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Newport’s Big Blue Film Fest gets the seal of approval
The Big Blue Film Fest, showcasing ocean-themed films that connect science and the arts, returns to Newport this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24 and 25, with screenings at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center.
The festival's opening night social takes place from 5 to 8 pm on Friday at the Hatfield, with complimentary food and drinks on offer.
This year, festival organizers selected 34 films by local and international filmmakers from more than 200 entries from 55 countries. These films will inspire, educate and captivate audience members as they tell stories about one of our planet's most essential resources.
The festival's films are grouped into seven two-hour blocks, one at each location. The bulk of the movies will be shown from 9:30 am to 8 pm on Saturday. Film blocks will also include interviews and Q&A sessions with filmmakers and marine scientists. Refreshments are available for purchase at both locations on Saturday.
The festival's opening night films will include the Most Inspiring Film award winner, “El Pulmo.” The filmmaker of “El Pulmo,” Mark Kronemeyer, will be on hand to accept his award and answer audience questions.
The film follows Mario Castro, a retired commercial fisherman whose tireless efforts have transformed Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, into the most successful marine park in the world. However, his idyllic world is threatened by the encroachment of modern-day challenges such as massive development projects, lack of authority and the swelling population. Embark on a journey through time and gain insight into Castro’s deep-rooted connection to this place and his unwavering commitment to preservation.
On Saturday, the Best Film award winner, “The Blue Quest Palawan” by Clément Pourtal and Jérôme Brousse will play at the Hatfield.
The documentary follows Pourtal and Brousse, who travel the world to see marine conservation projects and highlight the amazing people behind them on journeys they call “The Blue Quest.” This time, they are going to Palawan, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Coral Triangle, which is "The Philippines' last ecological frontier" and an area with exceptional marine biodiversity that is under threat. The Blue Quest takes you to meet the projects fighting at different levels to protect these vital ecosystems with a hopeful tool: marine protected areas.
The film blocks at the Newport Performing Arts Center will include “Eating: The Power to Save the Ocean” by Julien Challandes, a film that dares to ask the question: what if our food could save the ocean? The ocean is the source of life. The ocean is vital, but it is under threat. And that is mainly because of our food. We don't think about it because we can't see it, but what we eat can have serious consequences for the health of the ocean. Fortunately, solutions do exist. In France, men and women are already laying the foundations for more sustainable eating. Malaury, a young ocean activist, set off to hitchhike the roads of France to meet them, trying to better understand the impacts of our food on the ocean. Above all, she will discover tangible solutions for eating well while preserving the ocean.
Tickets for a single block of films are available for $15 for adults and $12 for students. An all-access pass is available for $60. The pass provides entry into all film blocks and includes the opening night social. Tickets for just the opening night social are $25.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of the event, but due to sold-out blocks in past years, the event organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. The Hatfield Marine Science Center is located at 2030 SE Marine Science Drive in Newport.
For more information and a detailed listing of film blocks, times and locations, go to bigbluefilmfest.com. For ticket information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.