ANIMATION
This category recognizes achievement in the use of animation to convey engaging ocean stories and marine conservation information.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
BEST USE of MUSIC
This category includes Music Videos and recognizes the vital role music and the soundtrack plays in creating visual media that engages its viewers. Judges will be looking for excellence in the use of music to enhance the cinematic experience.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
BROADCAST TV PROGRAM
This category honors the best ocean focused program which has aired or is slated to air on broadcast television. The program should advance appreciation, awareness and understanding of the ocean, marine life and/or humanity's interconnectivity to the seas.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
CHILDRENS
This category recognizes the best films or programs that present information about our ocean to young audiences in an engaging, entertaining way and age appropriate way.
WINNER
FINALISTS
CINEMATOGRAPHY
This category recognizes excellence in cinematography within the Ocean environment. The quality and artistry of both underwater and topside cinematography will be evaluated.
WINNER
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One Breath: A Monterey Bay Experience Bob Talbot USA
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
CONSERVATION INNOVATION and SOLUTIONS
This category recognizes the best films showcasing CONSERVATION Initiatives, effective SOLUTIONS, new INNOVATIONS or successful STRATEGIES that address issues threatening the sustainability of the ocean and the planet.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS: PEOPLE and the SEA
This category is for films that communicate the human inter-connectivity to the sea. This includes cultural, social, economic, spiritual and health connections as well as maritime history, archeology and anthropological perspectives.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
This category recognizes outstanding work in Feature Ocean Documentary films. Qualifying films are documentaries or factual visual media produced for theatrical release or distribution in a commercial cinema.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
EDUCATIONAL NON-BROADCAST
This category is for films under 40 minutes produced specifically for use in non-broadcast settings, such as in museums, zoos, parks, aquariums, or other institutional/educational venues that effectively advance awareness and appreciation of the oceans.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
EMERGING FILMMAKER
This category is for films produced by non-student emerging filmmakers. Recent graduates, new independents and those with no more than one production that has been distributed are invited to submit to this category.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTION
EXPLORATION and ADVENTURE
This category recognizes the best films featuring ocean exploration, adventurous exploits, research expeditions or other activities relating to ocean discovery and understanding.
WINNER
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Antarctica 3D: On The Edge Jon Bowermaster Antarctica
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
This category recognizes excellence in ocean related films produced in a non-English language. However, all films must have English subtitles for judging and Festival screenings.
WINNER
FINALISTS
MARINE LIFE
This category recognizes the most outstanding films whose main story relates to Marine Life. Some examples include: interesting behavior, the animal's habitat, its role within the ocean ecosystem, the relationships between species or how they are impacted by humans.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
MARINE SCIENCES
This category recognizes the best films that effectively engage the audience while increasing the understanding of marine and oceanographic sciences as they relate to sustainability and ocean literacy.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
OCEAN ISSUES
This category recognizes the best films whose focus is on issues threatening our ocean's health, sustainability, biodiversity and/or ability to provide life support for our planet.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
PRESENTER LEAD PROGRAM
This category is awarded to the best ocean focused program that utilizes a Host /Presenter to make the production engaging, entertaining and informative.
WINNER
FINALISTS
SHORTS
The Short Film category recognizes outstanding storytelling and production values in films on any relevant topic with a run time between 3 to 20 minutes.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SHORT SHORTS
This category recognizes the best ocean related videos under 3 minutes in length. This includes amateur videos, online one-off or series, multi media projects, commercials, public service announcements, etc. and recognizes excellence in story telling, impact and creativity.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
STUDENT FILMMAKER
This category is dedicated to recognizing student filmmakers enrolled in a verifiable academic program. No age restrictions. Proof of student status should be sent in with submission materials.
WINNER
FINALISTS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
This category recognizes films that showcase ocean sports such as surfing, paddle boarding, rowing, sailing, free diving, swimming or other aquatic based activities while showing a connection between the sport and ocean stewardship.
WINNER
FINALIST
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SPECIAL JURY RECOGNTION for 3D
WINNER
FINALIST
Stewart Rob 
