New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The 5th Annual Blue Water Film Festival (BWFF) announced this year's juried award winners at the Closing Night Award Ceremony at the UC San
Diego Park & Market on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The festival, held from March 20-23, screened over 30 feature, short and animated films.
"This year's festival was sparked by a call of acclaimed environmental filmmakers with truly compelling and passionate stories about our big blue planet," said Festival
Director Greg Reitman. "We are delighted to continue to showcase some of the best environmental content around the globe."
BLUE WATER AWARDS
Global Guardian Award
Captain Paul Watson
Ocean Hero Award
Taj Mahal
Pioneer Award
Henrik Stiesdal
Visionary Award
Matthew Modine
Grand Jury Best Feature Film
WINNER: "Turtle Walker" directed by Tara Malaney receives Top Grand Jury Feature Film Prize
Jury members were Chris Albert, (National Geographic), Sara Norenberg (Director/Producer) and
Robin Smith (Whistler Film Festival).
Grand Jury Best Animated Feature Film
WINNER: "Aqua Team Sea Adventure" directed by Riccardo Mazzoli receives Top Grand Jury Best Animated Feature Film Prize
Jury members were Jason Reisig, (Animated Director), Veronica Taylor (Voice over, Pokemon) and Julien Borde (Mediwan).
Grand Jury Best Animated Short Film
WINNER: "Percebes" directed by
Laura Gonclaves,
Alexandra Ramires receives Top Grand Jury Best Animated Short Film Prize
Jury members were Jason Reisig, (Animated Director), Veronica Taylor (Voice over, Pokemon) and Julien Borde (Mediwan).
Grand Jury Best Narrative Short
WINNER: "Maturation Station" directed by Melissa Mabesoone
Jury members were
Laura Kutnick, (Kutnick Foundation), Alex Rivest (Filmmaker) and Ingrid Jean-Baptiste (Chelsea Film Festival).
Grand Jury Best Short Film
WINNER: "Wild City" directed by Roni Avni
Jury members were
Laura Kutnick, (Kutnick Foundation),Alex Rivest (Filmmaker) and Ingrid Jean-Baptiste (Chelsea Film Festival).
Special Jury
WINNER: "The Territory of the Puloui" by Carmela Daza
Eco Impact Film
WINNER: "Let Them Be Naked" by Jeff Garner
Best Science Film
WINNER: "Ocean Watch" by Leo Richards
Best Cinematography
WINNER: "Sounds of the Ocean" by
Howard Hall
Producer's Vision Award
WINNER: "Unearth by Hunter Nolan and Gina Papabeis
Director's Vision Award
WINNER: "Turtle Walker by Tara Malaney
Founded in 2020, the Blue Water Film festival celebrates the United Nations World Water Day, March 22nd. The Blue Water Film Festival takes place in San Diego, home to the Scripps Oceanographic Institution. The theme of the Blue Water Film Festival is about our Blue Planet;
The festival's purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly about how climate change affects planet Earth and deeply about the universal concerns and actions needed to bring us into balance. About 50% of all film selections are non- US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film. BWFF is an official 501(c)(3) non-profit. Learn more at www.bluewaterfilmfestival.org.
