2026 International Ocean Film Festival

Celebrate World Oceans Week at the 23rd International Ocean Film Festival, hosted by Florida Oceanographic Society. This impactful evening will be a reminder to how important our oceans are to all life on Earth and leave you inspired to join efforts to conserve them for generations to come! 

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

This event is part of the Florida Tour of the International Ocean Film Foundation's 23rd annual film festival.  The program includes 8 short, conservation-focused films with a screening time of approximately 100 minutes. Remarks by Florida Oceanographic Society's Executive Director & CEO, Mark Perry and our Presenting Sponsor will follow. 

2026 IOFF Film Selections:

• The Race to 30x30 with Sylvia Earle - Andy Mann | UK

Sylvia Earle makes an urgent call to push world leaders to achieve the 30×30 goal, explains its importance and how we can save the planet by protecting our ocean.

• The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows -  Andrew Lynch, Ben Ayers and Rush Sturges | USA 

Deer Isle, Maine is home to one of the world’s most productive lobster ports. However, warming waters and invisible microplastic pollution threatens the future of lobster there. Through the lens --and commitment--of the filmmaker, Abby Barrows seeks to find solutions to the plastic crisis in her own community on Deer Isle. Together with a father and daughter who work as lobster fishers, they reimagine fishing without the use of plastics to make fishing more sustainable.

• Life on the Edges - Stories from the Frontlines of Climate Resilience - Andi R Cross and Adam Moore | Australia, USA

The edges of Earth that is - across 45 countries and a time span of three years, this expedition set out to explore some of the planet’s most remote and rapidly changing ecosystems - both above and below the waterline. Traveling by sailboat to some of the most remote places on Earth, we learn that the future is already being built in some of the most unexpected places by the most unexpected people, and climate resilience is already happening. Known as positive deviance, it’s an enviable adventure to beautiful places around the world.

• Replanting a Garden - Anthony W Wallace | Canada

After a devastating coral bleaching event, Jamaican fishers, scientists, and wardens unite to restore their reef and their livelihoods. Replanting a Garden follows the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary as they replant resilient coral, protect fragile waters, and rebuild community—revealing how caring for the ocean strengthens both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

• Stone Biter: Save the Artic Sea Forests - Ismaele Tortella | Norway

A beautifully moving story about determination and surprises found along the way. Novice Italian scuba diver Ismaele braves the icy waters of Norway to become certified in an attempt to film the iconic wolffish. What he discovers is an ocean floor stripped bare, where once thriving sea forests have mostly vanished. He unravels the mystery of the missing kelp and meets a group of individuals rooted in resilience, restoration and hope, determined to save the ecosystem.

• Monterey Bay White Sharks - Kip Evans and Dr. Barbara Block | USA

Off the Central California coast renowned Monterey Bay area scientist Dr. Barbara Block and her team are using the latest technology to uncover some of the most amazing secrets of great white sharks. Directed by National Geographic photographer Kip Evans, the goal of this film is to not only raise awareness but to advance research, conservation and the protection of great white sharks and their marine ecosystems.

• The Bottom Line - Ben Mallaby | UK

This entertaining and eye-opening short is filmed at a restaurant. The dinner guest asks the waiter if the fish is caught sustainably and he responds it is. Then the waiter explains the way that fish are being caught in the UK (including marine protected areas) and the impact it has, something that clearly the guest wasn’t aware of.

• All Eyes on Antarctica - Kathryn Francis and Campbell Brewer | UK

As Antarctic marine protection stalls, exploitative krill fishing threatens whales, wildlife, and one of Earth’s most vital climate regulators. With global decisions controlled by a few nations, this film unites ocean leaders, scientists, and policymakers to break the decade-long deadlock—revealing why what happens in Antarctica impacts ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide.

Doors open at 6pm. Films will begin promptly at 6:30 pm, so please plan to arrive early! 

A special thanks to our sponsors for supporting this community event!

Presenting Sponsor:  

Film Sponsors: 

*Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact [email protected] for more information.