The International Ocean Film Festival – Florida Tour returns for its third year in Fort Pierce. The festival runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North. The festival invites ocean lovers, conservationists, filmmakers and the general public to experience a globally inspired selection of eight short films highlighting the magnificence of the world’s oceans and the people working to protect them. The event includes more than just screenings: Ticket holders will also enjoy a full slate of engaging activities like research exhibits, meet-and-greet sessions with scientists and students, and tours of the campus’ marine facilities. Among the featured films is “Souls” by Ian Mun, a 12-minute evocative short from Singapore that brings together six legendary underwater photographers in a panel as they recount their first dives and reflect on the environmental changes they’ve witnessed beneath the waves. “Roots,” a 12-minute film from the U.S., shows how Dominican ecologist Ismael Diaz-Tolentino uses the country’s love for baseball to drive mangrove conservation, while “Saving Seagrass,” a 15-minute film, underscores the ecological importance of underwater grasslands in Alabama’s Mobile Bay. “Footprints on Katmai,” a 22-minute film by Max Romey, journeys through Alaska in the footsteps of his grandmother, sketching not wildlife, but discarded shoes along the beach, a poignant commentary on pollution. Rohan Thomas’ “Immersive,” a 23-minute film from the U.K., takes audiences 8,000 feet below the ocean’s surface to hydrothermal vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where life thrives against all odds. Viewers will also learn about plastic pollution efforts in “Wild Hope: The Great Ocean Cleanup,” a 16-minute film, and experience the majesty and vulnerability of blue whales in “Battle of the Blues,” a 26-minute film. The lineup concludes with “Ocean Watch – A Story of Deep Sea Exploration,” a 40-minute film offering a peek into cutting-edge oceanographic missions aboard the R/V Falkor. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with the first block of films screening from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. An hour-long Exhibitors Showcase and refreshment break follows, where attendees can speak directly with researchers, explore the marine mammal ambulance, take a photo with the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible, and even tour the award-winning Discovery pontoon boat. The second film block runs from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $25 with advance purchase only, and proceeds go toward supporting student success initiatives at Harbor Branch. Tickets are available only at fau.edu/hboi/filmfest.
The 2025 Treasure Coast Police K9 Competition kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Sebastian River High School, 9001 Shark Blvd., Sebastian. The competition honors the skill, strength, and sacrifice of law enforcement and military working dogs. The event, hosted by the K91 Rescued to Rescue Foundation, includes a high-stakes obstacle course, dog-and-handler agility and obedience challenges, and a thrilling halftime performance by Florida K9 Sports, featuring acrobatic disc dogs. Tickets are $25. Funds raised help K91 Rescued to Rescue, a nonprofit established in 2024 with the mission to support veterans and first responders suffering from trauma. There will also be food trucks, local vendors and more. For more information, visit
K91RescuedToRescue.org.
