San Diego Surf Festival

Second Annual San Diego Surf Film Festival Creates Colossal Wave of Stoke Around the Globe

2013-05-24T16:39:00.002-07:00

By Andrea Siedsma
Photos by Glen Gorham

In just two years the San Diego Surf Film Festival has generated a colossal wave of stoke around the globe. From Australia to the UK, New England, Fiji and San Diego, SDSFF 2013 featured the finest in international surf cinema at the world famous Bird’s Surf Shed from May 8-12, 2013. The five-day festival, which attracted 1,700 people (up from 1,200 in 2012), also included live art and music, a beach clean-up and alternative surf session, as well as after parties. The SDSFF, the only one of its kind on the West Coast, spotlighted 42 films, 14 bands, and 16 filmmakers. Since 2012, the SDSFF has also raised $5,000 for charities.
This year’s festival far exceeded expectations for Pierce Kavanagh, who, along with his wife Petra, created the SDSFF in 2012.
“We worked tirelessly to set it all up, but the magic that was created in those five days was something special,” said Kavanagh (also known as PMK), an independent filmmaker who originally launched the SDSFF to give his peers a platform to showcase their work.

PMK

The SDSFF highlighted an eclectic mix of films and themes, from big wave surfing to New England surf culture, environmental and social responsibility, and beautiful cinematic and poetic shots of soul surfers around the world.

The SDSFF 2013 awards include:

· Best Feature: The Heart and the Sea –Nathan Oldfield

· Best Cinematography: Intentio– Loic Wirth

· Best Short: Of Souls+Water: The Warrior – Skip Armstrong

· Emerging Filmmakers: Dylan Ladds and Ryna Scura (New England Blood)

· Honorable Mention: The Shaper – Jeremy Joyce, Rich Pearn & Rob Lockyear

· Spirit of the SDSFF: Stokefest– Andrew Quinn

“I'm really grateful for my experience with the San Diego Surf Film Festival,” said Australian filmmaker Nathan Oldfield, whose award-wining film The Heart and the Sea explores the joy that lies at the very center of a surfing life – family, friends and a shared intimacy with the sea. “At all times, I had great communication with the festival organizers. The whole crew involved are really open and genuine, and they are all about supporting and celebrating independent surf films. As an independent filmmaker, events like the SDSFF are really important in terms of helping promote your work. Also, the organizers, judges and audience are all core surfers. So it means a lot to me personally that my film was embraced by such an audience of surf film aficionados.”

Filmmaker Nathan Oldfield

On the other side of the world, in the UK, filmmaker Matt Crocker was equally thrilled that his film The Endless Winter - A Very British Surf Movie made the SDSFF list.
“When we made The Endless Winter we hoped that it could be enjoyed worldwide, particularly in the big surf nations,” Crocker said. “For us to be screened in San Diego, to a room of hard core California surfers is a genuine honor and a massive deal for British surfing.”

Bird Huffman, owner of the Shed, said the festival was a complete success, and was impressed with the quality and variety of films.
“The films were great with a bit more polish on them perhaps than the year before…with a wider variety of artsy influences,” Huffman said. “It’s hard to put a top moment on the list in general, but the Greg Long film and the Q&A after was all time. I’m looking forward to next year already.”

Bird Huffman and Peter Townend Talkin' Story

What began as a venue to carry on the tradition of the “gathering of the tribes” has transformed into one of the most sought-after surf film festivals around the globe. SDSFF 2013 had a total of 75 film submissions from around the world, and another day was even added to the festival so more films could be seen.

“The SDSFF 2013 line-up was the finest in surf cinema and we praise the independent filmmakers for all of their incredible work,” Kavanagh said. “The SDSFF has an incredible spirit to it and I’m proud to be a part of it. This was my SDSFF Saturday, for example: I woke up early and headed down to a packed morning Beach Clean‐Up and Stokefest. About 50 people were already there scouring the shoreline and beyond for any signs of trash to collect. I have to tell you, this has to be one of my favorite sights in the world. This alone, made my day. But wait, there’s more. I headed back to Bird’s Surf Shed for a full day of amazing films and about a dozen director Q&As. The final film set included Sine Qua Non: The Psychology of Big Wave Surfing with Greg Long, and was followed by a 40-minute spell‐binding Q&A with Long. Put it this way, when things get gnarly in the line‐up this summer my mantra will be, ‘What would Greg Long do?’ As if this wasn’t enough, we all walked down the street to the Griffin, the SDSFF music venue, to listen to Tom Curren. Yep, Tom Curren. If this is all a dream, please don’t wake me.”

Arianna Photopoulos, who was part of a 12-member East Coast contingency that traveled to San Diego for the SDSFF, is also still reverberating with stoke. She said the propelling energy that drove her New England surf family westward to attend SDSFF began with filmmaker friends Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura (New England Blood).
“As a surf artist, photographer and current film student, the festival offered a spectacular opportunity to stoke that passion organically with countless like-minded people,” said Photopoulos. “Viewing so many talented and inspired films was a truly phenomenal experience. One high point was when Dylan and Ryan introduced their film New England Blood. We watched like the passionate New England surfers we are, frothing with a sense of pride in their work.

“The kinetic assembly of ocean-minded filmmakers, surf craftsmen, artists, musicians, and simply stoked individuals is only a fraction of the attraction,” she added about SDSFF. “The venue is incentive enough. Bird's Surf Shed is easily one of the most essential collections of surf history under one roof. Each board placed in the rafters expresses a crucial importance in relation to the development and success of wave riding over the years. The family of surf-savvy characters staffing the shed, namely Bird himself, could not have been more gracious and cultured hosts. Driving this train of kindled enthusiasm was another amazing crew: Pierce and Petra Kavanagh, the quintessential stoke ambassadors, as well as others who made the event a reality. All were welcomed with hoots and shakas in abundance. The festival would not have been possible without these sensational people. We are all absolutely grateful to have met and vibed with them and so many other radical humans. I am still filled to the brim with stoke and love of San Diego. I cannot wait to come back.”

New England Stoke! From L to R, Adam Fraser, Michael Emery and filmmaker Dylan Ladds. Photo courtesy of Adam Fraser

Also along for the New England stoke-packed adventure was Adam Fraser.
“We all feel like we're a part of this amazing global surf community, and SDSFF gave us all an opportunity to keep in touch with people in that community outside of our neck of the woods, to meet creative people, see the fruits of their labor, and revel in their stoke,” Fraser said. “The SDSFF was definitely about so much more than the films. Meeting Matt Beard and the other artists and shapers and watching them make works of art right in front of us was fantastic.”

Both Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura were stoked to have such an overwhelming New England presence to support their film during SDSFF.
“It's really cool that we've been involved with the festival since its start last year, and it's just getting better and better,” Scura said. “Bird's Shed is the perfect venue for this amazing collection of films. All filmmakers need to show their work, and festivals are often the best opportunities to do so. Having a surf-specific film festival in one of the biggest surf cultures (San Diego) in the world is fantastic for independent surf filmmakers. We are able to show our films to a large audience and get immediate feedback, which is extremely useful to us. It's also a great way to meet other filmmakers and make connections.”

Better book those tickets for next year: Kavanagh and his crew are already planning SDSFF 2014, which, he said will blow even more minds. “Petra and I are honored and astonished at the overwhelming response from our local surf community and the global surf family as well. Without their support none of this would be possible and we look forward to our return next May."

For more information about the San Diego Surf Film Festival, visit http://sandiegosurffilmfestival.com/

The SDSFF 2013 video below by Dan Foote at Verb TV says it all:

Hoots & Shakas!

SDSFF FILMMAKER INTERVIEW TAKE 6: ELISA BATES

2013-05-08T16:29:00.005-07:00

MY BREAKFAST WITH ELISA

Elisa has been really busy so it was nice to meet up over breakfast, relax and chat for a few hours about her film AWAY, film festivals, Rockaway, the new Green Day documentary and almost everything in between. AWAY has been receiving amazing reviews from the international film festival circuit and I couldn't wait to find out more about this unique film.
So Elisa brought her husband, George, I brought my camera and that burrito didn't stand a chance.

