SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Forget James Bond… some of the most exciting films of the year hit the big screen on 20-21 January 2007, at the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival. Now in its fourth year, North America’s premier “cinemaquatic” event offers a weekend of deep dives into the world’s oceans and the cultures that surround them. Audiences will get chills from seeing the power of hurricanes, the elegance of sharks and the bravery of ocean adventurers. They’ll be charmed by the stories of fisherman poets, inner city children at a surf school, and a man who paints while swimming across Vancouver’s English Bay.
From the serious to the sublime, the 31 films in this year’s festival feature adventure sports such as kayaking, sailing and surfing; coastal cultures from India to Italy; important ecological issues; and breathtaking displays of nature at its most magnificent, from killer whales to vibrantly colored sea slugs. This year’s program reflects the work of filmmakers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the USA. Many filmmakers and content experts will be on hand to answer questions and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the films.
The Festival takes a holistic approach to the ocean and its influence on our world, presenting films that include sports, science and human culture. “The Festival had a record number of entries this year and the quality has never been better”, said Krist Jake, the Festival’s founder. “Our volunteer team is confident attendees will be surprised and delighted by the breadth of subject matter and the creativity of the independent filmmakers we feature.”
Works by local San Francisco Bay Area filmmakers in this year’s festival include:
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Set in a San Rafael bait shop, Christmas at the Bait Shop features a charming cast of characters that include both birds and men. By Judy Irving, best known for her award-winning film “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill”.
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By Beth Cataldo, A Life With Skulls looks at Ray Bandar’s treasure trove of more than 7,000 animal skulls. His life’s work was inspired by the work of Georgia O’Keefe and has made him an invaluable resource for the California Academy of Sciences.
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One Winter Story by Sally Lundburg and Elizabeth Pepin profiles surfer Sarah Livermore Gerhardt, the first woman to charge Mavericks.
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Perry Pickert’s film Seas of Change travels to the Virgin Islands to show how government, scientists and fishermen work together for good.
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The world premiere of Holiday Johnson’s movie Sharks: Stewards of the Reef.
Calendar Information:
Event: San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
Dates: January 20-21, 2007
Address: Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Ticket Prices: $10 per session, $60 for a two-day festival pass
Box Office: +1 (415) 345-7575 or book online at www.fortmason.org/boxoffice
For more information about the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, its 2007 program and films, or for directions, please visit the official web site at www.oceanfilmfest.org
