IOFF | Explore Ocean Stories — Get Involved Today

Underwater coral reef with sunbeams and bubbles, overlaid with the text “Best of the Blue: Celebrating the Ocean Stories that Moved Us.”

Dive into the Best of the Blue

A special three part film showcase celebrating the extraordinary stories, people, and perspectives that connect us to the ocean. From the thrill of ocean sports and the wonder of marine life to powerful stories of conservation and resilience, each curated program brings together inspiring films that remind us of the ocean’s beauty, strength, and importance in our lives. Join the International Ocean Film Foundation for three unforgettable collections of ocean storytelling that inspire connection, spark curiosity, and celebrate the blue world we share.

LEARN MORE

Poster for the documentary Love Birds, featuring two albatrosses, two male researchers, and flying seabirds, with text about a remote-island research expedition and gay history.

Love Birds - Award-Winning, Oscar-Eligible Short Doc Screening

What happens when a discovery in marine science becomes a national controversy? Love Birds, an award-winning documentary short directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris, tells the remarkable story of the female gull pairs found on California’s Santa Barbara Island in 1972 and the personal and political fallout of the discovery.

On the heels of its jury award at the 2026 International Ocean Film Festival in the Bay Area, Love Birds returns to San Francisco on November 19 for a screening at the Roxie Theater, with IOFF as screening partner.

San Francisco director and producer Judy Irving (The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Pelican Dreams) joins Love Birds director Elliott Kennerson for a post-show discussion and audience Q&A.

Produced with NBC News Studios and now in an Oscar run, Love Birds brings together marine science, LGBTQ+ history, and the politics of who gets to define what’s “natural.” The story offers a fresh angle for coverage spanning LGBTQ+ history, science, documentary filmmaking, and the evolving cultural conversation around nature and identity.

Preceded by a program of short documentary official selections from the IOFF.

Love Birds at the Roxie Theater
November 19, 2026

TICKETS

Underwater view with sunlight filtering through water, promoting the 24th annual IOFF submissions from April 16-18, 2027, by the International Ocean Film Foundation.

The International Ocean Film Foundation hosts its annual flagship three day event, now recognized as the premier ocean-centric film festival of its kind in the world.

Now heading into its 24th year, IOFF has produced an acclaimed festival of independent ocean-related films from all over the world. Themes range from ocean adventure, exploration, science, marine life, ocean sports and coastal cultures. The films are curated to entertain audiences, but more importantly, to educate and encourage active participation in ocean-specific environmental efforts and better ocean stewardship.

A number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned IOFF Traveling Program.

Submission fee increases to $45 per film after October 10, 2026
Final submission deadline is December 31, 2026

Call for Submissions is Open
Final Submission Deadline:
December 31, 2026

SUBMIT YOUR FILM

A man standing at a podium holding a microphone during a presentation at the 23rd Annual International Ocean Film Festival, with a large screen behind him displaying an image of sea otters swimming in the water.

A woman with curly hair and glasses is smiling and leaning over a man sitting in a chair, who is wearing a virtual reality headset and holding a camera. They are indoors near a large window with a view of the water outside.

Four people seated on stage with a blue screen behind them, discussing at a panel event. One woman is speaking into a microphone, while the others listen. The screen displays event information about a panel discussion at BATS Theatre.

Three women smiling at a photo opportunity at the International Ocean Film Festival, standing in front of a white backdrop with logos and text related to the event

A large indoor event with many people gathered around tables and standing in groups. The room has industrial-style ceilings with exposed pipes and vents. There are banners and signs visible, including one for the Surfrider Foundation, suggesting this

A man is wearing a virtual reality headset and drinking from a glass of yellow beverage in an indoor setting.

A woman in a white jacket and a woman in a blue shirt pouring wine at a booth with several wine bottles, while people in the background wait in line at an indoor event.

Three people sitting on a wooden bench in a room with a gray wall, wearing virtual reality headsets. The person on the left is a woman in a white jacket with long hair, the person in the middle is a man in a black jacket with a striped hoodie, and th

Crowd of people gathered at an indoor event with tables, some engaging in conversation, with blue and purple lighting, an exit sign, and a banner on the right side of the image.

A large audience seated in a theater with red chairs, watching a presentation or performance. The theater has dark walls and a visible balcony area with a window showing the backstage or control room.

A panel of five people seated on chairs on a stage, with one person speaking into a microphone, during a discussion at an event.

A woman with long reddish hair speaking into a microphone on stage during a panel or discussion, with two other panelists, a woman with blonde hair on the left and a man in a patterned shirt on the right, in a dark blue-lit setting.

Four people with microphones seated at a panel, engaged in discussion on stage, with blue and purple lighting.

An older woman with gray hair, glasses, and a plaid shirt is sitting on a chair, holding a rock or modern sculpture in her left hand and speaking into a microphone. Behind her, a large screen displays photos of two smiling people, one man and one wom

Filmmaker Testimonials

"It was a great honour for SOULs to be selected and screened at IOFF 2025. The venue at fort mason was incredible and provided an amazing space for the film to be presented alongside other amazing ocean stories. The film festival was a great opportunities to meet filmmakers alike and amplifying ocean stories to a global audience."

Ian Mun
Souls
Singapore (2025)

"A beautifully organised festival and a great selection of ocean films. Thank you so much for selecting my film 'Peixinho' for the Jury Award. Meeting so many other passionate filmmakers and ocean lovers at the festival was incredible. The audiences were great, and the city was so hospitable. I hope to be back again!"

Kaushiik Subramaniam
Peixinho (Little Fish)
Portugal (2025)

"Thank you so much to the whole staff of this amazing festival: people who loves Oceans and really trust in the power of impactful storytelling in boostering positive change in our society. I hope I'll be able to attend the IOFF again!"

Francesco de Augustinis
Until the End of the World
Italy (2024)

IOFF Sponsors

A star made of small black circles with the word 'zul' in bold black letters next to it.

A black and white sketch of a cat sitting with a drawn tail, facing left.

Text stating 'Laura Wais Underwater Imaging' on a black background

A black-and-white photo of a dog, with the text "THOR'S HOPE FOUNDATION" beneath it.

Icons of globe and clock with the text 'Over 20 Years'

The word 'LAIRD' in bold black letters inside a rectangular box, with a small leaf and a graduation cap icon beside it.

Silhouette of a person sitting on stone steps and using a laptop outdoors at sunset.

A young person with curly hair smiling and raising their hand in a crowded auditorium. The audience includes children and adults sitting in red seats.

IOFF Education Program

The 20th Anniversary edition of the Free Ocean Education Film Program for middle school and high school students will be hosted this year on Thursday April 9th and Friday April 10th at the BATS Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco.

The two hour event features a curated program of official selections from the main film festival designed to entertain, engage and inspire middle school and high school students from across the Bay Area. The core value of the mission of the International Ocean Film Foundation is education and ocean literacy, and to be the premier platform for ocean education and literacy through independent film.

Students have the opportunity to engage with filmmakers, scientists, marine biology experts and more. Many students gain insights into the possibility of becoming a filmmaker or studying marine sciences and becoming a marine scientist as a career option.