22nd Annual San Francisco International Ocean Film Foundation “Off the Reef” Benefit to Recognize Ocean Conservationist and Marine Advocate Wendy Benchley

March 20 Event Tickets Available

February 4, 2024, San Francisco, CA: The 22nd Annual International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF / www.intloceanfilmfest.org), dedicated to showcasing films that inspire appreciation and care for the ocean, announces that tickets are now on sale for the March 20 “Off the Reef” benefit fundraiser. The dinner and auction will be held at the Golden Gate Club in the San Francisco Presidio.

Each year, the IOFF recognizes an Ocean Champion who has made a significant positive impact on the marine environment. In 2025, ocean conservationist, marine policy advocate and member of the Women's Diving Hall of Fame, Wendy Benchley, will be honored. Benchley is the wife of the late Peter Benchley, author of the novel “Jaws.” Published by Doubleday in 1974, the story tells of a large great white shark that preys upon a fictional Long Island resort town. American director Steven Spielberg produced the namesake summer blockbuster, which won several awards for music and editing. “Jaws” was the first major motion picture to be shot on the ocean. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the film.

"I am honored to receive this commendation," said Benchley. "Film is a powerful tool that can inspire anyone to do great things. In fact, even though the story in Peter’s novel is fictional, the movie “Jaws” motivated many actual positive actions for the marine environment. In years following its release, universities saw a significant increase in the number of students applying to oceanography and marine biology programs.” The evening’s guests will have an exclusive look at some intriguing vintage footage recorded in Martha’s Vineyard during the making of “Jaws.”

Additional highlights of the evening include a live auction–anchored by a trip for two on any Viking Cruise eight-day ocean voyage–a wine lottery game featuring bottles that retail from $40 to $350, plus numerous additional silent auction items, as well as dinner and dancing.

Proceeds from “Off the Reef” directly fund the annual Free Student Education Program for middle and high school students. These special screenings in San Francisco feature a selection of films curated to appeal to young adults. Esteemed marine education guest speakers, filmmakers, and scientists also attend the screenings to share their insights and knowledge. The goal of the student series is to improve ocean literacy and education through film. For more than twenty-two years, the International Ocean Film Foundation has used the power of visual storytelling to inspire audiences to appreciate, protect, restore, and care for the ocean.

Date and Venue

March 20, 2025
6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Golden Gate Club
135 Fisher Loop
The Presidio, San Francisco

Program

Cocktails and silent auction
Plated dinner with wine
Ocean Champion award presentation Live auction
Dancing

Tickets

$225 individual
$3,500 – table sponsorship (table for 10)

Purchase link
Off the Reef event page

About the International Ocean Film Festival

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) has attracted thousands of participants worldwide, including filmmakers and enthusiasts, athletes, educators, students, and ocean philanthropists. In the span of 22 years, the festival has presented more than 1020 films from 46 countries and energized conversations via panel and 1:1 discussions with global filmmakers, ocean stewards and philanthropists. In tandem with the three-day festival, the IOFF hosts a student program that showcases a curated pick of films for young adults. Free to students, this series is made possible from proceeds raised at the annual “Off the Reef” benefit. The International Ocean Film Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit.

http://www.intloceanfilmfest.org

https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest

Twitter @oceanfilmfest
Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

Media assets available for download at https://intloceanfilmfest.org/media
IOFF logo, “Off the Reef” event graphic, Wendy Benchley photo, Wendy Benchley bio

PR Contacts

Martha Blanchfield

Renegade PR

martha@renegade-pr.com

650 483-8816

Ana Blanco

Executive Director
International Ocean Film Festival

info@inteloceanfilmfest.org
415 561-6251
San Francisco, California

Blue Carbon Opens 2024 International Ocean Film Festival

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

CNN film "Blue Carbon: Nature's Hidden Power" Opens 21st Annual International Ocean Film Festival on April 12 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre Fort Mason 

Film Premieres Nationally on CNN on April 21: Earth Day   

1 April 2024, San Francisco, CA: The 21st Annual International Ocean Film  Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org), dedicated to showcasing films that  inspire people to appreciate and care for the ocean, is proud to announce its  opening night film, "Blue Carbon: Nature's Hidden Power." This compelling documentary, directed by Nicolas Brown and featuring Jayda Guy—a  Grammy-nominated music producer, DJ, and environmental toxicologist—will have its festival premiere on Thursday, April 12, at the Cowell Theatre in San  Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. Following its festival debut, "Blue Carbon" will be broadcast nationally on CNN on Sunday, April 21, at 9 PM ET/PT in recognition of Earth Day. 

