Beneath the Waves Film Festival Is Almost Here
Photo by Craig Rubadoux of Florida Today
The Beneath the Waves Film Festival that I am co-hosting begins tomorrow! We have been planning this event for the last four months and are excited that the event is almost here. Recently, Florida Today came to campus and interviewed myself and festival co-organizer Dr. Lauren Toth. Part of the interview was published online in video format and can be viewed by clicking here.
We were also interviewed about the festival by WFIT. During our interview, we highlighted how the film festival will be organized. The event will run on October 10 and 11 in the Gleason Performing Arts Center 6-9 p.m. both nights. Each night will start off with a pre-film reception for graduate students to share their research in poster format (October 10) as well as activities and demonstrations (October 11th). We will then show a suite of films that focus on local issues, fisheries, conservation efforts and unique marine topics. Different films will show both nights. Both nights will end with a panel discussion allowing the audience to ask a panel of scientists their questions about the films show or about the Indian River Lagoon. The scientists on the panel are experts and most of their research focuses on organisms within the Indian River Lagoon.
Over the last few months, we have been able to partner with several outreach groups and local businesses in the area. For example, the Brevard Zoo and Live Blue Inc have volunteered to help us advertise the event and have even contributed prizes for the Youth Making Ripples competition. A local aquarium store, Live Tanks, also contributed prizes for the students entering films, and agreed to have a touch tank for the October 11 night.
We currently have many people who have RSVP’d for both nights of the film festival, so if you did not reserve your seat, please do so by calling 321-345-6605 or emailing beneaththewavemelbourne@gmail.com.
