International Ocean Film Tour Vol. 12

Hamburg, February 19, 2026:


The International Ocean Film Tour Vol. 12 premieres on February 24, 2026, at Hamburg’s Laeiszhalle, marking its twelfth season. Once again, the tour presents a diverse lineup of international films exploring ocean life, watersports, and adventure. The program highlights people who bring passion, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to the ocean—whether through high-seas expeditions, efforts to protect marine life, or athletic challenges on and in the water.

A DIFFERENT BEAST follows three Scottish brothers on an extraordinary journey as they cross the Pacific in a rowboat—completely unassisted—battling weeks of wind, waves, and physical extremes. THE LAST DIVE tells the moving story of an unlikely friendship between a former diver and a manta ray, an intimate encounter shaped by trust, respect, and a deep bond between human and animal.

In HOME IS THE OCEAN, the sea itself becomes the center of life: a Swiss family has been living on a sailboat for 25 years, traveling from expedition to expedition with their children. The film portrays a life of freedom, immersed in nature, and the challenges of everyday living far from the mainland. UP THE COAST delivers full-throttle, high-flying thrills as kiteboarding pro Kevin Langeree and friends chase the perfect wind along South Africa's coast and discover spectacular surf spots.

CHRISTA FUNK: FIRST IN, LAST OUT takes viewers behind the lens. For years, surf photographer Christa Funk has documented the surf scene at one of Hawaii’s most powerful breaks. She reflects on patience, timing, and the art of capturing that one magical moment when wave meets light.

After the premiere, the program will tour seven countries with 215 screenings. The total runtime is approximately 120 minutes. Including the introduction and additional activities, each event lasts about two-and-a-half to three hours.

For more information on the current tour and all dates, see: Ocean Film Tour

THE PROGRAM

HOME IS THE OCEAN
The Schwörer family has made the sea their home—far from their native Switzerland and familiar comforts. Their journey began 25 years ago, when Dario and Sabine Schwörer set out on an expedition sailboat to explore the world’s most remote corners and inspire the next generation to care for nature. Along the way, their six children were born, each in a different part of the world. Living together in just 20 square meters, all eight Schwörers share adventure, everyday life, and the journey itself. In Home is the Ocean – A Unique Global Expedition, we follow the family over seven years as they continually challenge conventional ideas about parenting, education, home, and security—until a violent storm strikes their sailboat, forcing the family to reconsider their life choices and their future.

THE LAST DIVE
Over 40 years ago, Terry Kennedy formed an extraordinary friendship. At the time, the waters around the uninhabited volcanic island of San Benedicto were paradise for him and his sailing friends. Located about 600 kilometers off Mexico’s Pacific coast, the island offered Terry a place to satisfy his thirst for freedom—which had landed him into trouble more than once in the U.S.—far from society’s conventions. Everything changed the day he met Willy, a giant manta ray with a wingspan of over six meters. This encounter transformed Terry's life. Over the next two decades, Terry and Willy developed a remarkable bond that turned the former outlaw into a devoted animal and environmental advocate. In The Last Dive, Terry, now in his eighties, makes one final journey to San Benedicto, hoping to see Willy again—the gentle giant who showed him what truly matters in life.

A DIFFERENT BEAST
Lachlan, Ewan, and Jamie Maclean have an ambitious goal: row across the Pacific in record time—nonstop and unassisted. The roughly 14,480 kilometers between Peru and Australia don’t faze the three brothers. With unwavering confidence, a healthy dose of humor, and a bit of beginner’s luck, they had already crossed the Atlantic in 2020—their first ocean-rowing. But the Pacific is bigger, lonelier, and far more dangerous. To prepare, the Scots train relentlessly: on their boat, in the gym, and even on their farm in the Highlands, where they prepped 1,800 meals for the journey. Yet they know this adventure requires more than muscle; it demands mental toughness, because anything can—and does—happen on the open sea.

CHRISTA FUNK - FIRST IN, LAST OUT
Christa Funk is the first in the water each morning and the last to leave at night. As one of the few professional surf photographers, she has made Hawaii’s legendary Pipeline—one of the world’s most dangerous and iconic waves—both her workplace and her happy place. Raised in Colorado, Christa discovered her love of photography, which she later combined with her passion for the ocean. She forged her own path in the male-dominated scene, and today, she swims with the swell to capture the perfect angle for her shots, while also savoring the rare moments of calm amid the chaos of the break. Her cinematic portrait is a testament to the power of believing in yourself and following your dreams.

Up the Coast
Kiteboarding legend Kevin Langeree and his crew have one mission: an unforgettable kiteboarding adventure along South Africa’s wild coastline. Their goal? Maximum airtime! To achieve it, they must chase the perfect wind. Even though the weather starts of moody, the crew is determined—because, who knows, the ideal conditions might be waiting just beyond the next headland. We join them on their epic road trip in Up the Coast.