International Ocean Film Foundation
The mission of the International Ocean Film Foundation is to be the premier global platform for ocean literacy and ocean education through independent film.
Now Accepting Film Submissions
Early Deadline is October 12
The International Ocean Film Foundation hosts its annual flagship three day event, now recognized as the premier ocean-centric film festival of its kind in the world.
Now heading into its 23rd year, IOFF has produced an acclaimed festival of independent ocean-related films from all over the world. Themes range from ocean adventure, exploration, science, marine life, ocean sports and coastal cultures. The films are curated to entertain audiences, but more importantly, to educate and encourage active participation in ocean-specific environmental efforts and better ocean stewardship.
A number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned IOFF Traveling Program.
🌊 Back-to-School with Ocean Stories:
Help IOFF Bring Inspiration into Classrooms
As students dive into a new school year, we’re making sure the ocean comes with them. Through the International Ocean Film Festival’s (IOFF) Education Outreach Program, teachers around the world can access IOFF-vetted films that bring ocean literacy, conservation, and inspiration directly into classrooms—anytime, anywhere.
Your support makes this possible. With your gift, we can continue to provide teachers with powerful ocean stories that spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and empower the next generation of ocean stewards.
📅 Campaign Dates: September 3 – 30
Together, we can make waves in education
Help us reach out goal of $5,000 during campaign.
TEXT SHORT CODE: 44834; keyword IOFF
Filmmaker Testimonials
"It was a great honour for SOULs to be selected and screened at IOFF 2025. The venue at fort mason was incredible and provided an amazing space for the film to be presented alongside other amazing ocean stories. The film festival was a great opportunities to meet filmmakers alike and amplifying ocean stories to a global audience."
Ian Mun
Souls
Singapre (2025)
"A beautifully organised festival and a great selection of ocean films. Thank you so much for selecting my film 'Peixinho' for the Jury Award. Meeting so many other passionate filmmakers and ocean lovers at the festival was incredible. The audiences were great, and the city was so hospitable. I hope to be back again!"
Kaushiik Subramaniam
Peixinho (Little Fish)
Portugal (2025)
"Thank you so much to the whole staff of this amazing festival: people who loves Oceans and really trust in the power of impactful storytelling in boostering positive change in our society. I hope I'll be able to attend the IOFF again!"
Francesco de Augustinis
Until the End of the World
Italy (2024)
IOFF Sponsors
IOFF Education Program
The 20th Anniversary edition of the Free Ocean Education Film Program for middle school and high school students will be hosted this year on Thursday and Friday April 9th and 10th, at the Roxie Theater and at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason, San Francisco.
The two hour event features a curated program of official selections from the main film festival designed to entertain, engage and inspire middle school and high school students from across the Bay Area. The core value of the mission of the International Ocean Film Foundation is education and ocean literacy, and to be the premier platform for ocean education and literacy through independent film.
Students have the opportunity to engage with filmmakers, scientists, marine biology experts and more. Many students gain insights into the possibility of becoming a filmmaker or studying marine sciences and becoming a marine scientist as a career option.