HAWAI‘I ISLAND—The 2019 annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival (Waimea Film) kicks off the new year January 1-9, in Waimea, as well as The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, Mauna Kea Resort and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Festival passes are available online starting July 11 at www.waimeaoceanfilm.org with extra early purchase pass rates available at that time.

The Waimea Ocean Film Festival brings an immersive visual experience to the island each January, offering guests heart-pounding adventure, giant surf, marine life, international expeditions and ocean action, all while garnering greater insight and understanding into the ocean environment and island culture. Over 60 films feature ocean experience, ocean environment, island culture, inspiring stories and epic adventure.

In addition to the non-stop program of films, interactive presentations, exhibits and Breakfast Talks, ocean-based activities add a dynamic element to the festival. Breakfast Talks provide an intimate setting for guests to connect with filmmakers and special guests to ask questions and hear the behind-the-scenes stories that bring the films to life.

“People often tell us they keep a copy of the Festival Program by their bedside for nighttime reading year-round,” notes Tania Howard, Waimea Film founder and director. “They love reading about the films and speakers and learning more about the ocean and island. A PDF copy of the 2018 Festival Program can still be downloaded from the website.” 

Films and programs will roll Tuesday, Jan. 1 to Friday, Jan. 4 at venues in Waimea, the Mauna Kea Resort and The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai`i, before moving Saturday, Jan. 5 to Wednesday, Jan. 9 to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Waimea venues include Kahilu Theatre, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), Parker School Theatre and Anna Ranch.

The 2019 Festival Program will be posted to the website in PDF format for convenient download around December 20.

A painting by Sophie Twigg-Smith Teururai, “Moto Araara,” has been chosen as the festival’s 2019 cover art. Born and raised on Hawai`i Island, Teururai lives in Tahiti with her husband and paints scenes of the islands. She is the granddaughter of noted Hawai‘i artist William Twigg-Smith and an exhibit of her work will be on display during the festival.

For event updates, visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org or follow the Waimea Ocean Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. For questions, contact the festival at 808-854-6095 or [email protected].

The Waimea Ocean Film Festival is a 501c3 organization made possible through the support of patrons, sponsors and the community. Mahalo to the 2018 Waimea Film partners: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Holualoa Inn, PSAV, Matson, K2 Imaging, Sushi Rock, Laulima Food Patch, Big Island Brewhaus, Big Island Traveler, Maile Charters, Mauna Lani Sea Adventures, Kamuela Inn, Starbucks Coffee, Anna Ranch Heritage Center, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), Parker School, West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, Waimea Music, Kona Law, Emily T Gail Show, Waimea Yoga, Alaskan Airlines, Maui Jim Sunglasses, The Beach FM and The Wave FM.