FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 30, 2018

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HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I—It's back! This summer, the Honolulu Surf Film Festival drops in for its 11th year. The Doris Duke Theatre will be showcasing beautiful barrels and gnarly wipeouts on surf journeys across the globe, along with inspirational tales from surfers we all know and love. Special thanks to presenting sponsors Nordstrom and Vans®, major sponsors Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, Kona Brewing Company, Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, and media sponsors HONOLULU Magazine and Surf News Network.

Legendary doesn't even begin to describe the cast of Momentum Generation, a film about the clan of iconic surfers that includes Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox, Shane Dorian, and more. During the 90s and early aughts, these dudes were not only top athletes, they were cultural icons. For the first time ever, the crew is telling their story together, giving filmmakers unprecedented access to their inner circle and hours of private archives. The museum is excited to have Momentum Generation as the opening night film. 

The festival commences with an opening reception on Saturday, July 7, with food and live entertainment. During the reception, artists Carol Bennett and Bruna Stude will give a special gallery tour of their works in Making Waves.

This year's festival is being ruled by one group of surfers who deserve the spotlight: women. Our shorts program Her Waves will showcase shorts featuring women surfers who are bettering society through their sport, such as Changing Tides: Sisterhood by the Sea, a story about how surfing can help young girls on a small island in the Caribbean escape a fate of teen pregnancy and limited opportunity. Other female-filled films include She is the Ocean, a film that examines nine women from all corners of the globe who all work closely with the ocean in some way or another. Surfing the South Island of New Zealand is the female revamp of The Endless Summer. The surf trip documentary follows a female traveller amidst a winter surf trip in New Zealand. 

The museum is honored to have surfer and filmmaker Crystal Thornburg-Homcy as a guest curator for the festival. She will develop a shorts program inspired by the exhibition Making Waves, which features artwork made by women who have a close relationship with the ocean.

Despite record temperature highs, coldwater surfing films are taking over this year's festivals. The museum will screen Perilous Sea, about the North Atlantic, and The Seawolf, about surfing the frigid waves of Norway, Scotland, Canada, and more. Thankfully, audiences won't need to leave the warm Hawaiʻi weather to view such cinematically chilling surf moments. 

Besides heart-pumping action shots of shredding waves, the festival will also bring more thought-provoking films that showcase the courage it takes to be conquer the sport. The museum will screen Rise & Fall, Surfing to Cope, and Forgiving Pipeline—three films featuring a protagonist who overcomes a mental or physical challenge that holds them back in the water.

Throughout the month audiences can vote for their festival favorites. The winners of the audience-choice awards will be announced at the closing-night reception and film on Sunday, July 29. At the closing reception, the theater will screen premiere of the Bud Browne Archives’ The Essence, followed by an on-stage panel in honor of legendary big-wave rider George Downing. Guests will enjoy live music, dinner, and a short tribute film to George Downing that'll screen before the presentation of The Essence.

Full lineup below:

Opening reception: July 7, 6-7:30pm: The festival kicks off with an opening reception with food and live entertainment. Beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase. During the reception, visit the exhibition Making Waves, with artists Carol Bennett and Bruna Stude in attendance. Momentum Generation screens at 7:30pm. $30 | $25 museum members.

Closing reception: July 29, 6-7:30pm: We close the festival this year with the premiere of the Bud Browne Archives’ The Essence, followed by an on-stage panel in honor of legendary big-wave rider George Downing. Ticket includes live music and dinner in the Luce Pavilion. Beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase. A short tribute film to George Downing will screen before the presentation of The Essence at 7:30pm. $30 | $25 museum members.

Momentum Generation
Directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist. 2018. USA. 103 min.
Saturday, July 7 at 7:30pm
Friday, July 27 at 1pm
Saturday, July 28 at 7:30pm
Before forever reshaping worldwide culture in the 1990s and beyond, surfing’s most
legendary crew was just a group of teenagers crammed together in a small house
in the North Shore of Oʻahu. From humble origins to cultural icons, Momentum Generation is the first time this crew has agreed to tell their story together, giving the filmmakers unprecedented access to their inner circle and tens of thousands of hours of private archives that shed new light on the deep friendships that were formed andtested throughout their careers as top athletes and cultural icons.

Surf Cinema Nugs 2018
Sunday, July 8 at 1pm
Wednesday, July 11 at 1pm
Friday, August 3 at 7:30pm
See the sport showcased through glistening cinematic works of art. This lineup showcases the medium in its many forms. Expect travelogues, personal stories, and even animation! See the full lineup online.

