2nd Annual World Ocean Day Film Fest
in partnership with the International Ocean Film Festival
2024 date TBA
The film festival was held Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. A selection of short films (featured below) centered on ocean conservation were shown with commentary by LMC host and local guest speakers, including underwater photographers, filmmakers and leaders in ocean conservation.
2023 Films
2023 LIVE ‘Stories from the Blue’ Panelists
2024 lineup to be announced.
Tom Fitz, Fitz Productions
Tom Fitz is an American cameraman, producer and director who has documented our planet's natural wonders for over thirty years. As a freelance cinematographer, Tom has worked for the BBC, PBS, National Geographic and many others. He is the recipient of four Primetime Emmy Awards for cinematography and two for outstanding series, as well as two BAFTA awards.
Tom’s experience and comfort working underwater are rivaled by few. He is among a small handful of cameramen who has worked in all seven continents and five oceans, including under the ice in our planet’s polar regions. He has experience with underwater ROV technology and manned submarines in waters over a mile deep. In 2008, Tom started Schoolyard Films, Inc. with the belief that educating today's students about the natural world and the challenges it faces is of critical importance to tomorrow's healthy environment.
Tom Halleran, South Florida Underwater Photographers Society (SFUPS)
Tom's passion for the underwater world started at a very young age. It began with a love of sharks and evolved into a fascination with all marine life. Born and raised in Seattle, he learned to dive in the Puget Sound at the age of 18. Now a happy South Floridian, he uses his photography to capture and share images which he hopes will inspire a greater understanding and appreciation for our oceans. Tom is an award winning photographer and an active member of the South Florida Underwater Photography Society (SFUPS), where he serves on the Board of Directors.
Amy Giannotti, SchoolYard Films
Amy Giannotti is marine ecologist, avid scuba diver, and enthusiastic science communicator. She currently serves as the Director of Development for Schoolyard Films, a 501c3 non-profit organization that was founded in 2008 to bring the planet’s most remote locations into schools and classrooms via high-end environmental documentaries for youth. Raising awareness through expert filmmaking provides a bridge for connecting humans to these environments.