FILMS
2025 Program Coming Soon
Our films program captivates the attention of a broad audience. There has been a variety of ocean-loving films screened in the Bondi Pavilion theatre, inspiring positive environmental action for the ocean for future generations to come.
Take a look at the Ocean Lovers Festival Films Program from 2024.
2024 PROGRAM
BOUDDI WILD SWIM
Directed by Toni Houston
Bondi Pavillion Theatre, Level 1
Thursday 21st March 2024, 8 pm - 9.30 pm
Bouddi Wild Swim is a meditation on human nature. Pitched against the vagaries of Mother Nature. In an increasingly challenging world.
At its heart is pure adventure. A group of ocean swimmers have a quest to swim 23 kilometres from Terrigal to Umina, along the rugged and often inaccessible shoreline of NSW’s Central Coast. At the centre of this course is Bouddi National Park. Bouddi means ‘heart’ in the local First Nations’ language. Mother Nature is mysterious and volatile here. The thick, twisted angophora forest is unmappable, and the ocean depths are cold, ripped by currents, and home to jellyfish and sharks.
With each challenge of Mother Nature, human nature is pushed to its limits of resilience and recovery. Through personal and planetary challenges, the swimmers persevere.
Finally, the big day arrives. Although they’ve demonstrated incredible skill and will, whether they ’succeed’ isn’t up to them. It’s up to Mother Nature. And what she does on the day…
Bouddi Wild Swim fuses classic observational documentary filmmaking with lyrical, cinematic devices - including underwater, drone and dramatization - to tell this unique story whose dramatic finale will sear into memory.
Panel with – the film’s Director and Editor -- Toni Houston, Producer -- Sarah Beard, and ocean swimmers Chris Young and Nicole Holyer after the screening.
MACQUARIE ISLAND
Bondi Pavillion Theatre, Level 1
Saturday 23rd March 2024, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Explore the stunning natural beauty and abundant marine life of Australia’s remote Macquarie Island in this captivating short film. Join scientist and polar adventurer Tim Jarvis AM on a journey through this wildlife haven, halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica. Delight in the belly-thumping antics of elephant seals and the inquisitive charm of royal penguins – found only on “Macca”.
With the Southern Ocean under growing pressure from climate change and industrial fishing, Jarvis makes the case for fully protected marine sanctuaries to safeguard the feeding and breeding grounds of our unique Sub-Antarctic wildlife.
On the back of this film and a campaign by Save Our Marine Life alliance, supported by thousands of Australians, the Albanese Government last year tripled the size of Macquarie Island Marine Park, declaring 93 percent of it a marine sanctuary. Macquarie Island – Australia’s Jewel in the Southern Ocean is, ultimately, a story of hope, showing how vision, tenacity and political will can turn a once pest-ravaged island into a world-class conservation success story.
You’ll hear from polar explorer and South Australian of the Year, Tim Jarvis AM, on what makes Macquarie Island so unique. And Fiona Maxwell, National Oceans Manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts, on the campaign to protect this Australian jewel.
THE POWER OF ACTIVISM Directed by Steve Pasvolsky
Bondi Pavillion Theatre, Level 1
Saturday 23rd March 2024, 5 pm - 6:30 pm
The Power of Activism shines a positive new light on a group of young female activists who are risking it all to change the future thinking of governments and major companies. In true ‘David versus Goliath’ style, these inspirational scientists and conservationists challenge the thinking of out-dated practices that are contributing to climate change.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director, Steve Pasvolsky, who has produced a broad range of documentaries for National Geographic, Discovery and the ABC, Producer Michelle Dado-Millynn, a passionate environmentalist, designer and educator, Actuary, Kirsten Armstrong, Director of Impact Investing at Social Ventures Australia, and activist Alice Forrest, a marine biologist, science communicator and wildlife guide, with a passion for the natural world.
RISING UP
Directed by Kal Glanznig
Bondi Pavillion Theatre, Level 1
Saturday 23rd March 2024, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
In a world crippling with climate anxiety and a degrading ocean, particularly impacting young people, 23-year-old young Australian changemaker and Take 3 For the Sea ambassador Kal Glanznig goes on a journey across the world to uncover the untold stories of hope and solutions to the climate and ocean plastic crisis. With a strong optimistic outlook, viewers will feel inspired and empowered by how they can rise up, conquer their internal doubts and take action.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Kal Glanznig alongside special guests.
Check out the trailer here.