Get the blues
Big Blue Film Fest presents short films on big issues
With more than 70 percent of the planet being covered in water, there are plenty of aquatic topics to make movies about. Lucky for us, the annual Big Blue Film Fest pulls together some of the best and returns to Newport with screenings at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, Jan. 24.
This year’s festival features roughly 30 films by local and international filmmakers, with more than 11 hours of films guaranteed to inspire, educate and captivate audiences with stories about one of our planet’s most essential resources.
The festival’s films are grouped into six roughly two-hour blocks. Each block includes filmmaker interviews and question-and-answer sessions with marine scientists. Refreshments will be available for purchase at both venues.
For example, “Film Block A: Restoring Balance” explores restoration, resilience and collaboration through films focused on ecosystems, wildlife and coastal communities.
Films in Block A include:
“Ecosystem Engineers”
A student-directed film exploring the vital role beavers play in river and coastal ecosystems.
“Restoring the Alsea Basin: Starr Creek”
A visual journey documenting the restoration of a tidal wetland on Alsea Bay, once altered for agriculture and now being returned to natural tidal flow through partnerships led by the MidCoast Watersheds Council.
“The Oregon Otter Gap”
Photographer Gretchen Kay Stuart examines the absence of sea otters along the Oregon Coast and the growing effort led by the Elakha Alliance to restore this keystone species and rebalance coastal ecosystems.
“Neah Bay: Restoring Ancestral Waters”
An environmental justice story following the Makah Tribe and partner organizations as they work to remove massive marine debris and restore traditional fishing waters in Neah Bay.
“Restoring Roots”
A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the National Aquarium’s floating wetland exhibit, tracing the patience and planning behind large-scale habitat restoration.
“Sequoias of the Sea’
A powerful portrait of a Northern California coastal community grappling with the loss of kelp forests — and the scientists, fishermen and tribes working together to restore a critical ecosystem threatened by climate change.
Block E has the self-explanatory name “Whale, Whale, Whale” and includes:
“Our Blue Guardian”
Blue whales play a critical role in climate stability. By stimulating phytoplankton growth through the whale pump and acting as a natural carbon sink, these giants help remove carbon from the atmosphere and support ocean health.
“Humpback – Adapting to Humanity”
Once pushed to the brink of extinction, humpback whales have rebounded dramatically. Today, their survival depends not on escaping harpoons, but on adapting to an ocean reshaped by human activity. Through aerial and underwater imagery, along with archival footage and personal testimonies, the film explores coexistence, resilience and ecological hope.
“Song of Whales”
A fisherman’s search for fish is interrupted by the haunting call of a grieving mother whale. What follows is a poetic ritual drawn from the depths of the sea, where sound, silence and survival intertwine.
“Managed to Extinction”
An Indigenous visionary and an orca scientist join forces in the Pacific Northwest to confront the intertwined threats facing resident orcas and the Chinook salmon they depend on. The film asks whether combining science and Indigenous knowledge can help prevent the loss of one of the region’s most iconic marine species.
“The Right Whale”
An intimate and visually striking documentary following right whales across the globe, from the waters of New Zealand and Argentina to the busy coastlines of North America. Through individual stories and cutting-edge science, the film highlights both recovery and risk, revealing the intelligence, vulnerability and resilience of these whales — and the urgent need to protect them.
Screenings take place from 10 am to 6:30 pm on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tickets for each block are $15 for adults and $12 for students. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street and the Hatfield Marine Science Center is located at 2030 SE Marine Science Drive. For more information and a detailed schedule of film blocks, go to bigbluefilmfest.com.