Next month, Nazaré, Portugal, will celebrate its rich surf culture with its inaugural Surf Film Festival, hosted by the Nazaré Alternative Sports Club. The event, set for December 28, will bring together surfers, filmmakers, artists, and fans to honor the iconic waves that have put the small coastal town on the global surfing map.
Since 2011, when Garrett McNamara famously surfed a massive wave at Nazaré, the location has become synonymous with big-wave surfing. Over the past 13 years, it has witnessed numerous Guinness World Records, thrilling big-wave titles, and unforgettable wipeouts, solidifying its reputation as one of the world’s most powerful surf destinations. Now, the town is offering a new way to celebrate its surfing legacy—a surf film festival dedicated to showcasing the spirit of Nazaré’s waves.
The festival will take place at the Cine Teatro, a local cinema, with free admission to all. In addition to screening surf films, the event will feature a range of activities including interactive workshops, artist exhibitions, and public forums with renowned surfers and filmmakers.
The film festival is open to filmmakers worldwide, with one key requirement: entries must focus on waves of significant size and intensity. Whether it’s big-wave paddling, tow-in surfing, bodyboarding, foiling, or other water crafts, the organizers are looking for films that highlight the raw power and beauty of these massive waves. The deadline for entries is December 5, so filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work before the cutoff.
The event will kick off with workshops and lectures from 4 to 9 p.m., followed by the film screenings. Attendees can look forward to five short films, each lasting up to 10 minutes, and two medium-length films, with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. Awards will be presented for Best Short Film, Best Medium-Length Film, and the film that best captures the “Spirit of Nazaré.”
In addition to the surf films, the festival aims to create a platform that connects surf cinematography with local art. Organizers hope to immerse attendees in Nazaré’s unique culture through inspiring talks, creative workshops, and art exhibitions that reflect the passion of the town’s surfing community.
“The festival goes beyond the waves,” the organizers said in a statement. “We aim to create an immersive experience that celebrates both the surf culture and the local artistry that defines Nazaré.”
With a mix of surf action, local culture, and creative collaboration, the Nazaré Surf Film Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of one of the world’s most iconic surf destinations.
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