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.
Ain't No Fish
(USA/UK) Tom Gasek, Miki Cash, 4 min*
A short stop-motion animation played to Hoagy Carmichael's eponymous music by a three-piece band of Arctic seals. From below the surface and in the background, the long-term effects of garbage and oil pollution balance the upbeat soundtrack, to deliver an entertaining yet ironic message. - AB
Haenyeo: Women of the Sea
(USA) Kevin Sawicki, Alex Igidbashian, Daye Jeong, 12 min
Chuwar Park is a vibrant 82-year-old Haenyeo diver one of the women free divers of Jeju Island in South Korea have, for centuries, collected seaweed, conch, abalone and other sea creatures without the use of scuba equipment. Here is a unique matriarchal culture that has changed little since the 19th century. - KH
Fish Reef Project – Helping Ocean Life Thrive!
(USA) Chris Goldblatt, 8 min*
Off the coast of Santa Barbara, Chris Goldblatt, a former commercial and sport fisherman and diver, launches a project to create an artificial reef using concrete "reef balls." This film documents the sea life found around two reef balls soon after they have been dropped into the ocean. -ST
Jamaica Reef Rescue
(USA) Alison Barrat, 24 min
A documentary on how decades-long problems caused by overfishing, pollution, and the effects of devastating hurricanes can be reversed when conservationists and fishermen work together. The first-ever fish sanctuary in Jamaica is a success, restoring both the beauty and the marine life of coral reefs. -AB
Drôle d'Histoire (A Strange Story)
(Switzerland), Jose Lachat, 5 min
The elusive story of marine feeding interactions captured in this captivating short film – a tiny, unsuspecting rock crab is hunted by a patiently waiting, crafty, and well-disguised octopus. -GC
Ocean Men: Extreme Dive
(USA) Bob Talbot, 40 min*
Free divers reach extreme ocean depths just by holding their breath, foregoing the use of any breathing apparatus. Two divers attempt to break the sport's depth record in their own ways. Each has a different background, training method and philosophy. This film combines beautiful underwater imagery with the tension of a life-and-death challenge. –ST
3:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: Extreme Diving
Panel Moderator: Doug Chartier, SFIOFF Board Member and avid recreational diver Hear the stories, relive their experiences, and interact with extreme divers. Our expert panel includes underwater filmmakers and photographers, an international free-dive competition judge, a mixed-gas deep diver, and a diver who swims with white sharks.
Ron Elliot, White shark videographer Francesca Koe, International Ocean Free Diving Competition Judge Mandy-Rae Krack, Seven time World Record Holder and Freediving Champion Bob Talbot, Filmmaker Matt Vieta, Technical diver