"Blue Carbon: Nature's Hidden Power" explores the crucial role of coastal ecosystems in carbon sequestration, a relatively newly discovered method for combating climate change. Through the eyes of Jayda Guy, the film embarks on 

an international journey, traversing the United States, Senegal, Vietnam,  France, Colombia, and Brazil. It examines the latest science on blue carbon and its significant, yet underappreciated, potential to help remove carbon from our atmosphere. The documentary's powerful narrative is enhanced by an evocative score from the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, with featured performances by Seu Jorge, blending music with science to underscore the urgent need for environmental conservation and action. 

“Opening this year’s festival with 'Blue Carbon: Nature's Hidden Power’ could not be more timely,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director of the  International Ocean Film Festival. “This film not only highlights the critical  role of our oceans in mitigating climate change but also embodies our  festival's mission to inform, inspire, and ignite public support for ocean protection. Nicolas Brown's visionary storytelling, combined with Jayda Guy's  passion for both music and science, makes for a truly remarkable cinematic experience." 

The festival's opening night will not only feature the premiere of "Blue  Carbon" but also offer a post-screening discussion with Jayda Guy and Executive  Producer Sarah MacDonald of Making Waves. n, providing audiences with deeper insights into the film's creation. 

The International Ocean Film Festival is a celebrated event based in San  Francisco that aims to inspire love and respect for the ocean by revealing its wonders through the lens of film. The festival showcases a wide array of ocean-themed films to educate and engage audiences about ocean conservation and the importance of marine ecosystems worldwide. 

The year’s 21st annual Festival, April 12 - 14, features 34 films representing 13 countries. As part of the United Nations’ ongoing work to combat and educate around climate change and other environmental projects,  UNESCO’s Ocean Decade Initiative (www.oceandecade.org) has officially endorsed the efforts of San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival. 

The 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 number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program.  This year’s film categories include Environmental, Marine  Sciences/Wildlife, Exploration & Ocean Sports, and Coastal Island Culture.  Animation, Conservation, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Shorts, and the  Golden Gate Award (Bay Area filmmaker). 

This year’s International Ocean Film Festival sponsors are RingCentral,  Jenga Ocean, RBC Wealth Management, Laura Wais Underwater  Photography, and The Thor Foundation. 

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages worldwide, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented over 815 films from 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. 

Below is the full list (in alphabetical order by title, followed by the director,  country of origin, and running time) 

• 841 Rachel Burnett, (USA) 16 min Marine Sciences/Wildlife

• A Disappearing Forest Tyler Schiffman, (USA) 9 min Shorts

• Active Anilao Walter Marti (USA) 5 min Shorts 

• Alien Contact Rick Rosenthal, (USA) 50 min Marine Sciences/Wildlife

• Blue Carbon: Unleashing Nature's Superpower Nicolas Brown, (UK)  85 min Environmental 

• Blue Whales: Return of the Giants Hugh Pearson, (UK) 45 min Marine  Sciences/Wildlife 

• Dahican Boogs Rosales, (Philippines) 16 min Conservation

• Daughters of the Waves Lisa Monin & Sebastien Daguerressar,  (France) 53 min Exploration and Ocean Sports 

• Deep Look: How Does the Mussel Grow its Beard? (USA) 4 min  Shorts 

• Deep Trouble Lavinia Currier, (USA) 10 min Marine Sciences/Wildlife

• Disappearing Jewels Will Kim, (USA) 15 min, Environmental

• Expedition Amana Mason Le & Kai Smith & Julian Goodman & Niki  Wallin, (USA) 7 min Coastal and Island Culture

• Fish with A Story Karen Logan & Melissa Raemakers, (South Africa) 45 min Coastal and Island Culture 

• Great White Summer Nick Armando Budabin, (USA) 79 min Coastal  and Island Culture 

• HAULOUT, Evgenia Arbugaeva & Maxim Arbugaeva, (UK) 25 min Shorts

• Kahu Mano, David W McGuire, (USA) 22 min Coastal and Island Culture

• Keepers of the Land, Deirdre Leowinata & Douglas Neasloss (Canada)  29 min Coastal and Island Culture 

• Kingdom of Ice: Antarctica's Leopard Seals, Paul Nicklen & Andy Mann,  (Canada) 9 min Shorts 

• Konstantin’s' Legacy - Awakening the Love for Nature, Daniel Bichsel,  (Germany) 6 min Conservation. 

