From Cayman Islands Tourism Association

9th Annual Cayman Islands International Underwater Film Festival to Take Place November 13, 2013

For the ninth year, the International Underwater Film Festival in Grand Cayman will delight ocean-enthusiasts who gather for this once-a-year video celebration of the landscape, flora, fauna and experiences to be had under the waves. Held in conjunction with the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame induction ceremony, this year, the Film Festival will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, and will feature films from local videographers as well as International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Inductees.

DATE: Wednesday, November 13, 2013

TIME: Lobster Lotto and Raffle 6:30pm, Films 7:00pm

LOCATION: Regal Camana Bay Stadium 6 theatres (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)

COST: CI $25 (Tickets will be available at the CITA office, 1320 West Bay Road, beginning October 1, 2013.)

Go to this link to buy your tickets! https://www.formstack.com/forms/CITA-uff2013

Every year, the Film Festival line up shows a diverse mix of underwater videography, films and documentaries. Here is what is confirmed for this night of ocean excitement:

First Kittiwake Dive with Cathy Church (10 min) by Tony Mark

Guy Harvey Biography (10 min) by Tony Mark

From Bullets to Bubbles (22 min)

We are Water (30 min)-film is brought to UFF 2013 by Divetech and Cobalt Coast Resort

Silver Rush (10 min) by Jason Washington

CITA’s is also pleased to show three new public service announcements that are launching at the 2013 Underwater Film Festival. The series, entitled ‘Share Our Seas,’ will cover topics that are important to the watersports community. We hope you enjoy the messages from these short videos.

Raffle and Lobster Lotto

The evening includes CITA’s raffle and the larger-than-life ‘Lobster Lotto,’ where ‘every lobster’s a winner!’ Items have been kindly donated by CITA members and include diving packages, restaurant gift certificates, accommodation and much more! The International Underwater Film Festival is an annual fundraiser for CITA, and this year, funds raised will support marine conservation efforts such as lionfish culling, Dive 365 initiative and more–all causes that are important to the watersports sector of CITA.

Underwater Photo Competition

The winners of the Underwater Photo Competition, which is graciously supported by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre, Divers Supply, Cayman Islands Brewery and the Aggressor Fleet, will be announced right before intermission. The top three photos in each of the five categories (Fish/Turtles/Stingrays, Unusual, Critters/Macro, Scenic, Creative) will be printed on canvas and displayed at the event for people to enjoy before the Film Festival and at Intermission. Prizes for each category will be awarded as follows:

1st place: CI $200 gift certificate to Diver’s Supply in Grand Cayman, party keg of White Tip Lager by the Cayman Islands Brewery, winning image printed on canvas (16×20) by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre

2nd place: CI $100 gift certificate to Divers Supply in Grand Cayman, case of White Tip Lager by the Cayman Islands Brewery, winning image printed on canvas (11×14) by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre

3rd place: CI $50 gift certificate to Divers Supply in Grand Cayman, winning image printed on canvas (8×10) by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre

In addition, a ‘Best in Show’ award will be given to one of the first place photos as an overall best of the best! This grand prize winner will receive a trip on the Aggressor Fleet to a location of their choice (Cayman, Belize, Turks & Caicos or the Carib Dancer in the Bahamas.) The ‘Best in Show’ prize is valued at US $2,795, and includes accommodation, diving, air, weights, weight belts, all meals and snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, local beer and wine.

Film descriptions:

From Bullets to Bubbles

“From Bullets to Bubbles…” follows the emotional and psychological rebirth of a small group of Disabled, war damaged, Vets who have lost their way due to various body, brain and emotional injuries as they find new life through learning to scuba dive. The donning of scuba gear, and the jump into the ocean is reminiscent of the experiences of donning gear for battle, and parachuting out of a helicopter–both internal signals to begin the steel sharp focus for military precision and survival.

Although some of the injuries are not visible to the onlooker, the internal damage from war has been severe. Some men are left with immobilizing depression, and anxiety. They are always on guard looking over their shoulder for the next attack–adrenaline junkies oddly seeking some kind of solace through thrill seeking. The underwater world offers this to them–an edgy, extreme sport that requires precision and mastery, and yet a peace that comes from being supported in a liquid world and surrounded by otherworldly, captivating creatures of the sea.

Kelly, a more seasoned diver, narrates much of the story. She knows what they don’t yet know –that diving will continue to restore their souls and their lives the more they do it. Scuba diving heals ones brain and comforts one’s soul by immersion into the weightless world of mother ocean.

Awards Received to Date:

CBI Award 2011

Silver Telly Award 2012

International Student Film Festival Hollywood Winner 2012

California Colleges 7th Annual Student Film & Video Festival Winner 2012

We are Water

For the first time in history, fresh water has become a finite resource. Many experts agree that, without significant changes in water policy, wars of the 21st century may be fought, not over oil, but for control of clean water. We Are Water is an imaginative, entertaining, and enlightening documentary, illustrating the fragile relationship between our planet’s endangered fresh water resources, and the ever increasing needs of our expanding population.

Featuring the breathtaking underwater videography of extreme explorer and technical diver, Jill Heinerth, We Are Water takes viewers right into the heart of the planet, swimming through the underground arteries that are the source of all life on earth. From deep underwater caves to the bountiful great Lakes of her ancestral home, Jill shares her fantastic expeditions on, above, and inside the planet.

We Are Water balances narrative documentary with adventure filmmaking. While educating the audience about how each of us is intertwined with our local water supplies, this film provides a glimpse at Jill’s remarkable life from a shy, young Canadian graphic artist, to the top female technical diver in the world. With an extraordinary spirit of discovery, Jill’s compelling message is to educate, inform and inspire audiences to be better caretakers of the planet.

See also iNews Cayman story published September 8^th 2013 “Try your chance at Lobster Lotto” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/?s=9+annual+cayman+film+festival