The 22nd Annual International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org), dedicated to showcasing films that inspire appreciation and care for the ocean, announces this year’s award winners in the categories: Coastal Culture, Conservation, DEI, Director, Environment, Exploration, Golden Gate (bestowed to San Francisco Bay Area filmmaker), Marine Sciences, Short and Jury. Entries included documentary films in short, animation and full-length categories. Ten honorees were selected from more than 200 entries representing 35 countries. These 10, plus a juried selection of additional outstanding films, will be presented April 11 - 13 at the Cowell Theatre, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco. An advance screening showcasing two films will take place on Saturday, April 5, at the Smith San Rafael Film Center in San Rafael--home of the Mill Valley Film Festival. Festival Passes, plus Individual, Student, Youth and Senior Sunday tickets available: https://intloceanfilmfest.org/2025-tickets-passes. 

“This year’s submissions were of the highest quality production wise, spanning a broad range of ocean-inspired topics. Selecting our official selections was very challenging, as all film submissions were outstanding,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director. “A competitive, award-winning festival, the International Ocean Film Festival is a global platform for ocean literacy and education through independent film. Engaging audiences with what lies below the ocean waterline through the power of film is what makes our festival so special and provides a unique opportunity for filmmakers around the world.”

Filmmakers for this, the 22nd year, took on a wide variety of themes, including ocean plastic, the beauty of nature, loss of biodiversity, and personal stories about moving forward after a near-death experience in the water. Judges cited “Turtle Walker,” winner of the Conservation Award, as a majestic account of the power of one person and what he or she can do to help save a species. Blanco added, “We were also impressed with the in-depth reporting presented in “Monsters,” winner of the Golden Gate Award. Audiences are seeking inspiring stories that are hopeful and affect change in our global effort to protect our planet.”

2025 Category Winners

Coastal Culture Award: One With the Whale Pete Chelkowski, Jim Wickens, USA

Conservation Award: Turtle Walker Taira Malaney, India

DEI Award: Above Sinai Kylie Zarmati, USA

Director Award: The Big Sea Chris Nelson, Lewis Arnold, UK

Environment Award: Sequoias of the Sea Ana Blanco, Natasha Benjamin, USA

Exploration Award: Arctic Dive Philipp Herrman Griess, Germany

Golden Gate Award: Monsters Skyler Thomas, USA

Marine Sciences Award: Defend the Deep Liz Rubin, Richard Charter, USA

Short Award: The Mother of Diamonds – Kimberlite Alexander Benedik, Austria

Jury Award: Peixinho Kaushiik Subramaniam, UK

Italicized are San Francisco Bay Area filmmakers.