• Orca - Black & White Gold Sarah Nörenberg, (Austria) 93 min  Conservation 

• Return of the Mangroves, Leo Thom, (USA) 9 min Conservation

• Sequoias of the Sea, Natasha Benjamin & Ana Blanco, (USA) 14 min  Conservation 

• Shark Researchers: A New Approach to Shark Conservation, Arnau  Argemi González, (Spain) 3 min Shorts 

• Tahlequah the Whale: A Dance of Grief Daniel Kreizberg, (Lithuania)  15 min Shorts 

• The Blue Quest Palawan, Clément Pourtal, Jérôme Brousse, (France)  47 min Conservation 

• The Granny Grommets, Leah Rustomjee, (Australia) 9 min

• The Passage, Boogs Rosales, (Philippines) 20 min Environmental,  Conservation, Shorts 

• Why Blame the Seagulls? Philip Hamilton, (UK) 36 min Environmental

• Wild Hope: Return of the Manatees, (USA) 16 min Shorts

• With the Tide, Chelsea J Jolly, (USA) 25 min Diversity, Equity, and  Inclusion Representation 

• Zoe, Gaby Scott, (USA) 27 min Exploration and Ocean Sports

The 21st International Ocean Film Festival runs April 12 - 14, 2024 at San  Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. The International Ocean Film Festival is a  501(c) 3 non-profit. 

www.intloceanfilmfest.org 
https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest 
Twitter @oceanfilmfest 
Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

21st Anniversary Benefit for International Ocean Film Foundation

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

Thursday, March 14 at Golden Gate Club in San Francisco Presidio

Honoring Ocean Champions:
Daniela Fernandez, Founder & CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Jennifer Stock, Education & Outreach Coordinator Greater Farallones / Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries  

Franco Finn of Golden Gate Warriors Fame is Emcee / Auctioneer

Festival Runs April 12 – 14 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre Fort Mason
and the Smith Theatre San Rafael

20 December 2023 --  San Francisco, CA:  Celebrating “21 years of saving the world’s oceans, one film at a time,” San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) is honoring this year’s heroines of the sea at its annual benefit, Thursday evening March 14 at the Golden Gate Club in the San Francisco Presidio (135 Fisher Loop).  This year’s Ocean Champions are Daniela Fernandez, Founder & CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Jennifer Stock, Education & Outreach Coordinator Greater Farallones / Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.  The evening will feature food, fine wine, a silent auction and a live auction spearheaded by “Warriors Hype Man” Franco Finn.  The evening’s schedule is 6pm – 7:30pm cocktail reception, silent auction and trailers of the upcoming Festival; 7:45pm-9:30pm sustainable dinner and awards program; 9:30pm ‘til 11pm music by DJ Lamont. Highlighted during the evening will be previews of the Festival’s upcoming films. Individual tickets are $ 225 and can be purchased at www.intloceanfilmfest.org (direct event link: https://intloceanfilmfest.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/21stAnnualIOFFOfftheReefBenefit/PurchaseTickets/tabid/1405314/Default.aspx). Also, sponsorships are available for full tables. Please find more info online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org/21st-Anniversary-Benefit.

"With a record number of film submissions, representing more than 36 countries thus far, the IOFF is giving the ocean a voice and a platform for audiences of all ages to experience the power of visual storytelling,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival. “Inspired by the filmmakers and their important stories about our oceans, we are thrilled to be hosting our 21st annual film festival on April 12-14, 2024. It will truly be an event to protect, restore and celebrate our oceans!"

Award recipient Daniela Fernandez is the founder and CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance and an award-winning social entrepreneur, thought leader and international speaker on the entrepreneurial mindset, ocean innovation and technology, youth empowerment, and sustainability. At the age of 19, Daniela founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) as a college-room idea at Georgetown University. Over the following six years, she built SOA into a global organization that is cultivating and accelerating innovative solutions to protect and sustain the health of the ocean. With phenomenal speed, SOA created the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders — establishing a presence in over 165 countries and successfully launching the world’s first Ocean Solutions Accelerator to develop technological solutions that can address the greatest threats facing our planet.

How can we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation? What are the leading technologies that can be implemented to help address the challenges facing our environment? How can established companies harness the power of young people? What trends are we seeing in Gen Z and Millennials as consumers, employees, and future business leaders? Daniela is answering these critical questions that will influence the new wave of entrepreneurs and redefine the relationship between emerging technologies, mitigating climate change, restoring ocean health and social good.

The Sustainable Ocean Alliance (www.soalliance.org) activates young, develops and implements innovative solutions, and mobilizes the global movement to restore the health of the ocean in our lifetime. Founded in 2014, SOA has cultivated the world's largest network of next-gen leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, mentors, and partners— all working to create solutions for the largest challenges facing our ocean. One of its newest programs is the Ecopreneur Network assembles the world's most ambitious ocean startups, and amplifies their efforts to achieve transformative planetary impact.

