Lake Ontario National Marine Sanc
tuary will host the inaugural Lake Ontario International Film Festival (LOI
FF) on April 2, 2026, bringing the world of cinema to New York State.
Hosted in partnership with the International Ocean Film Festival, thi
s free one-night event features a curated collection of short films celebra
ting freshwater and marine environments, maritime heritage, underwater expl
oration, wildlife, and meaningful human connections to the water.
Audiences will experience powerful storytelling from around the globe — f
rom the restoration of ancient Great Lakes species and newly discovered shi
pwrecks to Arctic diving adventures and inspiring stories of veterans, scie
ntists, and environmental stewards. More than ten films, ranging from two t
o 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 s
creenings from 7:00–9:00 PM at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center
in Oswego.
Register here: https://lonms.simpletix.com/
Des
ignated in 2024, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 1,722 s
quare 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 A
tlantic Ocean, the region reflects a legacy of innovation, commerce, and cu
ltural exchange. Learn more about the sanctuary at: https://sanctuaries.noa
a.gov/lake-ontario/.