Casey begins her journey from Rosebud to the world

Rosebud is the setting for one of eight films that will screen on the Peninsula next month as part of the 10th Ocean Film Festival World Tour. Casey The Octopus is described as “the endearing story of one woman’s fortunate discovery on a Rosebud beach which leaves her making a pivotal decision”, and features marine biologist Sheree Marris, who made the discovery.

Andrew Englisch, the first person to cross Bass Strait on a wing foil, will be present for a Q&A at the Rosebud screening of Gone With The Wing, the film that documents his achievement.

It will be screened alongside two other Victorian films – Gone With The Wing, the story of Andrew Englisch’s dream to be the first to wing foil across treacherous Bass Strait; and The Sanctuary, which portrays the bond between a World War II survivor and the Victorian ocean and its sea life – and five others by independent international filmmakers. They will also be shown around Australia before being taken on a global tour.

“It’s exciting that three of the eight films in this year’s line-up are from Victoria, especially since most of them were either filmed during or on the tail end of COVID-19,” said festival founder and CEO Jemima Robinson. “And after having such a hard time throughout the pandemic, all Victorians should be so proud of themselves because these three films not only celebrate the tenacity of people down there but also the inspiration the ocean has been to them.

“Each of these films brings something different and equally important to this year’s film festival,” Ms Robinson said. “Each year I work carefully to curate an all-round exciting, educative and inspiring experience for our audiences, and the selection of The Sanctuary, Gone With The Wing, and Casey The Octopus brings vital elements of each through contrasting stories amidst the same stretch of coastline.”

This year’s films focus on such topics as ocean adventure and exploration, the oceanic environment, marine creatures, ocean-related sports, coastal cultures and ocean-lovers. Some of the festival venues will also include Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, live music, and exhibitions of art and photographs. The screening at Rosebud is one of those to feature a Q&A, at which Andrew –who has a house at Flinders – will be present.

“Ten years ago we started the Ocean Film Festival World Tour with big dreams, not only to inspire the world to explore and enjoy our oceans but further to protect and respect them,” Ms Robinson said. “With a personal passion for film and all things ocean, I wanted the Ocean Film Festival

World Tour to become an avenue for promoting ocean conservation and bringing people together to celebrate Mother Nature. We have done this through sharing unique stories by independent filmmakers from around the globe, reaching many exciting milestones, and now we set our sights towards the next 10 years of making an even greater impact.

“Our aim is to continue to support independent filmmakers getting their work seen, highlight important ocean environmental causes and continue to foster our audiences’ love of the ocean. We also aim to share these stories with more people around the world, opening up screenings in new locations; 2023 will see the Ocean Film Festival World Tour screen in Denmark for the first time.”

During its 10 years, the festival has attracted 325,670 cinema-goers to its 771 screenings in 14 countries, featured 89 independent filmmakers, and prompted donations of more than $40,000 to ocean charities.

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour will be screened at Peninsula Cinemas Rosebud, 30 Rosebud Pde, on Saturday, March 4, from 7-10pm. For tickets and details of other screening venues, go to www.oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au/ tickets/

Marine biologist Sheree Marris’s discovery of an octopus on a Rosebud beach forms the theme of the movie Casey The Octopus.