International Ocean Film Festival

San Francisco, CA, United States, North America

International Ocean Film Festival logo
International Ocean Film Festival

San Francisco, CA, United States, North America

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General Information

edition

18th

organizers

Ana Blanco

Executive Director

Shannon Carey

Festival Operations Manager

Contact details

1007 General Kennedy Ave. Suite 205 The Presidio San Francisco, CA 94129 United States

94129

info@intloceanfilmfest.org

415.561.6251

Web & social

About the festival

The International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) is the premier ocean film festival of its kind in the world.

Now in its 18th year, IOFF has produced an acclaimed festival of independent ocean-related films from all over the world. Themes range from ocean adventure, science, marine life, sports and ocean coastal cultures. The films are not only intended to entertain the audience, but more importantly, to educate and encourage active participation in ocean-specific environmental efforts and better ocean stewardship.

The 18th Annual IOFF will be an online virtual film festival and also be an in-person festival, taking place on March 11- 14, 2021 at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture located along the northern waterfront of San Francisco, California. The multi-day film festival will feature an Opening Night Reception, an Awards Program, and a Wrap Party to finalize the event. The entire festival consists of 10 to 12 programs with each program containing approximately 3 to 4 films. Special programs may focus on topics such as marine wildlife, ocean conservation efforts, environmental issues, coastal cultures and how they engage with the ocean, surfing, sharks, diving, and other subject matter depending on the variety and number of submissions. Programs will include post-screening filmmaker Q&A sessions as well as panel discussions with ocean specialists, scientists, industry experts, filmmakers and more.

A number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned IOFF Traveling Program.

Two major events of the IOFF make up the Education Program, namely the 15th Annual Free Student Education Program, which includes free screenings for middle school and high schools students, and the 10th Annual Student Film Competition for middle school and high school students, with a dedicated program screening the top finalists and cash prizes for the top three winners in each category.

*Photo Credit: Manfred Bartoli

Every year, the IOFF presents awards to one winning filmmaker in each of the following categories: Adventure, Animation, Coastal Cultures, Conservation, Director's Award, Environment, Short, Marine Science/Wildlife, Golden Gate Award (for a local Bay Area filmmaker) and an Audience Award.

**Please select only ONE category per film submission and submit only ONE entry fee per film submission, however, please note that each submission will be considered for all categories.

About

The International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) is the premier ocean film festival of its kind in the world.

Now in its 18th year, IOFF has produced an acclaimed festival of independent ocean-related films from all over the world. Themes range from ocean adventure, science, marine life, sports and ocean coastal cultures. The films are not only intended to entertain the audience, but more importantly, to educate and encourage active participation in ocean-specific environmental efforts and better ocean stewardship.

The 18th Annual IOFF will be an online virtual film festival and also be an in-person festival, taking place on March 11- 14, 2021 at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture located along the northern waterfront of San Francisco, California. The multi-day film festival will feature an Opening Night Reception, an Awards Program, and a Wrap Party to finalize the event. The entire festival consists of 10 to 12 programs with each program containing approximately 3 to 4 films. Special programs may focus on topics such as marine wildlife, ocean conservation efforts, environmental issues, coastal cultures and how they engage with the ocean, surfing, sharks, diving, and other subject matter depending on the variety and number of submissions. Programs will include post-screening filmmaker Q&A sessions as well as panel discussions with ocean specialists, scientists, industry experts, filmmakers and more.

A number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned IOFF Traveling Program.

Two major events of the IOFF make up the Education Program, namely the 15th Annual Free Student Education Program, which includes free screenings for middle school and high schools students, and the 10th Annual Student Film Competition for middle school and high school students, with a dedicated program screening the top finalists and cash prizes for the top three winners in each category.

*Photo Credit: Manfred Bartoli

Every year, the IOFF presents awards to one winning filmmaker in each of the following categories: Adventure, Animation, Coastal Cultures, Conservation, Director's Award, Environment, Short, Marine Science/Wildlife, Golden Gate Award (for a local Bay Area filmmaker) and an Audience Award.

**Please select only ONE category per film submission and submit only ONE entry fee per film submission, however, please note that each submission will be considered for all categories.

Awards & Winners

There are no winners yet for this festival

Terms and rules

FILMMAKER PERKS:
If your film is selected to be a part of the 2021IOFF, you will receive a variety of perks as follows;
• Access for you and one guest to the Opening Night Reception (Thursday, March 11th), all screenings, panel discussions, workshops and Wrap Party (includes other events as they come online)
• Discounted or complimentary) hotel lodging with our hotel sponsor, depending on availability
• Opportunities to engage with the press and media
• Opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the audience each time your film is screened
• Potential for your film to be selected for the IOFF Traveling Program

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
By submitting your films to the IOFF, you hereby grant permission for IOFF to use it for the following purposes:

Stills: Still images from the films will be used on the website, printed materials, banners, and other promotional materials. Please submit one high-resolution headshot of the filmmaker in JPG format.

Clips: Clips of submitted films may be used to promote IOFF by appearing on the IOFF website, in the IOFF annual trailer, possible partnership websites, third-party advertising sponsors (i.e., television spots, newspaper print, magazine ads, etc.)

Trailer: IOFF may request a short trailer for films over 10 minutes (electronically or on DVD) for promotional purposes.

Interim Screenings: In addition to possibly being screened at IOFF during the stated festival dates, accepted films may be screened throughout the year for promotional purposes, as a separate screening in cooperation with other IOFF partnership organizations, and at the IOFF traveling program.

GENERAL RULES and TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• All submissions must be ocean themed.
• All works must be in English or have English subtitles. Entries can be any genre – documentary, narrative fiction, or animation – and can be submitted by professional or amateur filmmakers.
• We have limited program slots for films longer than 60 minutes, but all submissions of this length and longer will be taken into consideration.
• If your film is 50 minutes or longer, it would be helpful for our reviewing process if you also send us a DVD (not Blu-ray).
• Film must be completed by the deadline date in which they are being submitted. Works in progress will not be accepted, and edits to films after they have been submitted will not be allowed.
• More than one film may be submitted, but a separate entry fee must be paid for each.
• IOFF does not pay screening fees or shipping fees in order to screen a film, nor does IOFF underwrite production costs (duplication, subtitling, etc.).
• Upon completion of the Festival selection process, we will attempt to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Applicant of the Film’s acceptance status. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of the selection period (July 2020 – March 2021).
• IOFF is under no obligation to provide to the Applicant or any other representative of the Film any comments or feedback regarding the submitted Film should it not be accepted for exhibition at the Festival.

Ratings & Reviews

Categories and fees

Environmental
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

For the film that best depicts an environmental issue, or is most likely to inspire action.

Marine Sciences/Wildlife
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

For the film that offers the most original or insightful expression of an aspect of marine life.

Exploration and Ocean Sports
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

For the best-documented quest in, on, or around the sea.

Coastal and Island Culture
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

For the best film portraying people for whom the sea is intrinsic to their lives.

Animation
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

For films employing animation techniques (animated drawings, claymation, cut-out paper, etc.) of any length.

Conservation
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

Films depicting efforts to develop sustainable conservation efforts to protect ocean environments and/or marine life.

San Francisco Bay Area Filmmaker
Early Bird (2nd September, 2020) $45
Regular (30th November, 2020) $55
Late (25th January, 2021) $45

Films made by a local Bay Area filmmaker

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