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Korea International Ocean Film Festival Highlights the Value of Marine Environment at the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC)

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he Korea International Ocean Film Festival Organizing Committee (hereafter “the Committee”) announced that it has been selected as an official side event participant for the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), which will take place at BEXCO, Busan from April 28 to 30.

The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) is a high-level international conference dedicated to global cooperation on marine issues. Representatives from over 100 countries and more than 400 international organizations are expected to attend and discuss key topics such as marine pollution, climate change, and marine security.

By participating in the OOC side event, the Committee aims to communicate the value of the marine environment and the importance of its preservation through the medium of cultural content, specifically film.

Using film, the Committee seeks to share the spirit of the OOC's core theme—“Action for Our Ocean”—with the public, and to promote international solidarity and cooperation in addressing global marine challenges.

Six films have been carefully selected in accordance with the OOC’s major agendas, such as climate change, marine debris, marine life protection, and sustainable fisheries.

Featured Films:

• ●The Blue Quest: Palawan

• ●Wild Hope: The Great Ocean Clean Up

• ●Las Tejedoras (Women Weaving the Ocean)

• ●Ocean Souls

On April 28, the film The Blue Quest: Palawan will be screened, presenting a successful case from the Philippines, where marine protected areas and active community participation led to ecological restoration.

Following the screening, a 90-minute panel discussion will take place to highlight the importance of local community involvement in marine conservation.

On April 29 and 30, the special screening program will continue, including the SBS documentary Ocean Souls, which explores environmental crises through the lives and deaths of the planet’s largest mammals—whales—alongside other acclaimed marine films.

Meanwhile, the 8th Korea International Ocean Film Festival will be held from June 19 (Thu) to June 22 (Sun) at Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae.

The festival will offer a variety of programs, including an opening ceremony, screenings of prominent marine films from Korea and abroad, and director Q&A sessions, welcoming the general public and ocean film enthusiasts alike.

For more details, please visit the festival’s official website: www.kioff.kr

Jo Hana, Chairperson of the Korea International Ocean Film Festival Organizing Committee, stated:

“Through the power of film, we aim to deliver a message that connects the ocean, humanity, and our future.
We hope this becomes a meaningful opportunity for many to understand the importance of marine conservation and to take action.”

Kim Hyun-jae, Director of Busan’s Tourism & MICE Bureau, added:

“With 2.9 million foreign visitors in 2023, the highest number since 2016, we plan to actively promote attractive tourism content like the Ocean Film Festival to achieve our goal of attracting 3 million foreign tourists in 2025.”

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Attachments:

• 1.Film Posters and Stills

• ○The Blue Quest: Palawan (poster & stills)

• ○Ocean Souls (poster & stills)

• 2.Participant Introductions

• ○Ana Blanco: Executive Director, International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF)

• ○Lance Morgan: President, Marine Conservation Institute

• ■Chair, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC)

• ■Marine Biologist

• ■Author of numerous scientific reports on fisheries and marine protected areas (MPAs)

• ○Jo Hana: Chairperson, Korea International Ocean Film Festival (KIOFF)