By LORI TOBIAS/Oregon ArtsWatch
NEWPORT — Oregon coast winters long have served as a catalyst for creating events to bring people in from the cold and a recent addition to that list is the Big Blue Film Festival at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center.
But while Big Blue was conceived in part as a good excuse to come in out of the wet, its mission is, well, even wetter.
“Our goal is to locate those ocean-themed films at the confluence of science and art, and to really engage the community, raise awareness, and share that,” said festival director MariAnna Hinojosa. “We know the negativity and challenges the ocean is facing right now. We want to find those hope spots and success stories and foster hope in folks and not focus on the doom and gloom and negativity of the current state.”
Sixteen films were shown at the first festival in 2023. Last year, there were 24 and this year saw a 40 percent increase in submitted films – or 220. Of those, 34 are scheduled beginning with opening night Friday.
A detailed listing of film blocks, times and locations is available at bigbluefilmfest.com. Hinojosa said logistics of space and size limit how many films can be accepted.
“But there are so many wonderful films out there that are being sent our way – from students in grade school all the way to professional films. The main thing is that it had to be ocean related, which is a kind of broad because the ocean is everywhere,” she said. “Other than ocean-focused, the films can be cultural, artistic, inspirational, scientific, or spotlight a personal connection. Or the connection “could just be, look at these beautiful creatures that are here.”
Opening night is Friday, Jan. 24, in the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building, and features award presentations and films, including the winner of the Most Inspiring Award, El Pulmo.
The 32-minute film depicts the “tireless efforts” of Mario Castro, a retired commercial fisherman. His work transformed Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, into the most successful marine park in the world. Filmmaker Mark Kronemeyer will be on hand to accept his award and answer audience questions.
The festival continues through Saturday at both the Carmen Ford Phillips Auditorium at Gladys Valley and at the Newport Performing Arts Center with seven blocks of films ranging in length from minutes to about two hours. Festival tickets are $15 per block, $12 for students and members of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Film blocks include themes such as “Passionate About Protecting,” “Stewards of the Sea,” and “Tech Explorations.”
Judging by ticket sales, one of the most popular themes this year is “Women, Water and Wonder,” Hinojosa said.
The block “is fully encompassing women, whether it’s a woman director or whether it’s focused on women in characters, it’s really celebrating how women are coming into a traditionally male-focused field,” Hinojosa said.
New this year is “Ocean Adventures Await,” which has more of a sport or emotional connection, she said.
“It’s a different type of connection this year than in the past, with less science focus and a little bit more of that emotional, mental, and physical connection to the ocean in a different way.”
Each block incorporates question-and-answer panels or other programming, depending on who is able to come, Hinojosa said. For blocks without in-person attendees to offer a Q&A, she records interviews with folks involved in the film and shows it afterward. Each film block has either a Q&A or at least one recorded interview to show.
A final single film, the 90-minute documentary Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey, by Ruán Magan, closes the festival Saturday at the Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are available online and in-person at the Newport Performing Arts Center’s ticket office or by calling 541-265-ARTS. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the day of the event, but due to sold-out blocks in previous years, event organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
The Big Blue Film Fest is a collaboration between Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts and the Newport Performing Arts Center.
- This story was originally published by our community partner Oregon ArtsWatch. For more arts news coverage go to Oregon ArtsWatch
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