Lights, cameras, sanctuaries! Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary hosted annual film festival

Lights, cameras, sanctuaries! Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary hosted annual film festival A packed theater as the films begin during the Friday night Great Lakes Gala at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival. (Image credit: Shannon Shikles/NOAA) Download Image March 12, 2026 Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary recently celebrated 14 years of bringing ocean and Great Lakes films to northeast Michigan through the annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival. The festival, which takes place each January, has become a welcome highlight during the short, cold days of winter, opening audiences' eyes to the National Marine Sanctuary System. Stories of sea life, Great Lakes surfing, shark preserves, coral restoration, and more fill the big screen—widening perspectives and deepening connections to our blue planet. Education 0 Off