"What started as a thesis project ended with a much deeper understanding of Rockaway Beach," explains Elisa about the project that has actually consumed that last two years of her life. Elisa has a background that includes design and art direction so when she chose to direct her first film, some people had a few concerns including her department heads and husband, George. He stated, "Of course I backed her from the start but secretly thought it was going to be disastrous." After Elisa shot for 3 months he finally got to see the footage and admitted, "Maybe this will work...actually, you got something here!"

AWAY spotlights women, a previously unseen portion of the strange and unique Rockaway Beach scene. "I was inspired by how difficult surfing in New York and wanted to know more about these women who were out there." Trust me, these women are classic and I have watched AWAY numerous times to make sure I didn't miss anything.

I asked Elisa the standard, "what's next?" question and the response I got from the two of them was a bolt of creativity. George told me he had asked after she had completed the film, "So do you want to go back into the real world?"
"No."
"Great, let's create a studio."
And I love them for this, more people to need to add a little risk to their lives. So please check out www.eandgstudio.com and support independence.
I apologize for the condensed version of this epic conversation but I will return with a follow-up after we meet in Rockaway fro fish tacos.
HOOTS AND SHAKAS

SUNDAY, MAY 12TH (SET 8) 1:00-3:00PM
SURFING AND SHARKS- Julian Watson
*Great White Shark expert Q&A
RICKY WHITLOCK: L-1, T-12- Timothy A. Ryan
AWAY- Elisa Bates
MUCH BETTER NOW- Simon Griesser and Philip Cornarella
BOYS TO MEN: 100 WAVE CHALLENGE- Timothy A. Ryan
*Filmmaker Q&A
* Food and beverages provided

Filmmaking and Fish Guts: A Conversation with Sustainability Advocate Courtney Hayes

2013-05-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Courtney Hayes with her sustainable shred stick shaped by Michael Emery

By Andrea Siedsma

In her youth, Courtney Hayes spent a lot of time on the waterfront in Gloucester, Mass., America’s oldest fishing port. It is in this city on Massachusetts’ North Shore where Courtney grew her sea legs, so-to-speak, as the daughter of a fisherman.

Courtney, now an award-winning documentary producer and director (PBS, History Channel and Discovery Channel), is still inspired by the sea and the people who use it to create commerce and recreation. In 2010, she launched CetoSurf.com,a global community of more than 11,000 surfers and sea lovers dedicated to promoting ocean-friendly businesses and marine conservation efforts.

Last year, Courtney made the journey to San Diego to volunteer for the first ever San Diego Surf Film Festival. She loved it so much that she is coming back this year. The SDSFF is honored to have such a talented and impressive sea sister as a member of our tribe.

Below, Courtney talks about her film career, sustainability and her New England roots.

Age: 48

Hobbies: Surfing, SUPing, handplaning, sailing, and snorkeling.

What Fuels Me: The ocean, adventure, laughter, friendship, and salty people who have crazy ideas.

Favorite Quote: “Surf something!”

Growing up in Gloucester: Gloucester, Mass. was a magical place to grow up. As the daughter of a tuna fisherman, I spent a lot of time on the water. One of my first memories is being out on my father’s boat, racing alongside a giant school of blue fin tuna. Of course, those sort of peaceful moments were often punctuated by my dad screaming, “We’re hooked uuuup!”

Courtney practicing her moves on an early upcycled shortboard. Circa 1977

Sea Connection: My first job was “chum girl” on my dad’s tuna boat. Picture “Wicked Tuna,” but with an 8-year-old girl as second mate. I spent a good chunk of my formative years covered in fish guts! In the summer, we were always in the ocean – swimming, sailing, and fishing. I started surfing six years ago and moved back to Gloucester recently. I love being in the ocean now more than ever.

New England Core: Winter surfing in New England is like nothing else. My favorite memories include surfing during a mid-January blizzard. Unlike some of the really hard core guys, I can only handle 38-degree water a few times a winter. The water finally got up to 47 last week and you’d think it was the Caribbean – one kid was out in a 3/2 suit sans hood, gloves and booties. New England surfers are classic!

‘Reel’ Inspirations: My documentary filmmaking career began at Frontline/PBS in 1991. In 2000, I started working on an independent film about the New English fishery called “A Fish Story” - a tale of two women who lead their communities in a battle for control of the ocean. I’ve always loved the adventure that comes along with the job; every new film feels like a free pass to a world filled with amazing people and places.

Courtney blowing paulownia dust off her hand shaped Wegener Paipo at a Grain Surfboard Workshop in 2012.

Ceto Surf: A few years ago, I got really interested in new media and the power of collective action and I wanted to do something to connect surfers and promote ocean health. Ceto seeks to foster a healthy ocean and a more sustainable surf industry by making it fun and easy to share information about ocean friendly innovators, artists and activists.

SDSFF Connection: I met Pierce and Petra Kavanagh in 2011 after seeing their great film “Manufacturing Stoke” at Grain Surfboards in Maine. A close friend from high school lives in La Jolla and I’ve been lucky enough to travel to San Diego many times in recent years. I volunteered at the 2012 SDSFF because I love the idea of the global surf community coming together – what a blast!!

What’s Next: San Diego Surf Film Fest 2013!!… And ask me about Fiji 2014 next week J

Check out http://cetosurf.com/

SDSFF FILMMAKER INTERVIEW SERIES TAKE 5: DIRK BRANDTS

2013-05-03T10:03:00.000-07:00

RIVER RUN is a favorite among the SDSFF screening panelists. A festival darling, if you will. SDSFF's (newest and yet unconfirmed field reporter) Ken McKnight gets to the bottom of what is nothing less than a revolutionary surf film.

"River Run" Q & A With Dirk Brandts

This year the 2013 San Diego Surf Film Festival will highlight over 35 long and short-form surf-themed international films. One of the selected shorts, “River Run,” has a mat theme to it and comes from the creative mind of Santa Barbara local Dirk Brandts. Dirk is a very experienced mat rider and filmmaker. Recently Dirk was asked by Ken McKnight to tell us a little about the film:

Q – Congratulations Dirk on your film “River Run” being accepted into the SDSFF for 2013! How does it feel?

Dirk – Thanks! It's terrific on several counts. The San Diego Surf Film Festival has really gained inertia this year, and so has my own film producing. So I was very grateful that they accepted this piece, and it feels good to have that traction and to connect with an audience.

Q – Can you tell us what “River Run” is about?

Dirk – Well, it's short and sweet and simple on its face--a man rides his surf mat down a river to the sea while a boy watches. But I hope that the simplicity invites the viewer to invest some sentiment of their own into it, and find additional resonance.

Q – How did you come up with this concept?

Dirk – I've camped near that particular river and made that ride myself scores of times since my college days in the mid-70s. It always struck me as a cinematically interesting prospect, and eventually I just got around to filming it. I had more story in mind when I shot it, but the editing process revealed that I sort of over-thought things--I tend to do that--and so it eventually got distilled down to a clear essence.

Q – Where was the filming done and why did you choose that location?

Dirk – I grew up in Santa Barbara and my family had some property up in Santa Cruz, where I went to college for a spell, so I toggled back and forth a lot and got to know the coast pretty well as young surfer. The location is very susceptible to weather, highly unpredictable, and a bit remote, but there's a period in the spring when conditions usually come together.

Q – How long have you been working on this project?

Dirk – Truth be told I've made versions of this film a couple of times already with older technology. Some people think it's a film that I'll just keep making over and over again in different iterations for the rest of my life, which doesn't sound too bad to me actually! But shooting this particular piece spanned two seasons, from 2010 to 2012. A lot of time for an 8-minute blip!

Q – What was involved in putting the production together?

Dirk – I wanted to keep it compact and efficient, because there was quite a bit of hiking involved. It was basically a couple of light camping trips with surf gear and a camcorder. Besides watching the weather to gauge water levels in the river and the potential for surf, I just needed a few dedicated souls to back me up. Ken Mcknight was the key figure -- a guy who never lost his stoke and upbeat attitude despite countless long hours in the cold, cold water -- while John Landreth, Steve Senese, Maria McCall, and Decker helped me wrangle the gear. The shooting was straightforward in an almost documentary style, although we sometimes did 2 or 3 takes. I was pleased that very few people are visible in the movie, despite shooting openly in public places surrounded by onlookers. And finally, I edited on a Mac with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6, with valuable input from Paul Gross.