Jennifer Stock believes in working to inspire a more ocean literate society. Jenny is a veteran naturalist and environmental educator with her career working as an interpretive park ranger with the National Park Service, as an environmental educator with Nature Bridge and Catalina Island Marine Institute, and for the past 23 years an all-around educator/communicator for NOAA's Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. Jenny has created exhibits, teaching programs, hands on activities and curriculum, workshops, outreach events, and digital media to share and communicate about our coastal ocean treasures to increase appreciation and stewardship of them. 

Some of Jenny’s accomplishments include overseeing development of the Point Reyes National Seashore Lighthouse Visitor Center extension that is a portal to the underwater world in the sanctuaries just offshore, creating an exhibit about Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary in collaboration with the Oakland Museum of California in the Natural Sciences Gallery, directing a 360 virtual reality film (and narrating it) about Cordell Bank bringing an incredibly abundant, healthy and diverse underwater world to audiences globally. For 13 years Jenny hosted her own radio program called Ocean Currents on KWMR interviewing ocean experts to share ocean stories and information with coastal audiences (podcast online). She has led numerous teachers on coastal excursions and in classroom exercises to learn about the changing climate and the impacts climate change is having on our ocean environment. 

She has supported the International Ocean Film Festival since 2013 assisting with the student film competition as a reviewer, promoting the festival annually, assisting the production of the student film sessions where over 20,000 students have come through to see ocean films though the festival and she has worked with the film festival to bring smaller ocean film events to other areas (Point Arena Theatre and Oakland Museum of CA). 

Jenny is an avid water woman who for recreation frequently swims, boogie boards, rows, and does stand up paddling with her family. Jenny has a MS in Education from Dominican University and BS in Biology from University of Delaware. 

The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (www.farllones.noaa.gov) protects the wildlife, habitats, and cultural resources of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world, an area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast. The waters within Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary are a nationally significant marine ecosystem, and support an abundance of life, including many threatened and endangered species.

The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (www.cordellbank.noaa.gov) is entirely offshore. Within its 1,286 square miles, the sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep sea canyons, and communities of wildlife throughout. Its surface waters are feeding areas for local and migratory seabirds and marine mammals.

Past recipients of the Ocean Champion Award include legendary oceanographer and marine activist Dr. Sylvia Earle, Kip Evans, director of Expeditions for Mission Blue, Academy-Award winning director Louie Psihoyos,  Cristina Mittermeier of Sea Legacy and Wallace J. Nichols of Blue Mind, Jeff Boehmn, Chief Engagement Officer of the Marine Mammal Center, Ashlan & Phillippe Cousteau and Swedish environmentalist and climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

The 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 number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program. This year’s film categories include Environmental, Marine Sciences/Wildlife, Exploration & Ocean Sports, Coastal Island Culture. Animation, Conservation, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Shorts and Female Directors.

Sponsors for this year’s festival include RingCentral, Jenga Ocean, and the Consul General of Canada in San Francisco. Note: Additional sponsorship opportunities are available through March 1st. www.intloceanfilmfest.org/sponsors.

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 815 films from 40 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.

The full list of films will be released early in the New Year.

The 21st International Ocean Film Festival runs April 12 – 14, 2024 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. The International Ocean Film Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit. 

• www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest

• Twitter @oceanfilmfest

• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

Awards Announced for 20th Annual International Ocean Film Festival

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

8 Films Cited in Categories including Conservation, Ocean Sports,
Female Filmmaker and Diversity & Equity & Inclusion

Festival Runs April 13 – 16 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre Fort Mason
and the Smith Theatre San Rafael

www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

22 March 2023  - San Francisco, CA:  the 20th Annual International Ocean Film Festival has announced this year’s award winners in categories including Conservation, Ocean Sports, Female Filmmaker and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.  The 20th annual Festival runs April 13 – 16 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason and San Rafael’s Smith Theatre.  All told, there are 42 films representing 17 countries. Tickets to the entire festival are on sale online www.intloceanfilmfest.org

“All of our films and filmmakers are standouts and advance our mission of saving our oceans through the beauty and education of the visual medium,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the Festival. “In a field of exceptional quality and diversity, especially this year, we have eight standouts deserving of special recognition.”

This year’s 20th Annual International Ocean Film Festival is marked with four days of ocean-focused, independent films. In addition, the Festival will host lively Q&A panels with film directors, marine scientists, and industry experts, as they discuss the films and share insights into ocean conservation, preservation, and legislation.   

