
Looking for an incredible way to start your New Year in West Hawaii?
The 2020 annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival (Waimea Film) brings an action-packed lineup of films, filmmaker Q&As, speakers, exhibits, presentations and Breakfast Talks to the island on January 1-8 with screenings and programming January 1-4 in Waimea, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i and the Mauna Kea Resort before moving January 5-8 to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Waimea Film provides an immersive film festival experience complete with heart-pounding adventure, giant waves, wildlife, ocean panoramas, important topics and all-around inspiration. Over 70 films feature ocean experience, ocean environment, island culture, inspiring stories and tales of epic adventure.
The festival immerses participants in a greater understanding and awareness of the ocean and island culture through films and activities.
Breakfast Talks and presentations provide a special opportunity for guests to hear from filmmakers and speakers as they share up-to-date information about the ocean and environment, stories behind-the-scenes in filming or breathtaking slide shows.
“The talks, presentations and Q&As are perhaps my favorite part of the event,” notes Festival Founder and Director Tania Howard. “It feels very special to be in the audience as they unfold and to hear the inside-story. Many of the presentations are not-to-be-missed.”
Presentations include a behind-the-scenes look at the four-year filming project Seven Worlds, One Planet; and a series Deep Dives, where film crews dove to the deepest parts of all five oceans; the California high speed rail project; a slide show by whale photographer Flip Nicklin; and a

St Andrews Bay, South Georgia. A colony of young penguin chicks wait for their parents to return with food – Seven Worlds, One Planet _ Season 1, Episode 1 – Photo Credit: Fredi Devas/BBC America/BBC Studios
presentation about Hawaiian green sea turtles and their changing world.
Download an online PDF copy of the Festival Program for film descriptions and the full lineup of speakers, presentations, Q&As, breakfast talks, exhibits, tours and activities.
Festival passes can be purchased at www.waimeaoceanfilm.org, along with inaugural festival tees and sweatshirts in a variety of colors. Passes enable festival goers to choose among the festival’s rich and complex offerings while customizing the depth they delve into topics.
Programs are available December 30 at the Festival Hospitality Desk at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea along with a limited supply of Klean Kanteen coffee mugs, tumblers, water bottles and cups in honor of the 10th year. Films will be screened simultaneously January 1-4 at multiple venues in Waimea (Kahilu Theatre, HPA Gates, Parker Theatre) and at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. On January 4, the festival moves to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Passes can also be purchased at the Kahilu, Fairmont Orchid and Four Seasons hospitality desks or by phoning 808-854-6095.
Present your Festival Pass with photo January 2-10, 2020 and receive a 10% discount at all Mauna Kea Resort restaurants. This includes the Mediterranean-inspired Merida Restaurant at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and tapas and entrees at the iconic Copper Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which offers dining until 11 p.m. for late night movie-goers. The discount is also honored at the resort’s Manta, ‘Ikena Landing, Hau Tree, Naupaka and the lu‘au.
The Kamuela Inn offers special rates to festival pass holders starting January 1, use promo code OCEAN when booking accommodations. For the latest updates on films and speakers, follow the festival on Facebook, www.facebook.com/waimeaoceanfilmfestival, visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org or email [email protected].
For event updates, visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org or follow the Waimea Ocean Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. For questions, contact the festival at 808-854-6095 or [email protected].
The Waimea Ocean Film Festival is a 501c3 organization made possible through the support of patrons, sponsors and the community. Mahalo to the 2020 Waimea Film partners: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, AVS, Holualoa Inn, PSAV, Alaska Airlines, Matson, Big Island Traveler, Ke Ola Magazine, Maile Charters, 103.7 FM The Beach, 92 FM The Wave, Anna Ranch Heritage Center, The Kamuela Inn, Waimea Music, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), Parker School, West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, Sushi Rock, Laulima Food Patch, Big Island Brewhaus, Starbucks Coffee, Kona Law, Kona Coffee and Tea, The Emily T Gail Show and Waimea Yoga.