Yallingup Surfilm fest fetes surf

Films covering a variety of themes from across the globe will be featured at next year’s Yallingup Surfilm Festival between January 20 and 22.

Festival organisers launched the 2012 film program, which will include seven Australian premieres and two WA premieres on Friday.

Films will be screened under the stars at the new Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough and during the day at Samudra.

Festival director Jesca Maas said she started the festival as a celebration of surf culture in the region and wanted to create an event to bring families, film lovers, surfers and anyone with an affinity for the natural environment together.

“The languages, landscape and identities in our films are vastly different, but one thing remains constant across all films – a deep love and passion for surf and the ocean,” she said.

“People coming to the festival can be guaranteed breathtaking surfing and nature footage, and stories that are inspirational, humorous and thought-provoking.

“The films are there to inspire and encourage the sharing of stories.”

The themes at this year’s festival are varied, from the birth of extreme sports in the documentary Last Paradise, to FinnSurf which tells of surfing in countries you would never associate with the sport.

The Australian premiere of Minds in the Water will be screened at the festival’s opening night on January 20.

Five years in the making, the film is the story of one surfer’s journey to protect dolphins, whales and their ocean environment.

Professional surfer-turned-ocean activist Dave Rastovich embarked on a personal mission to help stop the worldwide commercial slaughter of whales.

The message of the film is twofold, showing the power of one individual to inspire action and the importance of passing on a sustainable culture.

A number of locals have been selected for this year’s judging panel, including Margaret River documentary maker Richard Todd and surfers Damon Eastaugh and Jake Paterson.

Other judges include author Tim Baker, filmmakers Taylor Steele and Tom Wegener, photographers Jon Frank and Ian Regnard, surfers Claire Bevilacqua and Lizzie Nunn, and Alex Dick-Read, Drew Kampion and Doug Lees who are involved in surf media.

The screening panel will have to select a best feature-length film and best short film, as well as best cinematography, to be announced on the closing night.

The closing night will also feature a talk by Simon Anderson, the creator of the thruster design of three equalsized fins on a surfboard, a design now used on most shortboards.

Other events at this year’s festival include a fancy dress surfing competition at Yallingup mainbreak to raise money for the Disabled Surfers WA South West.

“The competition is all about having fun and a laugh, you don’t have to be the best surfer around,” Mrs Maas said.

Organisers are encouraging festival goers to visit the website www.yallingupsurfilm.com.au for full event details and to purchase tickets.