Film fest back on the Surf Coast

Surf films return to Torquay with the twelfth running of the Bells Beach Surf Film Festival.

The festival features surf films from Australia and around the world including Stacey Peralta’s feature length film The Ying and Yang of Gerry Lopez, Jack Coleman’s Natural High featuring eight time world surf champion Stephanie Gilmore and African Territory from Argentinian surf explorers the Azulay brothers.

Festival director John Foss is excited about the 2023 program.

“After a two year absence we are stoked to be back at the Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay in January screening some amazing surf films,” he said.

“Our opening night short film is Not Dark Yet…a beautifully shot journey through Sydney’s waves during COVID from James Kates.

“Screening with local short documentary Klemm Bell and Pat Morgan and The Ying and Yang of Gerry Lopez, which recently sold out sessions across Australia.”

Friday January 6 is ‘locals night’ with films made by local filmmakers surfing along the Surf Coast and down the Great Ocean Road.

The 2023 Bells Beach Surf Film Festival will run from January 5 to 7 at the Australian National Surfing Museum. Doors open at 7.30pm and all films start at 8pm. Tickets: eventbrite.com