Films 2023
Riding the Rhythms
40 mins, CA Premiere
“Riding the Rhythms” is a surf and skate film celebrating women who rip year round in New Jersey. The film captures the coveted hurricane swells of Fall, sessions throughout snow days of Winter, the uplifting energy of Springtime, and the joy of tropical temperatures longboarding it when Summer arrives. A woman’s unique bond with water and nature, unwavering passion for board sports, and the strength of community are all alive and growing on New Jersey’s shores.
Director/Producer: Margaux Moses
Editor/Cinematographer: Alyssa Malliae
Principle Cast: Allie Frank, Audrey Iglay, Ava Jordan, Brynn Gallagher, Carly Coble, Mia Gallagher, Nico Klimek, Zoe Herishen
Obseassion
33 mins, CA Premiere
Laure Mayer has been living in Australia for 10 years. She designs technical surf suits for women to ensure comfort and confidence while surfing. Laure embarked on a road trip from France to Spain and Portugal to explore women's surfing culture on Europe's west coast. She met with five friends who dedicate their lives to surfing, including teachers, photographers, mothers, and artists. They discussed their obsession with surfing, the invisible rules that restrain women, and how they are changing for the better. Laure aims to help future generations surf confidently and embrace their own style. Obseassion, directed by Laura and Romain Decomble, sheds light on these energetic women's approach to surfing, forming a strong, more inclusive community that is thriving worldwide. They have a say in shaping the surf of tomorrow.
Directors: Laura & Romain Decomble
Producer: Oxbow
Principle Cast: Laure Mayer
Wahine & Waves
27 mins, CA Premiere
A beautifully told, raw insight into a little group of friends in the wahine surf community of Aotearoa, New Zealand. From the perspective of surf photographer, Amber Jones, we are taken along on a road trip from East to West and learn along the way about what makes this little island surf community so special, offset by the dramatic backdrop of Mother Nature that is undoubtedly stunning New Zealand.
Director/Producer: Amber Jones / Ryan Theilen
With the Tide: A Yakutat Surf Club Story
26 mins, CA Premiere
Set in the remote village of Yakutat, Alaska, “With the Tide'' follows the youth of the Tlingit tribe as they further explore their relationship to the ocean, themselves, and the expanse of isolated wilderness they call home. Over the span of four years, this story documents the exploration of how surfing can increase health, wellness and value for nature in a community that is constantly facing layers of adversity and the challenges of geographic isolation.
Director/Producer: Chelsea Jolly
Yama
24 mins
Yama follows Australian surfer and activist Lucy Small as she travels to Ghana to meet with a group of pioneering female surfers and skaters. Once a stronghold of the transatlantic slave trade and with a history of Atlantic aquatic surf culture that precedes colonial invasion, this is a story of a reclamation and joy. Aiming to tell a story that challenges the representations that many African nations are commonly subjected to in western media, Yama begins in the bustling city of Accra and travels to the wave rich coastline where there are communities driving the budding Ghanaian modern surf scene. The Fantes are the people who populate the area where female surfers live. Yama is their name for the wooden boats that still cross Ghana's shoreline today.
Directors: Lucy Small (she/her), Maddie Meddings (she/her)
Producer: Lucy Small
Editor/Cinematographer: Maddie Meddings
Principle Cast: Lucy Small, Sandy Alibo, Justice Kwofie
New Colors
24 mins
Four junior athletes paving their way to a future as professional surfers come together to face the elements of northern Europe.
Faced with the isolated frozen winter waters of Norway, the four women step out of their comfort zone, push their boundaries and redefine their approach to surfing. Beyond competition sites, they reconnect with the pleasure of sharing their passion through
a unique cold water experience.
Director: Arthur Genie
Principal Cast: Kika Veselko, Janire Gonzalez, Etxabarri Hina, Conradi Zoe Grospiron
REBORN
11:24 mins, CA Premiere
Juju, a 12-year-old from Biarritz, began surfing 12 years ago, but found it boring and limiting her passion. After an ankle injury, she spent most of her summer on the couch, realizing the missing feeling of surfing and the need to find her way back. She needed to get lost and challenge herself, finding a way to find her way again. This journey is about finding light in the darkness and never giving up on your dreams. Juju's journey is about finding the light in the darkness and never giving up on your dreams.
