FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – A celebration of ocean conservation, storytelling, and science came to life as a prelude to World Ocean Day during the Guy Harvey Foundation’s Third Annual International Ocean Film Festival on June 7, presented in partnership with Nova Southeastern University (NSU), their NSU Ocean team and the International Ocean Film Festival Foundation.
Guests enjoyed a curated lineup of ocean-inspired short films by a diverse group of film makers, a Q&A with Dr. Christopher Malinowski, Director of Research and Conservation at Ocean First Institute; Dr. Mahmood Shivji, NSU Professor of Marine Conservation Biology and Genomics and Director of NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute; and NSU Scientist Dr. Susan Caballero.
“We believe in the power of visual storytelling to not only entertain but to educate and inspire,” said Jessica Harvey, CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF). “Every story shared during the festival, from whale shark conservation in India to coral spawning in the Pacific, underscores how interconnected we are with the ocean and how urgent it is that we protect it.”
Featured films included: Disappearing Giants (Ocean First Institute, USA), which investigates the mysterious population decline of Florida’s Goliath Groupers after decades of recovery; Deep Look: A Coral is Born, that captures the awe-inspiring synchronized spawning of coral under perfect natural conditions; Wild Hope: Whale Shark Homecoming (Geoff Luck, USA) that follows a fishing community in India as it transforms into conservation leaders to protect whale sharks; The Human Side of Plastic, Babacar Thiaw (Andrew Lynch, Ben Ayers, Rush Sturges, USA), chronicling the efforts of a Senegalese chef who turns his zero-waste restaurant into a movement against plastic pollution; and Souls (Ian Mun, Singapore), a montage of underwater photography legends reflecting on their first dives, the ocean’s changes and why they remain hopeful.
Proceeds from the film festival and an on-site raffle benefit GHF’s year-round educational programs that provide students with hands-on STEAM experiences and equip educators with professional development and classroom-ready resources.
The Third Annual International Ocean Film Festival was made possible by generous underwriters including Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Foundation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Marine Research Hub and Evans Roofing.
For more information, contact Amanda Martin at 239-370-8686 or Amanda@guyharveyfoundation.org
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About the Guy Harvey Foundation:
With a focused mission to better understand and conserve the ocean environment, the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF) collaborates with local, national and international organizations to conduct scientific research and provides funding to affiliated researchers who share this objective. The GHF also develops and hosts cutting-edge educational programs that help educators to foster the next era of marine conservationists, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. For more information, visit www.GuyHarveyFoundation.org. Follow the GHF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOcean, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GuyHarveyOcean, or connect on Instagram at www.instagram.com/GuyHarveyOcean.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is the largest private research university in Florida and a top employer in the state, with more than $5 billion in projected economic impact. NSU is classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Foundation among universities with the highest level of research activity. Visit www.nova.edu for more information.
