Oceans +2C (2009)
Set to a backdrop of stunning photography from the International League of Conservation Photographers, leading marine scientists from Stanford and MBARI discuss the role of the ocean in climate change and the potential impacts of a targeted 2C rise in global temperature. This is an iLCP media production in partnership with Center for Ocean Solutions

Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification (2009)
ACID TEST, a film produced by NRDC, was made to raise awareness about the largely unknown problem of ocean acidification, which poses a fundamental challenge to life in the seas and the health of the entire planet. Like global warming, ocean acidification stems from the increase of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver, it is a great informative film.

The End of the Line (2009)
Imagine the world without fish. This exciting documentary addresses the devastating effect of overfishing on our world. The End of the Line is not against fishing. It is not against eating fish. But it is for a responsible attitude towards the oceans. The film has three messages for consumers, citizens and companies: Ask before you buy: only eat sustainable seafood. Tell politicians: respect the science, cut the fishing fleet. Join the campaign for marine protected areas and responsible fishing.

Strange Days on Planet Earth - Season II (2008)
PBS Television - Sea Studios Foundation and Academy award nominee Edward Norton, join forces for another fast-paced season of National Geographic's Strange Days on Planet Earth. Airing April 23rd, 2008 this new season exposes the profound global consequences of our simple everyday actions with a focus on our changing world ocean and increasingly threatened water supplies. In two sensational hours, entitled Dirty Secrets and Dangerous Catch, the series hurtles the viewer into a new set of compelling mysteries and inspiring solutions - revealing the strange and often unpredictable consequences of the pollutants we pour into our waters and the myriad life we pull out.

Sharkwater (2007)
Sharkwater Productions Inc.: Toronto, ON, Canada. 89 minutes. This stunning documentary exposes the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world's shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Director Rob Stewart shows an adventure that includes pirate boat rammings, gunboat chases, mafia espionage, corrupt court systems and attempted murder charges while showing that sharks have gone from predator to prey, despite surviving the earth's history of mass extinctions.

Ocean-related Films

 
  Wonder Water Web (2006). 
  Wisdom Tree Media. 6 minutes.
  ( www.wonderwaterweb.com)
 

Sharks: Stewards of the Reef (2007). Trillium Films: Sausalito, CA. 30 minutes. (http://www.sharkstewards.com) This educational documentary describes the relationship between sharks as the top predators, to the oceans and coral reef ecosystems.The film examines escalating threats to shark population including habitat destruction of reef ecosystems and over fishing that are causing Pacific reef shark populations to plummet and includes interviews with leading marine biologists and conservationists.

Habitat Media (2002). Empty Oceans, Empty Nets. Habitat Media: San Rafael, CA. 57 minutes. (http://www.habitatmedia.org/index.html)
This compelling documentary explores the current state of the world's fisheries at a time when fishing practices are more intense than any other time in history, catches appear to have reached their limits, and demand for seafood continues to increase.

Ocean Oasis. Summerhays Films (2000).
To view a schedule of current showings or find out about leasing the film, go to http://www.oceanoasis.org/itinerary/index.html
This IMAX film is a journey into the bountiful seas and pristine deserts of two remarkably different, but inextricably linked worlds - Mexico's Sea of Cortes and the Baja California desert. The site includes a Teacher's Guide with activities.

THE BLUE PLANET (BBC)

The Blue Planet Part I : Ocean World/Frozen Seas. BBC Video (2001). 98 minutes. Order on-line at BBC America.

Ocean World: Experience the power of the Blue Whale - the largest mammal to ever grace our planet. Learn how the sun and moon help control and tame the ocean. Travel far and wide - from the Eastern Pacific to Alaska, from the Bering Sea to the shores of Southern California - and begin to understand the complexity and power of our oceans.

Frozen Seas: An environment where only the toughest survive, the Arctic and Antarctic are unrelenting habitats. Only in the spring does life begin again. Plankton blooms and feeds vast hordes of migrating fish, walruses rake the seabed for clams, and minke and humpback whales gorge themselves on gigantic swarms of krill. But it is a brief spring feast - the ice soon returns and pushes life back into the ocean.

The Blue Planet Part II: Open Ocean/The Deep. BBC Video (2001). 98 minutes. Order on-line at BBC America.

Open Ocean: In the immense space of the open ocean the seabed is a staggering five miles below the surface and the nearest island is over 300 miles away. Yet here live many of the most spectacular predators in the ocean. Marvel as you experience ruthless and beautiful battles between hunter and prey.

The Deep: A place of mountain ranges, perpetual night, pressure extremes and cold… and the weirdest life forms on our planet. Dive to the depths of the ocean, an eerie world where predators with teeth so large they can't even close their mouths, chase bioluminescent creatures of the deep. Discover the spectacular smoking chimneys of the hydrothermal vents. Go deeper down than you have ever been…

The Blue Planet Part III :Seasonal Seas/Coral Seas. BBC Video 2001). 98 minutes. Order on-line at BBC America.

Seasonal Seas: As the days grow longer, billions of microscopic plankton bloom under the blazing sun. Here in the temperate seas, three-ton basking sharks graze among forests of giant kelp--the fastest growing plant in the world. The forests harbor thousands of other animals, including sea otters, brilliantly colored anemones, squid, and exquisite leafy dragons. But as the year wears on, storms rage in the icy sea...a desperate challenge for the animals that remain.

Coral Seas: Bathed in bright sunlight and warm, clear water, the coral reef is a rich oasis of life-the rainforest of the sea. Bizarrely adorned harlequin shrimps carry off a starfish several times their size, while haunting songs reverberate around the reef, heralding the arrival of humpback whales. Shimmering schools of brightly colored fish battle for territory in this competitive world where you have to stand out to survive.

The Blue Planet Part IV :Tidal Seas/Coasts. BBC Video (2001). 98 minutes. Order on-line at BBC America.

Tidal Seas: The sun and moon pull billions of tons of water around the world with every turn of the tide. The strongest tides empty entire bays, smash riverbanks, and strand sea creatures on suddenly dry land. Weaker tides coax schools of giant stingrays through astounding underwater arches. And as the water recedes, a hurricane tide creates a sparkling world of salt crystals inhabited only by tiny shrimp and bright pink flamingos.

Coasts: From rocky cliffs to gentle dunes, the coasts are always changing. Day in and day out, they are battered by crashing waves. Seabirds come here by the thousands to nest, while baby turtles hatch and race to the sea, pursued by hungry predators. Young sea lion pups are born and play on the sand-until a killer whale attacks, crashing in on the surf. But when breeding season is over, life returns to the sea and the shores are empty once again.

The Discovery Channel
The Discovery Channel has produced and sells numerous marine-oriented videos. There are too many to list here, so check out their site and enjoy!

Miranda Productions
This environmental filmmaker uses film and television to generate public awareness for social change. Films include Canary of the Ocean, The Shaman's Apprentice, and Wilderness: The Last Stand.

National Geographic
National Geographic's website sells a plethora of their famous films. Check out their listings for videos on oceans and other natural environments.

Sea Studios Foundation
Offers films, exhibits and education materials highlighting sea life, including Shape of Life television series in conjunction with National Geographic and PBS. By revealing new science, communicating uncommon natural history, and utilizing stunning photography, the organization generates a new brand of engaging, educational television programs.

Video Learning Library
This online video library sells numerous videos about the oceans and other natural science topics such as conservation, ecology, national parks, weather, wilderness, wildlife & zoos.

If you have Film suggestions for us to include, please let us know! Thank you!