2016 BLUE Film Festival Finalists
St Petersburg, Florida November 10th-13th
2016 BLUE Finalists: Thank You
We want to say Thank You to all of the hundreds filmmakers from around the globe that participated in this year’s ocean film competition. Across the board, the production quality, new information presented, and compelling stories exceed all of our expectations.
We are thrilled to see veteran producers and first-time filmmakers effectively using the power of film to give a voice to troubling issues, great personal stories, and examples of positive progress and inspiring successes.
View Official Announcement Here
We consider every film submitted a winner and encourage you to keep making films and making a difference. We want to express our sincere gratitude to all 45 judges who spent considerable time and effort in thoroughly evaluating the 300+ submissions.
We’re very proud to announce the 2016 international film competition category finalist and honorable mentions as follows:
Broadcast Program
This category honors the best ocean focused programs that have aired or are slated for television broadcast.
Finalist Films
Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth, From Heaven to Hell
Producer: Renee Godfrey, BBC
Dispatches from the Gulf
Producers: Marilyn and Hal Weiner, Screenscope
The Hunt: Hunger At Sea
Producer: Hugh Pearson, Silverback Films
An Ocean Mystery
Producer: Alison Barrat, Khaled bin Sultan Living Ocean Foundation
Sonic Sea
Producers: Natural Resources Defense Council, Imaginary Forces, IFAW, and Diamond Docs
Moby Dick: Heart of a Whale
Producers: Jürgen Stumpfhaus and Nathan Antila, Smithsonian Channel
Honorable Mention Films
Birth of a Marine Park
Producer: Victor Tang, Victor Tang Productions
Call of the Baby Beluga
Producers: Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit, Natural Mystery Films
The Forgotten Coast
Producer: Eric Bendick, Grizzly Creek Films
The Girl Who Talked to Dolphins
Producer: Chris Riley, Smithsonian Channel
Killer Whales: The Mega Hunt
Producer: Table Mountain Films
Shark Junction
Producer: EarthTouch
Broadcast Series
This category honors the best ocean focused series that has aired or is slated for broadcast or online as a scheduled series. Three individual episodes of your choice from the series must be submitted for evaluation in this category.
Finalist Series
American Samoa Culture and Ocean Conservation Film Series
Producer: Jim Knowlton, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society
Ocean Parks Series
Producer: John Wesley Chisholm, Arcadia Entertainment
Our Big Blue Backyard Series
Producer: Judith Curran and Samantha McKegg, NHNZ
Water Brothers Series
Producer: Tyler MIfflin and Alex MIfflin, The Water Brothers
WPBT2 Changing Seas Series
Producer: WPBT2/ South Florida PBS, Changing Seas Team
Honorable Mention Series
Canada Over the Edge
Producer: John Wesley Chisholm, Arcadia Content
Guy Harvey Expedition Series
Producer: George C Schellenger and Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Expeditions
Children's Series
This category honors the best films produced specifically for young audiences, 12 and under, that are engaging, informative, and inspire appreciation of the ocean world.
Finalist Films
Fish Fact Fun
Producer: Bill Dougal
My Haggan Dream
Producer: Stephanie Gordon, Sisbro Studios and Open Boat Films
See with Sandy
Producer: Mindi Morrall
A Visit to the Trash Museum
Producers: Tonia Lovejoy, Justin Farrow, and Masha Gvozdov, Beautiful Nation Project
Cinematography
This category honors the best films and the cinematographer(s) with the best ORIGINAL cinematography captured in the ocean environment. The quality and artistry of both underwater and topside will be considered.
Finalist Films
Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth, From Heaven to Hell
Producer: Renee Godfrey, BBC Natural History Unit
Call of the Baby Beluga
Producers: Michael Parfit, Natural Mystery Films
The Forgotten Coast
Producer: Eric Bendick, Grizzly Creek Films
The Hunt: Hunger At Sea
Producer: Hugh Pearson, Silverback Films
Killer Whales: The Mega Hunt
Producer: Table Mountain Films
Honorable Mention Films
Canada Over the Edge: Season 4; Episode 40
Producer: John Wesley Chisholm; Arcadia Content
Canada Over the Edge: Season 4; Episode 41
Producer: John Wesley Chisholm; Arcadia Content
Dispatches From the Gulf
Producers: Marilyn & Hal Weiner, Screenscope
The Legacy
Producer: Erick HIguera
Living the Ocean (Vey Nou Lagon)
Producers: Vanina Harel and Zara Currimjee
Documentary
This category honors the best factual documentary films over 40 minutes with excellent storytelling and professional production values that has been or is currently scheduled for distribution in commercial cinema venues or via online distributors like Netflix or Amazon.
