Raised in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, Chelsea is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer with a passion for exploring the interconnectedness of the natural world. With over 8 years of experience in the film industry and a background in applied linguistics and conflict resolution, Chelsea brings a unique perspective to impactful communication. Dedicated to promoting inclusivity, she aims to amplify voices that have been historically excluded. Chelsea believes in the transformative power of filmmaking as a catalyst for environmental and social activism, fostering closer connections between people and their planet. She is the director of With the Tide: A Yakutat Surf Club Story, screening a this year’s festival.

Adrielle Eispu is the director of Let it Go / Deixe Ir, screening at this year’s festival.

Paula Odriozola, nickname Pauloski, is a Civil Engineer and works as a Technical Drawing teacher. But her true passion is the sea. Capturing the beauty of the waves is what makes her dream since 2014, the year she got her first underwater camera. She is the director of Ur-Azala, screening at this year’s festival.

Elley Norman and Scott Wynn directed Synchronism, screening at this year’s WSFF.

Lia Avellino, CEO of Spoke Circles, is a relational and somatic psychotherapist who supports individuals and groups in being real and vulnerable. She believes deep and intentional connection is the balm for healing and has committed her professional life to bringing therapy science and ethos into community spaces.

Danielle is a free surfer and an ambassador for ROXY, Stewart Surfboards and Birdom Surfboards. She works as a content creator and broadcast captioner providing transcription services to the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

Beth O'Rourke is a California-based award winning filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist. She is an Adjunct Professor, Documentary Film, at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Monice Small, better known as Mo, has called Rockaway Beach her home for over 6 years and is the owner of GOODFORM Studios, a boutique fitness studio in Rockaway Beach. She’ll be hosting the pilates class on Saturday, September 9th at The Rockaway Hotel.

Jamie Orr is an abstract artist living and working in Rockaway Beach, New York. After graduating college with a double major in Psychology and Visual Arts, she pursued a master’s degree in behavioral psychology. Jamie enjoyed a 14-year career working with children and adults on the autism spectrum before making the decision to pursue art full time.

Kinsey Hotchkiss is the Artist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer behind Kinsey H. Designs. She has spent years living abroad in Asia and Australia, out of a backpack, driving coast to coast living in her van, in California by the oceans, in the deserts & mountains hiking and fly fishing, which all influences her work and art today.

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Barbara Graetzer, or Barbtropolis, has spent many years of her life living in different countries and cities throughout the globe. Her journey into the art world began when she struggled to communicate in unfamiliar languages and realized that visuals speak a universal tongue.

Elaine Simon and Lindsay Sunada are a film and digital, video and photography duo based on Oahu, Hawaii. They primarily shoot for fashion and lifestyle brands, and have executed campaigns across California, Hawaii, and Byron Bay! When not working, you can find them surfing, walking their dogs, or wandering around the home decor section of Target.

Born and raised in Austria, Miriam Joanna established herself as a freelance visual artist in 2016 and has been working in the extreme sports scene ever since. Living in Hawaii for some time, her career as a freelance photographer originated in the surf industry.

Tim Reckel is an Artist, Fabricator and Woodworker living and working in the Rockaways. He is co-owner and designer of Revamp RBNY. Tim has a BFA with a painting concentration from William Paterson University and a decade of experience designing and creating sets, props and special effects for the stage and screen.

Margaux was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, CA and moved to Asbury Park, NJ in late 2021. There she founded her environmental surf wax company Wave Maiden (www.wave-maiden.com) supplying ocean safe wax and ethically sourced beach goods to the community.