FESTIVAL PROGRAM
SHOWCASE, EXPERIENCE, CELEBRATE!
Thu 8th Aug - Sun 11th Aug 2024
Time: 6pm - 9.30pm Thurs-Sun, plus 1 matinee on Sunday at 2.30pm
Venue: Noosa Event Cinemas
JOIN THE NOOSA INTERNATIONAL SURF FILM FESTIVAL!
Surf culture from around the world on the big screen!
Be a part of the launch of the FIRST Noosa International Surfilm Festival, an event to be remembered for years to come.
FILMS and Q&As with MC Tommy Alexander and Q&A facilitators Tim Baker and Tom Wegener.
Every Night from Thursday through to Sunday, plus 1 Matinee on Sunday 2.30pm.
Award Ceremony on Sunday evening after the film screenings. All films are in the running to win one of even two of the following awards:
Best Feature (45 min plus)
Best Long Short (20 - 45 min)
Best Short Short (1- 19 min)
Best Cinematography
FESTIVAL CLUB
Where: New York Minute Burger Bar, Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction
When: Each festival day 4.30pm - 5.45pm, 9.15pm - 10.30pm.
Welcome to the Festival Club at New York Minute, the ultimate hangout spot to share stories and chat about the films and experiences with your friends AND meet the legends! Thanks to Gage Roads Brew Co, enjoy a free beer with each adult film ticket! Kick back with live music on select nights and marvel at photo exhibitions on the big screen. Before and after the film sessions, join us and celebrate surf culture in style!
FILMMAKERS’ FORUM:
Where: New York Minute Burger Bar, Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction
When: Saturday 2.30pm
Local and visiting filmmakers will be exploring new filmmaking trends and techniques. Informal discussion with a workshop feel. Open to the public to participate in this unique event amongst the iconic surfboards.
SURF CULTURE FORUM:
Where: New York Minute Burger Bar, Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction
When: Saturday 3.30-5pm
Local and visiting surf and surf culture legends will explore surf culture in an informal discussion. Expect hot surf topics of today to be explored, especially those touched on the festival films. Open to the public to attend and participate in the Question Time session.
DOn’t Miss out on your seat
We have a limited number of seating for the Screenings. Book your seat now
FEATURE FILMS (45 min +)
Point of Change - Queensland Premiere
Director: Rebecca Cole
Screening: Thursday 8th August
Stumbling across the perfect wave, two surfers start a chain reaction of unintended consequences.
An island community dramatically changed forever by the discovery of the perfect wave in the 1970’s, POINT OF CHANGE chronicles the first surfers to ‘discover' this Point at Nias Island, Indonesia, and the unintended dramatic consequences that followed: devastating social and ecological repercussions for the people, and place.
African Territory I - Queensland Premiere
Directors: Joaquin & Julian Azulay
Screening: Saturday 10th August
A 22 months anthropological expedition in the African Continent. Two brothers travel in a 1985 former military ambulance from Spain to South Africa.
The aim is to encourage horizontal human relationships through an unprecedented surf exploration and exchange of cultures in this diverse and endless continent.
The scars of colonies, civil wars and contemporary social inequality, political instability and exploitation of resources make the continent one of the most intense in the world.
From now on, Africa will set the rules. This is Part 1 which takes the journey from North Africa to Cameroon.
African Territory II - Australian Premiere
Directors: Joaquin & Julian Azulay
Screening: Sunday Afternoon 11th August
Part II of the 22 month expedition undertaken by brothers Joaquin and Julian Azulay. The film takes up from where it left the story in Part I, the journey from Cameroon to South Africa. Some desert, some rainforest, some surf, tough times and you wonder, how will they ever get to their destination.
Calypte
Directors: Ishka Folkwell, Torren Martyn
Screening: Sunday Night 11th August
In early 2022, Torren Martyn and Aiyana Powell borrowed the 35ft sailing boat 'Calypte' with minimal sailing experience, tasked with delivering it to Eastern Indonesia. Learning as they went, they enlisted friends to navigate tricky parts. Their year-long expedition took them through the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, and into the Indian Ocean, seeking waves. The journey was challenging, with sleepless nights, constant boat maintenance, and confined spaces. But adventures always seem sweeter if it really feels like you had to work to get there.
Channel Man - Col’s Story - Queensland Premiere
Director: Nicholas Cupelli
Screening: Sunday Night 11th August
“Channel Man - Col’s Story” is a deep dive into the life of underground surfing legend Colin Smith from Redhead, NSW. From his eruption onto the world stage in 1977, to his immeasurable contributions to Channel Bottom surfboard design and innovation, and his tragic and untimely passing in 1987.
LONG SHORTS (20 - 45 min)
Walkabout: The Songlines of Surfing - Queensland Premiere
Director: Matty Hannon
Screening: Friday 9th August
Twenty years ago, 19-year-old Arnaud Mestelan embarked on his first solo surf trip and met Australian pro surfer Robbie Page. They surfed together in New South Wales before parting ways. Now in his forties, Arnaud, a father of three, reunites with Robbie at the National Aboriginal Surfing Championships. They embark on a new adventure, seeking waves, community, and a connection to Country.
