14 short films about surfing: The programme of the Hamburg Surf Film Festival

The Hamburg Surf Film Festival has published its film programme. A total of 14 short films from ten countries will be shown on 24 and 25 April in the Studio Kino (Bernstorffstraße 93-95) at 6:30 pm. The productions come from New Zealand, Germany, the USA, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Norway, Switzerland, Papua New Guinea and Spain. The running times vary between three and 32 minutes. The festival covers different aspects of surf culture: from classic surf documentaries to experimental formats and humorous short films. Several productions deal with social issues such as gender roles in surfing, mental health or sustainable consumption. Other films document extreme forms of surfing or show the artisanal traditions of board building. The jurors of the festival include Jobst von Paepcke from the "Big Sexy Pictures" team and Big Wave Rider Lena Kemna.

• All information and tickets at surffilmfestivalhamburg.de

"Wāhine Waveriders": Three generations of female surfers from New Zealand

"Wāhine Waveriders" by Kirsty Marshall and Zyanya Jackson runs for 18 minutes. The film portrays three generations of the Pou family from Riverton on New Zealand's South Island. The documentary shows how the role of women in surf culture has changed over the decades. Riverton is located away from the major surfing centres, surrounded by sheep pastures and windswept trees. The small coastal town is home to an active surfing community in which the Pou women play a central role. The film explores the changing attitudes towards female surfers over time. The three generations represent different eras of surf culture on the South Island.

"Nothing But Blue": Tim Elter about Tube Rides

Sebastian Bechtel shows the German Olympic surfer Tim Elter in "Nothing But Blue". The 16-minute short film focuses on a special discipline: tube riding. The film describes this form of surfing as extreme and original. Elter represented Germany in surfing at the 2024 Olympic Games. The production documents his uncompromising passion for this technically demanding form of surfing. Tube riding is considered to be one of the most difficult disciplines in surfing and requires precise timing as well as extensive wave knowledge.

"Breaking the Tide": Sibling rivalry on Oahu's North Shore

Katrin York's 13-minute film "Breaking the Tide" is set on the North Shore of Oahu. Siblings Jesse and Hunter grow up in the uncompromising surf culture of Hawaii. Their father exerts enormous pressure on both of them. What begins as a playful test of courage develops into a dangerous rivalry. The two must face their fears and redefine their relationship with each other. The North Shore is considered one of the most challenging surfing spots in the world. The powerful waves and the tough local scene characterise the characters of the protagonists. The film addresses the pressure that young surfers face in traditional surfing regions.

"Whomp": body surfing with a shark encounter

"Whomp" by Wendy John runs for 31 minutes and is dedicated to bodysurfing. The film portrays various bodysurfers and their passion for this sport. The production combines childhood memories with the adrenaline rush in the ocean. John describes her film as a joyful excursion into the wild world of bodysurfing. The documentary shows eccentric surfers and their unconventional approaches. The film combines cinematic aesthetics with humorous elements and salty rebellion. A shark encounter is also part of the documented material.

"Winter Kooks": Cold water surfing against winter depression

Katie Tozer and Teegan Neame present "Winter Kooks", the first river surfing film from Alberta. The 15-minute production follows two surfers in the Canadian interior. Both struggle with winter depression and find a way out in cold-water surfing. The extreme temperatures place particular demands on their equipment and bodies. The film focuses on mental health in the context of extreme sports. The two protagonists use the physical challenge as therapy against seasonal depression. Alberta is far from the coast, which makes surfing an unusual sport in the region.

"Salty": anger management for frustrated surfers

In "Salty", Josh Martin and Alex Raban present a 16-minute short film about the older surfer Dave. The protagonist visits a therapist for anger management. Dave talks about his triggers: foilers, unicycles and vanlife followers. The film takes a humorous look at the conflicts between traditional surfers and new trends. The comedy reflects cross-generational tensions in surf culture.

