The iHeart Community Calendar

Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary will host the inaugural Lake Ontario International Film Festival (LOIFF) on April 2, 2026, bringing the world of cinema to New York State.

Hosted in partnership with the International Ocean Film Festival, this free one-night event features a curated collection of short films celebrating freshwater and marine environments, maritime heritage, underwater exploration, wildlife, and meaningful human connections to the water.

Audiences will experience powerful storytelling from around the globe — from the restoration of ancient Great Lakes species and newly discovered shipwrecks to Arctic diving adventures and inspiring stories of veterans, scientists, and environmental stewards. More than ten films, ranging from two to twenty-two minutes in length, will be presented during the evening.

The festival begins with a social hour at 6:00 PM, followed by film screenings from 7:00–9:00 PM at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego.
Register here: https://lonms.simpletix.com/

Designated in 2024, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 1,722 square miles of eastern Lake Ontario. Beneath its cold, freshwater lie well-preserved shipwrecks and archaeological resources that reveal centuries of maritime history. Positioned as a gateway between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, the region reflects a legacy of innovation, commerce, and cultural exchange. Learn more about the sanctuary at: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/lake-ontario/.