LS/FF 2025: AND THE WINNERS ARE..

LS/FF 2025: You know we’re all about celebrating and elevating the creativity that exists in surfing, well it’s kind of a thing for our  filmmakers too. L to R: Olly McLellan, Quinn Graham, Dorthe Eickelberg, Karen Song, Maddie Meddings, Joaquin Azulay, Lucy Small, Jonathan Stromberg uplifting Rodrigo Valsamis

When done right, surf films have the power to shape more than just those moments when we’re watching them. This simple thought has been part of the big idea behind London Surf / Film Festival since the very beginning. And this 14^th Edition of LS/FF  x Finisterre was a testament this – that when exceptional people, waves and creativity conspire, films can blow minds, make jaws drop, redefine the parameters of what is and what’s possible while reframing how we see, not just ourselves, but the world around us.

And the people and films we had the privilege of bringing together this year really are exceptional. We brought to the UK the very best in surf cinema: 26 stand out World, European and UK Premieres across three nights, accompanied by special ‘Audiences With’ some of the most exciting and inspiring filmmakers, creatives and surfers representing the breadth and diversity of core surf culture across Europe, Australia, South America, the US, the UK and across the globe with stories from Ecuador, Antarctica, France, Gaza, Greece, Peru, Taiwan, Basque Country, Brittany, New York, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal, Indonesia, Canada, Morocco, Brazil, Maui, Australia, California, Ireland, England, Scotland and Cornwall.

Women of the Sea: L to R: LS/FF Director Demi Taylor in conversation with Award winning filmmaker Karen Song in town from NYC to present the World Premiere: Surf, Eat, Repeat and Bronwen Foster-Butler CMO Finisterre who host the annual Women of the Sea Film Fund – a £10,000 fund dedicated to celebrating women on both sides of the lens. Image: Ted Pearson/ LS/FF

Surf films can ask questions, create a counter point to the prevailing culture and they can be things of joy and beauty and wonder and connection. Seeing our stories reflected back at us, in a theatre packed-out with our crew, they become the place where we meet: a reminder of the things that unite us, and a chance to set aside those things that set us apart. They are about coming together and revelling in a shared stoke, hooting loudly at a screen in a place of silence and reverence. Ultimately, when done right, surf movies are about creativity and culture and friendship and hope.

Thanks to everyone who made films, made the journey, made us laugh, made our night, shared the creativity and more than a few Goodrays and Sharps along the way, talking story, voting for your favourite films, and always bringing the stoke!

Surfer / explorer / filmmaker Kepa  Acero has been lighting up our screens and our lives for the best part of two decades. It was such a pleasure to have him join us for the UK Premiere of ‘Kingdom of the Evening’ Dir. Clint Davis – a film that explores the notion of time, and friendship and the eternal surfer’s curse – the quest for the next perfect wave. Kingdom of the Evening won LS/FF 2025 Best Film as judged by a jury of stand out creatives from the world of surf and cinema including photographer, designer, art director and filmmaker Owen Tozer pictured here. Polaroid: Julia Andrzejczuk / LS/FF

Thanks for digging deep to support our prize draw to win a beautiful Cord Surfboard, Finisterre Yulex Wetsuit, YETI Cooler packed with goodies, a Surfline subscription and more, while raising more than £1300 for Centrepoint – who are there for young people facing homelessness.

Thanks to everyone who help make it possible, including our friends and headline partners Finisterre who support the creativity that exists in surfing though LS/FF and epic endeavours like the Women of the Sea Film Fund to good folk at YETI for hosting talks of hope and inspiration with the likes of award winning filmmaker and ocean conservation campaigner Joaquin Azulay. And a huge shout out to our epic crew, Jury, partners and selection panel for always uplifting the culture, the creativity and community. See you next time!

Full house, full stoke, full vibes. Image: Ted Pearson/ LS/FF

// WINNERS : 14^TH EDITION LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL 

Best Film presented by Finisterre : Kingdom of the Evening / Clint Davies

Viewers Choice presented by YETI : Antarctica – Domain One / Julian Azulay & Joaquin Azulay

Best Documentary presented by Huck Magazine : Antarctica-Domain One / Julian & Joaquin Azulay

Best International Short presented by Looking Sideways : Alice / Gabriel Novis

Shortie of the Year presented by Brittany Ferries : No Place Like Home /Gabriella Zagni

Shorties Emerging Talent presented by Surfline Europe : Underneath the Willow Tree / Charlie Cadin

Best Cinematography presented by Venn Creative : Gwynnik / Seth Hughes

Best Soundtrack presentation by Goodrays : The Rising Dawn / Nadi Saddy & Nuits Balneaires

Best British Film presented by Carve & Surf Girl magazines : Ceibo / Maddy Meddings & Lucy Small

Spirit of the Festival: Good Morning Gaza / Dôrthe Eickleberg

Among the creatives whose work we were honoured to screen, we were stoked to host the following filmmakers and surfers who attended over the three days, include Kepa Acero, Karen Song, Mike Lay, Lucy Small, Joaquin Azulay, Maddie Meddings, Andrew Cotton, Bella Bunce, Quinn Graham, Dôrthe Eickleberg, Rodrigo Valsamis, Louis Thomas-Hudson, Jonathan Stromberg, Oscar James, Owen Legoff, Charlie Cadin, Tom Bing, Ollie McLellan, Nik Eagland, Ollie Cooper and Seth Hughes.

Award winning filmmaker Julian Azulay presents the UK Premiere of Antarctica – Domain One. “Vast, wild, yet extremely fragile. The coldest place on our planet is also one of the most affected by global warming and needs to be protected. This film helps us understand the importance of this area and the threats affecting it. Antarctica is the only continent that belongs to humanity and it is our responsibility as inhabitants of this planet to take care of it.” SIGN THE PETITION FOR THE CREATION OF THE MARINE PROTECTED AREA OF DOMAIN ONE

LS/FF 2025 Best British Film: Ceibo Dir. Maddie Maddings & Lucy Small. Polaroid: Julia Andrzejczuk / LS/FF

Mike Lay: lifeguard, internationally renowned Penwith surfer and poet in the truest sense of the word with long time collaborator and multi award-winning filmmaker Seth Hughes who managed to make the world premiere of his latest film Gwynnik (despite having landed back from a trip to the remote reaches of Norway just an hour before curtains up). Thanks to the pair for regaling us with stories from their journey and revealing the dark arts of the patented Seth Hughes follow cam…. There’s pure magic and alchemy in their partnership and it shows. Seth was awarded Best Cinematography LS/FF 2025. Image: Ted Pearson/ LS/FF