Locals Only
Sunday, July 8 at 4pm
Tuesday, July 17 at 1pm
Thursday, August 2 at 1pm
This collection of Hawaiʻi-centric shorts showcases how there is truly no place like home.

Lemon Pepper
Directed Ryan Moss. 2017. Hawaiʻi. 7 min.
Watch big-wave rider Shane Dorian catch some of the best waves in the state.

Forgiving Pipeline
Directed by Tay Steele. 2018. Hawaiʻi. 6 min.
22-year-old photographer Amber Mozo ventures out into the lineup that stole her father’s life—Pipeline.

Swimming in the Deep (U`ilani)
Directed by Sally Lundberg. 2018. Hawaiʻi. 10 min.
At 33, Uʻilani Macabio is a public school teacher, mother of two young children, and tenacious surfer. Firmly rooted in honoring the traditions and practices of her culture, this short documentary explores her beliefs, frustrations, memories, and bliss as she moves through her daily life and contemporary Hawaiʻi.

Aloha Aina Warrior
Directed by Roddy Tabatabai. 2017. Hawaiʻi. 31 min.
In this thought-provoking documentary, follow former pro surfer Dustin Barca as he goes toe-to-toe against the major corporations that are chemically testing on his home island of Kauaʻi.

Blue Intensity + Church of the Open Sky
Sunday, July 8 at 7pm
Tuesday, July 10 at 1pm
Friday, July 13 at 7:30pm
These two films give audiences a taste of what it’s like to surf in beautifully blue warm waters around the world.

Blue Intensity
Directed by George Trimm. 2017. USA. 14 min.
This new short by George Trimm lives up to its name by featuring remarkable water cinematography and surfing by Dane Gudauskas, Nathan Fletcher, and others.

Church of the Open Sky
Directed by Nathan Oldfield. 2017. Australia. 54 min.
The film is an inspired and endearing representation of the surfing experience, where all participants are worthy and welcomed—to learn, play and grow together—in inclusive, sacred playgrounds beneath The Church of the Open Sky.

Her Waves
Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 14 at 1pm
Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30pm
These inspirational shorts showcase what women are doing in and out of the water for the betterment of society.

Like Water
Directed by Chris McClean. 2017. UK. 2 min.
Poetry and visuals combine in this sublime short film.

Inspire
Directed by Mégane Murgia. 2018. France. 15 min. French with English subtitles.
A group of women find inspiration on their surf travels in warm water locales around the world.

Surfing to Cope
Directed by Katie Walsh. 2018. USA. 31 min.
Watch Kauaʻi surfer Brianna Cope strive to make the World Championship Tour while coming to terms with a physical challenge that has shaped her life.

Changing Tides: Sisterhood by the Sea
Directed by Leah Dawson. 2018. USA. 21 min.
A story about female culture on a small island in the Caribbean, and how group bonding—matched with developing a love for the ocean—can broaden perspectives and create dreams for young women facing the societal norm of teen pregnancy and limited opportunity.

The Endless Winter II; Surfing Europe
Directed by Matt Crocker & James Dean. 2017. UK. 75 min. English, French, Spanish, and Arabic with English subtitles.
Wednesday, July 11 at 7:30pm
Thursday, July 19 at 1pm
Wednesday, July 25 at 1pm
British surfer Mark Harris traces the classic European surf trail, from Cornwall to Morocco. Combining pioneering stories from the likes of Kevin Naughton and Kepa Acero with archive footage and perfect surf from Europe’s most iconic surf spots, this captivating documentary is a must see for surfers and explorers alike.

Perilous Sea + The Seawolf
Thursday, July 12 at 1pm
Saturday, July 14 at 7:30pm
Friday, August 3 at 1pm
Follow two different group of surfers on their coldwater surf adventures.

Perilous Sea
Directed by Mike Bromley & Ryan Meichtry. 2017. Canada. 27 min.
Inspired by the classic maritime novels about the cruel and dark North Atlantic, Perilous Sea follows a group of professional surfers as they take on the frozen and rugged corners of the North.

The Seawolf
Directed by Ben Gulliver. 2017. Canada. 43 min.
Award-winning filmmaker Ben Gulliver follows seven professional surfers on a two-year, jaw-dropping, cinematically chilling journey in search of remote, frigid waves in Norway, Scotland, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and The Faroe Islands.

