World Whale Film Festival 2026

World Whale Film Festival 2026 on Maui is a one-night celebration of ocean storytelling hosted by Pacific Whale Foundation, set for Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at the historic ʻĪao Theater in Wailuku. Timed during Maui’s peak humpback whale season, it’s an island event that blends film, conservation, and community in one of Hawaiʻi’s most meaningful whale-watching months.

World Whale Film Festival 2026 Maui: what it is

The World Whale Film Festival is an annual Maui-based event launched in 2017 by Pacific Whale Foundation, showcasing short films focused on ocean conservation, marine wildlife protection, Indigenous ecological knowledge, climate change, and environmental stewardship. The festival is part of the wider World Whale Day celebration on Maui, which Pacific Whale Foundation describes as returning with a week of events across the island. For travelers who love island culture and nature, the festival offers a different way to connect with whales: not from a boat or beach, but through powerful local and global stories.

In 2026, the festival is positioned as a community gathering that aims to spark change and celebrate the ocean planet through film. It’s an easy add-on to a Maui trip because it is a single-evening event, leaving daytime free for whale watching, snorkeling, hiking, or exploring Upcountry.

Confirmed 2026 date and venue in Wailuku

Pacific Whale Foundation’s World Whale Day 2026 schedule lists the World Whale Film Festival on February 11, 2026 at ʻĪao Theater. A dedicated Pacific Whale Foundation page also notes the festival “returns to the Historic ʻĪao Theater” in Wailuku, reinforcing the venue location for this edition. The Historic ʻĪao Theater is a classic Maui venue that gives the festival an intimate, cinematic feel that matches the emotional impact of conservation storytelling.

A public event listing for the “9th Annual World Whale Film Festival” confirms it takes place Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and identifies Historic Iao Theater as the location. This Wailuku setting also makes it convenient for visitors staying in Central Maui areas like Kahului or travelers driving in from South Maui or West Maui for an evening out.

Why this festival matters during Maui whale season

Maui is globally known for humpback whale season, when whales migrate to Hawaiian waters for breeding and calving during winter months. World Whale Day itself has roots in Lahaina, Maui, where it began as a local whale awareness event founded by Pacific Whale Foundation in 1980. That history gives the film festival a deeper island context because it connects modern conservation messaging to a tradition that started on Maui decades ago.

The 2026 World Whale Day programming is also tied to Pacific Whale Foundation’s 45th anniversary, adding a milestone energy to the week’s gatherings and highlighting the organization’s long-term role in marine conservation education. For visitors, it’s a chance to do more than sightsee: attending the film festival supports an island-based conservation community and helps amplify stories that can change how people travel, consume, and advocate for oceans.

What to expect at the World Whale Film Festival

The World Whale Day 2026 schedule describes the festival as showcasing powerful short films on ocean conservation, marine wildlife, Indigenous wisdom, climate change, and stewardship. Pacific Whale Foundation also frames the festival as an annual platform that welcomes passionate filmmakers, including students and first-time creators, creating a mix of perspectives that can feel personal and fresh. Since 2021, the festival has included an online platform, helping the event reach global audiences while staying rooted in Maui’s community.

The vibe: island community, not red carpet

This is not a flashy celebrity premiere. It’s a Maui community night where the setting, the stories, and the people in the room are tied together by love for the ocean and a shared desire to protect it. The ʻĪao Theater venue elevates the experience while keeping it intimate, making it easy to arrive as a visitor and still feel part of the island gathering.

Story themes you’ll see

Based on Pacific Whale Foundation’s descriptions, expect short films that explore:

• Marine conservation and ocean advocacy.
• Marine wildlife protection with whales often at the emotional center.
• Indigenous ecological knowledge and stewardship values.
• Climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems.

Maui local relevance: what to do before and after the festival

Wailuku is a great base for Central Maui exploring, and attending an evening at ʻĪao Theater pairs well with daytime stops around Kahului, local eateries, and scenic drives toward ʻĪao Valley area. If staying in Kihei or Wailea, the drive to Wailuku is straightforward for a night out, and the festival can become a highlight that breaks up a beach-heavy itinerary. Visitors coming from West Maui can also make it a cultural stop that complements whale-focused sightseeing tied to the island’s winter season.

Because World Whale Day week includes multiple events across Maui, travelers can shape the island experience around conservation and community rather than only attractions. Pacific Whale Foundation’s schedule references ticket bundles and a “Package for Two” that includes tickets to multiple events, suggesting a curated weeklong celebration rather than a single standalone screening.

Tickets and pricing: what is confirmed and what is not

Pacific Whale Foundation’s World Whale Day 2026 page states “Buy your tickets today” and indicates options to choose individual events, build a bundle, or purchase a “Package for Two,” confirming that the festival is ticketed. The same page describes the “Package for Two” as including two tickets to four events: the Opening Ceremony, World Whale Film Festival, Taste & Tunes, and the Big Blue Soirée. However, the sources available here do not provide confirmed ticket prices for the World Whale Film Festival itself.

For the most accurate pricing, rely on Pacific Whale Foundation’s ticketing links connected to the film festival page and the World Whale Day 2026 schedule. If planning travel around the event, budget for tickets plus Central Maui parking, dinner before or after, and at least one whale-watching experience to round out the theme of your island trip.

Travel tips for an island film night in February

February is prime time for Maui whale season, so booking accommodations early is smart, especially in popular areas like Kihei, Wailea, and West Maui. Choose lodging based on the kind of trip you want: Central Maui for convenience to Wailuku and Kahului, South Maui for beaches and dining, or West Maui for resort-style stays. Plan to arrive at ʻĪao Theater with extra time, since community events can draw locals and visitors, and the best seats and smoothest entry come with early arrival.

Dress is typically island casual, but bring a light layer for evening breezes or air-conditioned indoor venues. If combining the festival with ocean activities, pack reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a mindset of mālama, caring for the place you’re visiting.

Make World Whale Film Festival 2026 your Maui highlight

World Whale Film Festival 2026 is one of those Maui experiences that stays with you because it deepens the island story: whales are not just something to photograph, they are something to understand and protect. With the festival confirmed for February 11, 2026 at the Historic ʻĪao Theater in Wailuku, it’s an easy and meaningful addition to a winter Maui itinerary. Secure your tickets through Pacific Whale Foundation, plan a whale-season week on the island, and spend one unforgettable evening letting Maui’s ocean stories move you from your seat to the shore with fresh eyes.

Verified Information at glance

Event Name: World Whale Film Festival (9th Annual World Whale Film Festival)

Event Category: Environmental and conservation film festival (short films)

Host/Organizer: Pacific Whale Foundation

Confirmed Date (2026): Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Confirmed Island Location: Maui, Hawaiʻi

Confirmed Venue: Historic ʻĪao Theater, Wailuku

Program Focus (as described): Short films on ocean conservation, marine wildlife, Indigenous wisdom, climate change, and stewardship

Ticketing (confirmed): Ticket purchase is required, with options for individual tickets or bundles and a “Package for Two” referenced for World Whale Day week events

Pricing: Ticket prices not confirmed in the sources provided here