Blue Water Film Festival – 7 Years of Ocean Storytelling Come Back to La Jolla

The Blue Water Film Festival (BWFF) is back for its seventh year, and if you care about the ocean, the planet, or just great filmmaking, this is one to get on your radar. Four days of films, special events, and some genuinely compelling conversations about our relationship with water are all on the cards.

Presented by the Blue Water Institute – a non-profit dedicated to ocean-based solutions and supporting the next generation of environmental filmmakers – BWFF has built a reputation for pairing powerful cinema with real-world impact. This year’s lineup does not disappoint.

31 Films Spanning Features, Shorts, and Animation

The 2026 program features 31 films in competition, including 10 features, 15 shorts, and six animated works from filmmakers around the world. About half of all selections are non-US productions, which gives the festival a genuinely global perspective.

Over 80% of filmmakers will be in attendance, with Q&As following screenings. So if you’ve ever wanted to ask a director what it actually takes to make a film about the ocean, this is your shot.

Opening Night Reception and Screenings at Scripps Seaside Forum

The festival kicks off with an Opening Night Reception and screenings at the Scripps Seaside Forum. The evening opens with two short films – Guardians of the Wild, directed by Benjamín Soto, and Love Birds, co-directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris – followed by the feature documentary Wealth Untold, directed by Eladio Arvelo.

Worth noting: several of the filmmakers have local roots. Serge Dedina, Imperial Beach native and former IB mayor, directed Guardians of the Wild. Nathan Dappen of Point Loma is behind Human Footprint, Eladio Arvelo calls Carlsbad home, and Elliott Kennerson is based in Del Mar.

It’s a good reminder that world-class environmental storytelling is happening right here in San Diego.

Jaws at 50 – a Poolside Screening at La Valencia Hotel

One of the most talked-about screenings this year is Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, directed by Laurent Bouzereau. On the 50th anniversary of the film that changed how the world thinks about the ocean, Steven Spielberg shares an exclusive look inside the making of Jaws.

Closing night wraps up at UCSD Park & Market with The Eyes of Gana, a feature documentary by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot.

Honoring the People Doing the Work

Two awards will be presented at the Blue Water Awards ceremony at UCSD Park & Market. Jon Rose – former professional surfer, humanitarian, and founder of Waves For Water – receives the Eco Hero Award, recognizing his work bringing clean water to millions of people across 51 countries and responding to more than 40 major disasters.

The Pioneer Award goes to Dr. Janet Gibson, a leading figure in the Global Hope Spots movement who has spent decades working alongside Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue to protect critical ocean areas around the world. Her science-driven approach to marine conservation has left a lasting mark on how we think about protecting our coastlines.

The awards will be presented by actress Kathleen Quinlan and festival director Greg Reitman. The evening opens with a live performance by Costa Rican artist Tito Oses and closes with Grammy-winning blues legend Taj Mahal.

Special Events Worth Adding to the Lineup

Beyond the screenings, the festival has put together a strong slate of special events. There’s a farm-to-table dinner in Encinitas, a Coastal Shabbat dinner at the Hillel at UCSD, and two days of eco-storytelling at the La Jolla Riford Public Library.

There’s also a book signing with photographer Aaron Feinberg at Mangelsen in La Jolla.

This year’s featured artist is Joelle C., a contemporary aerial artist whose image, Loving the Flow and the Stars Below, serves as the official festival poster. Her work will be on exhibit during the festival, giving us the chance to view and purchase her ocean-inspired photography.

See you there!

Tickets are on sale now for the full four-day run. Grab your passes, catch some films, and spend a long weekend thinking a little more about the world we’re all sharing.

📆 March 19 – March 22, 2026
📍 La Jolla and surrounding areas
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!