The 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 number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program. This year’s film categories include Environmental, Marine Sciences/Wildlife, Exploration & Ocean Sports, Coastal Island Culture. Animation, Conservation, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Shorts and Female Directors.

Sponsors for this year’s festival include RingCentral, Jenga Ocean, Hapag Lloyd, RBC Wealth Management, PADI, PADI Club, The Philippine Office of Tourism, Thor Hope Foundation, Dynamico Space and the Consul General of Canada in San Francisco. Note: Additional sponsorship opportunities are available through April 1st.

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 815 films from 40 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.

2023 Awards - Official Selections (Alpha List)

1. Collision, Philip Hamilton (London, UK) 80 min 2023 Environment Award

2. Deep Rising, Matthieu Rytz (USA) 98 min 2023 Conservation Award & 2023 Director’s Award 

3. Gender Outlaw, a bodysurfing story, Peter Williams (USA) 16 min 2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award

4. Havana Libre, Corey McLean (USA) 85 min 2023 Ocean Sports & Exploration Award

5. The Impossible Wave, Jessica Frankovelgia Johnson & Jay Johnson (USA) 40 min 2023 Female Filmmaker Award

6. Mediterranean LIFE UNDER SIEGE, Fred Fougea (France) 91 min 2023 Wildlife Award 

7. New Boats, Lansana Mansaray (Sierra Leone) 50 min 2023 Coastal and Island Culture Award

8. Rise of the Clambassador, Alexander Davidowski (USA) 8 min 2023 Short Award

The 20th International Ocean Film Festival runs April 13 – 16, 2023 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center and San Rafael’s Smith Theatre. The International Ocean Film Festival is a 501(c) 3 non-profit. 

• www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest

• Twitter @oceanfilmfest

• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest
  

20th annual celebration features 33 films from 11 countries about marine life, the ocean, coastal cultures, and conservation

April 13 - 16, 2023 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre Fort Mason
and the Smith Theatre San Rafael

Festival Highlights Include
Deep Rising (Opening Night), Collision, and Patrick and the Whale. 

17 February 2023 --  San Francisco, CA:  San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) has announced its slate of films for the 20th annual Festival, April 13 – 16 taking place at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason: 33 films representing 11 countries. Especially anticipated is the Festival’s opening night offering Deep Rising, a Sundance Film Festival winner. This up-to-the-minute tale of geopolitical, scientific, and corporate intrigue that exposes the machinations of a secretive organization empowered to greenlight massive extraction of metals from the deep seafloor that are deemed essential to the electric battery revolution. Other Festival highlights include Collision, an eye opening film about the main cause of death in large whales, and Patrick and the Whale in which stunning underwater footage explores the fascinating nature of the Sperm Whale and its intriguing and complex intelligence and relationship with humanity.

“After 20 years we’re still making waves and saving our world’s oceans one film at a time,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival. “In an era when climate change is topic number one, and the state of our oceans is a daily priority, never has the work of our filmmakers and activist been more vital, or more newsworthy.”

The 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 number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program. This year’s film categories include Environmental, Marine Sciences/Wildlife, Exploration & Ocean Sports, Coastal Island Culture. Animation, Conservation, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Shorts and Female Directors.

Sponsors for this year’s festival include RingCentral, Jenga Ocean, Hapag Lloyd, SSA Group and the Consul General of Canada in San Francisco. Note: Additional sponsorship opportunities are available through March 1st.

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 815 films from 40 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.

Below is the full list (in alphabetical order by title, followed by director, country of origin and running time)

1. And yet, I remain, Rick Wall (South Africa) 8 min

2. The Arctic Halocline, Amy Lauren (USA) 21 min

3. Big Wave Guardians, Luke Stirtz (USA) 90 min

4. Blue Carbon, Paul Nicklen (USA) 3 min

5. Bottle Cap, Marie Hyon & Marco Spier (USA) 5 min

6. Changing Seas: Vanishing Whales, Alexa Elliott (USA) 27 min

7. Cold Refuge, Judy Irving (USA) 79 min

8. Collision, Philip Hamilton (London, UK) 80 min 2023 Environment Award

9. Deep Look: Barnacles Go To Unbelievable Lengths To Hook Up, Josh Cassidy (USA) 4 min

10. Deep Look: Skeleton Shrimp Use 18 Appendages to Feed, Fight and… Frolic, Mike Seely (USA) 5 min

11. Deep Rising, Matthieu Rytz (USA) 98 min 2023 Conservation Award & 2023 Director’s Award 

12. Fishing Into The Future: A San Diego Story, Lindsay Bauman & Andrea Sanchez Davidson (USA) 5 min

13. Gender Outlaw, a bodysurfing story, Peter Williams (USA) 16 min 2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award

