2024 IOFF
The 21st Annual IOFF was an in-person event on April 12-14, 2025 at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture located along the northern waterfront of San Francisco, California, as well as a virtual film festival component. Special programs focused 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 included post-screening filmmaker Q&A sessions as well as panel discussions with ocean specialists, scientists, industry experts, filmmakers and more.
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
PROGRAM #1
4:00 pm
Sequoias of the Sea Natasha Benjamin*, Ana Blanco*, (USA) 14 min
Active Anilao Walter Marti* (USA) 5 min BAY AREA PREMIERE
The Passage Boogs Rosales, (Philippines) 20 min WORLD PREMIERE
Wild Hope: Return of the Manatees (USA) 16 min
The Forgotten Coast Chris Burkhard, (USA) 17 min
PROGRAM #2 - OPENING NIGHT
7:00 pm
Deep Trouble Lavinia Currier* (USA) 10 min
Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power Nicolas Brown (UK) 85 min WORLD PREMIERE
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
PROGRAM #3
10:00 am
Konstantinus' Legacy - Awakening the Love for Nature Daniel Bichsel, (Germany) 6 min
841 Rachel Burnett*, (USA) 16 min BAY AREA PREMIERE
The Granny Grommets Leah Rustomjee, (Australia) 9 min US PREMIERE
Disappearing Jewels Will Kim, (USA) 15 min
Until the End of the World, ENVIRONMENT AWARD - Francesco de Augustinis, (Italy) 60 min, US PREMIERE
PANEL DISCUSSION #1
12:00 pm
PROGRAM #4 - Shark Soiree
1:00 pm
Kahu Manō David W McGuire*, (USA) 22 min WORLD PREMIERE
Shark Researchers: A New Approach to Shark Conservation Arnau Argemi González, (Spain) 3 min US PREMIERE
Great White Summer Nick Budabin*, (USA) 79 min WORLD PREMIERE
PANEL DISCUSSION #2
3:30 pm
PROGRAM #5
4:00 pm
Tahlequah the Whale: A Dance of Grief, ANIMATION AWARD - Daniel Kreizberg, (Lithuania) 15 min, BAY AREA PREMIERE
Orca - Black & White Gold Sarah Nörenberg, (Austria) 93 min
PROGRAM #6 - SURF NIGHT
7:00 pm
With the Tide, DEI AWARD - Chelsea J Jolly,* (USA) 25 min BAY AREA PREMIERE
Zoe Gaby Scott, (USA) 27 min
Daughters of the Waves, OCEAN SPORTS AWARD - Lisa Monin & Sebastien Daguerressar, (France) 53 min
SUNDAY, APRIL 14
PROGRAM #7
10:00 am
Deep Look: How Does the Mussel Grow its Beard? Josh Cassidy, (USA) 4 min
Expedition Amana, GOLDEN GATE AWARD - Mason Le & Kai Smith & Julian Goodman & Niki Wallin, (USA) 7 min WORLD PREMIERE
Keepers of the Land, COASTAL CULTURE AWARD - Deirdre Leowinata* & Douglas Neasloss (Canada) 29 min, BAY AREA PREMIERE
Daughter of the Sea Nicole Gormley & Nancy Kwon, (USA) 17 min
Fish with A Story Karen Logan & Melissa Raemakers, (South Africa) 45 min
PANEL DISCUSSION #3
12:00 pm
PROGRAM #8
1:00 pm
Kingdom of Ice: Antarctica's Leopard Seals, SHORT AWARD - Paul Nicklen & Andy Mann, (Canada) 9 min
Why Blame the Seagulls? JURY AWARD - Philip Hamilton, (UK) 36 min, US PREMIERE
A Disappearing Forest Tyler Schiffman, (USA) 9 min
Alien Contact, MARINE WILDLIFE AWARD - Rick Rosenthal*, (USA) 50 min
PANEL DISCUSSION #4
3:30 pm
PROGRAM #9
4:00 pm
Return of the Mangroves Leo Thom, (USA) 9 min WORLD PREMIERE
Dahican Boogs Rosales, (Philippines) 16 min
Haulout, JURY AWARD - Evgenia Arbugaeva & Maxim Arbugaeva, (UK) 25 min
The Blue Quest Palawan, CONSERVATION AWARD - Clément Pourtal, Jérôme Brousse, (France) 47 min WORLD PREMIERE
Panel Discussions
Experience thought-provoking panel discussions that were held at the Tide Pool at Fort Mason on April 13th and 14th, 2024. These engaging conversations highlight innovation and collaboration. Gain valuable insights from industry experts discussing key topics shaping the future. Don't miss the opportunity to see the dynamic exchange of ideas and expertise by watching the full videos below.
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PANEL #1
Ocean Frontiers: Demystifying Blue Carbon and the Blue Economy -
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PANEL #2
Sharks & Us: Can Knowledge Lead to Coexistence? -
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PANEL #3
Delivering on the Promise of 30x30 -
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PANEL #4
Filming for Impact
Award Winners
2024 Category Winners
Coastal Culture Award: Keepers of the Land Deirdre Leowinata & Douglas Neasloss
Conservation Award: The Blue Quest – Palawan Clément Pourtal & Jérôme Brousse
DEI Award: With the Tide Chelsea J. Jolly
Environment Award: Until the End of the World Francesco de Augustinis
Ocean Sports Award: Daughters of the Waves Lisa Monin & Sebastien Daguerressar
Marine Wildlife Award: Alien Contact Rick Rosenthal
Short Award: Kingdom of Ice: Antarctica's Leopard Seals Paul Nicklen & Andy Mann
Animation Award: Tahlequah The Whale: A Dance of Grief Daniel Kreizberg
Golden Gate Award: Expedition Amana Mason Le & Kai Smith & Julian Goodman & Niki Wallin
Jury Award: Haulout Evgenia Arbugaeva & Maxim Arbugaeva
Jury Award: Why Blame the Seagulls? Philip Hamilton
2024 Ocean Heroes
The International Ocean Film Foundation (IOFF) is proud to partner with Bay Area and national organizations whose mission and purpose are dedicated to protecting our oceans and marine life. We call them our Ocean Heroes.
As we plan to present our 21st Anniversary celebration in person in April 2024, we are excited to be partnering with our Ocean Heroes.
To find out more about our Ocean Heroes and how you can participate, please contact us at info@intloceanfilmfest.org.
Get Involved
Since 2004, the International Ocean Film Foundation (IOFF) has been recognized around the world as the premier ocean-themed film festival for its compelling, inspiring, and thought-provoking independent films.
As a nonprofit arts organization, IOFF relies on the loyalty, passion, and financial contributions of our donors to present four days of special events and the best independent ocean-inspired films from around the world. We couldn’t make it happen without your support!