13TH ANNUAL
Student Film Competition
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 FINALISTS
Congratulations to all students worldwide who submitted a film to the 13th Annual Student Film Competition, to be presented in April 2024. The jury was so impressed with the film's content, quality, and variety of subject matter. Congratulations to our winners! .
MIDDLE SCHOOL
1ST PLACE: Improve 4 min, Khanh Tue Nguyen, Vietnam
2ND PLACE: IOFF 3 min, Stella Vu, USA
3RD PLACE: Minecraft Coral 5 min, Max Lu, USA
MIDDLE SCHOOL FINALISTS
Hooked: The Unwanted Innocents 3 min, Collin Steadam, USA
Ethics v. Marine Conservation 5 min, Renzo N. Mendoza, USA
HIGH SCHOOL
1ST PLACE: Life’s Tides 3 min, Julianna Huffman, USA
2ND PLACE: Inside the Waves 4 min,, Ngô Khánh Thư, Vietnam
3RD PLACE: Phytoplankton In a Nutshell, 4 min, Don Petchsangroj, Thailand
HIGH SCHOOL FINALISTS
Siento el Océano a Través del Kayak, (I Feel The Ocean Through My Kayak)
2 min, Rosario Elizabeth Valenzuela Landeros, Mexico
Two Sides 4 min, Aslı Baloğlu, Turkey
Interested in seeing all of the films as the Student Film Competition Finalists?
Click HERE to watch the IOFF Virtual Film Program, available until April 22nd
The IOFF Student Film Competition is designed to give young students an opportunity to tell their stories about the ocean. No experience is required, and we encourage all students to have fun with the film project.
Students have two ways they can participate:
1. Influencer TikTok Version:
Submit a one-minute video on your favorite ocean topic, something you’ve learned recently about the ocean and sea life, or interview a family member about their favorite ocean topic.
2. Filmmaker Version:
Submit a 1 to 5-minute video on your favorite ocean topic, which can be a storytelling version, a documentary on your favorite topic, or an educational video in any fun style you choose.
GUIDELINES
Students will make a "big splash" and have their voices heard through filmmaking! Creativity and ingenuity are highly encouraged. Winning films will be chosen based on creativity and the ability to tell a story that leaves the audience better informed and/or moved about the ocean. This competition is free to enter for all students. Films must be five minutes or less and touch upon at least one of these ocean-related topics:
Ocean environments
Ocean wildlife
Ocean science
Ocean cultures
National Marine Sanctuaries
Ocean sports
Ocean industries
Ocean history
Ocean conservation issues, including climate change, pollution, overfishing, marine debris
Winning films will be chosen based on creativity and the ability to tell a story that leaves the audience better informed about or moved by the ocean.
RULES FOR 2024
The rules are easy and straightforward:
All films must be about the ocean
All films must be less than 5 minutes in length
Films must be made entirely by an individual student or a group of students
We look forward to getting your submission and hearing your story about the ocean! Here are the details:
JUDGING AND PRIZES
An elite jury of professional filmmakers and ocean conservationists will judge all submissions. The three top winners in each category — middle and high school — will be eligible to win cash prizes.
HIGH SCHOOL
1st Place - $500
2nd Place -$300
3rd Place - $200
MIDDLE SCHOOL
1st Place - $200
2nd Place - $150
3rd Place - $100
Filmmaking Resources
Find resources, photos and footage, and tips for making your film: download the SFC Film Resources guide.
Elyas Masrour, a high school student in NY, won the IOFF 2020 Student Film Competition with his film Night of the Crabs. He has 3 tips for future contestants.
The International Student Film Competition is generously supported by the Dr. Seuss Foundation, RingCentral and individual donors.
Top photo: Inseparable Ave, Andrew Harrison Brown, USA