Australian audiences will be able to immerse themselves in the wonders of the ocean without getting their feet wet this March as the Ocean Film Festival hits cinemas across the country. The festival, which features 11 of the world’s most captivating ocean-themed short films, and 6 Australian Premiers will light up silver screens in 15 towns and cities., including Byron Bay on March 27th at the Palace Cinema (buy tickets).
Designed to mesmerise and enthral, the Ocean Film Festival Australia showcases more than two hours of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface. The films document the beauty and power of the ocean, and celebrate the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray; who chase the crests of waves; and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue.
The films feature captivating cinematography, complete with awe-inspiring underwater scenes and fast-paced wave sequences that have been captured from unbelievable vantage points. Mesmerising images of schooling fish, colourful coral gardens and jellyfish blooms are complemented with up-close footage of curious marine creatures such as seals, dolphins, whale sharks and eels.
Heart-stopping shots of surfers riding wild waves and adrenalin-inducing scenes of divers swimming with white sharks will leave audiences on the edges of their seats. Viewers will gasp for breath as they follow world champion free diver Guillaume Néry deep below the surface on his quest to be at one with water.Â
The films encourage viewers to dive headfirst into ocean culture: audiences are invited to share in Pascale Honore’s joy as she rediscovers surfing (with the help of a roll of duct-tape) years after a car accident left her paralysed; they are lured into the waters off Hawaii as spear-fisher Kimi Werner dances on the line between predator and prey; and the are invited to discover the harsh realities of life for female free-divers in South Korea, as an 82-year-old veteran diver imparts the wisdom she’s gathered during her life at the water’s edge.
Inspiring and thought-provoking, the Ocean Film Festival Australia is filled with moving footage, touching interviews and insightful narrations. Each of the festival’s films conveys a deep respect and appreciation for the world’s oceans and the creatures that call them home.
The Ocean Film Festival Australia will tour the country in March. Tickets are on sale now. To find out more about the festival, to view the trailer and to book tickets, visit www.oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au. To stay up-to-date with festival news, visit the Ocean Film Festival Australia Facebook Page.
Tour dates and tickets –Â oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au/tickets.html
BRISBANE 3 & 4 March – Schonell Cinema, University of Queensland
MELBOURNE 5 March – The Capitol Theatre, RMIT
GOLD COAST 6 March – The Reading Cinema, Biggera Waters
CAIRNS 7 March – Centre of Contemporary Arts
TOWNSVILLE 8 March – Riverway Arts Centre
ADELAIDE 12 March – Mercury Cinema
CANBERRA 12 March – National Film and Sound Archives
SYDNEY 13 & 20 March – The Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne
AVOCA BEACH 14 March – Avoca Beach Picture Theatre
NEWCASTLE 15 March – Tower Cinemas
DARWIN 19 March – Darwin Entertainment Centre
PERTH 20, 21 & 24 March – The State Theatre Centre of WA, Northbridge
BROOME 22 March – Sun Pictures
HOBART 26 March – Stanley Burbury Theatre, UTAS Sandy Bay Campus
BYRON BAY 27 March – The Palace Cinema