A Celebration of Blue Planet Wonders

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour has hit dry land, touring the UK until November 22, bringing with it a collection of awe-inspiring and thought-provoking films that celebrate our planet’s greatest wilderness – the ocean.

This year’s tour continues its mission to captivate audiences with stories of adventure, conservation, and the indomitable human spirit.

The festival features short and feature-length films spanning genres from adrenaline-fuelled action to poignant environmental documentaries.

Attending the Ocean Film Festival is about more than just watching films; it’s a shared experience. Ocean-lovers, adventurers, conservationists and very amateur enthusiasts come together to celebrate their mutual passion, take part in excellent prize draws, and get involved with local marine charities, adding a real local community feel to every event.

This year’s selection features three films about riding the waves. ‘Astronaut in the Ocean’ features Shane Ackerman, a crane operator who does his job to fund days of liberation on his bodyboard. ‘Let Me Live’ brings the action closer to home, telling the story of Cornwall-bred surfer Tom Lowe’s rise to the top ranks of world surfing (pictured above). Then there’s the unexpected tale of surfers in Liberia – ‘We the Surfers’, a community emerging from the ravages of civil war with help from the global surfing community.

Short film ‘SOULS’ celebrates some of the world’s most extraordinary individuals whose lives are intertwined with the ocean. If you’ve ever been to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, you’ll already be familiar with the beautiful work of David Doubilet. He’s joined by five other amazing explorers and scientists who have changed our view of the world below the waves.

‘Orcas in the Arctic’ is an all too-brief glimpse of a successful pod of killer whales and the surprisingly mesmeric ‘Aquaballet’ features freediver Marianne Aventurier dancing with sea life and using the ocean as a living stage. Her performance will truly transform the way you perceive relationships between humans and ocean-dwelling creatures.

This year’s longest film is ‘Diving into the Darkness’ featuring one of the world’s greatest living cave divers Jill Heinerth (pictured above). Jill’s own superlative communication skills mean she is that rare thing – an extraordinary scientist who is able to explain the consequences of her exploration in a meaningful way to really diverse audiences. Her mission while on dry land is to become the role model her 10-year old self didn’t have. She achieves that aim with this film.

The Ocean Film Festival 2025 UK Tour is a must-see event for anyone with even the slightest interest in what’s beneath the waves. Whether you’re an avid surfer, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply in search of some breathtaking cinematography offering an escape from the everyday, the festival delivers an unforgettable experience.

It’s a celebration, a call to action, and a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our blue planet.

For more information on upcoming dates go to www.oceanfilmfestival.co.uk/tickets for accessibility information contact individual venues.