"'This is Your Ocean: Sharks' is an emotional film that will completely shake up people's perceptions of sharks," said Greg MacGillivray, a Newport Harbor High School alumnus. "The film's interesting camera work puts viewers eye to eye with these incredible creatures and creates an experience most people will never have: the chance to actually swim with sharks."
He continued: "What we learn is that sharks are not the monsters depicted in film and television, but extraordinary creatures that more and more need our protection."
The 2011 festival will also mark the first year of the annual MacGillivray Freeman Films Award in Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking, according to a press release.
As the festival continues, two documentaries will also receive the Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking award. Both feature length and short documentaries entered into the festival were considered, according to a press release.
The award goes to those that "best exemplify artistic achievement and innovation in the field of documentary filmmaking," according to the release. Winners receive a cash award and recognition at the festival.
"MacGillivray Freeman Films is synonymous with world-class documentary filmmaking, having produced some of the world's most popular documentaries, including the IMAX blockbuster 'Everest' and the Oscar-nominated 'The Living Sea,'" said Gregg Schwenk, the festival's chief executive and executive director in a prepared statement. "We are honored to partner with Orange County's most celebrated filmmaker and we look forward to working together to highlight the growing documentary presence at the festival."
Pilot Picks -- Saturday
