The only film festival for content-creating yacht crew, the second Adrift Film Festival will take place virtually for 2020 on Sunday, October 11 at 12 p.m. EDT on their YouTube channel. Submissions for Adrift are being accepted until September 30.
New categories were also created for this year: inspirational, realism, and laughter. Prizes will be given to the top 20 submissions, which will be made into “The Reel” that will be shown during the virtual event and later uploaded to the YouTube channel for everyone to watch. The event’s sponsors stepped up and some of this year’s prizes include a drone, paddleboard, and cash travel vouchers.
All submitted videos will be eligible to win in each category, and everyone in the yachting industry, whether employed or “fun-employed,” can enter. While videos up to five minutes are best, short videos up to a minute, or long videos up to 10 minutes will be accepted. All levels of content creators are encouraged to enter.
Adrift’s goal is to encourage creativity while supporting natural disaster relief through donations. This year, proceeds will go toward cyclone relief in Vanuatu through YachtAid Global.
Reflecting on their inaugural event, co-founder Shelton Dupreez says, “Last year was more successful than any of us had thought possible for our first year. We had more than 130 videos submitted from all over the world, and more than 300 people come to the live event in Fort Lauderdale. The sponsors were extremely happy, and we managed to bring in enough donations to give more than $2,000 to YachtAid Global to help support Hurricane Dorian relief work.”
Dupreez’s last position was Chief Mate aboard M/Y Latitude and since that full-time position three years ago, he has been filmmaking and doing photography for yachts and expedition vessels, as well as science and ocean conservation around the world. He founded the event alongside Randi Barry, chief stewardess and founder of Nautic Nomad.
The team came very close to canceling this year’s event because of COVID. They were not comfortable doing a live event and taking the risk of anyone spreading or contracting the virus at the event.
“And then after seeing so many other events going virtual, we decided last minute in August to go ahead with it in hopes that we can bring some fun back to the creative world on yachts,” he says. “We are trying to make the best out of the situation and keep the momentum up for next year.”
Every year, they will introduce new categories and prizes, while bringing in donations to help support natural disaster relief. They plan to return the live event to Fort Lauderdale next year and continue to build the industry’s most creative community.
For the submission guidelines, prizes, and more information, visit: adriftfilmfestival.com.