Q – Why did you choose a mat as a vehicle to go down the river instead of say a surfboard?

Dirk – I'm in love with surfmats, what can I say? We've ridden hard boards at times, and bodyboards, but mats just hit the spot. Surfmats are fun, they're easy, and they're challenging, all at the same time. I realize that mats aren't for everyone, but those of us who have the fever are kind of giddy about them. The first trip up there with Ken was really fun, because it was the first time we met one another in person. We chattered non-stop about every nuance of mat riding for a couple of days straight! And that's part of what I like about surf mats -- they seem to energize a playful, fun-loving element in people, even crusty old seamen like us.

Q – The young man in the film is your son Decker, correct? How did he like being part of the film and did he understand the overall concept before and during the filming?

Dirk – Yeah, my son Decker… he completely understood the process because he was in an earlier version, and he works with me on movies all the time. I don't exactly force it on him, but I've always made sure that daddy's work is visible and and available to him, and he's welcome to participate in it. So he understands the rhythms of the work schedule, and the necessary coverage as we shoot a scene and so forth. He's a very natural actor, with a great sense of timing. I love working with him.

Q – The film score is pretty dreamy? Where did it come from?

Dirk – I graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1972, with a talented group of kids during a charmed period of time. It seemed like everyone had some special gift. So my friend Jeff Bruner became an award-winning music composer for films and television and commercials and so forth. I called him for some advice about working with a musician, and he went well beyond advice and generously provided an actual soundtrack to me, something that he had produced a while back but which had never gotten used. I tried several other pieces of music with the film, but this was absolutely the best choice. It really adds a lot of dramatic power to the visuals, and makes it extraordinary.

Q – What do you hope viewers will get out of “River Run?”

Dirk – I decided many decades ago that surfing would not be a means to an end for me. In my life, it's a form of play, and that's an end in its own right. There's a kind of innocence in that value, and I hope that viewers will see it in "River Run" and in other work that I'm producing.

Q – What’s next for Dirk Brandts, besides riding your mat? Any more film ideas brewing about?

Lots of film production--both personal projects and commercial jobs for Pantopia/Mission Cinema. Right now we're deep into a stop-motion animated music video for a fine singer/songwriter named David Poe--animation is laborious, but the result is so beautiful. I'd be really pleased to continue growing in this direction.

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Info on the San Diego Surf Film Festival is here!

SATURDAY, MAY 11TH- BIG WAVE SATURDAY

2:00-4:00pm: (SET 4)

ALASKA SESSIONS- Frederick Dickerson and Matthew McNeil

Short:

RIVER RUN- Dirk Brandts

*Filmmaker Q&A

*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird's Surf Shed

Kelly Kingston Shares The Stoke With Youths

2013-05-01T15:50:00.003-07:00

By Andrea Siedsma

From the landlocked town of Garland, Texas to the warm, clear waters of Hawaii and eventually Florida, Kelly Kingston not only discovered surfing’s stoke but also decided to pass it on to kids who really need it. The result – South Florida-based Share the Stoke Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to donating surfboards to kids and teenagers around the globe in an effort to keep them off the street and in the water.

The SDSFF supports Share the Stoke Foundation’s goal to change the world one surfboard at a time. That’s why we selected the foundation as one of our three nonprofit recipients for the second year in a row. Below, Kelly talks about how sports and surfing have fueled her life’s mission and how she keeps forging ahead.

Share the Stoke Foundation spreads the surfing aloha to kids around the globe.

Background Check: I spent my entire youth playing sports. I excelled at most sports and especially at golf. I started competing at about 9 years old. Golfing allowed me to meet a lot of people, gave me a full ride scholarship to the university of my choice, and ultimately led me to Hawaii to become a golf pro where I found surfing. Finally, I quit the golf business and spent seven years working at an R& D company in Florida. I was dabbling with Share the Stoke Foundation (STSF) and the R&D company when I got the nerve to just go for it. A little over a year ago, I quit my R&D job to pursue running the foundation full time.

Age:36

Hobbies: Right now, I am into biking and gardening. We recently planted a bunch of vegetables and fruit trees. Those include beans, cucumbers, jalapeños, bell peppers, tomatoes, squash, papaya, lime, passion fruit avocado and plenty of herbs.

What Fuels Me: Making people laugh and smile.

Favorite Quote: I don't really have a quote that I love, however, there is one song that moves me – 'Amazing Grace.'

Picking a Passion: The inspiration for Share the Stoke Foundation came from the times I felt hopeless growing up, which, to me, is the worst feeling in the world. I felt like I was always searching for something in life. Finally when I was 23 I moved to Maui and started body surfing. I was hooked; I fell madly in love with it. Surfing gave me hope and that sense of belonging, and when I surfed I felt more alive than ever. I want to share it with kids so that maybe they too can get positive things from it. Maybe surfing can help them like it did me.

Kelly Kingston is living her dream and sharing it with our world's youth.

Inspirations: My biggest accomplishment for Share the Stoke Foundation is when one of our interns excels at something. We have several high school interns who work closely with us. Recently, they competed in a triathlon. We were there the whole way supporting them and cheering for them. That is what STSF is all about – having kids become leaders and role models and doing positive things. Sometimes I just laugh at them because I think back to when I was 16 years old like these kids and I was definitely not volunteering for a non-profit and training for a triathlon. I was into mischief. These kids are an inspiration to me. I am so proud of them.

Funding Passion: The hardest part for sure is finding the funding to keep Share the Stoke Foundation going. Getting equipment and product donated has come pretty easy so far and we have been so blessed. We are always looking for individuals and businesses to partner with to make a bigger impact.

The Drive: Surfing is my passion. I believe I am here to give it to others. It sounds kind of weird, but I feel like I have been chosen to do this work. Every time I am on a trip I have a new experience and get so excited and giddy and think, ‘How did I get here?’ This usually happens when I am surfing with the kids. Their smiles usually tell it all!

Kelly Kingston creating her own stoke! Photo: Modern Day Pirate Photography and Video

Global Journey: We have been so lucky to have met some of the most amazing individuals and to have traveled to some of the coolest places around the world, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Jamaica, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Panama and many different places in the United States.

SDSFF Connection: I met the SDSFF’s Pierce and Petra Kavanagh about three years ago at a Miami Surfrider event where they were showing their film ‘Manufacturing Stoke.’ It was the first movie about surfing I had seen of its kind. Many times you see the films of kids shredding apart lips and doing 360s. I was stoked that their film had such a different aspect to it. I loved it. Last year, when I heard they were the brains behind the San Diego Surf Film Festival I had to come. I long for a surf community and appreciate how diverse Southern California’s community is. When I was just starting to surf I watched tons of surf films, learning and visualizing doing the turns that the surfers in the films would do. It helped me so much to see how the really good surfers would do turns and cut backs. Needless to say, when I was at the SDSFF last year I was immersed in film after film of the sport I love. I was in heaven! Everyone involved with the film fest has been so amazing to Share The Stoke Foundation. We are so fortunate to have folks like you helping us raise funds to support us in keeping kids off the street and in the water surfing.

Kelly Kingston, center, is one of our heroes! Hoots & Shakas!

SDSFF FILMMAKER INTERVIEW SERIES TAKE 4: GARETH DAVIES

2013-04-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

Unknown Fijian grom Isei Tokovou had been surfing less than 6 months when he was caught dropping in on a Cloudbreak bomb...

...eighteen years later he would live his dream and compete against the world's best.

Introducing THE WAVERIDER.

How did THE WAVERIDER concept materialize? How much pre-production is possible in a story such as this?

Yeah it was a bit stressful at one point but all done now.
How did the story materialise….a conversation about doing something for Fiji Tourism was on the cards but that was turned down and we were talking about the upcoming Volcom Pro and my friend Joel, who was in the trials said whoever won the trials would get a wildcard entry into the Volcom Pro and I thought "Now THAT is a story worth following" Got in contact with the Fijian Surfing Association and asked if they were keen and hey presto. As for pre production we had almost no time, literally less than 7 days to get it together. We had no script which was a very scary part but Karl and I had some pretty solid ideas that we knew we needed to get. Some seriously fancy footwork and mouth work getting us onto the boat but so many people helped us and that is in the spirit of surfing.

Explain the level of emotion for the island of Tavarua when Isei was surfing against Kelly Slater.

