Fremantle Underwater Film Festival: 2-4 October 2026

FREMANTLE UNDERWATER FILM FESTIVAL 2026 — HOME WATERS

ABOUT THE EVENT

The Fremantle Underwater Film Festival (FUFF) returns to Cockburn from 2–4 October 2026 for three nights of extraordinary ocean stories, underwater films, live music, art, marine science and community.

This year's theme is HOME WATERS.

Because before we care about the ocean, we get to know it.

Home Waters invites us to look closer at the places we live, swim, dive, fish, walk and play — and to consider our relationship with the living ocean around us.

For FUFF 2026, that means turning our attention particularly to Walyalup (Fremantle), Derbal Nara (Cockburn Sound) and the wider waters of the south-west of Western Australia, while celebrating ocean stories from around the world.

Expect a hand-picked program of captivating short underwater films exploring marine life, ocean adventure, science, conservation, culture and our extraordinary human connection with the sea.

But FUFF is more than a film festival.

Before the films and during the interval, we'll come together as a community to share music, stories, art, marine science and conservation projects happening in our own home waters.

We're also honoured to welcome Walyalup Kannajil, a Whadjuk Noongar language group, as part of this year's festival. Their presence helps us celebrate the continuing cultural relationship between Whadjuk Noongar people and Sea Country. We will also welcome back our Fremantle Men's nautical song group the Mermantle Men, supported by the City of Fremantle.

The 2026 festival brings together:

🌊 Underwater film & ocean stories

🎶 Live sea songs with the Mermantle Men

🖤 Walyalup Kannajil and Noongar language

🎨 FUFF Ocean Literacy Art Exhibit & Derbal Nara Story Map

🔬 Marine science & conservation projects

🐚 Local marine biodiversity and our Home Waters

🤝 A community of ocean lovers, storytellers, scientists, artists, divers and adventurers

THE FILMS

The evening program is presented in two acts, with an interval between them.

Across the program you'll encounter extraordinary underwater cinematography, marine wildlife, human stories, ocean science, conservation and films that invite us to see the sea differently.

FUFF celebrates both local and international ocean storytellers, bringing the underwater world onto the big screen and closer to home.

MORE THAN A FILM FESTIVAL

FUFF was founded in 2015 as an independent, grassroots, not-for-profit festival with a simple idea:

Ocean stories can change the way we see the sea — and what we do to protect it.

For more than a decade, FUFF has brought people together through film, art, music, science and storytelling while raising funds for marine biodiversity conservation.

100% of FUFF ticket sales are donated to marine conservation and biodiversity initiatives.

So when you buy a ticket, you're not simply coming to watch some beautiful films.

You're helping ocean conservation happen.

COME EARLY

Doors open at 5:30pm.

Come early, grab dinner and a drink, catch up with friends and explore the festival before the films begin.

You'll have the opportunity to:

Browse and purchase from the ocean art exhibition

Discover beautiful works by local marine artists and photographers

Meet film-makers and people working with the sea and in marine science and conservation

Find out what's happening in our local waters

Enjoy live sea songs from the Mermantle Men

Settle in with the FUFF community before the films begin

FOOD & DRINK

Food and drinks will be available at the venue and are not included in the ticket price.

Dinner will be available for purchase on the night, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Food is available first come, first served until sold out, so we recommend arriving early if you'd like dinner. Please bring some cash for your purchases.

There is free parking nearby, with access from Carrington Street.

THE FUFF COMMUNITY

FUFF is proudly grassroots and community-powered.

The festival is entirely volunteer-run and relies on the generosity of filmmakers, artists, musicians, marine scientists, conservation organisations, volunteers, local businesses and our wonderful audience.

There are plenty of ways to get involved — from volunteering and sponsoring, to exhibiting your art, running a stall, becoming a partner or simply bringing your friends along.

With thanks to our venue sponsor. the City of Cockburn, our event sponsor Blueback Freediving and Yoga, and our supporters at the City of Fremantle and Adreno - Ocean Outfitters.

ABOUT FUFF

The Fremantle Underwater Film Festival (FUFF) is an independent, not-for-profit grassroots social and environmental movement dedicated to better ocean health.

We believe that stories have the power to change the way people understand and care for the natural world.

FUFF brings together ocean stories, marine science, art, music, culture and the transformational nature of the human–water connection to create experiences that inspire curiosity, connection and action.

Our vision is simple:

Healthy and connected oceans and people.

We believe that building a deeper relationship between people and the ocean is part of building a more sustainable future.

And we believe that sometimes the best place to start is right outside your own door.

Come home to the water.

FUFF 2026

📍 Hamilton Hill (Cockburn) Memorial Hall, Cockburn, Western Australia

📅 2–4 October 2026

🎬 Three evening screenings

🕠 Doors open 5:30pm

Come for the films.

Stay for the stories, music, art, science and community.

Leave knowing your Home Waters a little better — and perhaps loving them a little more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

FUFF is a community-powered festival and we couldn't do it without you.

You can support FUFF by:

Buying a ticket

Bringing friends and family

Bidding on local ocean art

Volunteering

Sponsoring or partnering with the festival

Supporting our participating marine conservation organisations

Sharing FUFF with your community

For more information, volunteering, sponsorship and partnership enquiries:

fremantleunderwaterfilmfest@gmail.com

0439 770 038

Find out more at www.fuff.com.au