Finalist Films
Atlantic
Producers: Marie-Therese Garvey, Jill Knox-Gosse, Lynne Wilson, and Karl Emil Rikardsen
Of the Sea: Fishermen, Seafood & Sustainability
Producers: Mischa Hedges and Melissa Stevens
River Blue
Producer: Roger Williams, Paddle Productions Inc.
Sonic Sea
Producers: Natural Resources Defense Council, Imaginary Forces, IFAW, and Diamond Docs
The Weekend Sailor
Producer: Bernardo Arsuaga
Honorable Mention Films
Between Two Harbors
Producers: Richard Yelland, Jack Marshall Shinko, and Giovanne Helou
The Memory of Fish
Producer: Dr Jennifer Galvin, Reelblue
Secrets of the Oceans: Climate Control
Director: Christophe Cousin, Via Découvertes
Vamizi: Cradle of Coral
Producer: Mattias Klum, Tierra Grande
Educational Non-Broadcast
This category honors the best films produced specifically for use in museums, zoos, parks, aquariums, or other institutional/educational venues whose purpose is to increase the public’s understanding and affinity for the ocean and the life within.
Finalist Films
Coral Reefs: Trouble in Paradise
Producer: Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup: The West Coast Trail
Producers: Vancouver Aquarium and World Wildlife Fund
Ocean Voices: Stories of the Mexican Seas
Producer: Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación
Second Century Stewardship: Acadia National Park
Producer: David E Shaw, Black Point Group
Three Miles From Safety
Producer: David J Ruck, NOAA/ONMS
Honorable Mention Films
Career Spotlight: Aquatic Biologist
Producer: Lauren Farrar, QUEST, KQED
Scuba Diver Dreams
Producer: Wayne Hasson, Oceans for Youth Foundation
The Truth Behind Swimming with Dolphins
Producer: Scuba Film Factory
Emerging Filmmaker
This category recognizes the best first-time films and filmmakers. To qualify for this category, this entry represents the filmmaker’s first time having creative control of the production. This category is for non-student filmmakers, such as recent graduates or new independents.
Finalist Films
Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth, From Heaven to Hell
Producer: Renee Godfrey, BBC
A Fish Full of Dollars
Producer: Adrienne Gittus
Great White Lies
Producer: Skyler Thomas, White Shark Video
Ocean Heroines
Producer: Alexandra Sorgenicht, Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion
Sea of Life
Producer: Julia Barnes
Second Century Stewardship: Acadia National Park
Producer: David E Shaw, Black Point Group
Sixty Feet of Freedom
Producers: Diving With Heroes, Snapp Films, and Freedom Media
Honorable Mention Films
Can You Change the World
Producer: Marcelina Martin, Two Spirit Films
The Challenger Mission: South Atlantic
Producers: Lizette Gesuden and Daniel Jusino, RUCOOL
Erosion
Producers: Carlos Underwood and Sergio Santiago, Saudade Productions
Fishing for Science: Giant Trevally
Producer: Gaelin Rosenwaks
Fully Aquatic
Producer: Brittany J Bierly
Shark Whisperer
Producer: Oleg Finodeyev, ScubaFilmFactory
Marine Animal Behavior
This category honors the best films that focus on the behavior of any species of marine animal and provides insight into the animal’s life or shows behavior or species rarely seen by the general public.
