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Best Marine Animal Behavior Film
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This category recognizes films that excel in capturing the behavior of marine animals and provide an insight into the animal's life, reveal new information or explore an interdependency between species.
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Best Marine or Earth Sciences Film
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This category recognizes films that are entertaining and effective in increasing the understanding of marine and oceanographic sciences or other scientific disciplines as they relate to the marine environment.
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Best Issue Awareness Film
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This category honors films/programs whose primary focus is on issues threatening our ocean's health, sustainability, balance of life and/or ability to provide life support for our planet
-Plastic Pollution -Marine Debris & Entanglement -Coral Bleaching & Degradation -Climate Change
-Unsustainable Fishing -Ocean Acidification
-Habitat/Ecosystem Destruction -Invasive Species
-Species Threats; Ex: Tuna Fishing, Turtle Poaching, Shark Finning, Whaling, Dolphin Kills -Toxins and Contaminates -Other Ocean Health Issues
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Best People & the Sea Film
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This category is for films that communicate the human inter-connectivity to the sea. This category includes cultural, social, economic, spiritual and health connections as well as maritime history, archeology and anthropological perspectives.
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Best Exploration & Adventure Film
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This category is for films that effectively portray current adventurous exploits of ocean voyages, deep ocean research expeditions and other activities relevant to ocean discovery, conservation and understanding of new oceanic frontiers.
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Best Children's Film
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This category recognizes films that effectively relate ocean information to young audiences in an educational, engaging and entertaining way.
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Best Theatrical Documentary Film
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This category recognizes outstanding work in Theatrical Documentary films that advance appreciation and understanding of the oceans and where distribution is slated for a commercial cinema venue where tickets are sold to the public.
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Best Non-Broadcast Film
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This category is for films produced specifically for use in museums, zoos, parks, aquariums, or other institutional/educational venues that effectively advance awareness and appreciation of the oceans.
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Best Cinematography Award
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This category recognizes excellence in cinematography within the Ocean environment. The quality and artistry of both underwater and topside cinematography will be evaluated.
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Best Emerging Filmmaker Award
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This category is for submissions by non-student emerging filmmakers. Recent graduates, new independents and those with no more than one film credit for a production that has been broadcast or professionally distributed are invited to submit to this category
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Best Student Film
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This category is dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student filmmakers enrolled in a verifiable academic program. Includes both secondary and college level programs. No age restrictions. Proof of student status must be sent in with submission materials.
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Best Short Film
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This category is dedicated to Ocean relevant films under 20 minutes in length.
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Best Online DotDoc Video
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This category recognizes the best ocean related video short under 10 minutes in length and available for viewing via web-based platforms. This category will recognize excellence in story telling, creativity and community building though online media.
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Best Foreign Language Film
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This category recognizes outstanding achievements for ocean related films in a non-English language. However must have English subtitles.
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Best Ocean Sports Film
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This category recognizes films that focus on sports such as surfing, diving, sailing, scuba, free diving, swimming or other aquatic based activities and recreation. Films in this category should be entertaining and effective in relating the sport to ocean stewardship and an appreciation of the sea.
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Best Broadcast Program
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This category honors the best ocean focused program which has aired or is slated to air on broadcast television. The program should effectively advance appreciation, awareness and understanding of the ocean, marine life and/or humanity's inter-connectivity to the seas.
Individual episodes of your choice from a series may be submitted for evaluation in this category.
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Best Public Service Announcement
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This category recognizes the best Public Service Announcement (PSA) or Commercial Spot that inspires ocean conservation and/or ocean stewardship. Films in this category are typically 30 or 60 seconds in length ; however appropriate productions up to 2:30 minutes may be entered into this category.
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Best Presenter Lead Program
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This category is awarded to the film program that best utilizes a Host / Presenter to make the production engaging, entertaining and informative.
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Best Animated Film
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This category pays tribute to outstanding achievement in the use of animation to convey engaging ocean stories and/or marine conservation information. This category recognizes all forms of animation, including 3D.
