Surfilmfestibal, our forum for reflection, critical thought, entertainment and dissent, returns with a multifaceted programme thanks to Patagonia’s continued and wholehearted support.

Surfzilla, the official artwork for Surfilmfestibal14

Artist Miguel Brieva's series of satirical images, inspired by an ongoing, real-life scenario, depicts the destruction of three perfect waves, sacrificed to make way for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Osaki, Kabune and Inamua are three important waves in Japan, known to surfers from all around the world. The last of the three is a world-class wave, home of the big wave contest Inamura Classic, but the construction of the breakwater for the Olympic Games will mean the end of all three of these spots. We will always be against any intervention that has a negative effect on the coast (and the natural environment more generally), but even more so when it is conducted in the name of an Olympic Games at which, on the back of developments in artificial wave technology, surfing has been touted as an Olympic sport.

This seems to us a perfect example of the neurosis that governs our society: we destroy the natural world in order to emulate it with new technology. This is one of the contradictions with which the surfing world will have to live if surfing is one day to become an Olympic sport, although it now seems unlikely that this will happen in 2020. What is certain is that in four years’ time we will lose three more waves.

The programme

Clean Waves will take place on Wednesday 22nd June at the Aquarium and will be divided into two parts: on the one hand, SurfilmPRO, which will focus on research and development, investigation into more environmentally-friendly equipment, the circular economy etc.; on the other, the usual combination of film screenings and presentations on innovative environmental projects.

Albaola Faktoria Maritima and its Nao San Juan are among the other gems we have within close distance of the city. This year we return to this incredible place with “Oceanic Adventure”, a blend of discussion, cinema and music, all created and curated by surfers and accompanied by local artisan food and drink. It’s a real treat to collaborate once again with this fantastic project, which will welcome us on Friday 24th June — the day of San Juan! Keep your eyes on the website as tickets will soon be on sale.

La Zurriola Hang Out, a hilarious day of fun and games on the beach, will be on Saturday 25th. A mix of generations and surfers from up and down the coast will fight to the death in the Zurriola Olympics 2016, partaking in such hotly anticipated events as the 100m sprint wearing fins, the 50m butterfly through the swimming zone, and the always entertaining “beach invasion”.

And from there we’ll move on to the Teatro Principal, which on Saturday night will host the riotous Calentamiento Local. On Sunday there will be two sessions — Groms Attack, followed by a very special closing ceremony that will combine cinema with live electronic music.

The next generation

Now into our fourteenth year of Surfilmfestibal, we are looking to connect with and recruit young surfers who are interested in surf culture in the same way that we were when we first started out. For us, today’s youth constitutes not only an audience but also a vast reservoir of talent. For this reason we’re supporting a collaboration with #izanezberdin, which will take the form of a short film competition and a series of activities on the beach on Saturday catering specifically for 12 to 16 year olds.

You know the drill, there’ll be more announcements in the coming weeks; keep checking surfilmfestibal.com for updates.

Surfilmfestibal14 presented by Patagonia

Organizan:
Surfilmfestibal, DonostiaKultura, Ayuntamiento Donostia-San Sebastián.

Colaboran:
Fundación Donostia San Sebastián 2016
Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
Kutxa Fundazioa
Surfing Euskadi
Surf City – Fomento San Sebastián
Albaola Faktoria Maritima
Aquarium San Sebastián
Groseko Surf Indarra
Basque Land Brewing Project
Amaiketako

Media partners:
Diario Vasco
The Inertia
MagicSeaWeed
MarGruesa
3Sesenta
SurfEurope
Staf Magazine