Finalist Films
Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth, From Heaven to Hell
Producer: Renee Godfrey, BBC
Beneath the Bridge
Producer: WPBT2/ South Florida PBS, Changing Seas Team
The Grouper Mystery
Producer: Caroline Schoenfelder, Andromède Océanologie
Killer Whales: The Mega Hunt
Producer: Table Mountain Films
The Secret Sex Life of Fish
Producer: WPBT2/ South Florida PBS, Changing Seas Team
Honorable Mention Films
Cozumel Island: Paradise in the Mayan Caribbean
Producers: Gilda Sigie and Pedro Joaquin Delbouis
Fully Aquatic
Producer: Brittany J Bierly
Giant Sea Serpent: Meet the Myth
Producer: Bertand Loyer, Saint Thomas Productions
The Oceanic Whitetip: A Guy Harvey Expedition
Producer: George C Schellenger and Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Expeditions
A Tough Place to Grow Up
Producer: Walter Marti
Marine Science
This category honors the best films that present an engaging story while advancing the understanding of marine and oceanographic sciences or facilitates the public’s understanding of the sciences at work in the marine environment.
Finalist Films
Blue Serengeti
Producers: Robert and Sarah Nixon, True Blue Films, Dr. Barbara Block, Hopkins Marine Station
Call of the Baby Beluga
Producers: Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit, Natural Mystery Films
Coral Reefs: Trouble in Paradise
Producer: Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
Dispatches from the Gulf
Producers: Marilyn and Hal Weiner, Screenscope
Sea Turtles: The Lost Years
Producer: WPBT2/ South Florida PBS, Changing Seas Team
You're Not Hallucinating. That's Just Squid Skin.
Producer: Joshua Cassidy, Deep Look, KQED
Honorable Mention Films
$2 Million Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE
Producer: XPRIZE
The Challenger Mission: South Atlantic
Producers: Lizette Gesuden and Daniel Jusino, RUCOOL
Ocean Heroines
Producer: Alexandra Sorgenicht, Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion
Maug's Caldera: A Natural Laboratory
Producer: WPBT2/ South Florida PBS, Changing Seas Team
The Oceanic Whitetip: A Guy Harvey Expedition
Producer: George C Schellenger and Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Expeditions
We're Oyster Farmers
Producer: Stefan Beaumont, Red Vault Productions
Maritime History: Archaeology and Anthropological Perspectives
This category honors the best films featuring maritime history and culture. Stories may focus on historical, archeological and/or anthropological aspects of the ocean’s influence on civilization’s social, cultural, political, spiritual, economic development around the world throughout the course of human history.
Finalist Films
Magic and Mystery of Sable Island
Producers: Bill Barton and Gary Jobson
Moby Dick: Heart of a Whale
Producers: Jürgen Stumpfhaus and Nathan Antila, Smithsonian Channel
Sharks of War
Producer: Robert Cantrell, All Fins On Productions
Three Miles From Safety
Producer: David J Ruck, NOAA/ONMS
UTSUK: A Story of Fat
Directors: Blaise Carrier, Chouinard Boulet, and Vincent Boulet
Music
This category honors the films and the composers that present the best original music, which is used in a way that complements and enhances the visuals in the film. A film will be only be eligible for this category if 50% or more of its music soundtrack is from original composition.
Finalist Films
Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth, From Heaven to Hell
Producer: Renee Godfrey, BBC
Endless
Producer: Peter Schneider
Far Away to Ambon
Producer: Andrea Esty
Second Century Stewardship: Acadia National Park
Producer: David E Shaw, Black Point Group
Honorable Mention Films
Call of the Baby Beluga
Producers: Michael Parfit and David Parfit, Natural Mystery Films
Dream
Producer: Jesse Andrewartha
Killer Whales: The Mega Hunt
Producer: Table Mountain Films
An Ocean Mystery
Producer: Alison Barrat, Khaled bin Sultan Living Ocean Foundation
Ocean Exploration
This category honors the best films that portray adventurous exploits, ocean expeditions, manned-submersible missions and other exploration activities that increase understanding of the ocean frontier and the technology required to explore the world beneath the sea.
