The 20th Annual International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture features four days of exhilarating, ocean-themed independent film screenings, filmmaker question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions, free panel discussions, free in-person and online educational programs for students, and free screenings of immersive, virtual reality shorts.

The IOFF screens more than 40 films from around the globe; ranging from shorts to feature-length work and live-action documentaries. Films focus on fascinating ocean animals and amazing marine environments; such as whales, barnacles, skeleton shrimp, sharks, horseshoe crabs, clams, coral reefs, mangrove habitats, and the arctic. Special programs investigate marine eco-issues, surfing, deep-sea mining and robots, coastal cultures, ocean pollution, seagrass flats, the Farallon Islands off San Francisco, and more.

Visit the IOFF Film Guide for details and trailers for all the films screening.

IOFF 2023 kicks off with the Opening Night Party on Thursday, April 13, 2023, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a film screening (Blue Carbon and Deep Rising starring Jason Moma) and Q&A at 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The party includes appetizers and beer and wine and costs $125 per person. The film screening only is $20 per person. The $250 VIP All-Access Festival Pass includes the party and access to films and events for all four days.

Individual tickets to single film-screening programs cost $10-$20 based on age. 2023 day passes offer access to all the film screenings at the Cowell on specific weekend days and cost from $35 to $65 depending on age and day selected.