Ocean Film Festival: A Mighty Splash
Last Thursday, I found myself at the Avoca Theatre, immersed in the Ocean Film Festival World Tour.
If I had to summarise the night in just three items: esky lids, discarded shoes, and choc tops.
Now I know you are all thinking ‘that sounds magnificent’. Let me tell you why it was a night that will leave a long standing mark on my relationship with water and my life in general.
About the night
The festival was a collection of short films celebrating the beauty, power, and fragility of the ocean. From breathtaking cinematography of marine life to the harrowing stories of those fighting to protect it, each film sparked something within me. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was an invitation—to observe, to play, to create, and to protect.
The 6 Ways of Water in Action
At Well Watered Life, we explore six ways of engaging with water: immerse, observe, consume, play, create, and protect. The Ocean Film Festival resonated deeply with each of these ways.
‘Astronaut in the Ocean’ featured bodyboarder Shane Ackerman, bombing the gnarliest waves on his esky lid (one of the more polite slang words for ‘bodyboard’). Two things really hit home for me: 1) the raw power we engage with when we immerse ourselves in the waves, and 2) the spectacular joy found in playing—even when being absolutely crushed by an epic Teahupo’o wave.
‘Aquaballet’ had me totally entranced. The film was, as the name suggests, about ballet in the ocean. Not something that I would usually sign up for, but I was hooked. The creativity was spectacular. There was something mesmerising about the way the dancer moved in the weightlessness of water, amongst the smooth, graceful rhythms of sea life that I feel I could watch over and over. This film is available on YouTube. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/P_UivO1kmRE?si=kRf-Y2wuEYGlQs8b
‘The Call’ was an inspiring story of passion for the water and its inhabits even following a life-changing, catastrophic experience in the water. There was beautiful creativity in the photography and a deep calling to protect all things water.
‘Footprints on Katmai’ provided a unique perspective on how to protect our waters through artistry and the balance between nature’s beauty and the deep scars humanity can leave on planet earth through our consumerism, all through the lens of discarded shoes.
These are just a few of many spectacular films shown on the night, not to mention the many, many others that were submitted by artists worldwide. It just shows the depth and breadth of human creativity with the wonderful muse of water, the stories it provides and the impact it has on our lives.
Avoca Beach Theatre
I also want to give a shout out to Avoca Beach Theatre, a niche little venue in a special beach location. Some things I loved:
· the house made choc tops in a variety of flavours. The choc mint flavour set my night up for success early.
· The old-school décor—complete with chandeliers in the aisles—gave it charm. I felt much fancier than I looked in my coastal casual clothes and choc top in hand.
· The ability to wander out to the point and take in the full moon shining over the ocean for the intermission. Can a film festival about the ocean have any better scenery for intermission?
A Call to Dive Deeper
Leaving the theatre, I felt both exhilarated and challenged. The Ocean Film Festival wasn’t just a showcase of stunning visuals—it was a call to action. For me, it was a personal reminder to keep pushing the mission of Well Watered Life—'to explore and optimise our relationship with water’.
If you ever get the chance to attend, I highly recommend it. Whether you’re an esky lid rider, a swimmer, a filmmaker, or just someone who loves a good choc top, it’s a night that stays with you long after the credits roll. No shoes required.
Have you attended the Ocean Film Festival or a similar event? How did it shape your relationship with water?
