The Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) announced its 2011 Action Sports Film Series (ASFS), that will take place during the week of the Newport Beach Film Festival (April 28 – May 5, 2011) in Orange County, CA.
The NBFF Action Sports Film Series will spotlight 23 films from around the world. The Action Sports Film Series will celebrate athletes pushing the limits in some of the world’s most challenging and spectacular outdoor playgrounds and give filmgoers an opportunity to experience breathtaking cinematography, cultural journeys, in-depth portrayals and compelling stories that explore the physical, emotional, historical and spiritual realms of surfing, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, stand up paddle boarding, cycling and motocross.
West Coast Premieres include Adam Pesce’s Splinters, chronicling the evolution of indigenous surfing in Papau New Guinea, its emerging surf talent and the sports impact on one village’s social dynamics; Like A Lion, an in-depth behind the scenes portrayal of ski champion Tanner Hall; and Alex DePhillipo’s Dark Fall following the adventures of brave cold-water surfers catching killer waves on the East Coast.
The Festival will showcase Quiksilver’s surf film Eddie’s Day, chronicling the annual Eddie Aikau event on Waimea Bay and Quiksilver’s new short film Moments, starring Dane Reynolds, Kelly Slater, Jeremy Flores, Clay Marzo and Craig Anderson. The Festival will screen Body Glove’s surf film Drop Zone: Fiji with surfers Holly Beck, Alex Gray, Cheyne Magnusson and filmmakers Greg Browning, Scott Daley, Scott Smith, Jenny Lane scheduled to attend.
The NBFF Action Sports Film Series will spotlight two local Southern California films. Stoked & Broke follows OC native surfer Cyrus Sutton and Ryan Burch on an entertaining journey into the oceans and streets of San Diego on a shoestring budget. James Cheeks III’s skate film On The Grind takes us into the depths of the Long Beach skate scene.
World cinema highlights include Surfing With The Enemy a film about the difficult challenges of surfers in Havana, Cuba; Taylor Steele’s Castles In The Sky follows surfers Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado, Dave Rastovich, Jordy Smith, Dan Malloy, Craig Anderson, Tim Curran, Kalani Robb, Mike Losness to Iceland, Peru, India, and Africa; Way of The Ocean captures the pure essence of Australia’s ocean; Out Of The Shadows spotlights insanely adventurous skiers conquering the slopes of Canada.
From the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics to the Whitefish race in 2001, Zeke Piestrup’s new film Downhill: The Bill Johnson Story chronicles the life of Olympic Gold medalist rebel skier Bill Johnson, his traumatic brain injury and miraculous recovery.
The NBFF Action Sports Film Series will showcase two shorts programs. Action Sports Shorts features The Physics Of Surfing,Confiskate, Surfing The Silver Dragon, Solo and Calling On Others. The Festival’s Global Action Sports Shorts includes At Equilibrium from Bulgaria, The Lone Jackal from South Africa and The Baja Wave Document from Mexico.
2011 NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL Action Sports Film Series Lineup
2010 XXL Global Big Wave Awards (2010, 48 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Paul Taublieb, Sam George
Cast: Shane Dorian, Greg Noll, Mark Healy, Greg Long, Keala Kenneally
The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, powered by Monster is the ultimate surfing competition, and has been honoring the greatest achievements and waves in surfing for years. The extreme surf culture and tenacity of these surfers is showcased as they ride the biggest and most challenging waves on earth during one of the greatest big wave seasons in history. There are no bigger waves and there is no bigger competition than the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.
At Equilibrium (2010, 32 minutes, Bulgaria)
Directed by Rene Eckert
Snowboarding in Eastern Europe is not a counter-culture symbol like it is in the playgrounds of the affluent — it is about as robust an outlet of personal expression and freedom as you can get. Featuring a stellar lineup of professional snowboard riders, from seven countries this film gives an insight about development of scene and sport in Bulgaria.
Calling On Others (2010, 27 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Scott LeDuc, Andrew Matthews
Cast: Andrew Matthews, Made ‘Moy’ Rian, Gede ‘Jun’ Juniarta, Made ‘Karbit’ Mariasa, Gede ‘Sodox’ Surya Atmaja Putra
Youth visit a surfing community in Bali to make a film and, along the way, receive education and a scholarship opportunity.
