LS/FF 2019
UK PREMIERE White Rhino Dir. Brent Storm // Image: Brian Bielmann
9th London Surf / Film Festival x VANS hit the Regent Street Cinema, W1 9 – 12 October 2019.
We assembled a handpicked line up of the very best films from across the globe that represent the pinnacle of contemporary surfing right now – hotly anticipated premieres, underground projects, award winning features plus an immersive audio visual experience to blow minds, all accompanied by Q+A’s and ‘Audiences with…’ some of the world’s most exciting surfers and creatives. Check out the full line up below.
With documentaries to inspire, travelogues to stir the wanderlust, and surfing to blow minds this year’s international London Surf / Film Festival was a must attend for anyone of a salty disposition.
LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL 2019 LINE UP
WEDNESDAY 9th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // SESSION 1 // 7pm
UK PREMIERE: Multi award winning documentary exploring the tight-knit crew of big wave surfers who have dedicated their lives to riding the huge waves off the shores of Cape Town, South Africa – Dougal Patterson, Grant Twiggy Baker, Chris Bertish & crew. Captured in breathtaking cinematography, Satori explores the steely and sharky line-ups of Dungeons and Sunset Reef, the community that charges here and what fuels their fire.
Presented by Director Rick Wall & big wave charger Dougal Patterson
Plus short film: UK PREMIERE STREET SURFERS Dir. Arthur Neumeier
Big wave surfer Frank Solomon meets street surfers Thabo and Mokete – an untold tale of friendship & marine activism.
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film: LE CHEILE Dir. Kev L Smith
Big wave surfing community of Western Ireland captured in breathtaking cinematography.
—————————————-
WEDNESDAY 9th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 //SESSION 2 // 8.45 pm
AND 2 IF BY SEA Dir: Justin Purser
UK PREMIERE: Highly anticipated and critically acclaimed tale of two of the most iconic surfers of the professional era – identical twins CJ and Damien Hobgood. Their intense sibling rivalry drove them to numerous event victories and a world crown, yet ultimately ripped their personal and peripheral relationships apart. With Kelly, JJF, Parko et al wading in, this is a frank and insightful look at the rivalries and relationships forged in the white heat of competitive surfing.
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film: A PLY IN THE CHAMPAGNE Dir Martin Jackson
A short comedy about a festival gone bad.
——————————————————————————–
THURSDAY 10th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // Session 1 // 7.00pm
A CORNER OF THE EARTH Dir. Spencer Frost
WORLD PREMIERE: Sumptuously filmed tale of Fraser Dovell’s transition from the hard grind of the QS to letting go of the dream. He embarks on one last epic voyage across the North Atlantic, seeking out thundering barrels, reeling points and treacherous solitude of the Arctic. Must-see travelogue stirring up wanderlust, reigniting the stoke in a true tale of cold water surf exploration!
Presented by Director Spencer Frost
Plus short film: UK PREMIERE A SURFER’S SEARCH Dir: Kevin Steen
A move inland to snowy Wisconsin and the epiphany of surfing the great lakes…
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film: EPHEMERAL Dir Jason Yeoman
A thought-provoking short layered with synth-heavy digital audio combined with 16mm film and an apocalyptic style backdrop.
—————————————-
THURSDAY 10th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // Session 2 // 8.45pm
UK PREMIERE: An inspiring exploration of how a small corner of California has produced some of the world’s most talented surfers and innovators…from George Greenough to Al Merrick, Ryan Lovelace and beyond. Combining incredible archive footage and thoughtful interviews this award winning documentary chronicles the craftsmanship, work ethic, renegades and traditions that forge the notion of craft, heritage and place.
Plus short film: UK PREMIERE CAMEL FINDS WATER Dir: Ian Durkin
Trevor Gordon found the hull of an abandoned fishing boat in a field, got it back to a sea-worthy state and took it on its maiden voyage to British Columbia in search of waves…
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film: THE CREATURE Dir: Tom Tagholm
Intelligent, thought provoking environmental short from SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE.
