What: 11th Annual San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival
The 11th annual San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival (SFIOFF), North America's premier cinemaquatic© event, will dock at San Francisco's Bay Theatre for five days of ocean-themed films, discussions, and special events. Nearly 50 films, submitted by filmmakers from over 17 countries will fill the festival, including various world and U.S. premieres on film topics ranging from diving to surfing, sharks to ocean conservation, island cultures to the cultural importance of the world's marine resources.
Shark Sanctuary
(USA) Simon Christopher, 6 min
A proposed shark sanctuary in the Semporna Region of Malaysian Borneo aims to create a win-win for both sharks and the local economy. -VJ
Az óceán óriásai (Giants of the Ocean)
(Hungary) Zsolt Sasdi, 26 min
The oceans host many strange and unique species – among them are giants. This film presents the fascinating lives of the West Indian manatee, manta ray, whale shark and sperm whale through captivating photography and fascinating animation. -GC
Baja
(Mexico) Erick Higuera, 5 min*
Using compelling cinematography and powerful music filmmaker Higuera takes us on a stunning exploration of the Sea of Cortez, a world still teeming with sharks, manta rays, whales, marine mammals and huge schools of fish. -GC
Balance
(USA) Skyler Thomas, 12 min*
Nature seeks balance through complex predator-prey relationships. White sharks are the unifying factor in this global tour of one apex predator's hunting grounds. The effects of human disruption make us question the superior "intelligence" of our species; we're advised to "live with the earth, not on it." -MJS
Extinction Soup
(USA) Philip Waller, 58 min*
An actor, an adventurer and an activist cooperate to save sharks in Hawaii, discovering along the way that it is humans who will be in hot water if shark fin soup is not purged from the menu. -DM
3:00 Panel Discussion: Shark Sanctuaries and Ecotourism
Panel Moderator: David McGuire, Director, Shark Stewards A discussion amongst shark specialists, conservationists and filmmakers, speaking on the value of ecotourism in conservation and the creation of shark sanctuaries designed to protect sharks and marine ecosystems.
James Moskito, Director, Great White Adventures, Shark Ecotourism Guide and Media Production Stefani Brendl, Executive Producer Extinction Soup, Founder, Shark Alliance Phillip Waller, Director/Producer, Extinction Soup Erick Higuera, Marine Biologist, Filmmaker, Shark Tourism Guide