Director: Theo Preuilh
Principle Cast: Juliette Lacome
The Art of Adapting
11:11 mins
"The Art of Adapting" highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in life, as seen in the surreal world of kitesurfing. Gabi, originally from Austria, first visited Western Australia in 2007 on a kitesurfing mission. She fell in love with the rugged and isolated beauty of the state and adopted it as her home. The film follows Gabi's journey to explore the coastline, embracing its waves and solitude. Despite facing challenges from the elements, Gabi remains determined to pursue her passions. During a road trip in WA, Gabi meets Jaimen Hudson, a quadriplegic wildlife photographer and videographer who has overcome a spinal cord injury. Jaimen has since become an award-winning drone artist and Gabi proposes to film her kitesurfing. Both stories are inspired by the strong connection between air and water, fueling their lives and showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.
Directors: Miriam Joanna
Producer: Gabi Steindl-Jones
Cinematographer: Miriam Joanna Action Drone Footage Jaimen Hudson
Editor: Miriam Joanna Colorist: Christian Kaefer
Principle Cast: Gabi Steindl / Jaimen Hudson
WOMP
10:07 mins
The ocean is for everyone, but often surf lineups can often be rife with gender disparities. A group of deserving teen girls in North County San Diego are redefining that, showing that there’s a place in the lineup for everyone. Through Changing Tides Foundation’s Women’s Outreach Mentorship Program, these girls form a relationship with the ocean for the first time through surfing. As they develop their newfound confidence in and out of the water, the bonds of sisterhood, friendship and community begin to shift the Southern California surf scene on a foundational level.
Director/Editor: Hannah Walsh
Producer: Becky Mendoza
Cinematographers: Hannah Walsh, Layseah Hughes, Troy Brajkovich, Nate Lee, Nick Azoff, Leah Dawson, Jianca Lazarus, Ashley Barker
Principle Cast: Becky Mendoza, Leah Dawson, Anna Santoro, Gretchen Sherrill
Surf Girls Hawai’i
8:23 mins
Surf Girls Hawai’i is a four-part docuseries by Hello Sunshine and TOGETHXR that follows the next generation of Native Hawaiian female surfers as they compete to win a spot on the professional surfing World Tour. The series follows Moana Jones Wong, Ewe Wong, Maluhia Kinimaka, Pua DeSoto, and Brianna Cope as they train, navigate family responsibilities, and compete against the highest-ranking surfers. The series offers behind-the-scenes insight into the challenges faced by these young stars, as they represent their native Hawaiian heritage in competitive surfing.
Surf Girls Hawai’i is executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Sara Rea of Hello Sunshine; Reni Calister, Jessica Robertson, and Brett Bouttier of TOGETHXR; Erik Logan and Jed Pearson IV of World Surf League (WSL); and Leslie Garvin, Dara Horenblas, and Monica Medellin. Ramy Romany, Tyler O’Neil, and Tomiko Jones serve as co-executive producers. Molly Micallef serves as producer. Surf Girls Hawai’i is produced for Prime Video by Hello Sunshine and TOGETHXR.
Ur - Azala
8:43 mins, CA Premiere
"Ur - Azala", which in Basque means "Water Skin" and "Surface" at the same time, is a sensory short film that focuses on 3 natural elements: skin, wood and water. In the first element, water, nude bodies dive pure and free through algae forests. In the second element, wood, the main role dips her Paulownia ecologic longboard and blesses it, feeling immense gratitude for the sea. The third element, water, embraces the scene at all times. The surfer dancing softly on ethereal waves crown the story.
Director/Editor: Pauloski
Producer: Kantauriko Olatua
Principle Cast: Andrea Molina
Unplugged
6:53 mins, CA Premiere
'Unplugged' a short film about a group of friends exploring untouched nature in Baja, searching for quiet waves and freedom. Filmed from a female point of view, focusing on the main person in the film, Beth Leighfield, one of Britain’s top female longboarders.
Director/Editor: Bella Rose Bunce
Cinematographer: Bella Rose Bunce
Principal Cast: Beth Leighfield, Tom Baldwin, Paul Bertrand
Emergence
6 mins, CA Premiere
We are entering a new era of surfing, where people from all backgrounds are breaking barriers to pursue their love for the ocean, creating a line up as diverse as land. 'Emergence' introduces Angelina and Fabiana Del Rio, two sisters from Huanchaco, Peru, who are changing their community by reclaiming their ancestral relationship with the sea through surfing.
