Lights, Cameras, Sanctuaries! Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Hosted Annual Film Festival

March 12, 2026

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary recently celebrated 14 years of bringing ocean and Great Lakes films to northeast Michigan through the annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival. The festival, which takes place each January, has become a welcome highlight during the short, cold days of winter, opening audiences' eyes to the National Marine Sanctuary System. Stories of sea life, Great Lakes surfing, shark preserves, coral restoration, and more fill the big screen—widening perspectives and deepening connections to our blue planet.

people in a theater watching a movie — A packed theater as the films begin during the Friday night Great Lakes Gala at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival. Photo: Shannon Shikles/NOAA

The five-day festival travels to three different cities along the sanctuary shoreline, and hundreds of local students are treated to a "sneak peek" before it begins. This signature event continues to grow in popularity each year and has inspired film festivals in Lake Ontario and Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast national marine sanctuaries.

This year, Thunder Bay was honored to welcome more than a dozen filmmakers who were excited to share their films and answer audience questions, providing insight into their creative processes. One film in particular, "Saltfree Stoke," packed the theater, featuring a local surfer and founder of the new Thunder Bay Surf Club. The club's mission is to grow surfing on Lake Huron while inspiring the community to get out on the water and experience this incredible natural resource. The club's focus is on creating surfing opportunities for any community member who wants to test out the waves. The group is working to acquire boards, wetsuits, and booties in order to offer affordable surf lessons for kids in the Thunder Bay area.

New this year was the addition of a fisheries panel and cooking demonstration in partnership with Michigan Sea Grant. Four aquaculture experts gave a joint presentation sharing the "Four Fs of Fish: Food, Finances, Fun, and Function" and answered audience questions. The team then sautéed Great Lakes whitefish and walleye, offering helpful preparation, seasoning, and cooking tips along the way. Finally, samples of the freshly cooked fish and whitefish dip were served, and were a big hit with the attendees.

The Michigan Sea Grant team poses for a photo while holding up props such as fish stuffed animals at the film festival photo booth — The Michigan Sea Grant team delivered an expert panel and cooking demo. Photo: Steph Gandulla/NOAA

While many of the Great Lakes films featured in the festival stem from personal connections with visitors, partners, and supporters of the sanctuary, the ocean films are made possible through a partnership with the International Ocean Film Festival. This collaboration provides access to films from around the world that highlight stories from ocean communities and ecosystems, creating a truly well-rounded, aquatic-focused event. Although many of the featured films are not freely accessible to the public, a few of this year's popular selections are available to watch, including:

Women on the Water, made by New Hampshire Sea Grant
300 Feet Below: Ohio, made by Inspired Planet Productions
Sanctuary: Beneath the Surface, made by Kyle Maddux - Lawrence and WarFighter Scuba Production

Thunder Bay International Film Festival has reached more than 8,000 people since its beginnings, and will celebrate the 15th annual film festival next year. The event continues to serve as a signature event and a special opportunity to showcase national marine sanctuaries as places to learn, discover, and connect.

Sarah Morrison is the media and outreach specialist for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary