Overview

In celebration of World Oceans Day 2026, the Belize Fund is launching “The Ocean Through My Eyes” Story Challenge to spotlight Belizean tour guides as storytellers and ambassadors for Belize’s coastal and marine environment.

Aligned with the 2026 World Oceans Day theme, “Reimagine: Beyond the World We Know, A New Relationship with Our Ocean,” the challenge invites tour guides, dive masters, fishing guides, and eco-tour operators to share authentic and engaging short-form videos that showcase their personal connection to Belize’s ocean.

Tour guides play a vital role in shaping how both visitors and Belizeans experience, appreciate, and connect with the sea. Through storytelling, participants are encouraged to capture the beauty, wonder, importance, and future of Belize’s marine spaces while promoting ocean awareness and stewardship.

The challenge aims to generate public engagement around World Oceans Day while celebrating the people who help others fall in love with Belize’s ocean every day.

Duration

• Challenge Launch: June 8, 2026 (World Oceans Day)
• Submission Deadline: June 29, 2026
• Finalist Showcase & Public Voting Period: June 30 – July 2, 2026
• Winners Announced: July 3, 2026

How It Works

• Participants are invited to submit one original 60–90 second vertical reel/video answering one of the following prompts:
  • What does Belize’s ocean mean to you?
  • What is one unforgettable moment you’ve experienced on the water?
  • What do you wish every visitor understood about Belize’s ocean?
  • Show us Belize’s ocean through your eyes.
• Participants must submit their videos electronically to campaign@belizefund.bz.
• Following the submission deadline, the Belize Fund will review entries and select the top finalists based on the judging criteria outlined below.
• Belize Fund will feature submissions using the hashtags #OceanAwareness2026 and #WorldOceanDay2026 on our social media accounts.
• The Fan Favourite winner will be determined through public engagement on the Belize Fund’s social media platforms.

Rules and Guidelines

• The challenge is open to Belizean tour guides, dive masters, fishing guides, snorkel guides, eco-tour operators, and other marine tourism professionals.
• Videos must be original content created by the participant.
• Entries must be between 60–90 seconds in vertical format.
• Participants may submit only one entry.
• Videos should include ocean, marine, coastal, conservation, cultural, or tourism-related content connected to Belize’s marine environment.
• Videos must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content.
• Use of music, footage, or other copyrighted material without permission is prohibited.
• By submitting an entry, participants grant the Belize Fund permission to repost, publish, and promote submitted content across its communication platforms with proper credit to the creator.
• The Belize Fund reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet the submission requirements or guidelines.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on:

• Creativity and originality
• Storytelling and emotional impact
• Connection to Belize’s ocean and marine environment
• Relevance to the World Oceans Day 2026 theme
• Overall video quality and presentation

Prizes

1st Place – BZ $1,000

2nd Place – BZ $600

3rd Place – BZ $400

Fan Favourite – BZ $200

How to Submit

Complete the form below with accurate information to ensure proper eligibility into the challenge. If you experience any issues, or have any concerns, please email campaign@belizefund.bz for assistance.

Disclaimer

By submitting an entry, participants agree and grant permission for full use by the Belize Fund to be displayed, distributed, reproduced, and created as derivative works of the texts, in whole or in part, in any media currently existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival, scholarly, or all other standard purposes of the Belize Fund’s communication activities and product development related to Belize coastal and marine environment.