Submissions Open for International Ocean Film Festival on July 9th
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Submissions Open for International Ocean Film Festival on July 9th
Filmmakers around the world encouraged to submit works that inspire people to appreciate and care for the ocean by revealing its wonders through independent films.
16th annual celebration of features films about marine life, the ocean, coastal cultures and conservation takes place in San Francisco March 7 – 10, 2019
2 July 2018 – San Francisco, CA: “It is a curious situation that the sea, from which life first arose should now be threatened by the activities of one form of that life,” said Rachel Carson author of the iconic and prescient book, The Sea Around Us. The warnings and wonder of that tome are brought to the big screen every year by the San Francisco based International Ocean Film Festival. Beginning on Monday, July 9, 2018, filmmakers from around the world are now encouraged to submit works that inspire others to a love – and respect – for our ocean home. The winning entries will be featured at the Festival’s 16th annual celebration March 7-10, 2019. Entry details may be found online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org.
“In this a crucial election year, we have many choices to make,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival. “One of those choices is how we as a nation – as a planet – will continue to confront the issues of preserving our oceans. Our goal at the Festival is simple: saving our oceans one film at a time.”
Submissions may include films of all genres – documentaries, narratives, shorts, and animation films of all lengths. Subjects may focus on all oceanographic themes including but not limited to: ocean exploration, wildlife, environmental, conservation, oceanography, seafaring adventures, maritime issues, ocean sports and coastal cultures.
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 Festival has presented over 50 films from 15 different 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.
“Our mission is to inspire people to appreciate and care for the ocean by revealing its wonders through the independent lens,” said Blanco, noting that the Festival is now recognized as the premier venue in North America for ocean-related films. “Our work is made possible by the spirit, passion, and hard work of numerous volunteers and artists dedicated to using film as a medium to increase public awareness of the environmental, social, and cultural importance of marine ecosystems and foster a spirit of ocean stewardship.”
The 16th Annual International Ocean Film Festival will take place March 7-10, 2019 at venues around San Francisco. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.