14. The Gift of Bathsheba, Zach Hellmuth (USA) 4 min

15. Havana Libre, Corey McLean (USA) 85 min 2023 Ocean Sports & Exploration Award

16. Horseshoe Crabs: Survival of a Living Dinosaur, Andrea Kramar (USA) 6 min 

17. Huff, David Mangum (USA) 7 min

18. Hypnotise, Ste Everington (Australia) 4 min

19. I Want Sun, Manlio David Martinez (Honduras) 30 min

20. The Impossible Wave, Jessica Frankovelgia Johnson & Jay Johnson (USA) 40 min 2023 Female Filmmaker Award

21. Inseparable: Ava, Andrew Harrison Brown (USA) 11 min

22. Mediterranean LIFE UNDER SIEGE, Fred Fougea (France) 91 min 2023 Wildlife Award 

23. Molokai and the Frog, José Gerardo Flores Ruiz (Mexico) 19 min 

24. New Boats, Lansana Mansaray (Sierra Leone) 50 min 2023 Coastal and Island Culture Award

25. Patrick and the Whale, Mark Fletcher (Austria) 72 min

26. Planting Coral Forests, Johann Vorster (Kenya) 27 min

27. PLSTC, Laen Sanches (France) 2 min

28. Restoring the Farallon Islands: A Critical Conservation Opportunity, Brandon Schilling (USA) 4 min

29. Rise of the Clambassador, Alexander Davidowski (USA) 8 min 2023 Short Award 

30. Robots in the Deep, Leo Richards (UK) 13 min

31. SAGRES, José Eduardo Zuzarte (Portugal) 44 min

32. SB2508: A Death Threat to Everglades Restoration, Noah Alexander Miller (USA) 30 min

33. Seagrass for Sea Change, Whitney Beer-Kerr (Australia) 12 min

34. The Shark with a Thousand Names, Hendrik Sebastian Schmitt (Germany) 18 min

35. The Storm Chaser, Jack Pirie (UK) 7 min

36. Tangled in the Tides, Henk Ekermans & Barend van der Watt (South Africa) 50 min

37. Truluck, Matt Cannon & Jake Smallwood (UK) 20 min

38. Washed Ashore, Ley Heimgartner & Cameron Nielsen (USA) 16 min

39. Windshipped, Jon Bowermaster (USA) 39 min 

40. VR Film: 360 Sea Plastic, Narrated by Tim Robbins (USA) 7 min

41. VR Film: Dive into Sipadan (Malaysia) 7 min

42. VR Film: Roots to Reef (Singapore) 16 min 

The 20th International Ocean Film Festival runs April 13 – 16, 2023 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. The International Ocean Film Festival is a 501(c) 3 non-profit. 

• www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest

• Twitter @oceanfilmfest

• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival April 7 – 10 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theater Fort Mason

Virtual Presentations April 11 – 24  

Tickets Go on Sale March 10 for
Largest Festival in the World  for Ocean-Related Films 

Full schedule of films announced February 21

8 February 2022 - San Francisco, CA: After two years of battering COVID waves, attendees to this year’s 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival will hear ocean waves as they walk into San Francisco’s Cowell Theater at Fort Mason, April 7 – 10 for the first in-person event since 2019. In addition, virtual presentations will also be offered April 11 – 24. The full schedule of films will be announced on February 20, and tickets to the entire festival go on sale March 10.

“We’re back! To say we’re excited is an understatement,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the Festival. “This year’s festival will not only be an extraordinary homecoming to the Cowell Theatre, but will also highlight some of the lessons we learned from the pandemic.  The silver lining of the last two years has been reaching more and new audiences through our virtual component, which now is a permanent part of the full festival.”

This year’s 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival is marked with 18 days of ocean-focused, independent films. In addition, the Festival will host  lively Q&A panels with film directors, marine scientists, and industry experts, as they discuss the films and share insights into ocean conservation, preservation, and legislation.   

“Also, one of the Festival’s most important components is the 10th Annual Student Film Competition,” says Blanco. “It’s a way for students to tell their stories about the ocean and explore the exciting world of filmmaking. We are delighted to have PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) supporting the Student Film Competition.”

The Student Film Competition is open to middle school and high school students (grades 6 through 12) from around the world. Films must be five minutes or less in duration, and touch upon some subject matter regarding the ocean. The deadline for submission is February 28.