Blue Road + Surfing the South Island of New Zealand
Thursday, July 12 at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 14 at 4pm
Wednesday, August 1 at 7:30pm
The surf trip documentary has been a staple of the genre since the days of The Endless Summer. Re-experience this classic format through the eyes of these female surfers.

Surfing the South Island of New Zealand
Directed by Apolla Echino. 2016. Canada / New Zealand. 39 min.
Canadian filmmaker Apolla Echino was tired of seeing men getting to have all the fun in adventure films and went on a one-woman mission to turn the camera onto the female traveler in a winter surf trip across the stunning South Island of New Zealand.

Blue Road
Directed by Alena Ehrenbold. 2017. Hawaiʻi / Switzerland. 44 min. English, French, and German with English subtitles.
In order to learn more about their place in life and the world, three surfers, Annabel, Rachel and Alena embark on the adventure of a lifetime to the birthplace of surfing— Hawaiʻi.

Beyond
Directed by Mario Hainzl. 2017. Germany. 110 min. English, German, French, and Arabic with English subtitles.
Friday, July 13 at 1pm
Tuesday, July 17 at 7:30pm
Beyond follows locals along the coast of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia and into their homes, beloved surf spots, and surfing lives.

She is the Ocean
Directed by Inna Blokhina. 2017. Russia. 110 min.
Sunday, July 15 at 1pm
Wednesday, July 25 at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 28 at 4pm
She is the Ocean examines the lives of nine extraordinary women who define the courage and spirituality it takes to lead a life of the sea from all corners of the globe, including Hawaiʻi and Russia.

Adaptive Surfing films + panel
Sunday, July 15 at 4pm
Special thanks to community partner AccessSurf.
Join us for a special screening followed by a panel discussion about overcoming trauma and finding identity in the water through adaptive surfing. Panelists to be announced.

Rise & Fall
Directed by Elena Mannocci. 2018. Italy. 5 min. Italian with English subtitles.
When an accident suddenly derails his physical abilities, surfer Massimiliano Mattei refuses to let it stop him from doing what he enjoys most—catching waves.

Alive
Directed by Valère Caneri. 2017. France. 20 min. French with English subtitles.
Ismaël Guilliorit, Laurent Marouf, Benoît Moreau and Eric Dargent, accompanied by coach Manu Portet, cameraman Valère Caneri, photographer Bastien Bonnarme and emergency physician Thibaud Viard (safety first!) share an unprecedented experience on the north Mentawai, an idyllic place with perfect waves.

Adapt Your Mind
Directed by Ana Catarina & Thiago Theo. 2017. Hawaiʻi. 14 min.
This film introduces surf as a social inclusion tool and transforming agent for the characters who overcome adversity of life.

Wave Inspirations curated by Crystal Thornburg-Homcy
Sunday, July 15 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 18 at 1pm
Thursday, July 19 at 7:30pm
This year, the festival is honored to have surfer and filmmaker Crystal Thornburg-Homcy as a guest curator. Thornburg-Homcy will develop a shorts program inspired by the exhibition Making Waves. Full lineup to be announced.

Family Film Sunday: Given
Directed by Jess Bianchi. USA. 2016. 84 min.
Sunday, July 22 at 10:30am and 1pm
Free admission.
Don't miss this chance to see the Audience Choice: Feature award winner from last year's Honolulu Surf Film Festival! Kaua‘i surfers Aamion and Daize Goodwin set off on a year-long global adventure with a toddler and a newborn. Follow their globetrotting in this cinematically stunning film, told through the memories of their 6-year-old son—Given.

Emocean + Cuban Wave Riders
Sunday, July 22 at 4pm
Tuesday, July 24 at 7:30pm
Thursday, July 26 at 1pm
See two films that follow people who embrace their love of the ocean despite the obstacles in their way.

Emocean
Directed by Tony Harrington. 2018. Australia / USA. 61 min.
Emocean is a love letter to the ocean comprised of personal stories by surfers, photographers, fishermen, marine scientists, and watermenfrom Hawaiʻi, California, and Australia.

Cuban Wave Riders
Directed by Liz Magee & Taylor McNulty. 2017. Cuba. 20 min. English and Spanish with English subtitles.
Follow four Cuban surfers hunt down waves and bring legitimacy to the sport in their home country.

