Make way for the most blue festival to arrival in St. Petersburg. The Blue Ocean Film Festival and Summit Conservation starts this week, spanning Nov. 3-9. This is the festival’s first year in the Tampa Bay region, which co-hosts the event on alternating years with Monaco.
The Blue Ocean Festival combines screenings of more than 100 award-winning ocean films and showcases acclaimed ocean photography. Leaders, photographers, filmmakers, scientists and the public will come together to discuss issues our oceans face, collaborate on future improvement, and honor impressive oceanic films.
Muvico Sundial will screen ongoing films throughout the week, while the Mahaffey Theatre presents special screenings and galas with speaker Q&A’s. Lectures and panels take place at the Bayfront Hilton as the event’s headquarters. The Poynter Institute, the Salvador Dali Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts are some of the other venues holding events.
Are you looking to learn more about the ocean and latest research? World class speakers will discuss latest science, provide insight, and debate issues.
Aquanaut Fabien Cousteau, the grandson of the famous Jacques-Yves Cousteau, will present his film, Mission 31. But the expert panels only get better from here: Popular Science’s executive editor, Jennifer Bogo; expedition director and academy award winner, John Bruno; and the highly celebrated oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.
But the anticipation for films might be building for the critically-acclaimed.
“I am most looking forward to seeing the films by James Cameron, Jean-Michel Cousteau and Sylvia Earle,” said Deborah Immig, a Blue Ocean Festival volunteer.
There is an app for everything, and this is no exception. The event’s free app breaks down the schedule to help find event locations, provides film descriptions, and outlines speaker biographies. Search your iPhone App Store or Android Marketplace for this application.
The BLUE Carpet Awards, taking place on Friday, will identify the best from the international film competition in 22 categories. The Florida Orchestra will perform a score after the featured screening Saturday night. On Sunday the festival wraps up with the film “Trashed” starring actor and activist, Jeremy Irons, who will be there to speak at the screening.
Blue’s Mission Statements reads, “To use the power of film, photography, entertainment and science to educate, empower and inspire ocean stewardship around the globe.” This festival aims to bring awareness to the serious issues faced by marine systems.
Tickets can be purchased for the entire festival or for individual events, both offering student prices. BLUE merchandise is also available at the bookstore, located in the Hilton.
