MIAMI, FL — South Florida PBS (WPBT2-WXEL) – is proud to announce that its Changing Seas episode “Maug’s Caldera: A Natural Laboratory,” a co-production with Open Boat Films, was chosen as an official selection for the 14th Annual International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco, California. The International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) was held on March 9-12, 2017 at the Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center in the Marina District of San Francisco, California.
The episode, which was filmed near a remote island chain in the Pacific, tells the story of scientists who study shallow hydrothermal vents which are found close to coral reefs inside the submerged caldera. These vents emit levels of CO2 that can be expected in the world’s oceans by the end of the century, making these waters a natural laboratory for experts studying the impacts of ocean acidification on coral reefs.
“It matters more than ever for audiences to understand how climate change is negatively impacting our oceans, and we are honored that this program was chosen to be screened at this prestigious festival, alongside so many other amazing films,” says Series Producer Alexa Elliott.
The Changing Seas series airs Wednesday evenings at 7:30 on WPBT2 and on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 on WXEL. The program is also distributed to public television stations across the country by American Public Television. Full episodes can be viewed online anytime at www.changingseas.tv.
Funding for this episode was made possible by The Batchelor Foundation, Divers Direct/Emocean Sports, the Do Unto Others Trust, in Memory of Harriet Fagan, and the Friends of Changing Seas.
About Changing Seas
Changing Seas is a marine science series focused on ocean issues and exploration. The series goes to sea with scientists, giving viewers a first-hand look at how oceanographers and other experts study earth’s last frontier. Changing Seas airs on 90% of public television stations in the U.S. and in 34 countries across the globe. www.changingseas.tv
About Open Boat Films
Open Boat Films was founded by Stephani Gordon, a marine field biologist and science diver, who wanted to share the stunning imagery and unique stories of rugged coastlines, rivers, mountains, and islands with others who are curious about the biological and cultural diversity of our wild and remote world. Filming just about anywhere on earth, Open Boat Films has its homebase in Portland, Oregon. www.openboatfilms.com
About South Florida PBS
South Florida PBS, Florida’s largest public media company, connects organizations and institutions across our region and preserves South Florida's history. Leading the way in this global society, SOUTH FLORIDA PBS serves diverse communities from Key West to the Sebastian Inlet and from the Atlantic Ocean west to Lake Okeechobee. SOUTH FLORIDA PBS is committed to creating and presenting unique arts, education and cultural heritage programming, and serves as a model for telling unique local stories across a wide variety of media platforms.
###