Celebrating its 5th Anniversary in 2008, The The San Francisco Ocean Film Festival is a volunteer-driven 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to using film to improve public understanding of the environmental, social and cultural importance of marine ecosystems and to increase active participation in ocean conservation.
SFOFF is the premier venue in North America for ocean films and media and celebrates its 6th anniversary in 2009. For the past five years, we have produced an acclaimed festival of ocean-themed films from all over the world that are largely unavailable to the general public. Themes range from marine science and industry to wildlife, environment, coastal cultures, sports and adventure. SFOFF's programs are intended not only to entertain the audience but, more importantly, to educate and encourage active participation in ocean conservation.
Watch the 2008 Festival Trailer
It's a Wrap!
Thanks to all who came and supported the 5th San Francisco Ocean Film Festival! From a spectacular Opening Night Party at Aquarium of the Bay to a weekend of sell-out programs at Cowell Theater, this year's Festival presented 50 films, with 28 filmmaker guests in attendance, to an estimated 4,500 filmgoers.
SFOFF's Undersea Party
The Bay Area's marine and filmmaking communities celebrated SFOFF's 5th Anniversary in style at the Opening Night Party on Friday, February 1 at the beautiful Aquarium of the Bay on San Francisco's waterfront. The evening featured exceptional food and beverages from the Bay Area's top restaurants and vineyards as well as a silent auction and two fabulous live acts – Huna Wai Hawaiian Band and legendary locals The Mermen . Guests also got a sneak peak of Grant Washburn's new film Quest for Fear, with spectacular surfing footage and an original soundtrack by The Mermen. SFOFF thanks Aquarium of the Bay for sponsoring this Opening Night celebration.
Special Events
In a special Festival presentation, Roger Payne and Lisa Harrow captivated audiences with their performance of Sea Change: Reversing the Tide at the Cowell Theater on January 31. The renowned whale biologist and actress couple earned a standing ovation and participated in lively audience Q&A. Miss the show? - a DVD of this San Francisco performance will be available shortly. Keep posted for details or visit seachangeinstitute.org
Community Projects
Thank you to SFOFF's first corporate sponsor CREDO Mobile for supporting the Bay Area Oil Spill Video Project. With CREDO Mobile's support, we were able to shine a spotlight on local films and filmmakers and grassroots community activism, uniting our efforts to clean up the Bay. View the festival selections on our YouTube Channel
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2nd Annual Student Festival
A greater number of schools participated in SFOFF's 2nd Annual Student Festival with 10 groups visiting the Cowell Theater from as far afield as Oakland and San Jose. Over 1,000 high and middle school students had the opportunity to venture beneath the waves in four programs over two days.
SFOFF in the News
SFOFF 08 had great media coverage, including KRON, Comcast 11, KTVU, San Francisco Chronicle (6 articles, including Opening Night as 'Invitation of the Week'), San Francisco Magazine, SF Weekly, Sunset Magazine and more. Read further:
SF Chronicle: Judy Irving
SF Chronicle: Saving Luna
2008 Festival Awards
Congratulations to our winners and to all SFOFF's 2008 filmmakers for their stunning contributions to this year's Festival.
ADVENTURE AWARD: Of Wind and Waves: The Life of Woody Brown, David L. Brown
ARTISTIC AWARD: Ribbon of Sand, John Grabowska
AUDIENCE AWARD: Saving Luna, Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit
CULTURE AWARD: Titans of the Coral Sea, Jordan Plotsky
ENVIRONMENT AWARD: Papa Tortuga, Rob Wilson
FAR-OUT AWARD: Dungeness, Janette Scott
WILDLIFE AWARD: A Man Among Orcas, Jean-François Barthod
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