Surfing Featured at San Francisco Ocean Film Festival

by Christine DeGennaro
(SF)

Benign sharks. "Commando kayakers." Finless surfing to seaside chamber music. You don't see them everyday. But all will be shown onscreen Feb. 19-22 to filmgoers at the 6th annual San Francisco Ocean Film Festival at Fort Mason Center.

Over the past five years, the festival has earned a reputation as the largest and most eclectic festival of its kind, featuring dozens of new documentary, animated and scripted films from around the world. Subject-wise, the films run the gamut from scientific exploration of ocean life, to activists' efforts in cleaning up polluted waters, sports, and creative visions of still unspoiled seas.

This year, nearly 4,000 people are expected to attend the festival, not only for the films, but also for the camaraderie of the get-togethers, expert talks, and informal Q&A sessions. The public is invited to join a festival kick off party from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Aquarium of the Bay on San Francisco's waterfront.

Live music, dancing and food from the Bay Area's top restaurants will kick off the festivities. During the festival, organizers will also present awards in several categories, as well as a free student education program.

Festival films will include Todd Stewart's "The Surf Magazines Don't Talk About Lapsed Catholics," Steve Gorrow's "Dopamine," and "Musica Surfica," a creative endeavor of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and a group of surfers. Mick Sowry filmed the two groups who gathered on the isolated King Island in the Southern Ocean to blend their arts. The surfers used finless boards to be able to expand their movements and merge them with the music.

Advance tickets, at $10 for individual programs, are on sale now through the Cowell Theater Box Office at (415) 441-3400 or online at http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/shop.html. Tickets and passes are also available for the opening night party and the eight film programs.

A $110 pass will cover opening night and all programs. More information may be obtained by calling the festival office at (415) 561-6251 or by emailing info@oceanfilmfest.org.