Castles In The Sky (2010, 53 minutes, India, Peru, Vietnam, Africa, Iceland)
Directed by Taylor Steele
Cast: Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado, Dave Rastovich, Jordy Smith, Dan Malloy, Craig Anderson, Tim Curran, Kalani Robb, Mike Losness
Covering such exotic locations as Iceland, Peru, India, and Africa, the surfers travel through these locations with a sense of openminded awe. We follow their adventures and experience it with them. With never-before seen waves and some of the best surfers in the world contributing their art, passion and athleticism, this is as close to the experience of pioneering new coastlines as you can get without getting on a plane.
Confiskate (2009, 45 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Paul C Barranco
Cast: Andrew White,Tony Winters & Josh Campos
Confiskate features pro skater, Josh Campos along with a handful of his closest friends as they session a hand-rail. The Network ID is a comedic narrative that toys with the synergies between street skaters and a security guard.
Dark Fall (2010, 74 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Alex Dephillipo
Cast: Dean Randazzo, Sam Hammer, Andrew Gesler, Zach Humphries, Clay Pollioni, Mike Gleason, Flynn Novak, Kelly Slater, Kalani Chapman, Keali’i Mamala
Follow a unique group of surfers as they tackle some of the best surf right in their own back yard as well as remote locations across the globe. This film gives a look at the lifestyle of a cold-water surfer as well as the most prestigious time for a East Coast surfer-Fall with music by The Parlor Mob, ASG, Jumpship, Chris Arena, Sabotoge Soundsytem, Dan Dombrowsky, The Bouncing Souls, Bruce Springsteen and more.
Downhill: The Bill Johnson Story (2010, 96 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Zeke Piestrup
Cast: Phil Mahre, Franz Klammer, Billy Kidd, Todd Brooker, Thomas Vonn, Erik Steinberg, John Creel
Bill Johnson’s story is the ultimate Greek Tragedy of an Olympic champion. With his statement, ‘Everyone else is racing for second place’, he quickly became known for his cocky mouth and brash attitude. When he delivered on his promise at the í84 Winter Olympics, he became the first American man to win a gold medal for the U.S. in ski racing. After failing to qualify for the ’88 U.S. downhill team, Johnson officially retired from ski racing. Having exhausted all options, broke and living in an RV, Bill attempted a comeback at 40 years old. Now, with time and his aging body working against him, Bill puts it all on the line in an attempt to get back his family and the life he once had.
Drop Zone: Fiji (2010, 53 minutes, Fiji, U.S.A.)
Directed by Greg Browning
Cast: Alex Gray, Holly Beck, Cheyne Magnusson, Maria Del Mar, Bede Durbidge
Four world-class surfers-turned-divers set off on an adventure as they travel the south pacific. The crew heads out in search of pristine dive locations to chase down some of the most epic surf on the planet. They head to Tavarua to surf the world famous Cloudbreak and scuba dive with bull sharks, vibrant fish, and friendly turtles. The lush environment provides rich entertainment and spawns an unlikely new duo. Through this harrowing experience, the crew gets to know the true Fijian culture by interacting with the islanders as well as the environment they have truly come to appreciate.
Eddie’s Day (2010, 44 minutes, Australia)
Directed by Nick Carroll
Eddie Aikau is one of the greatest big wave riders who ever lived. The universal strength and appeal of “The Eddie” surf contest is a testament to the human spirit it honors and that we all seek to connect with: a life dedicated with meaning, lived with passion, and exited from heroically. The “Eddie” is not just a surf contest. It is an event which doesn’t happen every year, but when it does, there’s nothing like it. Twenty-eight of the world’s finest big wave riders gather at Waimea Bay on the biggest day of the year to ride in Eddie’s tracks. It’s a waterman’s Woodstock with thousands of people sharing the stoke.
Like A Lion (2010, 93 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Eric Iberg, Shane Nelson
Cast: Tanner Hall, Glen Plake, Jonny Moseley, Jon Olsson, Pep Fujas, Cr Johnson
From a rebellious past as a high school dropout to seven ESPN X-Games Gold medals, Tanner Hall is the winningest and most controversial skier of the last decade. He has experienced it all, from adversity and self-confidence to tragedy and triumph. But beyond skiing, action sports stardom, and rock-star clichÈs, the high-risk, high adrenaline life of a sports icon demonstrates the kind of courage that compels the best to continually comeback from life’s toughest blows.
The Lone Jackal (2010, 24 minutes, South Africa)
Directed by Jonathan Grant Wheeler
Enjoy an artistic perspective of motocross in Africa. Follow freestyle FMX rider Alastair Sayer on his action packed adventures.
