Bringing Our Ocean Stories Home
On the shores of Deep Cove, the connection between community and ocean is impossible to miss. For North Vancouver Chamber members Adriana Ramírez and Álvaro Calderón, it is more than a backdrop—it is home.
“This is our community, this is our backyard,” says Adriana, partner with Álvaro at North Vancouver-based Alive Creative Services. “This is where we play, this is where we live, this is where we work, too. We are grateful.”
That deep connection to the place they call home is at the heart of Our Ocean Film Fest, a new proudly Canadian film festival they are producing and launching at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver on October 2.
Having produced Our Earth Film Festival and worked on other ocean-focused film events, Adriana and Álvaro wanted to build on that experience and create a festival that feels truly connected to the communities and coastline they know and love.
For them, it’s also about supporting local businesses, organizations, and the community that makes the North Shore such a special place.
“What’s better than going to see a documentary about the ocean when all of the sites that you’re going to see are your hometown, your shorelines, and the stories of the people that are in your community?” Álvaro says. “That’s why we launched this—to make it ours. Yours and ours.”
The inaugural festival will feature eight carefully curated films exploring marine life, sustainability, adventure, and the people whose lives are shaped by the sea. Audiences will dive into stories about kelp forests and sharks, surfing and ocean conservation, as well as the remarkable story of a woman who lived aboard a sailboat for 10 years and raised her child at sea.
The festival is designed to welcome all ages, with films that entertain while opening the door to bigger conversations about the ocean and our role in protecting it. Whether you come for the stories, the chance to learn something new, or to spend an evening with the community, there’s something for everyone.
“Young people, families, adults—everyone who cares about the environment and about our ocean should come,” Álvaro explains.
The program also features Indigenous storytelling, including Na̱max̱sa̱la, a film by the Nanwakolas Council about the traditional process of building a canoe.
For Adriana and Álvaro, however, the evening is about much more than sitting back and watching films.
“Our Ocean Film Fest, it’s all about community,” Adriana says. “It’s about telling stories, listening to each other.”
Conservation organizations, including Ocean Wise, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and Seymour Salmon Society will be part of the experience, giving attendees an opportunity to ask questions, learn about local initiatives, and discover ways to get involved.
And the vision extends well beyond October 2. Our Ocean Film Fest is designed as an all-year platform for ocean conversations, including ocean talks, beach cleanups, and a podcast.
“We want to walk the talk,” says Álvaro. “We hope you will be inspired and take action to continue to do our bit of work to save and protect this beautiful ocean and this special land that we live, play, and thrive in.”
Our Ocean Film Fest takes place on October 2 at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. Special perk for North Van Chamber members: Our Ocean Film Fest is generously offering 50% off tickets with the promo code ouroceanfriends at checkout.