The emotional level was raging, Isei had won the trials and had made front page news ding that and that had helped promote it quite heavily, even more so against Kelly and the kids at Isei's son's school were crazy for it.

Explain the importance of this moment in regards to Isei's role in competitive surfing.

The importance for Isei was highlighted when we interviewed him at the village, the money he was making form the Volcom Pro, well some of that was going towards him helping young Fijian's improve their surfing, their is a basic club system in place and Isei teaches about 10 kids, more in the summer holidays. As for the competitive side of it, Isei and his "Brothers" do not really compete with each other and Isei said that was a problem as they do not have a strong competitive spirit and that needed to be addressed. Also the fact that there is no real prize at the end of any of the local competitions makes it

difficult to want to enter.

What would you like people to walk away from THE WAVERIDER with?

To walk away with…that against such incredible odds, he competed at the highest level possible and most importantly his story STILL goes on. He still drives surfers around on the Tavarua boats and in the village, he still teaches the kids and is still driven to ensure they and Fijian's will be able to compete on an international level at some point in the future. For that he needs people's support.

Anything else you would like to add?

A huge shout out to Isei and his family, JP from the FSA, Joel, Richard and the team from Volcom and our families for without their support we do not get to do these kind of things.

FRIDAY MAY 10TH – LOCALS AND LEGENDS EVENING
6:00-9:00pm: (SET 2)
THE WAVERIDER - Karl Lear
BOOTLEG - Joel Tudor and George Trimm
Short:
STOKEFEST - Andrew Quinn
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: THE RED FOX TAILS
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

SDSFF FILMMAKER INTERVIEW SERIES TAKE 3: DAVID ARCHER

2013-04-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Sharing a mutual viewpoint of the ocean, I had the pleasure of meeting up with David in Byron Bay for a quick bodysurf in March 2012. A lot has happened between then and now so it will be good to catch up with an old friend and chat about bodysurfing and his new film PROCRASTINATION.

Let's take a few breaths with David Archer...

Besides an escape from the grinds of the world, how has bodysurfing changed your life?

Bodysurfing has always been a part of my life. My brother, father and I were given a bodysurfing handplanes as a Christmas gift over 30 years ago, and family holidays were filled with bodysurfing sessions. I’ve carried that thing with me everywhere since, to the point of disintegration! It still hangs in the garage, finally retired.

In the last 10 years, I lost touch with the ocean due to work and LOTS of travel. I put on weight, got sick ...yada, yada, you know the story. A few years ago, I drew a line in the sand and actively cut back on the work travel. I live on Sydney's Northern Beaches - one of the most awesome places in the world. My local beach is 10 minutes’ walk away. My plan to get fit and re-engage life was to do lots more bodysurfing.

Since that decision, I’ve ended up joining the local surf club as a volunteer life guard, I became an Age Manager for the surf club Nipper's programme, and have taught myself to shape making handplanes from broken surfboards.

I'm fitter, healthier, more socially engaged, and happier than I have been in 10 years. And this is mainly as a result of bodysurfing!

Did you notice a larger number of swimmers in the lineup?

There are definitely more swimmers in the lineup, and specifically at certain beaches. Avalon has a long history in bodysurfing, and at times there are more torpedo people than surfers. There are a hardcore group that meet at the beach most mornings, and will be out in the line up rain, hail or sunshine. They inspire you, and stretch you to surf when maybe you wouldn't normally. When I swim at other beaches, I'm noticing more swimmers. The movie 'Come Hell or High Water' seems to have inspired more people to explore bodysurfing, and I see younger kids getting out there whomping and trying alternate surf craft like paipos, SUP's and mats.

What was the impetus for this short film?

Procrastination was an accidental film. A friend of ours organised a local short film competition, and we agreed to help support them by submitting a film. We thought it would be a great holiday project with our kids. Time got away, and before I knew it, the deadline was a week away and our kids were distracted with other holiday activities.

I had been teaching myself shaping by making handplanes from broken surfboards, and had been experimenting with a GoPro camera for 12 months or so. As I already had footage and the deadline was a week away, we didn't have much choice! Procrastination was born! It was quite a thrill to have it projected on the big screen to 500 people, and then pick up a cinematography award. It could easily become addictive!

Cheers on the cinematography award.

What would you like people to come away with after watching your film?
I was in the water a few weeks ago with a group of guys at the Manly Handplane Hoedown when one made the comment - 'this just feels wrong - everyone is talking, smiling and joking. What sort of line up is this?'
To me, bodysurfing has a great 'vibe'. I love being part of the ocean when bodysurfing - whether it is ducking under large breaking swells and watching the turbulence patterns, the shape of barrel from within the water, or the feeling of planing across a large wave face. If I can impart that 'vibe' as part of the film, then I'm stoked. If they feel inspired to pull on a pair of fins as soon as possible and get wet, then even better!
Are you already working on your next film?
'Procrastination' is the first film I have ever made, and I've been a bit surprised by the interest. I really enjoyed the process, and will definitely make more. I have a couple of ideas rattling around, but nothing concrete as yet. Stay tuned!

PROCRASTINATION can be seen:

FRIDAY MAY 10TH – LOCALS AND LEGENDS EVENING
9:00-11:00pm: (SET 3)
SONS OF BEACHES ’72 - Glenn Blight
Shorts:
THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIG - Doug Walker
1964 - Mike Bromley
PROCRASTINATION - David Archer
*Filmmaker Q&A
* Legends in attendance
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed
* After-party at the Griffin featuring music by:
REY FRESCO
TODD HANNIGAN

Thanks David.

PROCRASTINATION is one of the many alternative surf craft films that the SDSFF will proudly present throughout the festival.

Which reminds me...

SATURDAY, MAY 11

9:00 am- 12:00 noon: SDSFF STOKEFEST AND BEACH CLEAN-UP

HOOTS AND SHAKAS while you ride the most incredible alternative surf craft and help clean the beach. San Diego shapers will be on hand with demos.

Sponsored by our good friends at H20 Trash Patrol

*Food and beverages provided

Location: Cardiff Campgrounds

*FREE TO THE PUBLIC

SDSFF FILMMAKER INTERVIEW SERIES TAKE 2: NATHAN OLDFIELD

2013-04-29T15:38:00.002-07:00

Filmmaker Nathan Oldfield Opens His Heart and Lens to the Sea

By Andrea Siedsma

On the Central Coast of New South Whales, Australia, Nathan Oldfield shares his time between being a husband, father, school teacher, surfer, shaper, photographer and filmmaker. While his time is limited, he continues to impress and mesmerize us with his deep and beautiful surf films, including “Lines from a Poem,” “Seaworthy,” and his latest “The Heart & The Sea,” which opens the San Diego Surf Film Festival on May 9 at Bird’s Surf Shed.

Below, Nathan takes some time out from a family holiday to talk about the drive and joy behind “The Heart & The Sea,” the benefits and challenges of being an independent filmmaker, and what’s next on his film roll.

What was the inspiration behind The Heart and the Sea?
After my last film, ‘Seaworthy,’ I almost felt like I’d shared everything I could personally about how meaningful and worthwhile surfing is. But then some new ideas started to stir in my heart and I felt like there was something else to explore and communicate in a new film. The film is called ‘The Heart & The Sea’ because it’s about what is important to me in life – healthy relationships and surfing. For lots of us who have surfed our whole lives, there is this beautiful intimacy with the sea that we have in common with our family and friends. The sea brings us together. Surfing gives us many gifts, but perhaps the greatest of these are the deep connections we make with other people through sharing the experience of surfing. I thought this was an idea that was worth taking a look at it in a surf film. So the inspiration behind the film is pretty simple really. It’s a surf movie, but it’s also about surfing lives. I tried to include everyone across the spectrum: kids, elders, men, women, grandparents, husbands, wives, families. Really, it’s a film about joy.

What do you want people to come away with from the film?
I think the film is really centered around gratitude for being alive and sharing surfing with friends. If anyone who watched my film felt a little more stoked and thankful about the gift of surfing, then I’d be a happy filmmaker.