Finalist Films
Above & Below Socorro
Producer: Florian Fischer, Behind the Mask
The Forgotten Coast
Producer: Eric Bendick, Grizzly Creek Films
The Grouper Mystery
Producer: Caroline Schoenfelder, Andromède Océanologie
Hunt for the Super Predator
Producer: Leighton De Barros and David Riggs, Smithsonian Channel
Killer Whales: The Mega Hunt
Producer: Table Mountain Films
Living Fossils
Producer: WPBT2/ South Florida PBS, Changing Seas Team
Honorable Mention Films
The Blinding Sea
Producer: George Tombs
Bringing Fish Up From The Deep
Producers: Adrienne Calo and Derek Lartaud, QUEST, KQED
Canada 360
Producer: John Wesley Chisholm, Arcadia Entertainment
Giant Sea Serpent: Meet the Myth
Producer: Bertand Loyer, Saint Thomas Productions
Cozumel Island: Paradise in the Mayan Caribbean
Producers: Gilda Sigie and Pedro Joaquin Delbouis
Fishing for Science: Giant Trevally
Producer: Gaelin Rosenwaks
Ocean Issues
This category honors the best films that raise awareness about any issue that is problematic and threatens a specific area or affects the ocean’s overall health, marine life, sustainability of natural systems and its ability to provide life support for our planet.
Finalist Films
After the Spill
Producer: Jon Bowermaster, Oceans 8 Films
Call of the Baby Beluga
Producers: Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit, Natural Mystery Films
A Plastic Ocean
Producer: Plastic Oceans Foundation
Sea Blind: The Price of Shipping Our Stuff
Producers: Sarah Robertson and Bernice Notenboom
Sea of Life
Producer: Julia Barnes
Sonic Sea
Producers: NRDC, Imaginary Forces, IFAW, and Diamond Docs
Vamizi: Cradle of Coral
Producer: Mattias Klum, Tierra Grande
Honorable Mention Films
$2 Million Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE
Producer: XPRIZE
Fix Florida
Producers: Costa Films
26 Years and Counting
Producers: JJ Kelley, Ben Clark, Josh Thomas
Acid Ocean
Producers: Tyler Mifflin and Alex Mifflin, The Water Brothers
Dispatches From the Gulf
Producers: Marilyn & Hal Weiner, Screenscope
Wastewater: A Widespread Threat
Producer: Jim Toomey
The Water Brothers and Ocean Spies
Producers: Tyler Mifflin and Alex Mifflin, The Water Brothers
Chrome
Producer: Jeremy Roberts, Conservation Media
Ocean Sports
This category honors the best films featuring any of the great ocean sports. In addition to the showcasing the sport itself, the story should show how the sport helps raise awareness, teaches appreciation for the sea and engages others in ocean stewardship. Includes Surfing, SUP, Free Diving, Scuba Diving, Sailing, Kayaking, Swimming, Long Distance Rowing, etc.
Finalist Films
Chapter One
Producers: Bram van Vugt and Egon Feiner, Eyeforce
What We Fish For
Producers: Ted Kaplow and Sarah Curry, Fish Navy Films
Fishing for Science: Giant Trevally
Producer: Gaelin Rosenwaks
Green Fins for a Blue Planet
Producer: Jim Toomey
This Moment
Producer: Sven Dreesbach
Oceanic Connection
Producer: Haydn Fischer
People and the Sea: Cultural Connections
This category honors films that tell the story of the interconnection and influence of the ocean on an individual or a group’s cultural, social, economic, spiritual relationships between people and the sea.
Finalist Films
Bad Tidings
Producer: Daniel Natale
The Empire of a Sailor
Producer: Edson Fogaça
Ocean Voices: Stories of the Mexican Seas
Producer: Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación
Saving Jamaica Bay
Producer: Daniel Hendrick
We're Oyster Farmers
Producer: Stefan Beaumont, Red Vault Productions
Honorable Mention Films
The Call from the Sea
Producers: Taylor McNulty and Liz Magee
Call of the Ancient Mariner
Producer: David Weintraub, Center for Cultural Preservation, Inc
Living the Ocean (Vey Nou Lagon)
Producers: Vanina Harel and Zara Currimjee
UTSUK: A Story of Fat
Directors: Blaise Carrier, Chouinard Boulet, and Vincent Boulet
Voyage: Into the Depths of Kanaloa
Production: Ruben Carrillo, Carrillo Digital Production
Shorts Program
SHORTS PROGRAM: Between 5 - 20 minutes
This category honors the best short films between 5 - 20 minutes in length that are engaging, creative and empowering.
