The annual showcase of maritime cinema is set to visit British venues this autumn, presenting audiences with a curated collection of brief cinematic works centred on the world’s oceans.
The event will make a scheduled appearance at the Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds on September 24.
Entering its thirteenth edition, the programme presents narratives spanning both surface waters and ocean depths, with particular emphasis on marine creatures, daring expeditions, and environmental preservation efforts.
Nell Teasdale, who serves as the United Kingdom tour director, explained that the festival represents an annual commemoration of the sea in its entirety, encompassing its aesthetic appeal, formidable nature, and susceptibility to harm.
The collection features an assortment of productions, each presenting distinctive content ranging from remarkable journeys to stunning footage of aquatic species, alongside portraits of individuals committed to safeguarding marine ecosystems.
Among the featured presentations, The Raftsmen documents the ambitious undertaking of twelve individuals originating from seven separate nations who sought to traverse the Pacific Ocean during 1973 aboard three vessels constructed entirely from wood.
This half-year expedition relied exclusively on celestial navigation, relying upon solar and stellar positioning for guidance throughout the passage.
The undertaking stands as the most extensive raft voyage ever successfully completed.
The original footage was captured using sixteen-millimetre film stock, which has subsequently undergone meticulous restoration to four-kilobyte resolution for contemporary viewers.
Additional programme entries encompass Granny Grommets, a succinct nine-minute production chronicling a collective of senior female surfers who maintain their passion for riding waves despite objections from family members.
Tides of Life presents a sixteen-minute examination of Richard Tesore’s dedication to establishing and operating Uruguay’s inaugural facility dedicated to the rescue and recovery of marine mammals, documenting his rehabilitation work with wounded penguins, sea lions, otters, and various other oceanic species.