THE Ocean Film Festival World Tour is back, bringing an evening of inspirational ocean-themed films to more than 35 locations across the UK and Ireland in September and October.

The films feature seafaring adventurers rowing treacherous oceans, intrepid surfers riding the world’s biggest waves, and explore our planet’s spectacular hidden depths.

“Through stunning cinematography and mesmerising storytelling, audiences can expect to be wowed by the magic and mysteries of the world’s oceans… coming at you through the big screen," says tour director Nell Teasdale. As well as thrilling films, each screening will see a free prize giveaway to win ocean-related goodies.

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour began in Australia, with the aim of inspiring people to explore, respect, enjoy and protect the oceans.

Highlights for 2018 include:

Kiwi Breeze: Steve is not your average Londoner. For a start he’s a Kiwi, and instead of wallpaper his house is decorated with charts and plans. He has also been building a 44ft yacht in his back garden, and after nine years of toil, it’s finally ready to set sail. The first obstacle, however, is how to get the steel vessel from the backyard of a small, suburban street to the London docks. Kiwi Breeze tells the inspirational story of Steve’s 24,000km voyage home to New Zealand… and his determination to achieve his dream.

Touched by the Ocean: Latvian friends Karlis and Gints have a second-hand rowing boat, no rowing experience and a grand plan: to become the first team ever to row across the South Atlantic Ocean, from Namibia to Brazil. Touched by the Ocean joins them on a raucous tale of adventure, dedication and friendship.

The Big Wave Project: This follows a tight-knit crew of leading big wave surfers as they work together to attempt a goal that drills into the core passion of surfing: riding the world’s biggest wave. Hear candid, no-holds-barred accounts of the real fear of death, the humbling power of the ocean, and of ultimate personal glory.

• Whitley Bay, Playhouse Crescent Theatre, September 13; York Barbican, October 23. To book tickets, visit oceanfilmfestival.co.uk.