The best surf movies ever filmed are already available on DVD, but wouldn't it be nice to watch them on the big screen? For those who enjoy cinema and surfing, the best answer is surf film festivals. They're everywhere, from California to France and New Zealand.
Surf film festivals are a great way to appreciate brand-new surf movies, independent films, and short films.
The screening days showcase cult classics and breakthrough movies. At the same time, these events keep hosting workshops, talks with movie directors, and discussion panels with notable surfers.
The New York Surf Film Festival is new and has been growing steadily over the last couple of years. The NYSFF was born in 2008 and keeps attracting the most famous surfers and movie directors.
The Canadian Surf Film Festival has just started in Halifax and stands as the only event of its kind in Canada.
The Kona Surf Film Festival, founded in 2003, celebrates the art of surfing by showcasing the newest, most obscure, and most interesting surf movies out.
Also, in Hawaii, the North Shore Surf Film Festival offers three nights of surf films for the big wave winter surf season. It's debuting and will be a major success in Oahu in the next few years.
In Oceania, the Yallingup Surfilm Festival promises to inspire exploration into the surf culture by respecting the environment. Yallingup, in Western Australia, sits in one of the most isolated parts of the world.
The Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival wants to show Indonesian and international surf films and documentaries exploring the diversity of surfing.
In Europe, the Amstel Surfilm Festibal is an experienced event held every year in Donostia-San Sebastian.
The International Surf Film Festival Anglet in France is also well established with a complete jury, a great movie selection, and respectful awards.
In a place with no natural waves, it is also possible to run a surf movie contest. Meet the London Surf Film Festival in the capital of Great Britain, an event that is about to kick off.
Also, in England, the Tynemouth Surf Film Festival promises two days of gnarly movie scripts.
Last but not least, the Wavescape Festival has sold out the screening venues and will continue to mark South Africa's epic waves and surfing talent.