FESTIVAL NOTE: This film contains regular use of swear words and some dope smoking images.
Mundaka: The Legendary Day
Director: Jon Aspuru
Screening: Friday 9th August
On September 22, 2006, the global surfing scene gathered in Hossegor for the first European stop of the World Championship. Bad wave conditions canceled the competition, shifting attention to Mundaka for an unforgettable freesurf session. Legends like Kelly Slater, Andy and Bruce Irons, Mick Fanning, and Joel Parkinson surfed perfect waves alongside locals Eneko and Kepa Acero, and Aritz Aranburu, making surf history in their own backyard.
Ugly Duckling - Queensland Premiere
Director: Kelly Foote
Screening: Friday 9th August
This story follows Australian free surfer Torren Martyn and shaper Simon Jones as they collaborate on creating their latest surfboard model, "Calypte," named after the sailboat from Torren’s year-long Indonesian adventure. The initial prototype, "The Ugly Duckling" sparked a new chapter in Torren's surfing journey. Letting their decade-long friendship guide the way, Torren and Simon work together to create this new model.
Vinicius
Directors:Jack Kaminski, Mark Duncan.
Screening: Thursday 8th August.
Vinicius follows the untold story of Brazilian big wave surfer, Vini dos Santos, who allegedly surfed a 97-foot wave in Nazaré in 2022. From the shores of Brazil to the giant waves of Portugal, Vini recounts his surfing journey, the challenges, the injuries and the accomplishments that all lead up to the moment he would catch the biggest wave of his life.
Children of Teahupo’o
Director: Arthur Bourbon
Screening: Friday 9th August
In Tahiti, the village of Teahupo'o boasts one of the world's most beautiful waves, attracting top surfers. Photographer Tim Mckenna has captured this paradise for over 25 years, documenting legendary surfers and local talents. Locals like Tahurai Henry and Gilbert Teave strive to preserve their culture and heritage.Alongside all the big names in surfing, he has seen the emergence of a generation of local kids who have come to tame this mythical wave.
Surfer’s Dharma - Australian Premiere
Director: Uriel Triguel
Screening: Saturday 10th August
A 30-minute film raises awareness about mental health and ocean conservation in Indonesia, featuring iconic surfers Tom Carroll, Koa Smith, and Pacha Light. Filmmaker Uriel's mission is to protect oceans and promote conscious behaviors through art. During the COVID pandemic in Bali, Uriel founded Surfer’s Dharma with Melisa, creating a documentary short film about iconic surfers Pacha Light, Tom Caroll, Koa Smith dedicated to sharing their gifts and living their purpose.
Obseassion
Director: Romain & Laura Decomble.
Screening: Saturday 10th August
Laure Mayer, a classic longboarding artist, has found her rhythm in Byron Bay. Her surfing, travel, and friendships span the globe. Back in Europe, Laure road-tripped through France, Spain, and Portugal, meeting fellow surfers Estelle, Paula, Andrea, Inés, and Ria, who share her passion for surfing. Directed by Romain and Laura Decomble, "OBSEASSION" is a 30-minute documentary showcasing these six women longboarders and their joy for surfing.
short SHORTS (1-20 min)
Taka Bells and His Sisters
Director: Ted Clark
Screening: Thursday 8 August
Young Japanese Longboarder, Taka Inoue and his sisters Kaede and Sakura, surf big Bells before competing in the Bells Beach Longboard Classic 2023. They don't take away any competition trophies but like a trophy, Taka appears on the cover photo taken by Katey Shearer of the October 2023 issue of Pacific Longboarder magazine: https://www.pacificlongboarder.com/products/Issue-No-116/
Saeluhus:House of Bliss
Director: Ben Weiland & Elli Thor Magnusson
Screening: Thursday 8 August
House of Bliss documents the making of a shelter situated somewhere on the border of reality and imagination. A private world of contemplation and quiet relief from the outside world.
TWENTY TWO
Directors: Shannon Jennifer Hayes & Anne Dos Santos
Screening: Friday 9th August
Two girls aged 22 set out on an unplanned journey throughout Indonesia with a goal to chase swells and create opportunities to make their first surf film.
Surfer, Anne Dos Santos and Filmmaker, Shannon Hayes initially flew to Indonesia for a 3 week trip that further turned into a 2 month hunt for swells.
Despite the season being very fickle and slow they managed to link a couple swells. An inspirational and uplifting film.
So, Bonnie Land
Director: Thomas Horig
Screening: Saturday 10th August
So, Bonnie Land" is an ode to the lesser known surfing and waves of Scotland - a wild and beautiful place, and the folk who make it so.
Cinematographer, Thomas Horig, filmed the project over 3 years while living in the Scottish Highlands. Far from warm waters and classic surf scenes he found a small, thriving community of dedicated cold water warriors amongst some stunning waves and imposing coastline.