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22nd Annual International Ocean Film Festival Announces Deadline for Submissions

media contact: DP&A, Inc. / David Perry /  (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

22nd Annual International Ocean Film Festival Announces
Deadline for Submissions:

Early Deadline October 12; Final deadline December 31, 2024
April 11-13, 2025 at Cowell Theater in
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco

www.intloceanfilmfest.org

26 September 2024 — San Francisco, CA:  Celebrating 22 years of  “saving the world’s oceans, one film at a time,” San Francisco’s world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) announces its Call for Submissions for ocean inspired films. The annual film festival will launch on Friday, April 11th through Sunday April 13, 2025 at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco.

This year’s Ocean Theme is “Protect. Restore. Celebrate”.   The weekend will feature 40+ films from around the world, engaging panel discussions with filmmaker and ocean experts, an Opening Night Party and opportunity to meet more than 50+ mission aligned non-profits from around the Bay Area.

“With a record number of film submissions received last year, we are excited to see all of the films that we will receive this year.  The IOFF offers a platform for filmmakers around the world to tell their story about the ocean. We are able to is give the ocean a voice and for audiences of all ages to experience the power of visual storytelling,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival.

Films can be submitted through FlmFreeway and the Early Deadline is October 12, 2024 with the final deadline for submission of December 31, 2024. Official Selections will be announced on February 11, 2025.

The Film Festival accepts films of all genres that focus on any of the varied aspects of our big, blue ocean. Subject matter ranges from, but is not limited to, marine wildlife, conservation efforts, ocean environments, coastal cultures, ocean sports and exploration, ocean heroes, and innovative technology designed to help protect the ocean. Films can be documentaries, narratives, shorts, animation, and full-length films from around the world. A select group of finalists from the main film festival program will be chosen to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program. This year’s film categories include Animation, Coastal and Island Cultures Conservation, Environmental, Female Directors, Golden Gate (Bay Area Filmmakers) Marine Wildlife, Science & Exploration, Ocean Sports, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, and Shorts.

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Film Festival has presented over 950 films from more than 40 countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years.

Sponsorship opportunities are available through March 1, 2025, at www.intloceanfilmfest.org/sponsors.

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