Ocean and film lovers from around the Bay Area and beyond are preparing to take a dive into the seven seas—without getting wet—at the Seventh Annual San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, running February 3 – 7 at Theatre 39 on PIER 39.
Discover the shocking secrets that lie just below the water’s edge in the multi-award winning documentary The Cove. Photo by the Oceanic Preservation Society
By Kati Schmidt
Published: February, 2010
Uncharted Seas
The San Francisco Ocean Film Festival began seven years ago, after Dolphin Club swimmer and ocean enthusiast Krist Jake attended the Banff Mountain Film Festival traveling program, and was inspired by its ocean-focused films. At the time, there were more than 20 mountain film festivals all over the world, but none dedicated to the oceans. Krist founded the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival in 2004, which included 25 films over a three-day event.
“The combination of world-class work by local and international filmmakers, support from swimming, boating and other waterfront organizations, and a dedicated, hard-working team of volunteers makes the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival a truly outstanding event,” said Krist.
50 Films, 5 Oceans, 1 Festival
The film committee, led by Keith Howell, Mary Jane Schramm and Sid Hollister, with support from Pamela Morse and David McGuire, was given the entertaining but intense task of selecting the 2010 lineup from more than 130 films entered.
“As usual, the films submitted to the festival covered a broad range, but this year it is broader than usual. The result is that we are offering a cioppino of films about the oceans,” said Hollister. “There is much food for thought, some wonderful surprises, and many delights for the eye.”
“Our ‘stars’ include clever killer whales that specialize in making sharks into sushi. And our films’ heroes include eco-commandos who risk their lives to save dolphins and whales from the harpoon, and a woman determined to row the Atlantic, solo,” said Schramm.
“The Festival is an exciting event to celebrate the ocean, ocean life and ocean activities,” said David McGuire, shark program organizer and moderator of the new sustainability panel discussion taking place at Aquarium of the Bay on Saturday, February 6. “Our interest in sustainable seas is demonstrated in films such as The Cove and The End of the Line, as well as the shark films.”
Filmmakers from near and far submit work into the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival. Local participating filmmakers for 2010 include:
• 2009 SAP 505 World Championship by Vincent Casalaina
• A Sheltered Sea: The Southern Passage by The Baum Foundation
• Bicycle Trip by Patrick Trefz
• Edge of the Sea by Maria Jose Calderon
• From the Badlands to Alcatraz by Nancy Iverson
• Isla Holbox: Whale Shark Island by Kip Evans
• Life by the Tide by Joshua Cassidy
• Physics of Sailing by Josh Rose and Joan Johnson of KQED QUEST
• Profile: Sylvia Earle by Amy Miller and Joan Johnson of KQED QUEST
• Seahorse Sleuths by Joan Johnson and Jenny Oh of KQED QUEST
• Wastewater Woes by Amy Miller and Sheraz Sadiq of KQED QUEST
“The Festival is in my own backyard and the people here care a lot about ocean issues; it’s a great venue for making a difference,” said filmmaker Kip Evans.
Other Highlights for the Seventh Annual San Francisco Ocean Film Festival Include:
• Screening of The Cove on Thursday, February 4 at 7 p.m.
In this multi-award-winning film, dolphin activist Ric O’Barry launches a covert commando operation to unmask a Japanese fishing village’s dirty little secret. Filmmaker Louie Psihoyos will lead a Q&A session following the screening.
• Meet the Filmmakers Reception at Aquarium of the Bay: Friday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Party with the filmmakers—and sharks—while enjoying hosted appetizers, sustainable seafood, wine and beer by Fish Restaurant, Hog Island Oyster Company, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Blue Mermaid Chowder House, Schramsberg, Greens Restaurant, Scoma’s, Fog Harbor and others. The evening also features live music by the El Dorados and much more. Tickets are $60 for this benefit event.
• Surfing Program: Friday, February 5 at 7pm
A new surfing-focused program of films will include Surfbus, Santa Cruz-based Bicycle Trip, and Sea of Darkness, a modern-day pirate tale of exploration, adventure, and the discovery of jungle surf spots off the remote Indonesian coastline.
• Shark Program: Saturday, February 6 at 10 a.m.
This Festival favorite will include six shark-focused films, including a look at white shark tagging in local waters, in White Shark Café by Sean Aronson, and the world premiere of Isla Holbox: Whale Shark Island by Kip Evans.
• Sustainable Fisheries, Sustainable Seas Panel Discussion: Saturday, February 6 at 12:15 p.m.
Following the Festival’s shark program, sustainable seafood gurus including David McGuire of SeaStewards.org, Casson Trenor of Tataki Sushi & Sake Bar, Crystal Sanders of Aquarium of the Bay, Kenny Belov of Fish Restaurant and Christopher Chin, executive director and founder of C.O.A.R.E. will lead a panel discussion on ocean sustainability, from fishing to consumption.
Visit www.oceanfilmfest.org for a full Festival lineup and to purchase program tickets, Festival passes, discounted parking passes and more.
Seventh Annual San Francisco Ocean Film Festival at a Glance
When: February 3-7, 2010
Where: Theatre 39 at PIER 39, San Francisco
Cost:
• Single program ticket: Adults, $12; Children/Seniors: $8
• Program ticket plus Aquarium admission: Adults, $18; Children/Seniors: $14
• Meet the Filmmakers Reception: $60
• Festival and VIP passes: $85-$175
Tickets and Info: www.oceanfilmfest.org or (415) 561-6251
In National Geographic explorer Jon Bowermaster’s Terra Antarctica, kayakers meet big ice off Enterprise Island, the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo by Fiona Stewart
Witness local scientists hot on the trail to discovery in helping save some of the ocean’s most enchanting creatures in KQED QUEST’s Seahorse Sleuths. Photo courtesy of KQED-QUEST, Joan Johnson
