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The Blue Water Awards honors filmmakers, activists and pioneers for their environmental justice work on global issues. Since its inception in 2020, the Blue Water Awards has established itself as a leading voice for the oceans in the world, sending powerful messages of the urgency of climate change and environmental injustices.
The Blue Water Film Festival takes place in San Diego home to the Scripps Oceanographic Institution. The year-round Blue Water Institute purpose is to innovate for ocean-based solutions and to develop the next generation of environmental filmmakers. Each June, the festival celebrates the UN – World Oceans Day with a slate of cutting-edge environmental documentary feature films, shorts, and industry panels. The 2023 BWFF will be held June 8th – 11th.
Founded in 2020, the Blue Water Film festival celebrates the UN – World Oceans Day, June 8th. The theme of the BWFF is about our Blue Planet; the festival purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly about how climate change affects planet Earth and deeply about the universal concerns and actions needed to bring us into balance. About 50% of all film selections are non- US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross -cultural understanding through film.
Blue Water Institute is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of the planet and the need to nurture the next generation of environmental filmmakers. The Institute is driven by its environmental programs that discover, innovate and support the next generation of environmental filmmakers from all over the world.
Grand Jury – Best Feature Documentary Film – This award is presented for Best Feature in environmental storytelling. Waterman. Directed by Isaac Halasima
Grand Jury – Best Short Film – This award is presented for Best Short in environmental storytelling. Tigereyes. Directed by Martina Trzecpyk
Environmental Impact Award – Presented by DELL Technologies for a filmmaker showcasing environmental stewardship. Patrick & The Whale. Produced by Wolfgang Knoepfler.
Best Cinematography – This award is presented for excellence in cinematography.
Patrick & The Whale. Cinematographers – Patrick Dykstra, Gail Jenkinson, Romain Barats.
Grand Jury – Best Animation Film – Presented by Animation Magazine for Best Animated Film. Snail & The Whale. Directed by Max Lang & Daniel Snaddon.
Best Science Film – Acknowledges a filmmaker work in the areas of climate change.
Mapping the Reef: Cloudbreak. Directed by Cliff Kopono.
Producer’s Vision Award – This award is presented to the Producers for Excellence in Environmental storytelling. Creation Theory. Directed by Ben Sturgulewski.
Director’s Vision Award – This award is presented to the Directors Excellence in Environmental storytelling.
Three Moons of Biyando. Directed by Jon Cleave & Lucy McIntosh
Special Jury Award – Best Feature Documentary – This award is presented by the Special Jury for Excellence in Documentary storytelling. Bobi Wine: The People’s President. Directed by Christopher Sharp, Moses Bwayo.
Special Jury Award – Best Short Animation This award is presented by the Special Jury for Excellence in Animation.
The Floating World. Directed by Hiroshi Yokota.