2024 And the Winners Are… Passion, Activism, Hope and STOKE!
LS/FF 2024 BEST FILM : The Big Sea // The independent environmental documentary exposes the link between wetsuits, Neoprene and Cancer Alley. Through the lens of surfing, the film explores issues of environmental racism and greenwashing, but it’s also a film of hope, exploring the power we have as individuals to effect change. The team were there for the premiere L to R: Writer/ Producer Chris Nelson, Producer Demi Taylor, Director Lewis Arnold, Graphics & Animation Zander Grinfeld, Sound Design Danny Trachtenberg, Susan Pennington Rerecording & Sound Mix, Seth Hughes Cinematography, CJ Mirra original score, for which he also won BEST SOUNDTRACK presented by Boardmasters Foundation. Image: Adj Brown xLS/FF
The curtain has fallen on the 2024 London Surf / Film Festival x Finisterre and while the number 13 may be unlucky for some, the 13th iteration of LS/FF was quite the opposite – a stoke filled gathering of premieres, workshops, community, good times and more. The community turned out in full force to celebrate that ephemeral thing that powers the core of our culture – a passion for all things waveriding, fuelled by something less tangible perhaps, a cocktail of passion, activism and hope.
Passion, activism, hope and stoke at LS/FF 2024: L to R: Filmmaker Finnegan Crouch, artist and filmmaker Andy Hughes, leading environmentalist and SAS co-founder Chris Hines MBE, musician and environmental activist Louis VI. Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
It was a stellar year of sold out screenings and stirring Q+A’s with some of the most brilliant creative minds in our community sharing stories that fuelled the conversations to carry us home. We were stoked to host 17 incredible World, European and UK Premieres across three nights, accompanied by special ‘audiences with’ the most exciting and inspiring filmmakers, creatives and surfers from Europe, Australia, the UK and across the globe. Thank you to the filmmakers, who feed the beating heart of our culture and our festival, and to the community who gathered together from all corners of the UK and beyond to celebrate the art of waveriding and the culture that surrounds it.
Multi award winning filmmaker Stephanie Johnes brought the London premiere of the must-see Maya & the Wave to LS/FF. Stephanie won our hearts and minds winning both SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL presented by Approaching Lines and VIEWER’S CHOICE presented by YETI. Alice Ward, winner of LS/FF x Finisterre Women of the Sea Film Fund presented the world premiere of Salt at LS/FF and won BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT presented by Surfline. Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
Thanks to our friends at Finisterre for bringing their brilliant Lived & Loved team to LS/FF who shared tips and repaired zips, helping to breath new life into our old favourites… because the most sustainable product is the one you already own.
LS/FF 2024 Words & Actions Workshop presented by Yeti with Chris Hines MBE, Seth Hughes, Yvette Cave, Demi Taylor, hosted by Chris Nelson. “Activism is the rent I pay for living on the planet,” Alice Walker. Words to live by. Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
Our Words & Actions Workshop hosted by at friends at YETI was an afternoon of inspiration and activism led by Chris Hines MBE, co-founder of environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage. Joined by our panel including Seth Hughes, Yvette Cave and Demi Taylor we explored how the power of words and deeds combined really can change the world and how we as individuals can inspire action. While our Gain & Sustain Workshop for Surfers hosted by Claire Grundy was just the motivation we need to keep us fit and flexible through the long dark winter.
Noah Lane came in from Ireland and James Bowden from Cornwall to share tales of their latest adventure to South America and the World premiere of Lucuma Directed by Luke Pilbeam which won BEST BRITISH & IRISH FILM presented by Carve & SurfGirl. Image
Huge thanks to everyone who made films, made the journey, made us laugh and made our night, sharing the creativity and more than a few Offshores along the way, talking story, voting for your favourite films, always bringing the stoke and supporting our charity partner Centrepoint – who are there for young people facing homelessness – by entering our prizedraw to win a beautiful Cord Surfboard, Finisterre Wetsuit, Boardmasters VIP tickets and more… raising more than £1000!
Full house, full frame, full focus at London Surf / Film Festival 2024 presented by Finisterre. Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
13TH ANNUAL LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS LINE UP:
Best Film: The Big Sea Dir: Lewis Arnold
Viewers Choice presented by Yeti: Maya and the Wave Dir: Stephanie Johnes
Best Documentary presented by Huck: The Life and Death of Westerly Windina Dir: Jamie Brisick and Alan White
Shortie of the Year presented by Brittany Ferries: Keep On Keeping On Dir: Tom Bowman
Emerging Talent presented by Sharp’s Brewery: Mimi Dir: Ishbel Alderman
Best Cinematography presented by Venn: Creatures of Habit Dir: Nate Laverty
Best Soundtrack presented by Boardmasters Foundation: The Big Sea Original Score: CJ Mirra
Best British and Irish Film presented by Carve / Surf Girl: Lucuma Dir: Luke Pilbeam
Best International Short presented by Surfline: Salt Dir: Alice Ward
Spirit of the Festival presented by Approaching Lines: Maya and the Wave Dir: Stephanie Johnes
Stoked to have Yentl Toubol and Adrien Toyen join us for the UK Premiere of North Stars. Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
The Big Sea. What would you do? Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
Huge thanks to our crew of epic volunteers, who make the wheels go round and bring all the good vibes to LS/FF. Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF