First Annual World Whale Film Festival, Feb. 11

Robert and Ellen Raimo caught these images of a mom and baby humpback swimming in Maui waters on March 6, 2016. Courtesy photo.

The World Whale Film Festival debuts this Saturday, Feb. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel in West Maui.  The Film Festival’s theme “Conservation in Motion” showcases multi-media works by visual storytellers, including seasoned professional filmmakers, photographers and digital artists.

The World Whale Film Festival is offered free to the community in an effort to raise awareness and inspire conservation efforts to protect the world’s oceans and marine wildlife. “People will be surprised, delighted and inspired by these captivating stories,” said Greg Kaufman, Founder & Executive Director of Pacific Whale Foundation.

Kaufman will be presenting a film on humpback whales and whalewatching in Puerto López, Ecuador. “Our goal is to bring together bright, passionate minds to promote activism and provoke conversations that matter.”

Other multi-media artists scheduled to participate in the World Whale Film Festival include Robert Baldwin, Chris Cilfone, Torsten Durken, David Fleetham, Selket Guzman, Jeannette Heidrick, Karim Iliya and Nick Wood. In addition to screening their passion projects, each participant will share what they hope to achieve through their work and the inspiration behind it.

Presenters will also be taking part in an interactive VIP Whalewatch the following Sunday, Feb. 12 from Lahaina Harbor. Whalewatchers will receive first-hand insights from Kaufman, as well as a commemorative World Whale Day Celebrations t-shirt.

The Film Festival is part of World Whale Day Celebrations, a series of events in February hosted by Pacific Whale Foundation in honor of Maui’s humpback whales. Other upcoming Celebrations include:

• World Whale Day & Parade of Whales, Feb. 18
• Great Whale Count, Feb. 25
• VIP Whalewatch or Sunset Cocktail Sail with Greg Kaufman, Feb. 10, 11, 12, 26 and 27.  Click HERE to book.