Nathan behind the lens

What is the most rewarding and exciting thing about being an independent filmmaker?
I guess at the end of the day I feel that I’m wired with the need to make things, and filmmaking is an avenue for me to explore that creative drive. It’s personally rewarding for me to make something that is hopefully beautiful, and something that I can be proud of. Apart from that, the thing that my wife Eliza and I are really grateful for over the last 10 years is that my filmmaking has supported our family. The financial return from surf films is really modest, but it has supplemented my teacher’s wage and enabled Eliza to be a stay-at-home-mum, which was always our goal. The other special thing is all the family adventures we have had. When I go away to shoot – whether it’s here in Australia or overseas – I bring my family with me as much as possible. We are really thankful to have shared those experiences of travel with our kids, and without my surf films it’s something we wouldn’t have been able to afford. And the other thing that I’m so thankful for in making surf films has been the people I have met and the lifelong friendships that I’ve discovered along the way.

What is most challenging?
Making a surf film from start to finish entirely on your own is a mammoth task. Throw in the fact that I’m a full-time primary school teacher as well as a husband and a father of three and it becomes even more difficult. So time management is the biggest challenge, as well as sustaining the passion to stay committed to the vision. The low points have been those times when I’ve been overwhelmed with the sheer size of the task. It’s been a long road over the last three years of making The Heart & The Sea, and it has taken an enormous amount of creative energy and time. There were moments along that journey where I questioned whether it was worth it, and indeed if I’d ever get the job done.

Nathan enjoying some spray in front of the lens

What’s next?

At the moment I’m just enjoying some time out. It’s school holidays right now (in Australia) and I’m away up the coast with my family. It’s my first holiday in over 10 years where I haven’t been shooting with someone. So it’s nice to have a break and to just hang out with the family and go surfing. But I’ve also been working on a few little edits for online shorts and I have some dreams about future projects. We will wait and see where they head.

To find out what else Nathan is up to check out his web site and blog.

*THURSDAY, MAY 9TH - SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 OPENING NIGHT
7:00-10:30pm: (SET 1)
THE HEART AND THE SEA – Nathan Oldfield

Shorts:
NEW ENGLAND BLOOD - Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura
THE PRESENT MOMENT - Will Suto
OF SOULS + WATER: THE WARRIOR - Skip Armstrong

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: VAMANOS
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed, 1091 W. Morena Blvd., SD
* After-party at the Griffin featuring music by:
ALEKESAM

Noah Johnson: Making Progress

2013-04-27T13:05:00.003-07:00

By Andrea Siedsma

Noah Johnson is part of a growing cadre of eco-conscious entrepreneurs who are trying to change the way consumer goods and global commerce are produced. He is an eco warrior of sorts, collecting anything from used banners to billboards for his Encinitas, Calif.-based company The Progress Project. Noah launched the company in 2010 with his wife Jolene. Using recycled materials, The Progress Project makes everything from messenger bags to laptop sleeves, iPad wallets, surfboard bags, tote bags, and even custom orders.

The SDSFF sends out big hoots & shakas to Noah and his family for keeping it local and green. (And we think he’s even more rad for donating some of his killer Progress Project recycled beach bags full of SDSFF goodies for Nautilus Pass holders ). Below, Noah talks about the passion behind The Progress Project and how the family-run business is moving full-speed ahead.

Background Check: I grew up in La Mesa, Calif. As a kid, I was very passionate about athletics, including surfing, soccer and baseball. After high school, I served an apprenticeship with a commercial electrician and since have sold women’s shoes, waited tables, partied pretty hard, bartended, managed hotel food and beverage departments, and been an auditor/consultant for bar and restaurant owners and their managers.

Age: 35 (Turns 36 in June)

Hobbies: Work, painting, ocean, and family.

What Fuels Me: Having a unique vision / idea and committing to do whatever necessary for the result.

Favorite Quote: “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” ~Albert Einstein

Jolene & Noah Johnson

Picking a Passion: As I went through the process of deciding what to do, I noticed repeatedly that there was (and still is) a clear difference between many of the products on the market being labeled as “green” and actually being green. I thought then that if I could get my hands on materials that had been used, but not recycled yet and make legit products with them, that would be the rad.

Fulltime Family Affair: Up until now, my wife and I have run The Progress Project. It’s just been the two of us doing literally everything unless one of our awesome neighbors lends a hand, which does happen (you know who you are and we love you).

Materials Matter: We get our materials for The Progress Project from all over. We are grateful to have partnerships with Revolt in Style magazine, which has been donating its RSSS banners from the very beginning. Also a great relationship continues to be with Sustainable Surf, which has produced tens of thousands of square feet of signage from companies such as Rip Curl, REEF and Hurley. The list of businesses that donate their old signage is long, all the way down to SDSFF’s own, Bird Huffman at Bird’s Surf Shed. We also purchase used billboards. I buy the rest of the materials from a distributor that carries American made products.

The Big Challenge: Because we are still pretty small, our many challenges have been mainly about fueling growth. It has always been our goal to compete with other brands that bring similar products to market. Finding resources to grow a business/brand that is well outside the mainstream is seemingly nearly impossible. No rich uncles or trust funds here, so the main thing has just been staying focused, persistent and really stubborn long enough for the right opportunity for growth to come along.

Fueling & Inspiring Eco-Conscious Consumers: In some ways, I think it can be hard to educate people on the importance of buying organic, green products. In one bag, you’ve got a percentage of consumers that are already on the same eco page – they’re just a very small percentage of the total consumer population, and that’s where it becomes challenging. In a society riddled with thought processes holding cost and popularity as a higher priorities than quality and where a product was made, it’s a tough sell trying to convince Joe and Sally that spending three times as much money for an item that will last five times as long and was made by your neighbor (I’m still not sure why that’s a tough sell, but it is).

Eco Education: Unfortunately, I know there’s still a lot of green washing going on, so while consumers are becoming more conscious, it is becoming more challenging to decipher which products are actually eco-friendly, and even more, businesses that are actually owned and run by people who are eco-friendly themselves. For example, some companies promote themselves and their products as being eco-friendly, but unfortunately, it’s just marketing.

Making Progress: After three years, on May 1, 2013, The Progress Project is evolving into Progress Brand Mfg. and moving into a space with our eco warrior pals *enjoy handplanes (congrats to them as well). We’ll have more than a dozen sewing machines along with other rad machines, and consequently it will increase our production capabilities by, well, 12. Also, look for lots of fun stuff like a new website, video series, eco blog and much more with our newest partner Album Agency. The Progress Project will live on; I just can’t say how in this moment. I can promise you that it’s going to be pretty epic.

Noah in The Progress Project workshop

The Progress Project Assistants-Noah and Jolene's twins

The Progress Project keeps it in the family (Noah & Jolene's teenage daughter)

SDSFF--The Surfer's Coachella

2013-04-26T10:08:00.002-07:00

Now that Coachella is over.....The San Diego Surf Film Festival has an amazing music line-up to accompany our stellar international films at The Griffin, which serves as a roadhouse to many nationally and internationally acclaimed music ensembles of all types.

The SDSFF is stoked to partner with The Griffin to offer festival goers a complete weekend of righteous entertainment. The SDSFF is all about encompassing the entire surf culture and community. Join us in this unique celebration of international surf cinema. You'll be glad you did.
To check our schedule and other info please surf the San Diego Surf Film Festival web site here .

Insane artwork by Matt Beard

SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 SCHEDULE OF RADNESS

2013-04-26T07:39:00.004-07:00

MAY 8^TH-12^TH, 2013

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8^TH – SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 VIP PARTY
Stoked to announce the return of the SDSFF and to kick it off with our meet and greet party for SDSFF 2013 Filmmakers, Press and Nautilus Pass holders alike.
On tap for the evening is the World-Premiere of BONZER: THE MOTHERSHIP by the Campbell Brothers and the launch of the Matt Beard’s ART WOMP: the blending of live art and music from Matt Beard, Joe Hodnicki and Skye Walker and photography by Gage Hingeley.
It must be seen to be believed.

Climb aboard Bonzer: The Mothership and travel through time and space exploring the Campbell Brothers latest creations.

