The Saltwater Surf Movie Night returns in 2026 with a tour of Germany, presenting two new surfing documentaries under the open sky. Between 8 July and 8 September 2026, the outdoor film festival will be stopping off in Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Munich, Kiel and Freiburg. The organisers will be screening both films in the original English with German subtitles. This year’s edition focuses on two different perspectives on the sport of surfing: a personal career retrospective and an insight into the world of adaptive surfing. The tour comprises a total of nine screenings at various venues, including fantastic indoor venues such as the Rheinriff in Düsseldorf and the Wellenwerk in Berlin, as well as atmospheric open-air locations such as the Heidkate Surf School. We’re giving away 5x2 tickets for a screening of your choice!
A look back at Leon Glatzer’s career
The 77-minute documentary “Against Gravity”, directed by Matt Pain, follows German professional surfer Leon Glatzer as he looks back over his career. Glatzer was born in Hawaii, grew up in Costa Rica and now lives in Germany. He is one of the few surfers to have competed in the Olympic Games. The film traces his career and highlights his formative years by the sea, as well as the highs and lows of a professional career. At its heart lies the question of the meaning of freedom in surfing. The documentary is not intended as a traditional surf film, but rather as a personal portrait of an athlete caught between different worlds and cultural influences.
Focus on adaptive surfing for people with disabilities
“Waves Without Limits – The Spirit of Adaptive Surfing” by director Annika Zimmermann explores adaptive surfing. The film shows people with physical disabilities surfing and focuses on their everyday experience of the sport. The focus is on training, community and the sport itself, without turning the extraordinary into a spectacle. The documentary offers an objective look at a facet of surfing beyond the world of professional competition. Zimmermann focuses on the practical aspects of adaptive surfing and the people who practise the sport. The film thus complements the personal perspective of “Against Gravity” with a community-oriented view of the sport of surfing.
The trailer for Saltwater Surf Move Night 2026
Dates for Saltwater Surf Movie Night 2026:
- 8 July 2026: Zeise Kino, Hamburg
- 28 July 2026: Schanzen Open Air, Hamburg
- 2 August 2026: Wellenwerk, Berlin
- 18 August 2026: Schanzen Open Air, Hamburg
- 23 August 2026: RheinRiff, Düsseldorf
- 25 August 2026: Naturstrom Open Air, Cologne
- 30 August 2026: Cinema, Moon & Stars, Munich
- 5 September 2026: Heidkate Surf Station, Kiel
- 8 September 2026: Irie Surf, Freiburg
Tickets are available directly from the respective venues; for more information, see Instagram at @saltwatersurfmovienight
Competition: 5x2 cinema tickets at a venue of your choice!
We’re giving away 5 pairs of tickets for an event of your choice!
The closing date for entries is 7 July 2026, the winners will be notified by email and added to the guest list!
