The 12th annual Surfalorus Film Festival, presented by NC Aquariums, brings some of the year’s most innovative and creative surf movies to the Outer Banks for a three-day celebration from September 18 to 20, 2023 during the Eastern Surf Championships at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, NC. A total of seventeen films will screen at this year’s Surfalorus along with a special afternoon of short films by surf legend George Greenough.
The festival kicks off on Monday evening with live music from festival director Zach Hanner and a handful of guests followed by Mikey Corker’s documentary film Savage Waters. The jaw-dropping film follows modern adventurers, like professional big wave surfer Andrew Cotton, as they attempt to sail through treacherous seas just to tackle some of the most dangerous waters in the Atlantic. A discussion with the filmmaker will follow the screening.
On Tuesday, September 19th, festivities begin at 5pm with six short classic films from surf pioneer and innovator George Greenough, screened for the first time in the states. Following the screening, attendees will have the chance to learn about the current state of coastal aquaculture from special guests from the NC Oyster Trail. Guest farmer Tyler Hofe, from Kinnakeet Oyster Company, will share his story as one of the state’s growing community of shellfish farmers. Guests will also get to enjoy some of the finest and freshest oysters in the area!
Piping Plover Shorts round out the evening with highlights such as Juvenile Rippers 3 from teenage Surfalorus alum Christian Castiglione (a.k.a. Meeps) and the short documentary about Surfers Healing, Ministry of Surf. Providing an intimate look inside the healing power of water and surfing, Ministry of Surf follows the surfers who offer “one perfect day” to kids worldwide that are living with autism. Surfers Healing co-founder Izzy Paskowitz said, “Children with autism often suffer from sensory overload [and] we wanted to bring joy into the lives of children with
autism and their families. When I saw this film that Keith and Collins Reagan put together, it was the first time I didn’t hate seeing myself [on screen]. I think it’s down to the honesty of the film and how they tell the story of both the kids we surf with and the Surfers Healing instructors themselves.”
Closing night of the festival will feature more live music by Zach Hanner and festival technical director CB Johnson, along with the Pearly Shells shorts block and closing night awards ceremony. Feature film Wade in the Water screens at 7pm, chronicling the 1,000-year-old Pan-African surfing tradition that stretched the coastline of West Africa and has since taken root in America. A post-screening bonfire on the beach will follow for festival attendees to wind down, talk story and plan their next projects!
“This year’s Surfalorus Surf Film Festival has the potential to be the best yet,” said festival director Zach Hanner. “Now that we’ve gotten in the groove of running alongside the ESA contest, we’ve managed to hit a sweet spot in terms of convenience, programming and building a consistent audience. The variety of shorts and features you’ll see at this year’s festival rivals any other surf festival in the world. We’re very fortunate to have received dozens of amazing submissions this year and are stoked to bring them back to our loyal crew on the Outer Banks.”
Tickets are on sale now at surfalorus.eventive.org for all screenings. An all-access pass can be purchased for only $25. The 12th annual Surfalorus Film Festival is presented by North Carolina Aquariums, Jennette’s Pier and is a co-presentation of the Cucalorus Film Foundation and Dare Arts with support from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. Contact dan@cucalorus.org for more information. Graphics and high-resolution photos for featured films are available upon request.