7:00-10:00pm
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: THE SALINE SOLUTIONS
*Food and beverages provided
*Nautilus Pass holders, Filmmakers & Press only
Location: Surfindian 4652 Mission Blvd., SD

THURSDAY, MAY 9TH - SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 OPENING NIGHT

7:00-10:30pm: (SET 1)
THE HEART AND THE SEA – Nathan Oldfield

Shorts:
NEW ENGLAND BLOOD - Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura

THE PRESENT MOMENT - Will Suto

OF SOULS + WATER: THE WARRIOR - Skip Armstrong

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: VAMANOS
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed, 1091 W. Morena Blvd., SD
* After-party at the Griffin featuring music by:
ALEKESAM

FRIDAY MAY 10^TH–LOCALS AND LEGENDS EVENING

6:00-9:00pm: (SET 2)
THE WAVERIDER - Karl Lear

BOOTLEG - Joel Tudor and George Trimm

Short:

STOKEFEST - Andrew Quinn

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: THE RED FOX TAILS
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

9:00-11:00pm: (SET 3)

SONS OF BEACHES ’72 - Glenn Blight

Shorts:

THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIG - Doug Walker

1964 - Mike Bromley

PROCRASTINATION - David Archer

*Filmmaker Q&A
* Legends in attendance
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed
* After-party at the Griffin featuring music by:
REY FRESCO
TODD HANNIGAN

SATURDAY, MAY 11^TH- BIG WAVE SATURDAY
9:00 am- 12:00 noon: SDSFF STOKEFEST AND BEACH CLEAN-UP
HOOTS AND SHAKAS while you ride the most incredible alternative surf craft and help clean the beach. San Diego shapers will be on hand with demos.
Sponsored by our good friends at H20 Trash Patrol
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Cardiff Campgrounds
*FREE TO THE PUBLIC

2:00-4:00pm: (SET 4)

ALASKA SESSIONS - Frederick Dickerson and Matthew McNeil

Short:

RIVER RUN - Dirk Brandts

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

4:00-6:00pm: (SET 5)

STORM SURFERS: OVERCOMING THE COW BOMBIE - Christopher Nelius and Justin McMillan

Shorts:

THE DIAMOND LIGHT WAS IN MY EYES - Phillip Mansfield

SETTING SUNSETS - Gene Sung

THE SWELL - Rocky Romano

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

6:00-9:00pm: (SET 6)

ISOLATED - Justin LePera

Shorts:
ADVENTURE TIME - Jack Chellemi

DANIELLE BURT: CHAPTER TWO - Chris Grant

Music guest: MONTALBAN QUINTET
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

9:00-11:00pm: (SET 7)

Sine Qua Non: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BIG WAVE SURFING WITH GREG LONG - Richard Yelland

Bending Colours - Kai Neville

Shorts:

Step N’ Soul - Toma Jablon

Built to Ride – Vol.1- Andy Miller and Robin Moore

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed
* After-party at the Griffin featuring music by:
TOM CURREN
MK & THE GENTLEMEN
THE LUCKY LONELY
THE WES COAST

SUNDAY, MAY 12^TH- GROMS BRING YOUR MOMS
All screenings are free to Moms on Mother’s Day when accompanied by a ticketed family member.
11:00am - 1:00pm LOCAL LEGENDS SHAPING DEMO
Bring the whole family and come check out what really goes into the making of our beautiful surf craft. Expert shapers will be on hand to answer any and all questions about their art and passion.
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed
*FREE TO THE PUBLIC

1:00-3:00pm: (SET 8)

Surfing & Sharks- Julian Watson

*Special Guest Great White Shark Expert Q&A

Shorts:

Ricky Whitlock: L-1, T-12- Timothy A. Ryan

Away - Elisa Bates

Much Better Now - Simon Griesser and Phillip Comarella

Boys to Men: 100 Wave Challenge– Timothy A. Ryan

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

3:00-5:00pm: (SET 9)
Lakey Peterson – Zero to 100 - Aaron Lieber
Shorts:

Strength & Grace- Heather Hudson

Party Mix - Hayley Gordon

Leah Dawson - Jordan Miller

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

5:00-7:00pm: (SET 10)
THE ENDLESS WINTER: A VERY BRITISH SURF MOVIE - Matt Crocker and James Dean

Shorts:

NORTH - Mikey DeTemple

BEYOND THE SCARS - Chris McClean

EXPERIMENTING WITH DESIGN - Joseph Ryan

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

7:00-10:00pm: SDSFF AWARDS CEREMONY AND CLOSING NIGHT CELEBRATION
Join us for the SDSFF AWARDS CEREMONY announcing the winners of the 2013 SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL, BEST FEATURE, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY and BEST SHORT. Come wrap up an amazing festival with our most eclectic set: THE CLEAN UP SET. Yep, you might not want to miss this one.
(SET 11- CLEAN UP SET)
INTENTIO- Loic Wirth

Shorts:

SHVDE - Derek Dunfee

ALE PONZANELLI & MATT CALVANI - Luca Merli

THE FRUITS OF DYSTOPIA - Cyrus Sutton

Filmmaker Q&A
*Special Musical Guest: LEANNA MAY AND THE MATADORS
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

THANK YOU SAN DIEGO, GOOD NIGHT.
PMK

SDSFF FILMMAKER INTERVIEW SERIES TAKE 1: GLENN BLIGHT

2013-04-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Mark Richards, Michael Peterson, Peter Townend, Ian Cairns. Photo: Thor Sverson

One of the coolest parts of a surf film festival is talking to the filmmakers and understanding why they did what they did the way that they did it. Film making is a dynamic art and lots of moving pieces come together to make the final product shine. One filmmaker who has caught a lot of eyeballs and earholes is Glenn Blight, the writer and director of Sons of Beaches '72--a most excellent film with nothing short of an all-star cast.

Read on as Glenn breaks down some of the details that went into making SOB '72...

What, historically speaking, is the most important part of this film?

For me, it was just getting the film made. It's been quite a journey! Over the course of time it took to make Sons Of Beaches, I wouldn't say there was necessarily one pivotal moment or part historically. It's a combination of things--it's a combination of surfing equipment evolving and changing, the introduction of a rankings system, cultural movement and generational change within the world. Lots of things happening to make it all happen. Specifically, the longboard era of the 60's was over and the shortboard revolution of the 70's was here.

After interviewing the pros from the 70's, the message was pretty clear: they wanted to become pro surfers and they wanted to get paid to go surfing.

All of that stuff coming together signaled a new era in surfing.

Given that surfing never had a professional surfing circuit before this, how did the San Diego contest go? What is your most vivid memory of that first contest?

Well, that event in '72 was the last amateur world title event and there was not another one after that. The San Diego contest itself was a shmozzel--the surf was a joke, the final was held in knee-high surf but thousands of people came from everywhere so the San Diego Travel Lodge turned into the Woodstock of world surfing and by all accounts, mayhem and chaos reigned supreme.

More importantly, it was the first time shortboards had been used at a world title event. Before that, it was all longboards.

It took surfing years to recover after that event and party at the San Diego Travel Lodge. The fall out from SD was much more positive so many people had turned up to watch surfing. Unfortunately there were no waves but what Peter Townend, Rabbit, MP, Claw, Mark Richards, Larry Bertlemann, Shaun Tomson, Ian Cairns and those sort of guys had seen was the future of surfing. So a rickety pro circuit started to come together and in 1976, PT was crowned the first world champ. Here we are today with Joel Parkinson also on that amazing list of names.

What was the most challenging part of making this film?

There have been lots of hurdles, but I would say nailing surfers down for interviews. Surfers from the 70's are mystos. They're like ghosts that walk. Here one minute, over there the next, then gone. Vanished. Getting some of the tribe to pass on the story would have to be the toughest thing.

The development of surf technology plays a large role throughout the movie. What were surfers riding those days that was considered revolutionary? Why was it revolutionary?

Well, it was the cutdown era in the late 60's. They would cut down old longboards, turn them around and shape them into a shortboard. Then they would glass them and go surf. San Diego got to see the fruit of that era with the first shortboard World Titles in '72.

What was the hardest part about capturing the transition between amateurism to professionalism in tour surfing?

I was very lucky. There have been some incredible filmmakers and photographers who have documented this era in their chosen field so I have had the luxury of being able to color in my story with the help of the bower bird PT and his renowned collection. Guys like Aussie filmmaker Steve Core and the legendary Hal Jepsen. I just feel blessed being able to breathe some new life into their fabulous work. The hardest thing for me was deciding what to cut out because it's all gold in my eyes.

