Big Blue Film Fest

If you need a sign to make an ocean film, this is it! And we want to see it.
Are you a filmmaker, professional or beginner? We are a film festival that shows the beauties and wonders of the ocean and we want your ocean film!
The Big Blue Film Fest accepts shorts and features, and we are opening our Film Freeway page for submissions this summer!

Photo from "Women Captains" an official selection of Big Blue 2024

Shoutout to all of the marine scientists out there for their hard work in understanding and saving the ocean!
This photo is from a Big Blue 2024 film "Echoes From the Blue Meadow" about a young woman following her passions in marine science.

We will never get over how amazing the ocean is

Photo by

The wonders of the ocean are vast, and we're here to help you explore them...without having to get wet!
The Big Blue Film Fest offers incredible films from all over the world telling stories of the ocean.
Photo by David Clode

There's few things better than the beach on a sunny day!
We hope you are enjoying your day wherever you may be.

Photo by

Still thinking about Big Blue...we had so much fun!

We cannot believe that the second Big Blue Film Fest wrapped up one month ago!
We want to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the incredible filmmakers, attendees, volunteers, and partners. We saw some truly inspiring films from a wide variety of topics, each one unique and enriching in its own way. Thank you for supporting Big Blue!
Here are some photos from the event, taken by Branden States and Adriene Koett-Cronn!

CONGRATULATIONS to Women Captains, which won the People's Choice Award for Big Blue 2024.
Phil Comeau

Runners-up were:
Otter Rock Marine Reserve: Where Science and Stewardship Meet
Friends of Otter Rock
The Ocean's Greatest Feast

Thank you to everyone who voted and attended the festival.
We'll see you next year!

Big Blue 2024 opens tonight!
A reminder that Friday night is SOLD OUT, but we have tickets available for Saturday!

If you have tickets for tonight, we are so excited to welcome you to the Hatfield Marine Science Center at 5:15 for a reception, awards ceremony, and a sneak peek at some fantastic films.

We'll see you tonight!
Welcome to Big Blue

🌊 Get ready for an EPIC adventure with Big Blue! We're so excited to unveil a sea of awe-inspiring ocean films!

🚨 Friday night is officially SOLD OUT, but don't fret! Saturday is your golden ticket to dive into the magic of Big Blue. Gather your squad for a night of oceanic wonder!

🎟️ If you snagged your tickets online, hold on tight to that confirmation email! Show it at the door for a seamless entry. If you haven't secured your spot yet, no worries—grab your tickets at the door (no ticket sales for Friday night, just Saturday!!) and join the aquatic celebration.

Get ready to be swept away by the power of the ocean! 🌊✨
Brace yourself for inspiration and enlightenment as we take you on a journey beneath the waves. 🌌

Thank you for being a part of this incredible experience.

Secure your Saturday tickets NOW and let the aquatic adventure begin! 🎟️ Link in bio.
🌊🎬
Hatfield Marine Science Center Newport Performing Arts Center

We have SOLD OUT for Friday night at the Big Blue Film Fest!
Tickets are still available for Saturday's films, so grab yours today!

Newport Performing Arts Center Hatfield Marine Science Center

You can't protect what you can't see. "Eyes on the Seafloor" will take you on a journey below the surface of the ocean with Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE) to explore and document never-before-seen areas. With a fleet of underwater submersibles, MARE explores deep ocean environments to support scientific research and education. Diving down to depths of 1,000 meters the MARE Team collects data to inform ocean management in our changing oceans.

Directed by the fantastic
Catch this film in Block E: Making an Impact

Ticket on sale for Saturday!

A familiar filmmaker is featured in this Film Spotlight! They were featured last year in a different film "Horseshoe Crabs".
This film is called "Life on the Edge - Exploring New Jersey's Coastal Ecosystem" directed by three student filmmakers, Angela Catt, Micah Seidel, and Natalie Radu.

Horseshoe crabs have been on the planet for 450 million years, but when rack and bag oyster farms are built in the same waters the horseshoe crabs travel through, scientists must investigate whether the crabs can still complete their life cycle. This is a story about researchers, farmers, and conservationists working together to preserve crucial New Jersey coastal ecosystems, while maintaining sustainable food production in the Delaware Bay.

Catch this film in Block F: Ocean Connections!
Get your tickets for Saturday, bigbluefilmfest.com!

We want you to have the most wonderful stay this weekend in Newport! After a long day of watching films, you'll want to relax in one of the best hotels around.

The Hallmark Resort Newport is still offering a special 20% off their best available rate for any room style you choose! They will continue to do so through this weekend, so it’s not too late for folks to take advantage of the discount. (BIGBLUE2024)
Reserve your room today!!

Check out this student film "Observing for a Future" in another Film Spotlight!

"Observing for a Future" is a short documentary about the incredible and important work of NOAA's West Coast Groundfish Observer Program headquartered in Newport, Oregon.

