures.

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