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Best Narrative Feature Film
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This category recognize Narrative Feature Films that share stories in which the ocean, marine animals or other relevant ocean elements play a central role in the story. The films in this category may be character-based or issue driven and should be longer than 40 minutes in length.
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Best Interactive Campaign
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This award is presented to the most creative and engaging new media/multi-media initiative that leverages interactive technologies to raise awareness and understanding of our ocean. This category includes the use of social media, mobile media, web-based programs, video gaming
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Best 3D Film
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This category recognizes achievements in the use of 3D technology in ocean related films.
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Best Online Series
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This category recognizes the best digital video shorts series distributed online through web-based or social media platforms. The series should excel in engaging and educating audiences about ocean related topics. Please submit three episodes for evaluation.
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Best Innovation or Solutions Film
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This category recognizes the best films that focus on effective SOLUTIONS, INNOVATIONS and new STRATEGIES for achieving positive results in addressing issues threatening the health and sustainability of the ocean, its marine life and/or its ability to support life.
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Monterey County Student Film Competition
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This category is for films that are created by students while enrolled in a Monterey County, CA school or other type of educational or conservation program located within the County. Includes secondary through college level students. Please submit verification with entry materials. Teachers & Educators Please Note; a special screening & reception will be held for all participating Monterey County students during the festival.
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Best Sound Award
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This Award honors the vital role music and the soundtrack plays in creating a great film that truly engages its viewers. Judges will be looking for excellence in the use of music, narration and mixing quality to achieve an overall effect and cinematic experience. This category recognizes both original scores and sourced music which is creatively and effectively utilized.
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Best Ocean Music Video
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This category recognizes music videos focusing on the ocean, marine life, an issue affecting the ocean, the underwater world or a related topic such as sailing, surfing, diving, aquarium experience, etc. Think MTV for the Ocean. These films should have good story telling set to original or library music.
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MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The BLUE Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Event is devoted to utilizing the power of film to inspire appreciation and protection of our ocean and the life within.
With a commitment to honoring excellence in film-making, celebrating creativity and nurturing the next generation of great visual media story telling, BLUE is dedicated to providing a catalytic forum where Filmmakers, the marine science and ocean conservation communities come together to conspire & collaborate. BLUE is a must attend event that showcases the most entertaining & engaging ocean films of our time.
BLUE is proud to be reaching people all around the globe with Inspiration, Education & Conservation through Entertainment. BLUE On Tour is actively leveraging the power of film to engage people of all ages to become empowered stewards of our ocean and our planet.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
...Because great films CAN change the world...
BLUE: A Global Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Event
BLUE is a biennial festival that in just two seasons has become regarded as the premiere ocean film festival by combining ocean films, an industry conference and a conservation summit unlike any other event in the world. The festival has earned its reputation by bringing together more than 500 of the finest filmmakers, media professionals and researchers in a fun and engaging environment to present the largest and most entertaining collection of ocean related films anywhere. BLUE also is recognized as more than a niche event and has become a rising star on international film festival circuit for its trend setting activities. Featuring more than 100 outstanding ocean films and an exceptional week of mingling with renowned filmmakers, media execs, and revered researchers, the festival provides exceptional workshops, fun social activities and unprecedented opportunities for both the general public and film industry professionals.
BLUE 2012
Film Festival | Industry Conference | Conservation Summit
September 24-30, 2012
Set next to one of the world's most scenic landscapes along the Monterey Bay Peninsula, BLUE is a high-energy, enlightening and entertaining 7-Day festival showcasing the world's finest ocean films and award winning marine photography along with a filmmakers marketplace, science and conservation seminars, international policy discussions and a robust ocean media industry conference.
BLUE's industry conference provides unparallelled educational and networking opportunities for underwater and ocean related productions. Industry Conference seminars and workshops offer mentoring from esteemed professionals from the synergistic disciplines of media technology, underwater film-making, marine photography, ocean conservation, deep sea exploration, marine sciences, project funding, television programming, feature film production and content distribution.
Festival-goers get a chance to enjoy hundreds of entertaining films, exciting programs and great camaraderie and in an inspiring destination.
