The Paris Surf & Skateboard Film Festival – very first festival of its kind in France – sets up at la Gaîté Lyrique in June! Expect an exciting program with screenings and exhibitions.
First festival of its kind in France, the Paris Surf & Skateboard Film Festival offers an international selection of independant and rare movies, inspired by the practice of surf and skateboard. This festival is a special occasion to watch these movies in a cinema, since most of them never make it to french screens. The official selection of PSSFF gathers competing films (judged by a jury of professionnals), as well as non-competing films. Most of the selected films are french premiere (or at least parisian premiere). When it's possible, film crews are invited to the festival for a discussion with the audience after the screening.
Competing movies
Every film (long and short films, fictions and documentaries) tells stories allowing a reflexion that exceed simple sport practice. Themes adressed in the movies offer new perspectives on the world, creating debate and tackling social questions : women's and minorities' place, ecological questions, portrait of the youth of a country, reflexion on alternative lifestyles... They also present portraits of personnalities that participated in building these two cultures.
At the end of the four days, a jury composed by skateboard, surf and/or art pros, will award four prizes : best short film surf & skateboard, and best long film surf & skateboard.
A 3-film pass is available at our ticket office at all time during the festival!
A cultural event
In parallel to the screenings, PSSFF offers exhibitions (photographies, installations) realised by international artists from these two cultures, lectures on topical issues, and a music programmation featuring artists close to these environment (DJ sets and concerts).
Program - Day 3
12h
Gaza Surf Club
by Philip Gnadt & Mickey Yamin – Germany, 2016, 87’ (sub fr)
Trapped in “the world’s largest open-air prison” and ruled by war, a new generation is drawn to the beaches. Sick of occupation and political gridlock, they find their own personal freedom in the waves of the Mediterranean-they are the surfers of Gaza.
All profits will be donated to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
14h30 - Short films
Nous les filles 🛹
by Irene Schweizer – Switzerland - 2023 - 8’
When the first girl in a group of girlfriends gets pregnant, they all become aware of the major challenges involved in bringing femininity and skateboarding together. This video follows them to various DIY skate spots in Switzerland and France, exploring what it means to be a female skateboarder.
Crappy waves, Happy days 🌊
by Jonathan Lomar – Sweden - 2024 - 12’
Peter, a 60 year old surfer, lives by himself with his dog on a remote island in Sweden, searching for both waves and inspiration.
Back On The Board 🛹
by Kenneth Chapman – USA, 2024 - 19’
Amber Clyde is a young single mum, trying to regain her confidence (and her pre-baby skateboarding skills) while juggling the demands of motherhood.
So Bonnie Land 🌊
by Thomas Horig – Britain - 2024 - 3’
So, Bonnie Land is an ode to surfing and the little-known waves of Scotland - a wild and beautiful place - and to the people who live there.
Transenders 🛹
by Diane Russo Cheng – USA - 2024 - 10’
An intimate look into Skate Like A Girl, a nonprofit skateboarding organization, through the eyes of Alexa, a trans woman skateboarder and mentor.
The Granny Grommets 🌊
by Leah Rustomjee – Australia - 2024 - 9’
Every Friday morning, the Granny Grommets meet at Middleton Beach to catch a wave, turning the tide on what becomes expected of us as we age.
16h
Point of Change
by Rebecca Coley – United Kingdom, 2023, 90’
Stumbling across the perfect wave, two surfers start a chain reaction of unintended consequences. Perfection comes at a cost. Changed forever by the discovery of a ‘perfect wave’ in the 1970’s, POINT OF CHANGE chronicles the first surfers to ‘discover' this point at Nias island, Indonesia, and the unintended dramatic consequences that followed.
18h30
Some it Like Classic
by Romain Juchereau – France, 2024, 74’
An independent feature surf film entirely shot in beautiful 16 mm color film over 7 years, documenting long boarding and the beginning of Hotdogging through some of the most influential surfboard evolution such as the Hot Curl and Pig designs as well as some surfing pioneers history. A tribute to the 1965 surf film "Some Like It Wet »
20h - Award ceremony
20h30 - Closing ceremony
Trilogy: New Wave
by Andrew Mackenzie – Australia, 2024, 73’
This documentary follows Ethan Ewing, Griffin Colapinto, and Seth Moniz as they balance their demanding careers with lifelong friendship and a desire to rediscover the joy of surfing, free from contest scores. A story of self-discovery and champion pursuits, this film is an ode to the original surf classic, Trilogy released in 2007, starring Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and the late Andy Irons — three of the best surfers in the world at that time.