Bicara Keindahan Laut, Steven Spielberg Datang ke Manado

Source: Okezone -- Rabu, 24 Agustus 2011

Steven Spielberg (foto: Ist)

SUTRADARA ternama Hollywood, Steven Spielberg, bakal datang ke Indonesia pada akhir tahun ini. Sutradara penerima tiga kali Oscar ini bakal berbicara mengenai keindahan laut dalam ‘Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011’.

Tak hanya Spielberg, sejumlah tokoh kelautan dunia di antaranya Emory Kristof (National Geographic Explorer-Penemu Titanic), Howard & Michelle Hall (sineas-DEEP SEA & Coral Reef Eden IMAX 3D), Steve Jones (penjelajah, wartawan foto bawah air), dan Ronny Rengkung (salah satu fotografer bawah air Indonesia) juga akan menjadi pembicara dalam acara yang berlangsung di Sintesa Peninsula Hotel, manado, 23-25 September mendatang.

Hal tersebut diungkapkan Sekjen Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Sapta Nirwandar, dalam jumpa persnya, Selasa (23/8/2011).

Pada ‘Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011’ akan digelar serangkaian acara antara lain forum konservasi laut, presentasi film dan foto, lomba seni, seminar yang mengundang para tokoh kelautan, dan gala award ceremony.

Selain itu akan digelar festival film bawah air dan lomba foto bawah air internasional yang akan menjadi kompetisi menarik dan ditunggu-tunggu banyak fotografer pecinta bahari dunia untuk memperebutkan hadiah sebesar USD5000 (Rp42 juta).

Dirjen Pemasaran Pariwisata Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Sapta Nirwandar, mengatakan 'Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011' merupakan event tahunan kompetisi pencitraan bawah laut terbesar di kawasan asia pasifik. Event ini juga diselenggarakan setiap tahun di Marseille, Prancis dan akan diikuti lebih dari 25 negara diseluruh belahan dunia.

"Melalui penyenggaraan ‘Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011’ kita ingin mempromosikan keindahan dan kekayaan laut Indonesia keseluruh dunia," ujar Sapta. "Karena selama ini pesona keindahan daratan Indonesia yang sering dipromosikan ke dunia Internasional," lanjutnya.

Selain itu, Sapta mengharapkan, untuk tahap selanjutnya, mudah-mudahan akan tercipta kesadaran lebih besar khususnya masyarakat Indonesia, mengenai kepedulian akan pelestarian lingkungan laut Indonesia ini

Salah satu Ketua Penyelenggara. 'Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011', Michael AW, menjelaskan Indonesia memiliki banyak destinasi wisata bawah laut yang mengagumkan, karena itulah Indonesia dipilih sebagai tuan rumah.

"Untuk menetapkan tempat penyelenggaraan saya melakukan riset dan akhirnya menetapkan Manado selama kurang lebih 6 bulan terakhir. Karena di Manado memiliki potensi besar untuk wisata diving dunia yang letaknya strategis, berada dalam kawasan segitiga karang dunia di Indonesia bagian timur. Hal ini yang membuat kelangkaan biota lautnya menjadi incaran para wisatawan dunia," tambahnya.

Winning Underwater Photos of 2011 Manado Ocean Festival

Source: www.wetpixel.com

Photo locations: Bunaken, Lembeh Strait, Manado Bay

Open Section Wide-Angle 1st prize.

Photographer: Delien Yusuf Sulaiman.
Equipment: Nikon D300, 10.5mm Fisheye lens.

Open Section Wide-Angle 2nd prize.

Photographer: Marthin Uada.
Equipment: Canon G12, Inon UWL-100.

Open Section Wide-Angle 3rd prize.

Photographer: Ronny Rengkung.
Equipment: Nikon D300, 12-24mm lens.

Open Section Macro 1st prize.

Photographer: Edo Angitan.
Equipment: Canon 5D markII, 100mm macro lens, 4x FIT Pro +8 wet lenses stacked.

Open Section Macro 2nd prize.

Photographer: Royke Hendra.
Equipment: Canon 7D, 100mm macro lens.

Open Section Macro 3rd prize.

Photographer: Delien Yusuf Sulaiman.
Equipment: Nikon D200, 105mm lens.

Compact Camera Section 1st prize.

Photographer: Rivo Malonda.
Equipment: Canon G10, +16 FIT PRO wet lens.

Compact Camera Section 2nd prize.

Photographer: James Mamoto.
Equipment: Canon G11.

Compact Camera Section 3rd prize.

Photographer: Toar Pantour.
Equipment: Canon G10.

Manado Ocean Festival May 2011

 Source: Visit Indonesia (www.indonesia.travel)

From May 22nd to 28th 2011, the sea-side capital of North Sulawesi, Manado, will once again present its fascinating marine marvels through a series of events called the Manado Ocean Festival 2011. The event will be highlighted with world class competitions including an international underwater photography contest, a national Jet Ski competition, Miss Ocean Contest, and many more. The Festival will also feature Sea and Underwater themed exhibitions.

Among participants and invitees planned to attend the Festival is former Miss Indonesia and diving enthusiast, Nadine Chandrawinata. She will be joining hundreds of water sports enthusiast and the general public in a week-long Marine festival.

The International Underwater Photography Contests will kick off the Festival on May 22nd and last until the last day of the Festival on May 28th. The traditional Ketinting Boat Race is scheduled to take place from May 24th to 25th, while the regular photography competition also commences on May 24th and last to May 28th. The Miss Manado Ocean Beauty Pageant is scheduled to be held from May 26th to 28th, and the Seafood Cooking Festival will leave visitors mouth watering on May the 27th. On shore, an exciting Beach Volley Tournament is also a highlight of the festival held from May 24th to 28th.

Chief and the Secretary of the Committee, Suhendro Boroma and Pahlano Daud, said that the Festival is held to further promote Manado as a prime beach and marine destination and in a follow up to earlier international events such as the World Ocean Conference (WOC) and Sail Bunaken, reported sulutpost.com. These international events have  also placed Manado among top Beaches and Marine destinations in the world; this is solid proof that places such as Bunaken , Manado Tua islands, and the untold diving spots in the area have received worldwide acclaim.

The Manado Ocean Festival 2011 serves as an invitation to international tourist to enter the enchanting Sea and Underwater wonders of Manado.

For more information please visit the event’s official website: www.manadooceanfest.com

Or you can contact the following Email: info@manadooceanfest.com