Director: Amanda Prifti (she/her/hers)
Producer: Amanda Prifti
Principle Cast: Fabiana Del Rio & Angelina Del Rio
Jamaica
5 mins
Join Roxy ambassador Danielle as she returns to her roots in Jamaica connecting with family, the vibrant culture and of course, the waves!
Director: Danielle Black Lyons (she/her)
Producer: Kantauriko Olatua
Principle Cast: Danielle Black Lyons, Chrissana Wilmot, Kadiya McDonald, Kayla Wheeler, Taneisha Lawrence, Sol Black Lyons, The Wallace Family
Lucky Star
4:10 mins, CA Premiere
Two-time world longboard champion, Jennifer Smith, has a Madonna Moment at Malibu.
Director/Editor: Beth O’Rourke
Producer: Beth O’Rourke
Principle Cast: Jen Smith
Momento
4:00 mins, CA Premiere
Momento is a short surf film inspired by reflection, womanhood and the passage of time, created by award-winning outdoor film director Cassie De Colling. Using the creative metaphor of time reversing, we follow our surfer, who is five female wave riders, reversing in ages, to create a portrait and reflection on how the ocean can heal. Momento explores the parallels swirling amongst life, the ocean and surfing: inner peace, overcoming challenges, our relationship with nature, and what we can and cannot control. Momento encapsulates the strength and vulnerability of womanhood and mother nature, as well as the inexorable passage of time.
Director/Producer: Cassie De Colling
Editors: Kevin Kim and Tim Saylor
Principle Cast: Amy Hackett, Angela King, Molly Hoskens, Sam Suendermann, Holly Droomer
Let it Go
3:42 mins, CA Premiere
After years of putting it aside, Lívia finally decides to take the first step towards fulfilling a dream: surfing. But right in the first class, she discovers that in order to follow a dream, first you have to break free and let things go.
Director: Adrielle Eispu Simões (she/her)
Editor: Pedro Andreta (he/him)
Cinematographer: Ted Abel (he/him)
Producer: Filippo Capuzzi Lapietra (he/him) and Stefano Capuzzi Lapietra (he/him)
Principle Cast: Camila dos Anjos (she/her)
Synchronism
3:36 mins
Synchronism juxtaposes surfer Josie Prendergast and synchronized swimmers in the ocean, both performing in unison - a first ever of its kind.
Director/Editor: Scott Wynn
Producer: Elley Norman
Cinematographer: Andy Gough
Principle Cast: Josie Prendergast
International Women's Day Paddle Out
2:15 mins, CA Premiere
Sister Motion partnered with Surfing England to organise and document an event celebrating the female surfing community of North Devon. Sister Motion founder Nicky Woodhouse says, “I set up Sister Motion to celebrate and amplify the achievements of women who are doing cool things in male-dominated spaces. This project delivered on every level and illustrates the magic spirit of the surfing community.” In 2024 we want to make the event bigger and better by making it accessible to para surfers and holding tandem events with other women's surf clubs worldwide.
Director/editor: Nicky Woodhouse
Producer: Claire Brown
Principal Cast: Saunton Surf Sisters
Liquid Daydream
2:49 mins, World Premiere
Surfing is an individual sport but not an individual lifestyle. Oahu based long boarder Hannah Sheldon offers her take on surfing, crowded lineups, and comparing yourself to others.
Director: Lindsay Sunada & Elaine Simon
Producer: Kinda Swell
Editor: Lindsay Sunada Cinematographer: Shelby Husted
Principle Cast: Hannah Sheldon
Queens of The Peak
7 mins
Shot almost entirely in 16mm, Queens of the Break gives credit to the pioneers of women’s surfing in the 805 and celebrates a friendship that has spanned over 50 years.
Director/Editors: Jordyn Romero & Jo Anna Edmison
SISKA
7:44 mins
Siska, follows the story of a courageous young native woman who followed her dreams and became the pioneering female surfer of Mentawai, while uncovering the serious issue of inaccessibility that the Mentawaian surfing community faces.
Producer, Director, Translator Writer: Ruby Southwell
Filmer, Editor, Music Producer/Sound Design: Kat Davis
Voice over and Writer: Siska tasiripoula
Photography and Additional footage: Jack Orgrady
Principle Cast: Ruby Southwell and Siska Tasiripoula