According to Blanco, the past two years’ “Virtual Oceans” online Festivals were seen by a record breaking 10,000 people and more than 2500 students took part in the online education series.  During 2020 and 2021, submissions were received from around the world, including films from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia and Germany.  For this year’s 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival, Blanco is expecting an even great number – and greater diversity – of submissions.

The 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 number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program. This year’s film categories include Environmental, Marine Sciences/Wildlife, Exploration & Ocean Sports, Coastal Island Culture. Animation, Conservation, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Shorts and Female Directors.

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 815 films from 40different 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.

Current sponsors for the upcoming 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include, The Consul General of Canada of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Laura Wais Underwater Imaging, NOAA, PG&E, RingCentral, RBC Wealth Management and The SSA Group.

Our generous hotel and hospitality partners are:  The Hotel Griffon, The Hotel Zetta, the J.W. Marriott, the Kimpton Alton Hotel, Le Meridien, the Lodge at the Presidio and the Omni Hotel.

The International Ocean Film Festival encourages its patrons, supporters and partners to follow the most current advice from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for preventing the further spread of the COVID-19 in Northern California and beyond, and to stay tuned for announcements about International Ocean Film Festival events once the threat level is reduced. The 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival will take place April 7 – 10 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture and April 11 - 23 online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.

·      www.intloceanfilmfest.org

·      https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest

·      Twitter @oceanfilmfest

·      Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

Tickets Go on Sale March 15 for 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival

The Largest Festival in the World for Ocean-Related Films Takes Place
April 15 – May 2 Virtually
With Possible In-Person Component TBA

Deadline for Student Film Competition is March 7

23 February 2021 – San Francisco, CA: It is said that the sound of waves has a salutary impact on the human condition, and never more have the ocean’s healing embrace been more needed. Coming off its creatively executed and wildly successful “Virtual Oceans” annual festival last summer, San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival is taking the lessons of its COVID-induced creativity into its 18th Annual Festival, April 15 – May 2, 2021 in what will be an unprecedented marriage of virtual and in-person events accessed online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org. The video trailer for the 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival may be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/486467322

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Cristina Mittermeier Honored as 2020 “Ocean Champion” at Waves to Recovery: International Ocean Film Festival 2020 Virtual Fall Benefit

Thursday, December 10 at 6pm (PST)
Online auction begins December 4
www.intloceanfilmfest.org

3 December 2020 - San Francisco, CA.  It seems fitting that Cristina Mittermeier who PBS’ Nova hailed for “changing the world one photograph at a time” should be the recipient of this year’s “Ocean Champion Award” from the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) whose motto is, “Saving the world’s oceans, one film at time.”  Co-founder and Managing Director of SeaLegacy, co-founder of Only One and Executive Producer of Echoes in the Arctic, Mittemeierhas traveled to more than 100 countries and worked in remote corners of the planet with Indigenous groups to document the delicate balance between human cultures and biodiverse ecosystems.  The first woman photographer to reach 1 million followers on Instagram will be honored on Thursday, December 10 at 6pm (PST) at the Waves to Recovery virtual benefit.

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17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Holds “Global Online Audience Award” for Student Films March 25 – April 5

Winners will be announced online via the International Ocean Film Festival newsletter and social media on Monday, April 6 at 12 noon PDT.

24 March 2020 - San Francisco, CA: The International Ocean Film Festival often called “Sundance for the Ocean” will host a very special “Global Online Audience Award” for its Student Film Competition submissions. The online voting form and the films are listed by title at www.intloceanfilmfest.org/student-filmcompetition. Online viewers are asked to vote for their one top choice in each category of middle school and high school students. The contest will run from Wednesday March 25 at 12:00PM (PDT) and end at 12:00AM (PDT) Sunday, April 5th.

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17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Postponed Out of "Abundance of caution" in light of COVID-19 Event Originally Scheduled March 12 - 15 in San Francisco

4 March 2020 - San Francisco, CA: The International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org), often called “The Sundance of Ocean Films” and host of the largest gathering of its type in the world, has announced a postponement of this year's 17th annual event, originally slated for March 12 - 15 at San Francisco's Cowell Theatre and other venues throughout the Bay Area.

