BLUE Ocean Film Festival and Conservation Summit will bring together filmmakers, photographers, scientists, divers and ocean enthusiasts in Monterey, California August 24-29 for a multi-media global ocean event that will honor 70+ of the world’s best ocean films while empowering professionals with the latest developments in underwater film and photography technologies, The mission of BLUE is focused on leveraging the power of film to help protect the ocean and the life within. Industry passes are available at www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org
“Ocean lovers, film & photography amateurs and media professionals all get the rare opportunity to interact with the icons in underwater filmmaking and photography,” said Debbie Kinder, BLUE founder. “It’s a chance to meet and learn from the great explorers, filmmakers, photographers, scientists, artists, celebrities and environmental heroes who’ve traveled the world in pursuit of their profession and are passionately dedicated to stewardship of our ocean and the health of our BLUE planet.”
In addition to the award-winning ocean films, BLUE features photography exhibits, conservation seminars, business of filmmaking panels and presentations, pitching sessions, film and photography equipment demos, VIP parties and networking events. Even deep ocean submersibles will be on hand for participants to learn about the opportunities to capture images from the yet to be explored depths.
Several famous marine cinematographers and photographers such as Bob Talbot and Howard Hall will provide mentoring and insider tips in special instructional sessions. Photographer Kip Evans will conduct an exceptional in-the-field workshop using DSLR technologies that blend the traditional boundaries between motion and still. Ocean activities will take place within NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, part of the national marine sanctuary system.
Other highlights of the festival include a festival long tribute to Jacques Cousteau, exhibition by National Geographic photographer David Doubilet and appearances by ocean luminaries Dr. Sylvia Earle and Jean-Michel Cousteau, as well as celebrity guests.
BLUE Ocean Film Festival’s presenting sponsor is Monterey Bay Aquarium. Other sponsors include Cannery Row Company, Amphibico, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Make a Difference Media Foundation, Code Blue Foundation, City of Monterey, Disneynature, Light & Motion, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, FootageSearch/OceanFootage, Realscreen, Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Marine Mammal Conservation Through the Arts, International League of Conservation Photographers, Sanibel Sea School, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, Shark Research Institute, National Geographic, ARKive, SeaWeb, Center for Ocean Solutions, The Inns of Monterey and the Portola Hotel and Spa. Registration information is online at: www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org
