The 13th Annual Kona Surf Film Festival presented by ALTRES began last Saturday, Jan. 28, on the Big Island, celebrating independent films from both established and emerging surf filmmakers from around the globe.
The festival, held on the beachfront in Kailua Bay at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, has become a favorite Big Island tradition for the surfing, art and music community, and the 13th year was the biggest and best yet. Nearly 1,500 attended the event.
This year KSFF hosted 12 surf films, over 30 local art and clothing vendors and live music.
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Locals and visitors mingled with filmmakers and professional surfers, such as Shane Dorian, the Goodwin Family and Ian Walsh, while the music played and the films rolled.
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Festival founder Chad Campbell said, “2017 was the most exciting year yet. It is so amazing to see our Big Island surf community come together to celebrate the sport and the individuals that make it so great. The festival was an amazing night of inspiration brought to us by these really talented filmmakers, musicians and artists. Plus, with our local vendors, local legends and frothy groms, it was so rad to see our surf community come together.”
Included in the entertainment were musical guests Ron Artis II featuring Thunderstorm, Hualalai and Moni.
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Featured films included The Aloha Project, which highlighted some of Hawaii’s best adventure athletes, the magical Given starring the Goodwin Family and the heart-pounding action documentary Distance Between Dreams starring Ian Walsh.
Keeping the big screen tradition alive while representing the Hawai‘i Island community and the surfing culture as a whole, the 13th Annual KSFF presented by ALTRES was a stellar success, said Campbell.
In addition, KSFF helped raise money for Surfrider Foundation Kona Chapter and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.
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The festival was made possible by title sponsor ALTRES, Hawai‘i’s No. 1 human resources company. Additional support was provided by Primo Beers, Island Air, Hurley, Kohanaiki, Kona Boys, Freesurf Magazine, and all the filmmakers, musicians, artists, photographers and volunteers.
Kona Surf Film Festival. Charla Photography
Kona Surf Film Festival, Boulder crew. Charla Photography
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