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Films Announced for 17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival: San Francisco March 12 – 15, 2020

5 February 2020 - San Francisco, CA: “Far and away, the greatest threat to the ocean, and thus to ourselves, is ignorance,” Dr. Sylvia Earle once remarked: “But we can do something about that.” For 17 years, San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) has been doing just that – dispelling ignorance with its simple, cinematic and emotion packed mission: Saving Our Oceans - One Film at a Time. As we head into an election year, arguably the most important one for issues facing environmental awareness and climate change, this year’s Festival taking place March 12 – 15 features 56 films from 15 countries including four world premieres, six United States premieres, nine West Coast premieres and six Bay Area premieres.

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San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival & Canadian Consulate Present U.S. Premiere of Canada C3: Coast to Coast to Coast

17 January 2019 - San Francisco, CA: In 2017 “A single ship captivated millions of Canadians and captured Canada’s promise,” remarked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “amplifying the voices of youth and Indigenous peoples, and connecting Canadians and communities all across the country.” For one night only, that epic journey will come to San Francisco via a close partnership with the Consulate of Canada and San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival: The United States Premiere of the acclaimed Canadian documentary Canada C3: Coast to Coast to Coast.

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42 Films from San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival Are Featured at Thunder Bay International Film Festival - Northeast Michigan January 23 - 27

15 January 2019 - San Francisco, CA: From the open seas to the Great Lakes, San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival continues its mission of saving and educating about our marine heritage. For the Thunder Bay International Film Festival, 42 films from the IOFF will be featured as part of the seventh annual event in Alpena, Michigan at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, January 23 – 27.

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International Ocean Film Festival “Seas the Night” Fall Benefit for the Festival’s Student Education Program

17 September 2018 - San Francisco, CA: To the Romans, the Mediterranean was Mare Nostrum – “Our Sea.” And while their other Latin motto, Carpe Diem may have meant “Seize the Day”, the ocean – as we know all too well – belongs to all of us: a shared responsibility highlighted by the work of the San Francisco based International Ocean Film Festival. Thursday, November 8, the acclaimed nonprofit committed to “Saving the Oceans One Film at a Time” will “Seas the Night” – their fall fundraiser benefiting the Festival’s student education programs.

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Submissions Open for International Ocean Film Festival on July 9th

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.

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Award Winners Announced for 15th Annual International Ocean Film Festival

27 February 2018 - San Francisco, CA: Not to be upstaged by the Oscars, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has announced the 10 winning films for its highly coveted annual awards.  Coming off the festival’s most comprehensive selection season and an equally successful fundraising cycle, the “Sundance of ocean film festivals” is poised for a landmark series of offerings March 8 – 11 in venues in San Francisco and Marin County.

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15th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Opens on International Women's Day - March 8 - with "Kim Swims"

20 December 2017 - San Francisco, CA: What would you do when your doctor tells you your leg will be amputated in half an hour? For Kim Chambers, the answer was to swim 30 miles through shark-infested waters. With exquisite timing, the International Ocean Film Festival opens its 15th anniversary year with Kim Swims on International Women's Day - March 8th. A special preview of the film will be shown on Saturday, February 10 during the International Ocean Film Festival's "Off the Reef" gala fundraiser at The Pearl.

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September 1 Is Opening Date for Student Submissions for International Ocean Film Festival

23 August 2017 - San Francisco, CA: Beginning September 1, student filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to submit their works that inspire others to love and respect the ocean. Open to middle and high school students internationally, the contest offers prizes of up to $500 per category. The winning entries will be featured at the Festival’s 15th annual celebration March 8 – 11, 2018. Entry details may be found online at www.oceanfilmfest.org.

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International Ocean Film Festival Hails Closing of CEMEX USA Cement Plant: “A Win-Win for the Environment and Sensible Business”

26 July 2017 - San Francisco, CA: Call it a green-friendly business decision set in stone – actually, in concrete. After viewing a film sponsored by San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.oceanfilmfest.org), the last sand mining company in the United States has decided to close, a direct impact of the film – Sand Wars directed by Denis Delestrac – and the Festival’s environmental impact and advocacy. On July 13, the California Coastal Commission approved an agreement whereby CEMEX USA’s Lapis facility on Monterey Bay will cease dredging operations that undermine beaches and cause irreversible erosion.

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July 1 Opens Submissions for International Ocean Film Festival

1 July 2017 - San Francisco, CA: “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth,” opined legendary author Arthur C. Clarke, “when it is quite clearly ocean.” For 15 years, the International Ocean Film Festival has been bringing back the focus to the 75% of our habitat that is indeed, water. Beginning on July 1, 2017, filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to submit works that inspire others to a love – and respect – for our briney home. The winning entries will be featured at the Festival’s 15th annual celebration March 8 – 12, 2018. Entry details may be found online at www.oceanfilmfest.org.

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