Robert D. Thompson 
Over the past few years, we have seen the multiplication of several initiatives in the world of entertainment: podcasts, television series and film festivals. Indeed, bigger choices seem to abound across the entertainment spectrum, but it’s a San Diego backyard film festival that should resonate with citizens who live in such close proximity to the ocean.
I had the chance to speak with the general director of the Festival and the Institute, Greg Reitman.
He talked about wanting to create a voice and a platform for ocean and water-based content. Its goal is “not advocacy, but good environmental storytelling”.
Covid put the kibosh on the festival’s early efforts, but now Reitman and his team are back with a solid slate of 35 films, “all Telluride quality.” Reitman explained that “some movies have big budgets, some have smaller ones, but all movies have found a way to tell a story, which is more compelling than an over and over advocacy ad”.
Of the nearly three dozen films shown at the BWFF, there will be one world premiere, twelve US premieres, with the remaining films all being California premieres.
Some of the particularly tantalizing films on offer include:
- Inside Antarctica Director: Mike Libecki
- The last of the right whales Director: Nadine Pequeneza
- soul of the ocean Director: Howard Wesley Hall
- wisdom of the whales Director: Rick Rosenthal
The festival takes place on June 2n/a up to 5e2022. Majority of films will be screened in person at La Paloma Theater in Encinitas and Museum of Photography (MOPA) in Balboa Park, Media Arts Center San Diego in Downtown San Diego and streamed virtually at Blue Water+.
Jane Goodall will receive the festival prize Global Citizen Award, which is presented to an industry leader whose contributions to marine science and entertainment innovation have changed the industry – and the world – for the better. The prize will be awarded via digital on Sunday, June 5 at the La Paloma Theater. The awards ceremony will be live from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Damian Hobgood will also receive the Blue Water Eco Award and California State Treasurer Ma will deliver three award certificates that night on behalf of the State of California.
The BWFF now takes place every year to celebrate United Nations World Oceans Day. “We’re trying to bring this to the attention of the community,” says Reitman. “To help us appreciate the ocean and what it serves.”
Reitman offers a sobering assessment: “If the oceans die, we die, the oceans are the lungs of our planet, not the forest.
Full program list here: Blue Water Film Festival
