Following a successful fourth edition, the International Sea Film Festival officially opens the call for its fifth edition, continuing its consolidation as a meeting place between cinema, science and the ocean.
Organized by the Oceans Institute of the University of Concepción and the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO), the festival will take place between May 5 and 8, 2027, in Concepción. Starting July 17, national and international filmmakers can submit their work free of charge through the FilmFreeway and Festhome platforms.
The call is aimed at feature-length documentaries, short documentaries and animated short films, with one essential requirement: that the ocean, the seas, marine ecosystems or cultures linked to the sea constitute the central focus of the work.
A Festival that continues to grow
The fourth edition marked a significant milestone for the International Ocean Film Festival. With over 1,300 submissions, 21 selected films, an attendance exceeding 1,200 people, and a closing ceremony at the Teatro Biobío, the Festival reaffirmed the community's growing interest in this space where film, science, and the ocean converge. This was further bolstered by the addition of new collaborating institutions, strengthening an initiative that expands its reach and impact year after year.
“This Festival has become deeply rooted in the region, and that gives it immense value. I believe the Biobío region is the heart of the Chilean ocean, providing a vital resource for our young people and researchers. Today, we see how more and more people, organizations, and institutions are embracing this project, which motivates us to continue growing and to develop an increasingly relevant festival for the community and the audiovisual world,” says Pablo Rosenblatt, the Festival Director.
Along the same lines, the organization hopes that this fifth edition will continue to expand its international reach and strengthen the link between filmmakers, scientists and citizens, promoting stories that inspire a greater understanding and appreciation of the ocean.
Since its inception in 2022, the International Sea Film Festival has sought to create a space where cinematic art engages in dialogue with science and maritime culture, bringing the public closer to the environmental, social, and cultural challenges facing the ocean.
As in previous versions, the program for this new edition will include the exhibition of selected films, talks with filmmakers and researchers, educational activities for schoolchildren, screenings open to the entire community and much more.
The complete rules and all information about the call for entries are available on the Festival website. https://www.marcinefest.cl/ and on their social media.