NEW DELHI: An American made documentary by Mary Lambert, Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea will open the first edition of the aquatic-themed Mokpo Ocean Film Festival in South Korea.

A total of 29 ocean-themed features and short films will be screened at the Festival to be held for four days from 31 July to 3 August in the coastal city of Mokpo. Festival organisers say it will be Asia’s first ocean-themed film festival although similar festivals take place in San Francisco, Hawaii, Vancouver and South Africa.

Festival co-director Yoo In-taek said such an event would help develop awareness of maritime affairs. “Mokpo is a working port city, not a holiday resort for the privileged. We feel proud and honoured to be hosting such an event where people make their living directly from the sea,” said In-taek, who is also a renowned film producer.

South Korea has seen a surge of film festival launches in the past few years. A mountain-themed film fest is tentatively scheduled to debut in Ulju in summer 2015.

Late last month, Revolution - a true-life adventure of filmmaker Rob Stewart - had won the top award at the 40Fathoms Film Festival which is a cinematic celebration of Earth's Oceans.

Using the power of film and imagery, 40Fathoms Film Festival raises public awareness about issues facing the oceans today and provides people with the tools to make a difference. 

The 40Fathoms Film Festival was conceived by the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) to celebrate World Oceans Day. It showcases underwater filmmaking talent and emphasises marine conservation concerns and success stories on a regional and global scale. 40Fathoms was held at Hermanus in South Africa – a historic coastal village just 1.5 hours from Cape Town.