April 27, 2023 (Dana Point, Calif.)– Today, theDana Point Film Festival (DPFF) announced its official lineup of surf films that will be shown at the event running from May 4-7. The festival will feature films on Orange County California’s rich surfing heritage and those surfing around the world. As a true community event, the DPFF will bring surf, ocean and film leaders to Dana Point for panel discussions. Through the DPFF Student Film Competition, students will be given an opportunity to grow as filmmakers while conveying captivating stories of the ocean. See the full event schedule and buy tickets at danapointfilmfestival.org.
BIG WAVE FILMS
Paying homage to Dana Point’s former big wave break, Killer Dana, the DPFF will showcase a category of big wave surf films. Highlighted films include:
“Ground Swell”:
Narrated and executive produced by Academy Award-nominated actor Josh Brolin in his third collaboration with multiple Emmy-winning filmmaker Paul Taublieb, “Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear” is an in-depth look at the 2021-22 big wave season through the eyes of Nic Von Rupp, Kai Lenny, Matt Bromley, Torrey Meister, and pioneering female surfer Bianca Valenti, along with a special appearance by Vini dos Santos and maybe the 100-foot wave.
Directed by Luke Stirtz this documentary explores the dramatic stories of Hawaii’s big wave guardians, some of the world’s best athletes, lifeguards, and surfers, who risk their lives in the world’s most dangerous waves while inventing innovative water safety techniques previously unimagined.
Cast: Nathan Fletcher, Terry Ahue, Eddie Aikau, Kalani Chapman, Nathan Florence, Mark Healey, Brian Keaulana, Kelia Moniz, Jamie O’Brien, Kelly Slater and David Wassel.
Directed by Tim Burnham this local film looks at The Wedge, in Newport Beach, CA, a famed man-made beast of a wave that body surfers love and fear, showcases its history, power, and beauty.
Cast: Mel Thoman, Terry Wade, JT Nickelson, Danny Kwock, Tom Kennedy, Greg Deets, Mike Stewart, Mark Cunningham, Keith Malloy, Sean Starky, Scott Matthews, Ron Romanosky and Bill Sharp
Directed by Walter Georis, “Shaped” takes a historical look at the history and art of shaping surfboards. This film is a tribute to the men and women of the surf world in the 1960s.
Cast: Robert August, Bruce Brown, Dana Brown, Corky Carroll, Joyce Hoffman, Mickey Munoz and Robert ‘Wingnut’ Weaver
The second category including surf films in the festival are ocean adventure films and shorts. Inspired by the ethos of Dana Point and its namesake Richard Henry Dana Jr., as well as Dana Point’s local legends including Hobie Alter and Bruce Brown.
Directed by Sam George, Paul Taublieb and Sam Boyer “The Lost Wave” chronicles an expedition led by surf writer and filmmaker Sam George, along with pro surfers Holly Beck and Joe Curren, as they travel to the remote West African island nation of Sao Tome, which George had visited six years earlier.
Directed by Richard Yelland, this film follows Californian surf pioneer, Dick Metz, as he vagabonds the globe from 1958-1961-revealing the untold story behind one of the most watched and beloved documentaries of all time, “The Endless Summer.”
Directed by Sean Madden, “Stop Playin With Em” is a surf film project following Quest Soliman and Paul Godette, two skaters turned surfers based in Rockaway Beach, New York relocating to Bocas Del Toro, Panama for 5 months to get the most out of the island’s peak surf season.
In this short, three childhood friends take on the adventure of a lifetime in the Alaskan Winter searching for uncrowded waves and a sense of relief from their busy lives.
Cast: Jake Foster, Josh Miller, Remy Brand
“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.
Cast: Lucy Small, Sandy Alibo, Justice Kwofie, Eden Oyeoku, Harmonie Bataka
“THE ENDLESS SUMMER”
This year marks the 60th anniversary of “The Endless Summer” and to celebrate the DPFF is hosting a party and “The Endless Summer” screening at Salt Creek Beach Park on Cinco De Mayo. Surf Legend and “Endless Summer II” co-star, Robert “Wingnut” Weaver will be the event MC. Free “The Endless Summer” tickets are available to those that register in advance here: http://danapointfilmfestival.org/endless-summer/. VIP tickets are also available for purchase.
PANELS
Home to master shapers, Dana Point and South Orange County is the epicenter of surf publishing, filmmaking, and innovation. The events panels will feature Surf Media Executive Norb Garrett, Former Pro Surfer and Surfer Magazine Editor Chris Mauro and Former Surfing magazine Publisher Bob Mignogna and more.
STUDENT FILMS
The DPFF Student Film Competition is designed to give young students an opportunity to tell their story about the ocean while discovering and enhancing their skills as filmmakers. Judged by an elite jury of professional filmmakers and ocean conservationists, the winner will have their film screened at the 1st Annual Dana Point Film Festival on Saturday, May 6, 12:30 p.m. at Dana Hills High School Porthole Theater.
For more information on DPFF, visit the festival online at danapointfilmfestival.org.
Sponsors and Supporters
DPFF has the support of Bruce Brown Films, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Doheny Beach, Guaranteed Rate, Tenacity Entertainment, Dana Point Times, Eterno Verano Tequila, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Endless Summer Hard Seltzer, Origin Sparkling Water, Purps Energy Drink, Nomadix, Dana Point Times, Killer Dana Surf Shop, and Orange County Supervisor Fifth District Katrina Foley. Nonprofit partners and beneficiaries include Monarch Beach Rotary, Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, Dana Point Entertainment and Arts Council, and SurfAid.
About Dana Point Film Festival
The Dana Point Film Festival (DPFF) is an oceans film festival that focuses on the preservation
and conservation of marine life. The films that are showcased at DPFF will highlight the
festival’s key focuses. Maria Banks serves as the executive director of the Dana Point
Entertainment and Arts Council (DPE&AC). DPFF is a nonprofit subsidiary of DPE&AC, 501(c)(3)
organization. Oceans and Surf Documentary Filmmaker, Lloyd Bryan Molander is the founder of
DPFF and will serve as the managing director to enhance the experience as a festival expert; Todd Wallin is the co-founder.
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Media Contacts:
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Debs Loomis
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or
Brenda Koopsen
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