“More than films, more than a celebration of all things wet, the Blue Ocean Film Festival brings together a potent mix of artists, scientists, conservationists, decision makers, industry leaders, inquisitive teachers, lively kids and more. Come to be in the company of kindred spirits and make useful contacts. Come to be entertained, or inspired, or informed. Come to have a good time. Whatever strums your blue heartstrings just don't miss out. Dr. Sylvia Earle Founder Mission Blue, SEAlliance and a National Geographic Explorer in Residence
BLUE Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit 2012 agenda consists of:
1) International Film Competition: Honoring all genres of Ocean related films. The best ocean films from around the globe are selected to be screened and celebrated during the festival and recognized at the BLUE Carpet Awards Ceremony.
2) Industry Conference: Offering a full slate of programs for professional development. With seminars and hands-on skill building workshops focused on underwater & ocean related film-making, multimedia communication skills & excellence in underwater photography.
3) Conservation Summit: World leaders in Ocean Issues, Solutions and Policy head up a series of lectures & panels in conjunction with community educational outreach programs
As BLUE celebrates, supports and nurtures the spirit of the independent filmmaker and honors the accomplishments of film, photography and conservation heroes, Ocean Lovers, Photography Fans and Film Aficionados enjoy very special opportunities to interact with the Ocean Icons ...renowned explorers, filmmakers, scientists, artists, celebrities and conservation heroes from around the world.
BLUE is a "Not to Be Missed" event on the film festival circuit and offers both professional film-making and photography veterans & newcomers to the field an outstanding experience and opportunity for professional development and advancement.
ORGANIZERS
Debbie Kinder (CEO/Executive Director) ; Deborah Kinder (CEO) ; Sarah Sponaugle (Film Competition Coordinator) ; Sarah Sponaugle (Film Competition Coordinator)
GENERAL RULES
BLUE invites entries from filmmakers and broadcasters from around the globe on any topic which relates to the oceans.
Programs may be of any length, may originate in any format and be non-fictional or fictional.
The submitted work need not have been broadcast or publicly exhibited.
Please submit 4 DVDs (Format 0 or 1; NTSC) per category entered for judging purposes.
To enter a single film in more than one category you must submit a separate WAB entry for each category entered or download the submission form on our website www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org
All submissions entered into the competition are eligible for the Best of BLUE Award (Best of Festival)
Judging of finalists will be conducted by a jury of experienced professionals during the evaluation period prior to the festival. Judges will judge submissions on the basis of artistic excellence, scientific accuracy, technical achievement, and ability to inspire or empower.
The jury reserves the right to withhold an award in any category or to create a Special Jury Award for films deserving special recognition.
Film Finalists will be notified after final judging at least 60 days prior to the event so travel plans can be made.
All films selected as finalists will be made available to festival delegates and the general public throughout course of the festival.
Duplicate awards will be available for an additional fee.
Awards will be made out to the entrant unless specified otherwise. Any special requests after the award notification will require a change fee. If no individual is specified, then the award will name the producer of the film as the recipient.
Entrants hereby grant and assign to the festival and its successors and licensees the right to copy the entry in its entirety to facilitate promotional efforts and the technical operations of the festival, in and through any and all media formats now known or hereafter devised.
Entrant acknowledges that BLUE's winning entries may be included in BLUE On Tour, a traveling film festival. BLUE On Tour and the festival-winning films may be made available to non-profit groups, aquariums & zoos, schools and other organizations for special screenings, including paid or donation screening events at locations around the globe.
All entries, if selected to receive an award, may be included in our traveling festival unless filmmaker or authorized representative specifically requests their film to be excluded from BLUE On Tour.
All submissions will be retained permanently by BLUE Ocean Film Festival for educational, promotional, traveling festival, and archival library purposes. Promotional segments of any film submitted will not exceed two minutes in length.
BLUE is not responsible for any copyright infringement resulting from public screenings or printed promotional materials.
BLUE reserves the right to make additional dubs for the above listed purposes.
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