——————————————————————————–
FRIDAY 11th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // Session 1 // 7.00pm
ZONE FREQUENCY Dir. Jack Coleman
EUROPEAN PREMIERE: Hotly anticipated, visually spectacular curation of surfing from the boundaries of waveriding and beyond. Prepare to have your mind expanded by the most radical and stylish surfing from the planet’s most innovative wave sliding talents… Ryan Burch, Dave Rastovich, Ozzie Wright, Robin Kegel et al. Three years in the making + wholly independent, this is what surf cinema is all about… if you love surfing and radical expression, look no further!
Plus short film: UK PREMIERE MUSICAL VOYAGE Dir: Patrick Trefz
An intimate road trip, journeying into the musical mind of surfer, musician Lee-Ann Curren. Captured on 16mm from Basque County to Big Sur and beyond. Presented in person by Lee-Ann Curren
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film: MIKEY IN MEX Dir: MATTY SNELLING
Shot on Super 8, following British surfer Mike Lay styling through Mexico.
—————————————-
FRIDAY 11th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // Session 2 // 8.45pm
UK PREMIERE: Combining dazzling cinematography, vivid insight, and mind bending waveriding, this award-winning movie is an immersive story captured from the perspective of big wave surfers and photographers who witnessed the largest surf ever ridden – Bruce Irons, Nathan Fletcher, Mark Healey, Kalani Chapman and crew. Three epic swells hit the South Pacific, providing historical days for those who dare to challenge the ‘White Rhino’. Epic waves, epic wipe outs, epic tales.
Plus short film: UK PREMIERE FLIGHT 566 TO BEIRUIT Dir: Guillem Cruells
Adrien Toyen boards a flight to the Lebanon to surf a mystical slab and voyage… home.
Plus short film: EUROPEAN PREMIERE TUCKEROO Dir: Elly Norman
Featuring Jaleesa Vincent. “In the water she’s elegant, yet with an air of edginess and flair that puts her in a league of her own,” said Stab. We concur.
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film: FATHERHOOD Dir: Oliver Hegarty
Featuring the hard-charging surfing of Peter Conroy. Peter has long been considered the father of safety for tow-in surfing on the west coast of Ireland, but more recently has become a father to son Cullen.
——————————————————————————-
SATURDAY 12th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // Session 1 // 7.00pm
WORLD PREMIERE: A live, immersive audio visual free surfing experience from multi award-winning filmmaker Chris McClean and composer CJ Mirra. Combining epic waveriding, luscious landscapes, Chris McClean’s trademark rich cinematography and CJ Mirra’s signature sensory soundscapes this is a visceral journey through Europe. Performed live with musicians including Lee-Ann Curren, captures the ephemeral nature of surfing, a moment that cannot be recreated.
– PLUS –
UK PREMIERE: Blending cutting edge waveriding with an art house, analogue overlay, artist/surfer/musician Alex Knost views the smooth lines of Michael February, Lee Ann Curren, Harry Bryant & Karina Rozunko through a fresh lense. Captured on HD Digital, Super 16mm & Super 8mm across the point breaks of Baja Mexico, Australia, France and Indonesia, accompanied by a soundtrack recorded live on location by Alex & Lee-Ann, this is a big-screen must see.
A very special screening AND audience with Alex Knost
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film TURNING TIDES Dir: Jo Guthrie & Lucy Hawes
Challenges expectations of what a ‘surf’ or ‘charity’ film should be. With punchy visuals and a soundscape composed entirely of recordings made from found plastic, ‘Turning Tides’ exposes the devastation our oceans are currently experiencing
—————————————-
SATURDAY 13th OCT, Regent St Cinema, W1 // Session 2 // 8.50pm
LA OLA SIN FRONTERAS Dir. Julian and Joaquin Azulay
UK PREMIERE: In this much anticipated, thought-provoking documentary, Argentinian brothers Julian and Joaquin Azulay, (Gauchos del Mar) go searching for waves in the Falkland Islands. They discover epic, empty, hard won waves in a beautiful and bleak landscape, where the scars of War are still visible, in the minefields and in society. They hope to make new friends and share waves – but can the shadow of the conflict be overcome?
Plus short film: UK PREMIERE FLUX Dir: Lewis Arnold
Asking questions on the state of surfing today – disparate strands are evolving and in flux…starring JJF.
Showing with: SHORTIES Shortlisted film SOMEWHERE SOUTH Dir: Christian Jones
Stylish short exploring South West coasts of England during winter, filmed on 16mm, super8 and digital.