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LOCKDOWN SURF FILM FESTIVAL

LOCKDOWN SURF FILM FESTIVAL

People all over the world are coming up with increasingly-creative ways to keep us feeling connected and stimulated, even if many of us are isolated in our homes. The latest case in point: The Lockdown Surf Film Festival.

SURFER MAGAZINE
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The multi award-winning movie The Seawolf Dir. Ben Gulliver opened Lockdown Surf Film Festival

THE IDEA

As a response to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns and self isolation, we wanted to quickly create an online event to unite the global surf community, to support surfers and creatives and to keep the stoke fires going.

Founded by Chris Nelson & Demi Taylor.

THE RESULT

Launched Friday 27th March 2020, Edition 1 Lockdown Surf x Film Festival was a free, rolling, remote festival & celebration of surf culture. Devised, developed and delivered, from concept to launch in 5 days including branding, website, media campaign and original content. A community activation bringing together the global surf family and resulting in a viewership of sixty thousand unique users, global media impact and global brand engagement across a ten week period. We curated a handpicked line up of 14 of the very best movies. Each film was available for free, online for 24hrs. Each screening was accompanied by filmmaker talks in conversation with some of the most celebrated cultural commentators.

THE APPROACH

We wanted to quickly create a space to help our community through what might be a long period of life on hold. From idea to design, build and launch in one week, the result was a truly international online festival celebrating the very best of contemporary surf culture.

A remote surf culture happening, Lockdown Surf Film Festival delivered a rolling, evolving festival and a community event for surfers and creatives. Drawing on our network we were delighted to work with the most exciting and relevant creatives from across the globe to host a series of free film screenings. Alongside, we produced a series of intimate interviews featuring directors and talent in conversation with surf culture luminaries and leading raconteurs including Smash Surf’s Tyler Breuer, Surf Splendor’s David Scales, Looking Sideways’ Matt Barr as well as Approaching Lines’ own Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor. LSFF captured the zeitgeist of the moment, engaging a world wide audience with a third from the UK, a third from the USA and the remainder from across the globe including Aus, Ger, Can, SA, NZ and South America.

FOUND FOOTAGE FILES

Keeping the creativity rolling we established The Found Footage Files short film competition. Celebrating the art of breathing new life into archive footage, filmmakers were invited to enter a short film up to 5 minutes in length using old, footage from their files. The twelve best films are showcased HERE.

WiFi WAVES

In association with award winning filmmaker Chris McClean and Backwash we also co-produced WiFi Waves. This crowdsourced movie project celebrated the power of community. Featuring some of the very best clips, rushes and sessions from a host of surfers and filmmakers across the globe, the project was edited by @chrismcclean and scored by @cj_mirra & @lacurren. WiFi Waves premiered as part of the gala closing of Edition 1 Lockdown Surf Film Festival.

Lockdown Surf Film Festival was produced with the kind help and support of our international network of surf creatives.

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SORRIA DIR. GABRIEL NOVIS – LOCKDOWN SURF FILM FESTIVAL

These are unprecedented times. Self-isolation. Surf bans. Lockdowns. So, the fine folk at London Surf / Film Festival have assembled a motley crew from all corners of the surfing world, to bring you the Lockdown Surf Film Festival.

Jason Lock, Editor Magicseaweed
DIR. BEN GULLIVER IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS NELSON FOR LOCKDOWN SURF FILM FESTIVAL
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LOCKDOWN SURF FILM FESTIVAL

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LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL

The coolest film festival in London… actually the coolest film festival anywhere. 

Vince Medeiros, Founder TCO London, Huck, Little White Lies
London Surf / Film Festival an annual celebration of the cream of international surf, film, art, culture.

THE IDEA

To produce a celebration of the cream of international surf, film, art, culture, bringing to the UK the very best surf films from around the globe accompanied by talks from surfing’s leading lights.

Founded by Chris Nelson & Demi Taylor

THE RESULT

Founded in 2011 by Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor, 2020 is the 10th Anniversary of the London Surf / Film Festival.

Attended by 2,000 surfers and creatives, it is the largest celebration of surf culture in the UK, a must attend event.

Hosted at iconic and underground venues across the capital, LS/FF curates 4 nights of sell out premieres – a hand picked programme of the hottest films from around the globe to inspire, enlighten and entertain.

Accompanied by talks with waveriding’s most inspiring heroes and icons plus gallery shows, live music and more, LS/FF elevates and navigates the intersection of surfing and culture.

LS/FF generates some 5 million press impressions annually.

THE APPROACH

We wanted to produce an international festival that celebrated the very best of contemporary surf / film / art / culture / while rooted in the heart of the UK scene. Celebrating and elevating the intersection of surfing and culture, London Surf / Film Festival is a community, a destination event for surfers and surf creatives from the UK and beyond.

Founded in 2011, this annual 4 day event has grown to be the largest celebration of surf culture in the UK. Bringing to the UK the very best movies and projects, we work with the most exciting and relevant filmmakers and creatives from across the globe. Hosting packed out premieres, gallery shows, live music events and audiences we work with some of the most inspiring names in surfing – from world champions like Stephanie Gilmore, icons like Rob Machado, big wave chargers like Albee Layer and Paige Alms and creatives like Alex Knost and Lee Ann Curren.

Alongside the international programme, we established The Shorties. The short film competition is at the very heart of the festival and exclusively showcases emerging and established homegrown talent.

WE DO

We produce the event from inception to delivery, from programme curation and talent management to sponsorship, PR, marketing and activations as well as hosting live talks and Q+A’s with filmmakers, surfers and creatives at the event. LS/FF is an Approaching Lines Production.

London Surf / Film Festival an annual celebration of the cream of international surf, film, art, culture.

LS/FF is an essential cultural happening, a meeting of minds from all sides of the surfing sphere… it is the must attend for anyone serious about surfing in the UK.

Roger Sharp, Editor Carve Magazine

More than just a film festival, LS/FF fully embodies the spirit of surfing – the comradery, the tales of scoring or not; it is the pinnacle of the surfing calendar.

Jason Lock, Editor Magicseaweed
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LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL

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