More than three dozen ocean-themed films will be featured during the Big Blue Film Fest Jan. 23-24 in Newport.
This year’s festival invites audiences into an ocean storytelling community. Experience 37 films (see trailer below), connect with over 10 visiting filmmakers from across the country and engage in conversations with scientist panelists. Films are being screened at Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center.
The festival’s goal is to showcase ocean-themed films at the confluence of marine sciences, humanities and the arts. It aims to engage the community and raise awareness about marine issues and how they might be solved.
The opening night reception and screenings take place from 5-8 p.m., Jan. 23. Reception night includes the “best in show” films, showcasing all award-winning films of the 2026 festival at Hatfield’s Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building in the Carmen Ford Phillips Auditorium. Complementary food and drinks are included. Awards will be presented to the filmmakers in attendance. Cost is $40.
On Jan. 24, six blocks of films will be screened at Hatfield and the arts center between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. A full schedule of the films and their screening locations are listed here.
All-access passes are $70 for adults. Individual film blocks are $15 or $12 for students, including K-12 and college students. Seating is limited so purchasing in advance is recommended. Tickets can be purchased here.
The festival honors the legacy of Maryann Bozza, who conceived the original Hatfield Marine Science Center Film Festival. Bozza, a program manager at Hatfield who served on the leadership team for the Marine Studies Initiative, died in 2017.