Finalist Films
26 Years and Counting
Producers: JJ Kelley, Ben Clark, Josh Thomas
Tsunami Tuna: Free Billy
Producer: Jim Wilkie and Daryl WilcherIn Pursuit of Plastics
Producers: Katie Jewett, Gianna Savoie, and Jeff Reed, Ocean Media InstituteSouls of the Vemilion Sea: Searching for the Vaquita
Producers: Matthew Podolsky and Sean Bogle, Wild LensThailand's Seafood Slaves
Producer: Environmental Justice FoundationValue of Life
Producer: Natasha DespotovicHonorable Mention Films
CO2ld Waters
Producer: Jeremy Roberts, Conservation MediaCozumel: Underground Secrets
Producer: Mares MexicanosFully Aquatic
Producer: Brittany J BierlyReclaiming the Deep: Solving the Riddle of Nitrogen Narcosis
Producer: Jesse AndrewarthaSaving West Africa's Coastal Assets
Producers: West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program, World Bank GroupTropical Sea Peru: A Paradise for Hope
Producers: Yuri Hooker, Terra Aquatica, and Eduardo Salcedo, Follow EGSSHORTS PROGRAM: Under 5 minutes
This category honors the best short films under 5 minutes in length that are engaging, creative and empowering.Finalist Films
Close Encounters with a Sperm Whale
Producer: Screenscope FilmsFrom Drifter to Dynamo: The Story of Plankton
Producer: Joshua Cassidy, Deep Look, KQEDI am Morgan - Stolen Freedom
Producers: Daniel Azarian and Ingrid VisserI Am Ocean: Chad Wiggins
Producers: Gianna Savoie and Jeff Reed, Ocean Media InstitutePlastic Pollution, Our Oceans, Our Future
Producer: Christopher HansonThe Legacy
Producer: Erick HigueraHonorable Mention Films
Finisterra
Producer: Erick HigueraShark Rescue
Producer: Skyler Thomas, White Shark VideoInside the Mangrove Forest
Producer: Alison Barrat, Khaled bin Sultan Living Ocean FoundationPygmy Seahorses: Masters of Camouflage
Producer: Joshua Cassidy, Deep Look, KQEDShark and Lion
Producer: Behind the MaskTiger Sharks Fight for Survival
Producer: Angela Smith, Shark Team OneStudents Program
This category honors the best films made by students enrolled in a verifiable academic program. Includes both secondary and college level programs. No age restrictions. Proof of student status must be sent in with submission materials.
Finalist Films
The Book of Marine Protected Areas
Fabrizio Gianni
The Crystal Reef
Lauren Knapp
Whale Aware
Lauren Gilberson
Fully Aquatic
Producer: Brittany J Bierly
Bad Tidings
Producer: Daniel Natale
Living the Ocean (Vey Nou Lagon)
Vanina Harel
Honorable Mention Films
Below the Bay
Francesca Crichton, Samantha Cordova, Analia Piacentini
Falling Stars
Jared Price
Herald of the Sea
Celine Schmidt
On The Line
Amanda Sosnowski
The Open ROV Experience
Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School
Unnatural Reef
Jonathan C Myers
Ocean Eyes
Global Scribes: Youth Uniting Nations
Tampa Bay Water Story
Katy Hennig
About BLUE Ocean Film Festival
Email: info@blueoceanfilmfestival.org
Website: www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org
Location: St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Phone: 727 388 6682
Facebook: facebook.com/blueoceanfilm
Twitter: @blueoceanfilm
BLUE Ocean Film Festival 2016
BLUE is a fun 4-day gathering, jam-packed with great ocean related films, breath-taking photography, inspiring keynotes, captivating art, thought-provoking panels, engaging music, hands-on film and photography workshops, conservation activities, and socials.
There are many opportunities to network with innovators, emerging talent, ocean icons, thought-leaders, explorers, and interesting people from all walks who share common passions and love of the sea.
Come see the OCEAN like never before. BLUE has something for everyone and every age.