This summer marked a significant milestone for many families as they embarked on their first holiday abroad since the start of the pandemic. However, with autumn now upon us and the cost of living crisis worsening, those precious weeks by the sea may soon feel like a distant memory. Fortunately, the Ocean Film Festival’s UK tour arrives just in time to provide a much-needed escape. Nell Teasdale, the tour director, promises that audiences can “immerse themselves in a night of exhilarating sea voyages and breathtaking marine life, all without getting their feet wet.”
The Ocean Film Festival originated as an offshoot of the renowned Banff Mountain Film Festival in Australia back in 2012. Its mission is to inspire people to appreciate, explore, and protect the ocean. Now in its ninth year in the UK, the festival will be traveling across the country for the next two and a half months, making stops at venues from Inverness in the Highlands to Truro in Cornwall. The tour aims to raise funds for two charities dedicated to preserving the oceans: the Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage.
The festival features a program of seven captivating short films. Leading the lineup is “Circumnavigate,” a 39-minute documentary directed by Will Reddaway. The film chronicles the arduous journey of Brendon Prince, a 48-year-old from Devon, as he attempts to become the first person ever to paddleboard nearly 2,500 miles around mainland Britain. Prince faces numerous challenges, including navigating treacherous tidal flows, offshore wind farms, shipping lanes, and bustling ports. Along the way, he encounters sharks, orcas, and dolphins, all while striving to break multiple world records. However, Prince’s ultimate goal extends beyond achieving personal triumphs; his main objective is to raise awareness about water safety. Witnessing three drownings off Mawgan Porth beach in Cornwall in 2014 prompted him to leave his job as a PE teacher and establish the charity Above Water. “In this country, 600 to 700 people drown every year,” he emphasizes. “If my paddle strokes can save even one child’s life through education, then I am willing to paddle for six hours, six days, or even 60 days.”
Next in the lineup is “Mar,” a 25-minute film that documents a daring big-wave surf competition along Portugal’s rugged northwestern coast. Audiences will witness the awe-inspiring and, at times, heart-stopping experiences of surfer Alex Botelho as he conquers some of the world’s most powerful and massive ocean swells. Prepare for a rollercoaster of triumph and tragedy captured through stunning footage of these epic wave-riding sequences.
The film “Rebirth,” running for 6 minutes, also focuses on the world of surfing. It tells the story of Benoit, a surfer from the Basque country who lost an arm due to a freak walking accident. Benoit must relearn how to ride the waves and find freedom on the water again, providing an inspiring glimpse into the adaptive surf community. In Benoit’s words, surfing is like a video game: “You lose a life, and you restart another.”
Meanwhile, “Tiger Shark King,” a playfully named 7-minute film, recounts the incredible tale of Jim Abernethy, a conservationist and diver who has spent two decades removing thousands of fishing hooks from the jaws of tiger sharks in the Bahamas. His favorite shark, Emma, a 15-foot creature, has grown accustomed to Abernethy’s presence and even enjoys having her head rubbed—an affectionate behavior likely stemming from the four hooks he has removed from her over the years. Abernethy regards sharks as intelligent beings with an “affectionate side.” He aims to dispel the notion of sharks as mindless killers and works to protect their future by safely bringing divers closer to these majestic creatures.
“I Am Ocean,” a 9-minute film, tells the captivating tale of PT Hirschfield, an Australian diver, oceanographer, and underwater photographer on a mission to protect persecuted wildlife, especially stingrays, at her local dive sites. Hirschfield was diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago and discovered that being in the ocean brings her immense happiness, strength, and improved quality of life. In her own words, “it has absolutely improved my quality of life.” This film offers a glimpse into her extraordinary journey.
Also set in Australia, “Eyre & Sea,” running for 10 minutes, introduces viewers to Alan, a colorful character residing in the remote town of Baird’s Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. With a population of just three, Alan offers visitors the unique opportunity to swim with endangered Australian sea lions. He reassures swimmers that if the sea lions give them a kiss or nibble on their toes, there’s no need to panic, as they won’t cause harm. However, the blue-ringed octopus is a different story—it is known to deliver a venomous bite. Alan’s primary objective is to foster an appreciation for the animals, allowing people to enjoy and respect them, while also gaining a deeper understanding of their significance.
The final film, “If You Give a Beach a Bottle,” crafted by Max Romey, a talented filmmaker and painter who combines watercolors and videography, takes viewers to Alaska’s remote and breathtaking coastline. Romey embarks on a mission to uncover the marine debris littered along the beach, expecting the least in this sparsely populated place. To his shock, he discovers an alarming amount of rubbish washed ashore from all corners of the world, shedding light on the complex issue of microplastics in the food chain. Romey acknowledges the gravity of the situation but remains hopeful that taking action now will create a better future for the next generation.
Tickets for the Ocean Film Festival’s captivating lineup are available starting at £11.50. The festival will be touring across England and Scotland until December 2nd, with a variety of selected dates. For those unable to attend in person, an online pass is available for £10, granting access to last year’s festival films or the best films from the past five years. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean and gain a fresh perspective on the world beneath the waves. Visit oceanfilmfestival.co.uk for more information.
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