Was there anyone who dissented from the move to a professional circuit? If so, is that in the movie and how is that portrayed?

Oh course there is always a flipside to anything and the flipside to pro was soul. In 1972, in Australia, the Soul vs Sellout saga played out. Nat and Dick Van and all that crew moved to the country looking for a simpler life, living on a farm or in tree house, etc. Alby Falzon's groundbreaking film "Morning of the Earth" was released so there was a huge push into country soul here in Australia. While on the other hand, the new crew had other ideas and wanted to go pro.

For a few surfers like Andy Mac, Wayne Lynch and a few others, they were amazing surfers and had been very competitive in the early part of their careers in the Aussie titles and other amateur comps here in Oz. I think Wayne Lynch won five Junior Aussie Championships, Andy won a couple, but being competitive professionally, I think those guys' hearts weren't in it.

So yeah, a few people dissented from the move to pro for whatever reason. We brush over it in the film. It was more prevalent in the SOB art and film exhibition and it will rise more as a subject in the next filmic installment of SOB.

Artwork: Leigh Fabian

-Reid Levin

SDSFF 2013 SCHEDULE OF RADNESS.

2013-04-13T12:42:00.001-07:00

SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 SCHEDULE OF RADNESS

MAY 8-12, 2013

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8^TH – SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 VIP PARTY
Stoked to announce the return of the SDSFF and to kick it off with our meet and greet party for SDSFF 2013 Filmmakers, Press and Nautilus Pass holders alike.
On tap for the evening is the World-Premiere of BONZER: THE MOTHERSHIP by the Campbell Brothers and the launch of the Matt Beard’s ART WOMP: the blending of live art and music from Matt Beard, Joe Hodnicki and Skye Walker and photography by Gage Hingeley.
It all must been seen to believe.
7:00-10:00pm
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: THE SALINE SOLUTIONS
*Food and beverages provided
*Nautilus Pass holders only
Location: Surfindian

THURSDAY, MAY 9TH - SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2013 OPENING NIGHT

7:00-10:30pm: (SET 1)
THE HEART AND SEA – Nathan Oldfield

Shorts:
NEW ENGLAND BLOOD - Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura
THE PRESENT MOMENT - Will Suto
OF SOULS + WATER: THE WARRIOR - Skip Armstrong

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music guest: TBA
*Food and beverages provided
* After-party at the Griffin

Tickets: $20/salty, $10/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

FRIDAY MAY 10^TH - LOCALS AND LEGENDS EVENING

6:00-9:00pm: (SET 2)
THE WAVERIDER - Karl Lear

BOOTLEG - Joel Tudor and George Trimm

Short:

STOKEFEST - Andrew Quinn

*Filmmaker Q&A
*Music THE RED FOX TAILS
*Food and beverages provided
Tickets: $15/salty, $7/grom

Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

9:00-11:00pm: (SET 3)

SONS OF BEACHES ’72- Glenn Blight

Shorts:

THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIG - Doug Walker

1964 - Mike Bromley

PROCRASTINATION - David Archer
*Filmmaker Q&A
* Legends in attendance
*Food and beverages provided
* After-party at the Griffin

Tickets: $15/salty, $7/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

SATURDAY, MAY 11^TH - BIG WAVE SATURDAY
9:00 am- 12:00 noon: SDSFF STOKEFEST AND BEACH CLEAN-UP
HOOTS AND SHAKAS while you ride the most incredible alternative surf craft and help clean up the beach. Giveaways and prizes will be handed out by the SDSFF crew.
Sponsored by our good friends at H20 Trash Patrol
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Cardiff Campgrounds
*FREE TO THE PUBLIC

2:00-4:00pm: (SET 4)

ALASKA SESSIONS - Frederick Dickerson and Matthew McNeil

Short:

RIVER RUN - Dirk Brandts
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Tickets: $10/salty $5/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

4:00-6:00pm: (SET 5)

STORM SURFERS: OVERCOMING THE COW BOMBIE - Christopher Nelius and Justin McMillan

Shorts:

THE DIAMOND LIGHT WAS IN MY EYES - Phillip Mansfield

SETTING SUNSETS - Gene Sung
THE SWELL - Rocky Romano
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided
Tickets: $10/salty, $5/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

6:00-9:00pm: (SET 6)

ISOLATED - Justin LePera

Shorts:

ADVENTURE TIME - Jack Chellemi

DANIELLE BURT: CHAPTER TWO - Chris Grant
Music guest: MONTALBAN QUINTET
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Tickets: $15/salty, $7/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

9:00-11:00pm: (SET 7)

Sine Qua Non: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BIG WAVE SURFING WITH GREG LONG - Richard Yelland

Bending Colours - Kai Neville
Shorts:

Step N’ Soul - Toma Jablon

Built to Ride – Vol.1 - Andy Miller and Robin Moore
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided
* After-party at the Griffin

Tickets: $15/salty, $7/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

SUNDAY, MAY 12^TH - GROMS BRING YOUR MOMS
All screenings are free to Moms on Mother’s Day when accompanied by a ticketed family member.

11:00am- 1:00pm LOCAL LEGENDS SHAPING DEMO
Bring the whole family and come check out what really goes into the making of our beautiful surf craft. Expert shapers will be on hand to answer any and all questions about their art and passion.
*Food and beverages provided
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed
*FREE TO THE PUBLIC

1:00-3:00pm: (SET 8)

Surfing & Sharks - Julian Watson
*Special Guest Great White Expert Q&A

Shorts:

Ricky Whitlock: L-1, T-12 - Timothy A. Ryan

Away - Elisa Bates

Much Better Now - Simon Griesser and Phillip Comarella

Boys to Men: 100 Wave Challenge - Tim Ryan
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Tickets: $10/salty, $5/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

3:00-5:00pm: (SET 9)
Lakey Peterson – Zero to 100 - Aaron Lieber

Shorts:

Strength & Grace - Heather Hudson

Party Mix - Hayley Gordon

Leah Dawson - Jordan Miller
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Tickets: $10/salty, $5/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

5:00-7:00pm: (SET 10)
THE ENDLESS WINTER: A VERY BRITISH SURF MOVIE - Matt Crocker and James Dean

Shorts:

NORTH - Mikey DeTemple

BEYOND THE SCARS - Chris McClean

EXPERIMENTING WITH DESIGN - Joseph Ryan
*Filmmaker Q&A
*Food and beverages provided

Tickets: $10/salty, $5/grom
Location: Bird’s Surf Shed

7:00-10:00pm: SDSFF AWARDS CEREMONY AND CLOSING NIGHT CELEBRATION (SET 11- CLEAN UP SET)
INTENTIO - Loic Wirth

Shorts:

SHVDE - Derek Dunfee

ALE PONZANELLI & MATT CALVANI - Luca Merli
THE FRUITS OF DYSTOPIA - Cyrus Sutton

THE SHAPER - Jeremy Joyce, Rich Pearn and Rob Lockyear
*Filmmaker Q&A
*ART WOMP - Live Art and Music Blend with Matt Beard and Likwefi

*Food and beverages provided

Tickets: $15/salty, $7/grom

For more info:
www.sandiegosurffilmfestival.com

THE SDSFF SCREENING PANEL

2013-03-12T18:39:00.002-07:00

Going coconuts with Cori Schumacher The SDSFF is stoked that Cori is part of our amazing screening panel. The three-time world longboard champ not only walks the nose like nobody's business, but she is also a staunch supporter of grassroots movements. She pens her musings on life, culture, surfing and social activism on her blog State of Flux Cori www.corischumacher.com is a true soul surfer and has amazing style and grace in and out of the water. Hoots & Shakas.

MATT BEARD/ 2013 SDSFF FEATURED ARTIST

2013-02-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

MATT BEARD...

...every time I think of these two words, I smile.
Much like flight confirmation, sheet glass and all-you-can-eat-sushi buffet.

In related news, the SDSFF is proud to welcome Matt as our featured artist for upcoming 2013 SDSFF this May 8-12th at Bird's Surf Shed in beautiful San Diego, Ca.

Why did we choose Matt Beard for the highly-coveted job of featured artist and art director for the 2013 SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL? (Upon reading this, Matt Beard learns that he is also now art director.)
Simply, because Matt could be the greatest artist alive today.
Here is some proof:

And if that isn't enough, introducing 2013 SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL ARTWORK...