Big Wata (The Ocean)
Directed by Gugi Van Der Velden. 2018. Sierra Leone. 80 min. With English subtitles.
Sunday, July 22 at 7pm
Tuesday, July 24 at 1pm
Tuesday, July 31 at 7:30pm
During the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, the younger members of a West African fishing community discover surfing as their identity and purpose in life.

Screens with 

Woza
Directed by Francisco Canton & Pato Oscar Martinez. 2017. South Africa. 5 min.

Surf Profiles
Thursday, July 26 at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 28 at 1pm
Thursday, August 2 at 7:30pm
See a collection of true (and not-so-true) stories of the surfers and shapers who made their mark on the history of the sport.

One Shot
Directed by Darren McCagh. 2017. Australia. 30 min.
This moving documentary follows former firefighter and current surf photographer Russell Ord as he struggles with internal dissatisfaction with his work.

Phenomenality
Directed by Lucas Jatoba. 2017. Spain / Australia. 14 min.
He’s a big wave pioneer who “died more times than Jesus,” a man who constantly risked his life to find life, to find the edge of reason and then overcome it. His name is Ric Friar and this is a story of Phenomenality.

The Bull
Directed by Eric Ebner. 2018. USA. 12 min.
See the story of San Diego surfing legend Glen Horn and his journey to an unconventional lifestyle.

The Agave Gun
Directed by Ross Haines. 2018. USA / Mexico. 10 min.
Big wave rider and shaper Gary Linden experiments with the use of the tequila plant’s agave when creating a new surfboard.

The Outrider
Directed by Jeremy Joyce & Rob Lockyear. 2018. UK. 30 min.
The guys behind the Icelandic surf trip satire Freezing are back again with a brand-new comedy about a disgraced shaper and his redemption in the hands of an up-and-coming hot shot surfer.

The Essence
Directed by Bud Browne and Anna Trent Moore. 2018. USA. 45 min.
Sunday, July 29 at 7:30pm
A new edit of never-before-seen footage from the Bud Browne Archives featuring shots of some of Bud Browne's most frequent collaborators. The film is a visual feast that was filmed entirely in Hawaiʻi by Bud.

Also in July

HI Sk8 Films Shorts Showcase 2017
Friday, July 20 at 6pm
Saturday, July 21 at 1pm
Returning for its seventh year, the HI Sk8 Films Shorts Showcase has become a mainstay for the local skateboarding community. Join them for a program of pleasantly raucous camaraderie centered around a selection of innovative films featuring the best of local skateboarding.

Opening reception: July 20 at 6pm. Enjoy live music and skate art. Food and beer available for purchase. Doors open at 6pm. The shorts showcase screens at 7:30pm.
The Doris Duke Theatre opens its doors on Kina‘u Street one half-hour before each film screening and concert.

Doris Duke Theatre information:

Film tickets: Available at the theater door on the day of screening, beginning one half-hour before each showing, or online in advance.

Film admission: $12 general admission; $10 museum members; free for youth 17 and under at the door.

Matinee Rewards Card: Pick one up at the theater box office. When theatergoers attend three matinees, they receive free admission to a fourth screening.

Concession stand: In the lobby, visitors can purchase classic movie snacks and locally made goodies ($2-$6). Drinks include coffee, hot tea, Perrier, Bai, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, and bottled water ($2-$4.5).

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About the Honolulu Museum of Art

One of the world’s premier art museums, the Honolulu Museum of Art presents international caliber special exhibitions and features a collection that includes Hokusai, van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Picasso and Warhol, as well as traditional Asian and Hawaiian art.

Located in two of Honolulu’s most beautiful buildings, visitors enjoy two cafés, gardens, and films and concerts at the theater. The museum is dedicated to bringing together great art and people to create a more harmonious, adaptable, and enjoyable society in Hawai’i.

Locations:

Honolulu Museum of Art: 900 S. Beretania Street
Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House: 2411 Makiki Heights Drive
Honolulu Museum of Art School: 1111 Victoria Street
Honolulu Museum of Art at First Hawaiian Center: 999 Bishop Street
Honolulu Museum of Art Doris Duke Theatre: 901 Kinau Street (at rear of museum)

Website: www.honolulumuseum.org

Phone: 808-532-8700

Hours:

Honolulu Museum of Art: Tues–Sun 10 am–4:30pm; closed Monday.
Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House: Tues–Sun 10am–4pm; closed Monday.

Admission (permits entry to both museums on the same day):
$20 general admission; $10 Hawai‘i residents and active duty military living in Hawai‘i; children 18 and under are free.