This film was made as part of OMSI Camp Gray Coastal Documentary Explorers Camp 2023. The film was produced as a collaboration between , , and

Catch this film in Block C: Generations Apart!
Tickets on sale now!

Today's Film Spotlight!
"Understanding Hypoxia: Dead Zones on the Pacific Coast" by David Baker ()

Low oxygen events have been occurring with greater frequency around the world as the climate changes. This film looks at these hypoxic events on the West Coast and examines the impacts on communities affected and the scientists looking at solutions.

Catch this wonderfully insightful film in Block F: Ocean Connections with an exclusive Q&A with the Director!

Here's a lovely feel-good Film Spotlight to warm your feed!

"Guardian of the Sea Lions" is a film centered around Janet Ledingham, an 83 year-old woman who voluntarily collects data on sea lions, a nationally vulnerable species, for the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust. It is both informative and inspiring as we learn about Janet’s passion for sea lions and her role in caring for her local population. The film will make you come to appreciate both Janet and the sea lions, as Janet tells her story.

Catch this fantastic Student Film made by Stephanie Guest and Shania Riethmann in Block C: Generations Apart
Tickets are on sale now!! We are one week away :)

Film Spotlight time!
"Returning Home" Directed by Andreas Dimitriou is a gorgeous film that explores the depths of the marine protected areas in Limassol Cyprus. This awe-inspiring film focuses on conservation and leaves you feeling hopeful.

One BBFF film reviewer said "Wow this film was a beauty! Loved the positive message that this film portrays of people managing marine habitats by thinking way outside of the box and coming up with very positive solutions. Activism works!"

Check it out in Block C: Curious Creatures
Tickets on sale now! Get your today, link in bio.

Things are a little cold here in Oregon, but not as cold as the Arctic! This film spotlight takes us all the way North, so bundle up!
"The Arctic Halocline" tells the story of the groundbreaking discoveries made by an international research program that has been monitoring the state of the Arctic Ocean continuously for the past 20 years.

In 2004, scientists observed the start of a decades-long warming trend in the eastern Arctic Ocean. A gradient of salty to fresh water known as the Arctic halocline blocks the heat carried by the Atlantic water layer from reaching the sea ice. The stability of the Arctic halocline is weakening. As it destabilizes it releases the heat contained in the Atlantic layer to the bottom of the sea ice.

This heat is enough to melt the Arctic sea ice cover several times over. Once the halocline destabilizes it cannot be reversed.

Directed by Amy Lauren
Catch this film in Block A: Near and Far
Tickets on sale now and going fast!

Welcome to a very fantastic Film Spotlight!
This film is the 2024 Big Blue Film Fest BEST FILM!
"Disappearing Jewels" directed by Will Kim is a documentary reimagined in watercolor frames.
Remembering the filmmaker's grandfather who was a blind man and walking weather forecast, Will Kim interviews ocean experts and brings his perspective on the impact of climate change and ocean warming.

Directed by on Instagram
Catch this film at the Friday night Reception or in Block F: Ocean Connections

Welcome back to another film spotlight! We have 10 more films to highlight before the festival on January 26th and 27th!

"Rocky Intertidal Zones" is a wonderful film narrated by a young boy with a passion for his local ecosystem.

From the Neskowin Ghost Forest to the Devil's Punchbowl, a young boy explores the rocky intertidal zones of the Oregon Coast. Traveling with toys and art materials, he offers insights on the tide pool ecosystem, as well as on prehistoric life. Music by Colleen aka Cécile Schott.

Directed by Irene Tejaratchi Hess

Catch this film in Block C: Generations Apart!
Tickets on sale now and going fast! Link in bio.

What exactly is Big Blue?
We can tell you.
Big Blue is a cinematic celebration of the Sea!
Journey into the heart of the ocean with an exclusive selection of mesmerizing films that capture the beauty, mystery, and incredible power of the sea. 🐋
🌊 From awe-inspiring underwater cinematography to compelling tales of marine conservation, our festival guarantees an experience that will leave you both entertained and enlightened.

Tickets on sale now: link in bio.
Hope to "sea" you there!


Photo from "A'ai" a film featured in Block F: Ocean Connections

Dive into a world of adventure at the 2024 Big Blue Film Festival!

Don't miss this chance to revel in the beauty of our oceans and contribute to their protection. Grab your tickets now and join us for an enchanting night of cinematic wonder at the Big Blue Film Festival 2024! 🌊🎬

📆 Save the Date: January 26th and 27th
📍 Venue: Hatfield Marine Science Center and Newport Performing Arts Center

🎟️ Tickets Available Now! 🎟️
Secure Your Spot: Ticket link in bio

🌐 bigbluefilmfest.com
📱 Connect with us on social media: [Facebook, Instagram, Twitter] for real-time updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes

Photo from "Returning Home" a film featured in Block C: Curious Creatures