ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Scientists have warned us of the ocean's decline. The facts are clear, the numbers dire. But when we're numb to statistics, how do we inspire the transformation our blue planet needs?

The Oceanic Global Short Film Festival exists at this critical intersection—where art meets urgency, where storytelling becomes the catalyst, where moving images move us to action.

Since launching in 2020, the festival has drawn thousands of attendees across 11 countries worldwide. The 2026 edition expands globally under the lens Films That Awaken New Depths, bringing powerful ocean stories from major cities to local communities where culture is shaped. Judged by an expert jury including legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle (Explorer at Large, National Geographic & Founder, Mission Blue), James Honeyborne (Emmy & BAFTA Award winning Executive Producer & Filmmaker), David Maisel (Founder of Marvel Studios) and Dr. Cliff Kapono (Professional Free Surfer and PhD Chemist), this year's festival showcases cinema that doesn't just inform – it transforms.

These are films that awaken depths within ourselves we didn't know existed, revealing that our fate and the ocean's fate are inextricably intertwined.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

Just as we've only explored 10% of the Ocean's physical depths, we've barely scratched the surface of our emotional and spiritual connection to it. Films that awaken new depths transcend surface-level awareness to reveal profound connections between humanity and the Ocean across three categories:

Human Connection: Intimate, character-driven narratives that reveal the ocean as part of who we are, shaping identity, culture, and community through lived experience and personal connection.

Discovery: Films that explore the unknown, from scientific breakthroughs to deep-sea exploration, capturing curiosity, wonder, and the mysteries that continue to redefine our understanding of the ocean.

Living Systems: Immersive portraits of marine life and ecosystems that reveal the ocean as an interconnected web of life, spotlighting biodiversity and ecological balance essential to planetary health.

Awards & Prizes

The Open Water Grand Jury Prize (1 Winner)
Awarded to one overall winning film across the 2026 Oceanic Global Short Film Festival. Selected by our distinguished jury panel, this highest honor recognizes the film that most powerfully embodies the spirit of Films That Awaken New Depths.

The winner will receive: $6,000 USD prize presented by Open Water

Category Awards (3 Winners)
One winner will be selected within each Festival theme: Human Connection, Discovery, and Living Systems. These awards recognize films that demonstrate exceptional craft and a distinct perspective within their respective category.

Each Category Winner will receive: GOT BAG Pro Pack (25L backpack made from recycled Ocean Impact Plastic)

More 2026 Prizes to be announced!

Past prizes have included:
- DaVinci Resolve Studio Software from Blackmagic Design
- Studio Time and EQ Mixing from BE ELECTRIC
- New Day Pictures Free Kit hire worth £1,000 from New Day Pictures, one of the UK’s leading Film & TV Equipment Hire
- Mentorship sessions with selected jurors and/or award-winning filmmakers

Rules & Terms

CRITERIA:

- Films should be between 3-15 minutes
- Film submitted must fall under one of the three following categories: Human Connection, Discovery,Living Systems
- Film should connect to the festival lens, Films That Awaken New Depths

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

- Artists from around the world are invited to submit their original work to Oceanic Global’s Short Film Festival. Films of all genres relating to the themes will be considered.
- Submissions must be in English or with English subtitles.
- The production should have taken place at any time in the past 5 years. Premiere status is not necessary.
- We request that submissions are submitted solely via this form.
- Please ensure your videos are hosted online via a shareable link such as Vimeo or YouTube – we will not review any DVDs or physical recordings.
- More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form and entry fee. Filmmakers can submit one film to multiple categories, but it requires separate entry fees for each category.
- If your film is selected, then you may be asked to provide additional stills or clips; press materials; headshot and filmography of the artist; subtitles; B&W and/or color and video trailer (if available).
- You must be the Director, Lead Producer, or a core team member to apply.
- All artwork submitted must be free from any legal disputes and the artist must have cleared all rights for music and exhibition. Any disputes that arise are solely the responsibility of the artist and not Oceanic Global.
- We will endeavor to get back to all submitters but we are expecting a high volume of films to consider. If you do not hear from us by March 16, 2026, then please assume we will not be proceeding with your film as an overall winner, but we may be in touch later if your film is selected for a global screening based on theme/location.
- Submission fees go to Oceanic Global to support our programs.
- We celebrate unique voices from across the globe and encourage submissions from filmmakers of all genders, ages, cultures, and abilities. If you need support (fee waiver, translation, alternative submission methods), please contact us at gina@oceanic.global. -We’ll work with you to make participation possible!

LEGAL:

You will be asked to fill out and return a signed release form while submitting. Filmmakers that do not return the release will not be eligible to have their work considered until they do so.

Please note, by submitting your video and any accompanying materials to Oceanic Global, you hereby grant Oceanic Global, and its successors, licensees, assigns, partners, and affiliated entities, a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, perform, adapt, and promote the Film, in whole or in part, in any media formats and through any channels now known or hereafter developed, solely for purposes related to the Organization’s short film festival, educational programming, and mission-aligned outreach. Nothing restricts the Producer from distributing, licensing, or exhibiting the Film independently or through other festivals, platforms, or distributors.