Moments (2011, 15 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Jamie Tierney
Cast: Dane Reynolds, Kelly Slater, Jeremy Flores, Clay Marzo, Craig Anderson
Moments showcases the talents of Quiksilver’s elite surf team while exploring their unique personalities.
On The Grind (2009, 26 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by James Cheeks III
Cast: Rob Gonzalez, Chad Tim Tim, Danny Montoya, Kevin Paylor, Marquise Packer, Bunthin Hem, Roby Sandoval, Laurietta King
In Long Beach, skateboarding isn’t just some suburban sport – it’s a means of survival…
Out Of The Shadows (2010, 58 minutes, Canada)
Directed by Athan Merrick, Nicolas Teichrob
Cast: PY Leblanc, Chris Turpin, Brett Crabtree, Jon Larsson, Maxim Arsenault, Eliel Hindert, Christian Boucher, Dave Treadway, Mathieu Gagnon Theriault, Ian Cheddar Watson, Dave Gheriani, Adam Topshee, Alex Blais, Athan Merrick
Shot in the mountains of British Columbia, several skiers, who have been in the shadows for far too long, shred the mountains of British Columbia with uninhibited passion. Featuring high-energy stunts and amazing feats, these fine athletes share what they love more than anything: the freedom and thrill that accompanies their sport.
The Physics Of Surfing (2010, 26 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Greg Passmore
Follow pro surfers Julie Cox and Kyla Langen as they surf at various locations around the world. Using advanced camera equipment and technology, filmmaker Greg Passmore explores the science and physics behind the poetic imagery of surfing.
Solo (2010, 7 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Jason Ryan
Cast: Steven Mueller
Toiling on an arid and cracked landscape, a man grooms earthen monuments into a functional outlet for his bike skills.
Splinters (2011, 94 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Adam Pesce
In the 1980s, a pilot left behind a surfboard in a remote seaside village in Papua New Guinea, a land known for cargo cults and cannibalism. Twenty years later, the sport of surfing is not only growing, but has become a means to prestige among those in the village. The countercultural sport is a unique catalyst for social change as women gain newfound status in a violent, patriarchal community. The surfing experiment comes to a head when four village surfers compete in the country’s first-ever national surfing titles. As the village grapples with its identity, these young heroes hold on to the idea that a spot on the New Guinea surfing team is their only way to see life outside of their village.
Stoked & Broke (2010, 56 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Cyrus Sutton, Ryan Burch
Cast: Cyrus Sutton, Richard Kenvin
Making their own boards, bamboo rickshaws, solar cookers, and hobo stoves, two surfer friends set off on a 30 mile, eight day walk through San Diego, CA. Consulting bums, panhandling, selling sage, and collecting cans, they attempt to show the surfing culture that great adventures can be had anywhere. But what begins as a guide to taking a minimalist surfing journey, quickly becomes an examination of the relationship between freedom and alienation.
Surfing The Silver Dragon (2010, 22 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Paul C. Barranco
Cast: Jamie Sterling, Rusty Long, Marcos Sifu, Sergio Laus
Join two pro surfers as they take on China’s Qiantand River, one of the world’s longest tidal bores.
Surfing With The Enemy (2010, 54 minutes U.S.A., Cuba)
Directed by Adam Preskill, Scott Braman, Narrated by Lance Henriksen
This is the story of a group of surfers from Havana struggling to establish a niche for their sport in Cuba’s restrictive society. Guided by Eduardo Valdes, founder of the Havana Surf Association, two filmmakers from Venice Beach traveled across the island to the infamous Guantanamo province, home to the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay. Searching for surf along this controversial stretch of land, they discover a forbidden paradise that is home to the country’s best waves just miles from the U.S. coastline. It is here where they learn what it means to be a surfer and a citizen of modern-day Cuba.
Tanker Love (2011, 14 minutes, U.S.A.)
Directed by Brian Meehan
Some of the world’s most legendary stand-up paddlers surf waves created by oil tankers in Galveston Bay while raising awareness of the destruction left by Hurricane Ike.
Way of The Ocean (2010, 53 minutes, Australia)
Directed by Matt Kleiner
Cast: Asher Pacey, Adam Robertson, Josh Kerr, Kelly Slater
Explore the connection between man and the sea through a visual feast of poetic motion. The world’s largest island provides a breathtaking backdrop to some of the best surfing found on the planet. Australia has become a mainstream pursuit for surfers from all corners of the globe. From the tropical paradise of the Great Barrier Reef down through the frigid Southern Ocean and up to the arid desert of the West, we see an intimate portrait of this unique land. Welcome to the odyssey of your life. Welcome to Australia.
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