Guide to the International Ocean Film Tour
The International Ocean Film Tour is coming back to THE SANDBOX!
The sixth voyage of the International Ocean Film Tour arrives at THE SANDBOX for two back to back nights on April 25th and 26th. The tour includes 120 minutes of environmental and ocean adventure documentaries, each sharing a unique way people are exploring, protecting, and interacting with our oceans. This is our third year hosting the IOFT and we’re thrilled to bring another year of inspiring sea stories to Santa Barbara.
Your $15 ticket includes one raffle ticket for an intermission prize draw including water bottles and soft-sided cooler/backpacks courtesy of Hydro Flask. Topa Topa Brewing Co. and Hobo Wine (both 1% For The Planet companies) are providing beverages on a donation basis, with proceeds going to the Surfrider Foundation. Nimita’s Cuisine will be parked outside on Thursday night for dinner and Lucca Food Truck is onsite Friday night. Doors for both nights open at 6:30pm and films begin at 7:00pm. Feel free to bring your own beer/wine vessel!
The film tour is made possible by Hydroflask, and our local sponsors, 1% For The Planet, Toad & Co., and Topa Topa Brewing.
Purchase your tickets here:
Get tickets for Thursday Night
THE LINEUP
This year, the International Ocean Film Tour features six documentary films that will excite any ocean enthusiast. Keep reading to see what you can expect.
Julie
Born on the island of La Réunion, Julie Gautier grew up as a child of the ocean. Freediving and spearfishing became second nature to her but her passion lies in the creative process – as an award-winning filmmaker and a dancer. Fusing free diving and dance, Gautier leads us into a new territory of ocean life. JULIE is Gautier’s powerful story of finding her creative voice beneath the surface.
700 Sharks
In 700 SHARKS, Laurent Ballesta takes us along to the Pacific atoll Fakarava, where he has been studying the hunting behavior of great reef sharks for four years. With cutting edge technology and an international team of experts Ballesta wants to uncover the sharks’ strategies hunting groupers in a narrow ravine on the coral belt. With unprecedented footage and spectacular scenes, 700 SHARKS opens our eyes to the fascinating complexities of life underwater and the moon’s influence on it.
Chasing The Thunder – Ocean Warriors
CHASING THE THUNDER take us on epic 110-day sea chase across three oceans, two seas, and follows two Sea Shepherd ships as the crew attempts to shut down one of the most notorious illegal poaching vessels, the Thunder. This film shows us that conviction and resilience will make a difference where governments fail.
Andy Irons- Kissed By God
Kissed by God is a vivid account of the three-time world champion’s path to the top and his tragic death. In a series of heart-wrenching close-ups, Irons’s widow and younger brother open up about his bipolar disorder and opioid addiction. KISSED BY GOD is not just a riveting surf portrait; it’s also the heartwrenching story of a beloved athlete, one who pushed the limits of his sport and transcended the boundaries of his condition against all odds up and until his untimely death.
Surfer Dan
This film follows Dan, a midwest surfer whose stomping grounds are the chilly, ice-covered waters of Lake Superior. Dan shows what unconditional love for surfing looks like, icicles in beard and all.
Blown Away
Sound engineers Hannes and Ben want to see the world – and they find their perfect travel companion in Marianne: With this 9-meter sail boat and no experience to speak of, the “Sailing Conductors” embark on a life-changing journey from Sydney to Berlin – with plenty of detours and stopovers on the way. In four and a half years Hannes and Ben call at ports in 31 countries. Their goal is to record as many local musicians as they can and connect all of them through music. On tape, the Sailing Conductors introduce people from across the globe, who have never met one another in real life. This sailing adventure has not only a unique soundtrack, it will also kindle everyone’s wanderlust.
Take a look at this year’s film tour trailer!
