Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival Philippines 13-15 June 2008
Following the success of the 2007 festival which received participation from a global audience of novice and professional competitors, children and even President Gloria Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines, OceanNEnvironment Australia is pleased to announce in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippines Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), to present the 7th ‘Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival Philippines 2008’.
Celebrate the Sea has seen the greatest increase in competitors since inception in 2002 with over 5500 entries from 38 countries. The 2008 festival is destined to be bigger and much bolder than ever before – the main venue for the 3 days festival from 13 to 15 June is confirmed to be stage at the brand new Manila Ocean Park, the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium comprising of open water marine habitat, boutique mall, and restaurants.
The primary objective of the CTS festival remains; to have the world dedicates a day to remember and celebrate the sea, like a Christmas or a New Years day. If and when it is achieved, then most certainly the current dreadful state of the sea will have hope redeemed for the coming generations of humanity. For now, Celebrate the Sea is the biggest underwater pictures festival outside of Europe where the ‘World Festival of Underwater Pictures’ (Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous Marine) is staged annually in Antibes, France, now in its 35th year. Celebrate the Sea festival is seen as the dominant platform to promote conservation providing education and entertainment to create greater awareness of our ocean environment. The world’s best marine images and films have a powerful effect on both the diving and non-diving community.
The 2008 festival will comprise of imagery presentations and seminars by a panel of world luminaries image makers and marine scientists. Stan Waterman, 5 times Emmy winners is the Honorary President of Festival; President of the Philippines, Hon Gloria Arroyo is VVIP along with multi awards winner Leandro Blanco, National Geographic photographer in residence Emory Kristof and David Doubilet, Dr Carden Wallace, coral scientist, Fred Buyle – four times world free diving champion, Scott Tuason, author and underwater photographer and Daniel Mercier – founder World Underwater Picture Festival will be on site to for join this year in celebrating the sea.
One of the principal highlights is the International Underwater film festival; 15 recent award winning features from the World Festival of Underwater Pictures, Antibes will be presented at Celebrate the Sea. There will also be a photo exhibition of benchmarked underwater images by some of the world's best underwater photographers plus all the prints in the competition.
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Photographers and films makers, send in your entries now to compete in Asia Pacific's most prestigious international underwater imagery competition where the premier prize is the conferred title of ‘President, Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008’ with US$2000 as prize money. (www.CelebratetheSea.com)
It gets even better if you are visiting the Philippines any time from 1 Feb to 10 May; stay and dive with one of the participating resorts / operators and you will be eligible to enter your video or pictures in the WOW Philippines Imagery competition.
You will be competing for one of these prestigious titles:
The WOW Award – for the most outstanding image
The Hi Five Award – for the highest scoring or the most well balanced portfolio
The Quick Draw Award – for the best action shot
Yes, there will be medals, cash, equipment and holiday package prizes for all categories and as well as for the WOW imagery competitors. The cash and holiday prizes for the WOW Imagery competition is sponsored the Manila Ocean Park and supporting sponsors.
All winners, qualifies as a contender for the ‘President Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008 with cash prize of USD2000*
ROLEX is the main sponsor, supporting the hosting of Rolex’s ambassador. For more info: email cts@oneocean.com; www.celebratethesea.com
Master pass to seminars and film festival and award ceremony – USD60
Ffor local and residents. Student pass available: USD25
ELYSIUM
A team comprising of the world’s best nature conservation photographers, film makers, artists, musicians and scientists will embark on an imaging epic from the Weddell Sea of Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia. The team will be documenting the life above and below the ice, more or less following the trail of the 1914 Endurance Expedition by Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 28. It was the greatest true adventure story of the last century.
The explorers comprise of David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Wyland, Amos Nachoum, Heather Angel, Leandro Blanco, Álvaro de Marichalar, Michael AW and Jamie Watt will be producing a book, a movie but most importantly to curate a visual index database for climate change references of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia. This 2010 expedition is billed to be the greatest photographic epic of the 21th century. If you wish to contribute or participate in this epic of a colossal scale email: info@ElysiumEpic.org