"Tides of Time": restoration instead of consumption

In "Tides of Time", Grégory Mignard and Yoann Renambot present a five-minute film about the restoration of an old surfboard. In a world that is geared towards buying new, the protagonist decides in favour of restoration. The plot becomes a reflection on time and consumption. The production moves between nostalgia and a critical examination of throwaway culture. The restoration of the board symbolises an alternative attitude to consumer society. Mignard and Renambot utilise the short running time to make a concentrated statement.

"Tumbana House": surfboard factory in Papua New Guinea

Matty Hannon's 30-minute documentary film "Tumbana House" documents a social project in Ulingan Bay. A self-sustaining manufactory for wooden surfboards is being built in Papua New Guinea. The project is culturally tailored to the local community. The film accompanies the construction of the production facility. The factory is intended to offer the community long-term prospects. The project combines economic development with cultural identity. Papua New Guinea has high-quality surf spots that have hardly been developed to date.

"Identidade: As Cores Da Ericeira": Identity in Portuguese surf tourism

Sara Guix Ortigosa examines the effects of tourism in "Identidade: As Cores Da Ericeira". The 25-minute film is set in Ericeira, a small Portuguese surfing town. Tradition and modernity collide. The documentary asks whether a community can preserve its identity under the pressure of tourism and rapid change. Locals, surfers and newcomers have their say. In recent years, Ericeira has developed into an international surfing hotspot. The increasing number of visitors is changing the local culture. The film documents different perspectives on this development. Ortigosa shows the tensions between economic growth and cultural identity.

"Get Lost - Find Yourself": Norwegian cold water expedition

Jacob Stærk's three-minute film "Get Lost - Find Yourself" follows Norwegian cold-water surfers. The protagonists explore the west coast of Norway in search of new waves. They find more than they bargained for. The short running time concentrates on the essence of the expedition. Norway's west coast offers numerous undiscovered surf spots. The cold temperatures and remote locations pose particular challenges. The film shows the fascination of discovery in a harsh environment. Stærk uses the film's brevity for a condensed portrayal of the search and the discovery.

"Taiwan Street": Kitesurf crossing of the Taiwan Strait

Björn Detre's 32-minute film "Taiwan Street" documents an extraordinary project. Swiss dentist and kitesurfer Geza Scholtz plans to cross the Taiwan Strait on a kite. He is travelling to Taiwan with a small team to prepare. Unpredictable winds complicate the project. The political tensions with China are an additional factor. Unforeseen obstacles push Scholtz to his limits. The Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from mainland China and is known for its difficult conditions - this is where Arnaud de Rosnay, among others, disappeared during his expedition in 1984. The film shows determination, risk and the power of nature. Scholtz combines his profession as a dentist with extreme kitesurfing projects.

"Once upon a toothpick": Traditional board building in Australia

Samuel Fairbank and Tom Wegener present an eight-minute film about traditional surfboard building in "Once upon a toothpick". Tom Wegener waits for the perfect day to test the new Mini Toothpick. The board was built for Hunter Williams. Wegener is inspired by Bill Wallace, who taught him the finer points of Toothpick building. Wallace has since passed away. Wegener passes on his knowledge to ten-year-old Hunter, an aspiring shaper from Noosa. The film shows the passing on of traditional craftsmanship between generations. The Toothpick is a special type of board with characteristic features. Noosa on Australia's east coast is considered the centre of traditional surfboard building.

"Captain Sol In The Quest For The Roasted Treasure Of The Maldives": Coffee expedition in the Maldives

Pedro Scansetti's 14-minute film "Captain Sol In The Quest For The Roasted Treasure Of The Maldives" combines surfing with coffee culture. In the turquoise waters of the Maldives, there is a centuries-old legend about a mysterious coffee recipe. Captain Sol, described as a daring barista of the seas, and his companion, the Italian, traverse the archipelago in search of it. While others search for gold, they chase caffeine, adventure and perfect waves. The film combines surf action with a humorous quest structure. The Maldives offer numerous surf spots among thousands of islands. Scansetti uses the exotic location for an unusual narrative that combines surf culture and a passion for coffee.