After careful viewing of the 22 submissions to this year's International Maritime Heritage Film Festival, the World Ocean Observatory independent panel of judges has recommended no awards be given this year, citing repetition of subject, date of production, and estimate of audience response. We are aware of the difficulty and disappointment of this outcome, yet we agree that the decision is the panel’s prerogative, made in the best interest of the festival, and its past and future awardees. We look forward to welcoming new entries for 2026; we urge filmmakers and producers to look to new perspectives and innovative subjects, to capture through creative visualization the astonishing scape of natural beauty, vital history, and human emotion inspired by our ocean heritage and experience. 

Many thanks for your work. Please continue on! 

With gratitude for your work and your commitment to the one world ocean.
Sincerely, the International Maritime Film Festival