Festival's Basic Information
2020
Greg Reitman, Executive Director
Kathleen Quinlan, Vice President
Oksana Simani, Manager, Merchandise
Greg Reitman, Artistic Director
Laura Kutnick, Programmer
La Jolla
92037
Grand Jury Best Feature Documentary
Trade Secret
Australia*
Abraham Joffe
Director’s Vision Award
Trade Secret
Australia*
Abraham Joffe
Eco Impact Award
Trade Secret
Australia*
Abraham Joffe
Eco Impact Award
House of Fish
Argentina*
Santiago Burin des Roziers
Special Jury Award
The Eyes of Ghana
USA / Ghana / UK
Ben Proudfoot
Producer Vision Award
Kuleana
United Kingdom
Georgia Scott
Grand Jury Best Animated Feature
The Last Whale Singer
Germany / Czech Republic / Canada
Reza Memari
Grand Jury Best Short Film
Love Birds
United States
U.S. Documentary Feature
International Documentary Feature
U.S. Narrative Feature
International Narrative Feature
U.S. Short Film
International Short Film
Animated Feature
Animated Short
Science Film
Social Impact / Eco Impact Film
In addition to its core festival screenings, the Blue Water Film Festival presents year-round and special-event screenings designed to bring environmental storytelling into unique community settings throughout San Diego.
A signature example is our partnership with La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, where we presented a special poolside screening of JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story. The outdoor experience combined cinema with La Jolla’s iconic coastal setting, creating an immersive event centered on ocean storytelling and conservation.
Beyond the annual festival, Blue Water develops additional screenings, educational programs, filmmaker conversations, panels, and community events throughout the year. This year-round approach extends the festival’s impact beyond its primary dates and creates opportunities to collaborate with hotels, cultural institutions, universities, nonprofits, and community partners.
Our goal is to continue expanding these special screenings—including additional poolside, outdoor, educational, and community presentations—so environmental films can reach audiences in memorable settings and inspire meaningful action throughout the year.
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Beyond its film screenings, the Blue Water Film Festival offers a robust program of educational, cultural, and community activities designed to connect environmental storytelling with real-world action.
A centerpiece is the Blue Water Summit: Eco Storytelling for the Environment, a two-day program featuring expert panels, keynote conversations, and hands-on workshops with filmmakers, scientists, conservationists, technology leaders, and sustainability professionals. Topics include sustainable film production, the challenges of filming in nature, producing content for social change, environmental impact, emerging technology, and the role of storytelling in conservation.
Additional activities include filmmaker Q&As, industry networking, educational workshops, community programs, live music and outdoor events, receptions, and opportunities for students and emerging filmmakers to engage directly with industry and environmental leaders. The festival culminates with the Blue Water Awards, recognizing excellence in environmental filmmaking and honoring individuals making significant contributions to sustainability and conservation.
Together, these programs transform Blue Water from a traditional film festival into a multidisciplinary forum for film, education, science, innovation, environmental leadership, and community engagement.
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The Blue Water Film Festival, works with 8 venues across La Jolla and San Diego. These included Scripps Seaside Forum, THE LOT La Jolla, La Jolla Riford Library, La Jolla Shores, La Valencia Hotel, Mangelsen Nature Gallery, LIK Gallery, and UC San Diego Park & Market.
10 screenings
