The International Ocean Film Foundation (IOFF) hosts the annual, premier ocean-centric film festival of its kind in the world.

Now heading into its 22nd year, IOFF has produced an acclaimed festival of independent ocean-related films from all over the world. Themes range from ocean adventure, science, marine life, sports and ocean coastal cultures. The films are not only intended to entertain the audience, but more importantly, to educate and encourage active participation in ocean-specific environmental efforts and better ocean stewardship.

The 22nd Annual IOFF be in-person event on April 11-13, 2025 at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture located along the northern waterfront of San Francisco, California, as well as a virtual film festival component. Special programs may focus on topics such as marine wildlife, ocean conservation efforts, environmental issues, coastal cultures and how they engage with the ocean, surfing, sharks, diving, and other subject matter depending on the variety and number of submissions. Programs will include post-screening filmmaker Q&A sessions as well as panel discussions with ocean specialists, scientists, industry experts, filmmakers and more.

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

Two major events of the IOFF make up the Education Program, namely the 19th Annual Free Student Education Program, which includes free screenings for middle school and high schools students, and the 14th Annual Student Film Competition for middle school and high school students, with a dedicated program screening the top finalists and cash prizes for the top three winners in each category.

Photo Credit: Liam McGuire, Abades, Tenerife, Spain, Ocean Image Bank

Every year, the IOFF presents awards in competition to film submission in the following eleven categories: Animation, Coastal and Island Cultures, Conservation, Director's Award, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Environment, Female Filmmaker, Golden Gate Award (for a local Bay Area filmmaker)Marine Life, Short, Ocean Sports, Science and Exploration. If a category does not have an outstanding award winning film, an award will not be presented.

**Please select only ONE category per film submission and submit only ONE entry fee per film submission, however, please note that each submission will be considered for all categories.

FILMMAKER PERKS:
If your film is selected to be a part of the 2025 IOFF, you will receive a variety of perks as follows;
• Access for you and one guest to the Opening Night Reception, all screenings, panel discussions, workshops and Wrap Party (includes other events as they come online)
• Discounted or complimentary hotel lodging with our hotel sponsor, subject to availability
• Opportunities to engage with the press and media
• Opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the audience each time your film is screened
• Potential for your film to be selected for the IOFF Traveling Program

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
By submitting your films to the IOFF, you hereby grant permission for IOFF to use it for the following purposes:

Stills: Still images from the films will be used on the website, printed materials, banners, and other promotional materials. Please submit one high-resolution headshot of the filmmaker in JPG format.

Clips: Clips of submitted films may be used to promote IOFF by appearing on the IOFF website, in the IOFF trailer, possible partnership websites, third-party advertising sponsors (i.e., television spots, newspaper print, magazine ads, etc.)

Trailer: IOFF may request a short trailer for films over 10 minutes to use for promotional purposes.

Interim Screenings: In addition to possibly being screened at IOFF during the stated festival dates, accepted films may be screened throughout the year for promotional purposes, as a separate screening in cooperation with other IOFF partnership organizations, and at the IOFF Traveling Program.

GENERAL RULES and TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• All submissions must be ocean themed.
• All works must be in English or have English subtitles. Entries can be any genre – documentary, narrative fiction, or animation – and can be submitted by professional or amateur filmmakers.
• We have limited program slots for films longer than 60 minutes, but all submissions of this length and longer will be taken into consideration.
• Film must be completed by the deadline date in which they are being submitted. Works in progress will not be accepted, and edits to films after they have been submitted will not be allowed.
• More than one film may be submitted, but a separate entry fee must be paid for each.
• IOFF does not pay screening fees or shipping fees in order to screen a film, nor does IOFF underwrite production costs (duplication, subtitling, etc.).
• Upon completion of the Festival selection process, we will attempt to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Applicant of the Film’s acceptance status. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of the selection period.
• IOFF is under no obligation to provide to the Applicant or any other representative of the Film any comments or feedback regarding the submitted Film should it not be accepted for exhibition at the Festival.
• Every submitted film is evaluated on its merits and how it meets the criteria for our festival. The fact that it is or has been available on Youtube or Vimeo or has had limited distribution at selected theaters or has been shown on TV is considered in our evaluation but is not a reason for rejecting the film. We prefer films made within the past year or two but an older film that deals with an unusual subject or has historical importance or has not been shown theatrically for several decades might also be considered for the festival. Each film is unique and will be evaluated as such.
• All filmmakers will be required to sign a Filmmaker Licensing Agreement granting IOFF permission to use their film as part of the film festival. You can view a sample of this agreement form at www.intloceanfilmfest.org/film-submissions.
• All Official Selections will be required to submit a film with closed captions.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicholas Budabin

    Our film Great White Summer premiered at the 2024 International Ocean Film Festival. The festival team was so lovely in answering all of our questions and making sure we felt welcomed and supported. The venue is right on the water with beautiful views and it’s a huge theater! The audience was enthusiastic and engaged in the Q&A's and the parties were awesome! Overall it was a tremendous experience that exceeded our expectations and we would love to come back. Highly recommend it to other filmmakers.

    May 2024
  • Francesco de Augustinis

    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!

    May 2024
  • Clément Pourtal

    Incredible time in San Francisco for the best festival! The incredible location is a real plus but it's the quality of the festival that really impressed me.
    Congrats to International Ocean Film Festival team for this high-end and Incredible event with a lot of intersting people, high level panels and incredible selection. We are thrilled to have received an award from this really prestigious venue and will definitely be back!

    April 2024
  • Sarah Macdonald

    Our CNN film Blue Carbon premiered in North America at the IOFF. Thanks to all the hard work from Ana and her army of volunteers that made this festival unique. The quality of the films and discussions were outstanding. Well done everyone, highly recommend it. Sarah

    April 2024
  • Manlio Martinez

    My first film was selected for IOFF 2023 so I decided to make my way from Honduras to San Francisco and celebrate this great honor and achievement in person. It was the first film festival I ever attended so I don’t have much to compare with, but I can honestly say everything seemed very well organized, the selection of films was impeccable, with films of great quality- and I tried to watch all of them. You could tell from the attendance that it is a well respected festival drawing folks from different fields, the film industry, environmentalists, educators and all in a beautiful location. I got to meet some interesting people, with diverse backgrounds, which opened the door to other film festivals and screening opportunities for my film. I really could not have asked for more, the whole event exceeded all of my expectations- I had the time of my life.

    July 2023