Canadian Surf Film Festival
Film
festival fever continues in Halifax, Nova Scotia with the third annual Canadian
Surf Film Festival. It kicks off today in the midst of hurricane season when
the province’s swells begin to show their mighty roar.
The
four-day festival consists of evening films preceded and followed by parties
and events, including surfer’s yoga, a Garrison Brewery tour, a surfing-themed
art show and an “ass shaking good time” with the Mellotones. On Thursday,
Saturday and Sunday nights, attendees have the choice between two films. The
Short Film Challenge takes place on Friday. (Last year, musician Matt Mays’
short ‘Surfer Road’ was awarded the top prize among the cross-Canadian
submissions).
The
festival’s marketing manager, Jessica Flynn says people might be reluctant to
come if they’re not surfers, but they shouldn’t be. “What’s most important
about our festival is it’s not just about surfing,” Flynn explains. “This year
for example, we have films about marine wildlife conservation, anti-nuclear
movements [tied to the disaster in Fukushima]; we have a beautiful film that
was filmed in Chile... That’s what’s great about the festival. It’s
ocean-minded at the centre, and surfing is definitely at the root of it, but
it’s just so much more than that. People need to read about the films and then
they will say, ‘Oh wow! Okay I will come’. If you’re into adventure we have
this crazy one about these guys living in an isolated bay in Norway for nine
months…We look for more than just surfing when we choose our films.”
In
addition to attracting locals, the festival also draws in audience members from
afar. Flynn shares that last year visitors from Australia attended and this
year they are expecting people from Ontario, Quebec, New Jersey and the UK.
You
can either buy individual tickets for each film ($10 + tax) or buy an All
Access pass which grants you admission to all the films and parties ($75 tax
included). Buy tickets at the festival’s box office in Park Lane Mall, If Only
Surf Shop or online: www.csff.ca
~By Michelle Brunet