"Yes, I bet my shoes he is the greatest but I would love to see him in a cage match with Damian Fulton." - George Greenough

So, come down to the 2013 SDSFF and ascertain for yourself whether Matt Beard is the greatest living artist or accept George Greenough's word on it.
Matt and a few special guests will be kicking off the 2013 SDSFF with a live art/music presentation at the SDSFF VIP Filmmaker and Press Party Wednesday, May 8th at Surfindian in Pacific Beach.
(Nautilus pass holders only. For more info: www.sandiegosurffilmfestival.com)

Matt Beard just opened up his beautiful new gallery in Eureka so if you are in the neighborhood please go check it out.
336 Grotto St.
Eureka, Ca.
95501
Or his website for more inspiration.
http://mattbeardart.com/

SUPPORT ART!
PMK

Cuts and Grooves The making of the SDSFF block print

2012-05-01T13:56:00.001-07:00

Cuts and Grooves - a video outlining all the processes in the creation of the San Diego Surf Film Festival logo. The video is Joe Hodnicki carving and pressing the artist proof which is mounted along with the block which has been coated in resin for a one-of-a-kind piece of history, which will be for sale at the festival and only 20 prints off this block will also be available at the event.

SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL TRAILER

2012-03-26T13:13:00.002-07:00

SDSFF promo video by Gage Hingeley

2012-03-10T13:55:00.002-08:00

Thank you Gage Hingeley for submitting a SDSFF promo video! We invite everyone to join in on the fun and do a promo video for SDSFF. Contact us about it to get the logos and you could win a SDSFF event pass and get yours shown at the festival!

SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL EMERGING FILMMAKER: GAGE HINGELEY

2012-02-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

THE SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL IS PROUD TO ENCOURAGE EMERGING FILMMAKERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS AND WILL ASSIST THEM IN ANYWAY POSSIBLE. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS WE WILL BE PROFILING THE NEXT GENERATION AND HOPE THAT YOU TOO WILL BE INSPIRED TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS.

GAGE HINGELEY

How would you describe your filmic style?

I don't really have a specific word or phrase to describe my filmic style. I shoot what interests me and what I feel will be interesting to others. I don't leave my house with a specific idea in mind it just sort of all flows and ideas come to my mind as I go along.

Do you prefer photography or filmmaking and why?

I wouldn't say I prefer either one more then the other. There is things in both I really love. With photography you are implementing as much as you can into one frame and all you have is that one image of that moment. But that one picture can mean so much because it will bring back memories in the years to come and you can share it with many people. With filmmaking, I love it because you can't hide any imperfections. I don't have much to say about filmmaking but I just think its very pure and every moment that you are filming you are very connected with your surroundings. You tend to walk by many interesting things because you are not open to the things around you and when you are filming you need to open your senses and I love that about filming. And photography is the same way. I could say I loved filmmaking more then photography, but that would probably be just because I filmed and edited that day. Keeping a balanced proportion of each is what I like to do because they are both so great.

What inspires me?

What inspires me is the fact that I know, in this huge world, that there is unexplored landscapes and undiscovered surf waiting to be documented and I want to be the person to do that. It may not just be landscapes or surf, it can be anything that interests me through my travels and experiences and even could be something I just see walking down the street. I don't categorize my self into any film or photography category and this keeps me open to all my surroundings. To know that this is a huge world and there is so many hidden gems drives me to try and search for those perfect moments or perfect places to document with my photography and filmmaking.

Who are the people that you draw your style from?

One photographer that really intrigues me is Chris Burkard. His work is so beautiful and he amazes me with every single shot he takes. His photos are very......hmm... well they always don't seem to take part in all of the hype in the surf industry and have a laid back, creative, undiscovered feel to all of them and that's what I love about his work. Morgan Maassen is also a huge inspiration when it comes to my photography because he takes a lot of photos that I have never seen anything like it. They are all so surprising and artsy and they inspire me to go out and shoot photos. As far as inspiration from filmmakers, I would have to say I can't name any specific names. I try to implement different styles and create videos as best as I can. Once, PMK mentioned to me about "human condition" and I have been stuck on that thought ever since and I am looking forward to the future and I want to delve deeper into my videos and just not scratch the surface and uncover what might not be realized by some people.

What is your role with the SDSFF?

I would have to say, promoter, filmer, and editor. I just think that the SDSFF is a great thing and its really promoting many talented filmmakers.
(I don't know what to really call my role) - Interviewer's note: I do, Gage's role is vital. He is part of the new breed of filmmakers that is going to inspire future generations. Gage is talented beyond his years and we at the SDSFF are proud that he is part of team and will encourage Gage, and others, to reach their potential. I am constantly blown away at what these younger filmmakers come up with and as the old guys it is our responsibility to help them down the right path. -PMK

What was your biggest hurdle and what advice would you give to people just starting out?

Biggest hurdle, I wouldn't say I have had any significant hurdles that really have stood out to me. With photography and filmmaking it has only brought me positive things. I have been so happy doing all of this and I really enjoy creating images to share with others and I will continue to do so for a very long time. Advice: Shoot, film, shoot, film and so on. You can research as many hours as you want, but the most important thing is that you need to go out and actually grab your camera and film or snap some photos!
Fin

Thank you Gage.
For more of his work, please visit his website and you will understand exactly what I am talking about.
http://gagehingeley.com/

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS: SDSFF FEATURES ARTIST JOE HODNICKI

2011-12-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Joe had me at Dawn Patrol...and the fact that he laughed at that joke makes me dig him all the more.

The San Diego Surf Film Festival is honored to announce Joe Hodnicki as our featured artist for our inaugural festival May 11th-13th at Bird's Surf Shed in beautiful San Diego, California. I realize I knew Joe's artwork before I knew him. I first saw the Dawn Patrol image a couple years back and I was floored. I figured I would to run into him sooner or later and the fact that I had to wait until Grain Surfboard's Re-Evolution last September seemed like a long time but it was well worth it. Kindred spirits we became quick friends. And then Joe starts popping up everywhere. After Maine, I see him cruising around the New York Surf Film Festival, creating amazing handplane art at Sacred Craft, designing the upcoming X-Games logo...everywhere. I figured before he gets too busy I would approach him about designing our logo based on San Diego's contribution to surf design. He agreed wholeheartedly and nailed it.

I am excited to see all the artwork Joe creates for the festival. I even got a sneak peak at another one and it is good. So good. Joe has been handed the tricky task of moderating the entire surf art family and will be presiding over the SDSFF art lounge. But being a part of the San Diego Surf Film Festival is much more multi-dimensional than just rad art. It is about family and following your dreams and after reading what Joe has to say about a recent artwork of his, I think you will understand why we are extremely proud to welcome the entire Hodnicki family into ours.
Thank you Joe.
PMK

For more info and artwork check out Joe's site:http://www.sharingthestoke.com/

WELCOME TO THE SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL

2011-12-22T23:47:00.000-08:00

I am so relieved to be writing this initial blog simply to escape the task at hand. I am supposed to be composing the "ABOUT" section for the website (the only thing left to do, Ed reminds me, again) but I find it way more difficult than I had imagined. Putting down how I feel about surfing, cinema and San Diego in a neat, tidy little package? And then making it sound interesting enough to you guys to come out and support the 2012 San Diego Surf Film Festival? Gnarly.
I guess this is what it is really all "ABOUT" from my perspective.
Surfing, cinema and San Diego...in one word, SACRED.
I do not ever remember a time when I didn't go in the ocean. It has been the only ritual that has stayed with me to this very day. Surfing is the most amazing thing there is that is why we are all reading this, right? Who doesn't like getting barreled? Ok, so we agree to move on?
Cinema, I used to make collages out of my surf mags and put together insane mixed cassette tapes...BAM, filmmaker. I didn't have a choice but to love cinema. That was easy but this next one is a bit tougher.
San Diego, I was born and raised here and am humbled by the amazing souls that have helped to shape my home town. This is the best city in the world...truly. It is 70 degrees and 2-3' 80% of the time. I can think of no other home but San Diego.
Well, I hope this makes sense and you all come out to Bird's Surf Shed May 11-13, 2012 for the San Diego Surf Film Festival to celebrate surfing, cinema and San Diego.
Cheers
PMK