From a landlocked city in Brazil to filming surf stories around the world — this is the story of a filmmaker who chose to follow her heart. Some filmmakers arrive at surf documentaries through surfing. Renata Masseti arrived at them through something quieter: a deep love for stories, a hunger for the ocean, and a […]
Meet Renata Masseti: The Filmmaker Behind TAINÁ Read More »
There’s something quietly powerful about a great short film: you step into another world for only a few minutes, but it stays with you long after the credits roll. The Kelp Collector is exactly that kind of story — a beautifully observed ocean portrait that’s about to hit the big screen at the Ocean Film
For five years, filmmaker Dean Spraakman pursued something no one had ever captured on camera. What began as a chance discovery at a familiar dive site became an obsession that would test his patience, dedication, and commitment in ways he never anticipated. “My best moment shooting this film was when…” Spraakman pauses, careful not to
Behind The Film: Dragon’s Dance, A World- First Moment Captured Read More »
The Early Threads Some stories feel inevitable in hindsight — as if all the threads were always quietly pulling in the same direction. The story of Gauchos del Mar is one of them. Two brothers. A childhood shaped by the ocean. A restless curiosity for what lies beyond the map’s edge. And, eventually, a body
From Buenos Aires to the End of the World: The Origin of Gauchos del Mar Read More »
Before you watch Stone Biter, there’s a story worth knowing—one that didn’t make it into the film but captures everything about why this documentary exists. Filmmaker Ismaele Tortella was diving in the frigid waters off Northern Norway, documenting changes to the seafloor, when he spotted a lumpfish among newly growing kelp. As he moved in
Stone Biter: Behind the Lens Read More »
Some extraordinary stories are discovered in the most ordinary places. For filmmaker Chadden Hunter, it began in a tin shed by the shore in Ballina, a quiet fishing town on Australia’s east coast. Taking shelter from a downpour, his family wandered into the Ballina Maritime Museum—and there, towering in the dim light, stood a five-metre-tall
The Raftsmen: A True Story Too Wild to Invent Read More »
There’s a ripple of good news travelling across our oceans — one that deserves to be celebrated. After decades spent on the brink of extinction, the iconic Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) has officially been downgraded from “Endangered” to “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It’s a milestone many conservationists, coastal communities,
A Wave of Hope: Green Turtles Officially Move from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Least Concern’ Read More »
We’re absolutely stoked to unveil the 2026 Ocean Film Festival Australia hero image — a breathtaking photograph of a green sea turtle gliding peacefully through the blue, captured by Gold Coast–based marine wildlife photographer Evie Wilderness.
Introducing the 2026 Ocean Film Festival Hero Image – Captured by Evie Wilderness Read More »
Max Romey is a man of many passions—trail running, painting, filmmaking, and environmental advocacy—all woven into a life deeply inspired by his grandmother’s artistic legacy and his love for the outdoors. A watercolour artist, filmmaker, trail runner, and Protect Our Winters (POW) Ambassador, Romey’s work reflects his unique perspective on the world, shaped by a
Max Romey: Environmental Advocacy Through Art Read More »
The ocean is a realm of endless wonder—teeming with vibrant marine life, dazzling coral reefs, and mesmerising plays of light and shadow. For ocean lovers, capturing these underwater treasures is a dream come true. But underwater photography isn’t as simple as snapping a picture on land—it requires skill, patience, and the right equipment. Whether you’re
5 Best Tips for Underwater Photography: Capture the Magic Beneath the Waves Read More »
