MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR WAIMEA OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

HAWAI‘I ISLAND—The seventh annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival (Ocean Film) is January 2-10, 2017 at numerous venues in Waimea, as well as The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, Mauna Kea Resort and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Festival passes are available online at www.waimeaoceanfilm.org with extra early purchase pass rates available. 

Ocean Film brings over 60 films to the big screen each year. Most are world, U.S., Hawai‘i or Big Island premieres, with many filmmakers in attendance. Films fall into categories of ocean experience, such as surfing; ocean environment; and island culture and history. In addition, films of broader cultural, historic and conservational appeal are also featured, as well as generally inspirational films and stories of epic adventure. 

“These films shed light on who we are, give pause for thought, and share the extraordinary,” says Tania Howard, Ocean Film founder and executive director. “They infuse and inspire our thoughts.” 

Films and programs will be Monday, Jan. 2 to Thursday, Jan. 5 at venues in Waimea, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel and The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai`i, before moving Friday, Jan. 6 to Tuesday, Jan. 10 to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. In addition to films, the festival offers intimate breakfast talks, Q & A filmmaker sessions, compelling speakers and artistic exhibits. 

The 2017 festival program will be completed and posted to the website in PDF format around December 20 for convenient download. As customary each year, last year’s People’s Choice Award winner, “Unbranded,” returns to the festival with the spectacular story of Texas cowboy Ben Masters, who recruits three friends and develops a plan to adopt, train and ride a string of wild mustangs 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada, through the heart of the American West. 

A painting by Sophie Twigg-Smith Teururai, “Parea Day,” has been chosen as the festival’s 2017 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. 

 The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is offering discounted room rates to festival pass holders from January 2-12.

For event updates, visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org or follow the Waimea Ocean Film Festival on Facebook. 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 2016 Ocean Film partners: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Holualoa Inn, Big Island Traveler, Matson, K2 Imaging, Sushi Rock, Palani French Bakers, Big Island Brewhaus, Mai Grille, Maile Charters, Starbucks Coffee, Anna Ranch Heritage Center, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), Parker School, West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, Kona Law, Emily T Gail Show, The Beach FM and The Wave FM.