Reel surfing to make a splash in Halifax

The 1st Annual Canadian Surf Film Festival (CSFF) will take place at the Empire Park Lane Cinemas in Halifax, Nova Scotia From September 30 to October 2, 2010.

Created by four Nova Scotian surfers, the CSFF will be a celebration of surf films and Canadian surf culture. The three-day event will include screenings, presentations and receptions.

“When I hear about a surf film screening in town, I get excited,” says Keith Maddison, CSFF co-founder. “Everyone shows up and is stoked to be there. So we wanted to create an event around surf films in our community.”

Renown surf photographer and filmmaker Yassine Ouhilal is also a co-founder of the festival.

“Surfing in Nova Scotia has been around here since the Sixties and with the CSFF, we will honor that heritage by showcasing classic films as well as exciting new releases,” says Ouhilal.

Included in the CSFF will be a competition for Canadians to create short 10-minute surf films with the best ones premiering at the festival.

“We want the community to be involved,” says Walter Forsyth, another CSFF founder, “and what better way to participate than to make a film.”

Deadline for submissions is September 3. For complete details, check out the recently-launched CSFF website.

The Canadian Surf Film Festival is also partnering with the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) and the Coastal Access Committee to help raise awareness of their efforts.

“We would like to see the local surf culture to continue evolving in positive ways and we think an annual festival can contribute to this,” says Maddison. “Plus, if the ocean is flat, it’s the next best thing.”

In addition to festival details, the CSFF website includes a forum for surfers and surf culture enthusiasts to discuss surf films and culture and to promote their own surf art. It will be updated frequently in the coming months.

For more information, sponsorship, volunteer or competition details please email: info@canadiansurffilmfestival.com