HAWAII ISLAND — The 2020 annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival returns Wednesday, ushering in another action-packed lineup of films, filmmaker Q&As, speakers, exhibits, presentations and Breakfast Talks.
The intimate experience always puts viewer and filmmaker side by side, immersing participants in a greater understanding and awareness of the ocean and island culture.
Breakfast Talks and presentations provide an opportunity for guests to hear from filmmakers and speakers as they share up-to-date information about the ocean and environment, stories behind-the-scenes in filming or breathtaking slide shows.
“The talks, presentations and Q&As are perhaps my favorite part of the event,” said Festival Founder and Director Tania Howard in a press release. “It feels very special to be in the audience as they unfold and to hear the inside-story. Many of the presentations are not-to-be-missed.”
Screenings and programming run Jan. 1-4 in Waimea, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and at the Mauna Kea Resort before moving Jan. 5-8 to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Over 70 films feature ocean experience, ocean environment, island culture, inspiring stories and tales of epic adventure.
Presentations include a behind-the-scenes look at the four-year filming project Seven Worlds, One Planet; and a series Deep Dives, where film crews dove to the deepest parts of all five oceans; the California high speed rail project; a slide show by whale photographer Flip Nicklin; and a presentation about Hawaiian green sea turtles and their changing world.
Festival passes can be purchased at www.waimeaoceanfilm.org, along with inaugural festival tees and sweatshirts in a variety of colors. Passes enable festival-goers to choose among the festival’s rich and complex offerings while customizing the depth they delve into topics.
Programs are available Dec. 30 at the Festival Hospitality Desk at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
Films will be screened simultaneously Jan. 1-4 at multiple venues in Waimea (Kahilu Theatre, HPA Gates, Parker Theatre) and at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. The festival moves after that to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Present your Festival Pass with photo Jan. 2-10 and receive a 10% discount at all Mauna Kea Resort restaurants.
The Kamuela Inn offers special rates to festival pass holders starting Wednesday, use promo code OCEAN when booking accommodations.
For event updates, visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org or follow the Waimea Ocean Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. For questions, contact the festival at 854-6095 or info@waimeaoceanfilm.org.