Florida Surf Film Festival Announces 2015 Awards

For Immediate Release:

January 17, 2016

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Photo: Kris Kerr

New Smyrna Beach, FL – The Third Annual Florida Surf Film Festival (FSFF) is a wrap, and the screening panelists and founders are pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 awards.

“Our third year was truly amazing, not only with the spectacular lineup of films, but with the attendance of so many filmmakers and athletes, the continuation of our Photography Workshop Series featuring world-renowned lens-man Morgan Maassen, and the art show featuring work from Ty Williams, Mr. Maassen and others.  We continuously try to elevate the event,” said Festival Director and Co-Founder, John Brooks.  “We are excited about the ongoing partnerships we share with the Atlantic Center for the Arts and our new Presenting Sponsor, Monster Energy, and we look forward to growing the festival for our fans and especially the filmmakers.”

The 2015 festival kicked off Friday with a star-studded lineup of filmmakers and surfers in attendence.  During the day on Friday, FSFF featured a photography workshop hosted by Morgan Maassen, and he opened Friday night with a live, narrated slideshow featuring his cumulative works, including his first ever published photo and three short films.  Australia’s own Joseph Ryan presented his multi-award winning documentary Fish to a packed house and added yet another award (see below) to his already impressive tally.  The third screening featured returning filmmakers Ben Weiland and Joe G.  Mr. Weiland presented his award winning short film, Faroes, The Outpost Vol. 2, and Mr. G. presented his short film collaboration with Dion Agius, +/+.  Next up, Nate Tyler was in attendance to present his new short film, Mute, along with executive producer, Tim English.  The late night crowd was treated to a few more films, including Sean Benik’s Spinning at the Speed of Now.

On Saturday night, Garrett Spencer and John Massey got things started with their short films Salty Air Stare and Return, respectively.  Patrick McMahon wrapped up the first screening with his beautiful film Dulce.  One of the highlights of the weekend was the culmination of the Volcom East Coast tour of their highly-anticipated feature film, Psychic Migrations, and festival-goers were treated to insights from filmmaker Ryan Thomas and starring surfer Nate Tyler.  With over 500 people packed into the Atlantic Center for the Arts and the mind-blowing soundtrack from Psychic Migrations, the atmosphere was electric and served as a fitting climax of the incredible weekend.

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Photo: Bobby Levy

The screening panelists have entered their selections, along with our viewers’ choices.  The awards are as follows:

  • Best Documentary – Feature:  Fish; Director – Joseph Ryan
  • Best Surf Flick – Feature:  Psychic Migrations; Director – Ryan Thomas
  • Best Cinematography – Feature:  Psychic Migrations; Director – Ryan Thomas
  • Best Soundtrack – Feature:  Psychic Migrations; Director – Ryan Thomas
  • Viewers Choice – Feature:  Ocean Driven; Director – Aurelia Productions/Nadia Tarlow
  • Best Documentary – Short:  A Fisherman’s Son;  Director – Chris Malloy
  • Best Surf Flick – Short:  Spinning at the Speed of Now; Director – Sean Benik
  • Best Cinematography – Short:  Faroes, The Outpost Vol. 2; Director – Ben Weiland
  • Best Soundtrack – Short:  Brother; Director – Kai Neville/What Youth
  • Viewers Choice – Short:  Dulce; Director – Patrick McMahon