The Ocean Film Festival World Tour will return Sept. 6, celebrating 12 incredible years of inspiring, educating, and protecting our oceans. This annual event, which has touched lives across 14 countries, will screen at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, bringing the captivating beauty of the underwater world to our community.
For over a decade, the Ocean Film Festival has been a global beacon for ocean lovers, showcasing the wonder and power of the sea through a curated selection of films from talented independent filmmakers worldwide. This year’s tour promises to mesmerize audiences with a three-hour program of breathtaking visuals and compelling stories, offering a deep dive into the heart of our oceans and the lives of those who cherish them.
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is a celebration of our planet’s blue heart. Through its stunning cinematography and powerful narratives, the festival aims to inspire a deeper connection with the ocean and encourage audiences to take action to protect this vital ecosystem.
Whether you’re a seasoned ocean enthusiast, a weekend surfer, or someone who marvels at the mysteries of the deep, this festival promises an unforgettable cinematic journey.
Tickets and information: visit www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2025/9/6/oceanfilm
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THE CALL — Nolan Grose (12 minutes: USA)
In the lush landscape of Kauai, Mike Coots discovers his calling through the ocean. A naturally gifted surfer and photographer, he captures the breathtaking world of Hawaiian surf culture with remarkable artistry.
His photographs transform local surfing scenes into powerful visual stories, revealing the deep connection between humans and the sea.
A life-changing moment will challenge everything Mike knows, forcing him to reimagine his relationship with the ocean. “The Call” is an inspiring journey of transformation, showcasing how passion can evolve and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
ASTRONAUT IN THE OCEAN — Bimarian Films (11 minutes: USA)
Bodyboarding demands a pioneering spirit and fearless heart. Where surfing basks in fame and fortune, Shane Ackerman finds pure freedom riding the waves.
A crane operator in the mines by day, Shane’s true life unfolds in those moments when he crashes through ocean swells, proving that passion transcends financial reward.
For him, work is merely a means to an end — a way to fund the moments of absolute liberation found on his bodyboard.
THE GODDESS — Dean Cropp (8 minutes: Australia)
In this ethereal short film, a poetic love letter unfolds as a diver plunges deep beneath the waves.
His voice, rich with wonder and tenderness, narrates an ode to his “love,” weaving a vivid tapestry of underwater life.
A celebration of nature’s beauty and an invitation to fall in love with the world beneath the waves, Goddess is a poetic exploration of connection, reverence, and the profound bond between humanity and the sea.
AQUABALLET — Alex Voyer (5 minutes: France)
Aquaballet is a mesmerizing underwater performance where dancer Mariane Aventurier blends her deepest passions into a breathtaking artistic journey.
Filmed in the crystal waters of French Polynesia alongside her partner, photographer Alex Voyer, the film is a poetic dance with marine life, transforming the ocean into a living stage.
Accompanied by Stephane Lopez’s haunting musical composition, Aventurier creates an ethereal performance that celebrates the beauty and grace of underwater creatures, turning her lifelong dream into a stunning visual poem.
FOOTPRINTS ON KATMAI — Max Romey (22 mins : Alaska USA)
In a poignant journey of discovery, artist and filmmaker Max Romey follows the faded traces of his grandmother’s sketchbooks to the wild, remote beaches of Katmai, Alaska.
Joining a team of marine debris experts, Romey uncovers an unexpected narrative of human impact — revealing how people leave profound marks on this pristine landscape without ever physically setting foot on its shores.
WE THE SURFERS — Arthur Bourbon (38 minutes: France)
Set in the coastal towns of Liberia, an unexpected cultural exchange transforms lives through the universal language of surfing.
A group of European surfers arrives with more than just boards — they bring hope, connection, and joy to a community hungry for opportunity and healing. By establishing a surf club and teaching local children and teenagers how to ride the waves, these visitors create more than just a recreational space — they build a lifeline of empowerment.
The documentary follows the remarkable stories of Liberian youth whose lives are dramatically changed by discovering surfing. What begins as a simple athletic pursuit becomes a profound journey of self-discovery, mental resilience, and community building.
Through the rhythm of the waves, these young people find purpose, confidence, and a pathway to reimagine their futures, proving that sometimes the most powerful humanitarian aid is not just about survival, but about creating moments of pure, transformative joy.
WHITE ROCK — Stefan Andrews (35 minutes: Australia)
White Rock is a documentary exposing a hidden impact of the climate crisis – the explosion of long spined seaurchins devastating Australia’s kelp forests.
Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, White Rock exposes the threat and presents tangible solutions to save Australia’s kelp forests before it’s too late.
The film takes viewers to the front line of these efforts, introducing commercial divers who are actively harvesting urchins. It follows the journey of restoration, contrasting the barren seascapes and the remarkable recovery of reefs — a testament to how human intervention can reverse environmental devastation.