Film selections were announced for the BLUE Ocean Film Festival, presented by Monterey Bay Aquarium August 24-29 in Monterey, CA. BLUE is a one-of-a-kind film industry and community event bringing together films, filmmakers and leaders in ocean research and conservation.
Finalists selected from an unprecedented number of entries include more than 85 ocean-related films in 19 categories. Three films will premier at BLUE. SOLA is a documentary of the dramatic environmental impacts of the Southern Louisiana coastal ecosystem. Beneath the Blue stars Paul Wesley, Caitlin Wachs and David Keith in a story about dolphin scientists, sonar and espionage. Beautiful Wave, a surfing drama set in Santa Cruz, stars Patricia Richardson, Aimee Teegarden, Helen Slater and Lance Henriksen.
Disneynature’s epic documentary Oceans offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea. Ultimate Wave Tahiti featuring Kelly Slater, blending surfing with ocean science, screens in IMAX 3D. Acid Test, narrated by Sigourney Weaver, explores ocean acidification with stunning underwater cinematography. Ocean Men, by award-winning cinematographer Bob Talbot, is a fascinating look into extreme diving. 180 South is a dramatic documentary of adventurers retracing environmentalists Doug Tompkins and Yvon Chouinard’s life-changing 1968 journey to Patagonia.
These and more of the world’s best ocean films will be screened at five Monterey Peninsula theaters. A film industry conference and a conservation summit round out the robust array of activities and events. BLUE will host photography exhibits, seminars, business of filmmaking panels and presentations, pitching sessions, film and photography equipment demos, VIP parties and networking events. Featured guests include Julie Packard, Sylvia Earle, Jean-Michel Cousteau, David Doubilet, Don Haun, Howard Hall, Bob Talbot, Greg Stone and other film and environmental ocean leaders. A featured forum “Gulf Oil Spill: Tragedy or Turning Point?” will be hosted by Carl Safina.
BLUE Ocean Film Festival’s presenting sponsor is Monterey Bay Aquarium. Other lead sponsors include Cannery Row Company, Amphibico, Scott Hanson Studios, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Make a Difference Media, Code Blue Foundation, Google, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Portola Hotel & Spa, City of Monterey, Disneynature, MacGillvray Freeman Foundation, Monterey County Weekly, ImmersionOOH, Light & Motion, PADI, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, FootageSearch/OceanFootage, Backscatter, Power Bottles USA, Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Pebble Beach Company, Sea Studios Foundation, KUSP, Oceana, International League of Conservation Photographers, Sanibel Sea School, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Lighthouse Cinemas, Shark Research Institute, National Geographic, ARKive, SeaWeb, Center for Ocean Solutions, Thank You Ocean and The Inns of Monterey. For a complete list of films and registration information, visit: www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org