2007 WINNING FILMS                                                           
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A Fish Tale - Western Australia  
In the race for oil… voices from the deep cry out to be heard.
The beauty of Western Australia’s Rottnest Island is matched only by its uniqueness. Home
to many species of tropical fish, some from as far south as Antarctica, it is a place one would
presume a heritage site. This documentary shows the diversity, the beauty and the rarity of
this unique place. It also tells the story of how greed is destroying this environment and how
many fish and other marine animals may be under threat, as the race for new oil deposits
gathers momentum. Interviews with leading experts on the marine environment, coupled with
exquisite footage, tell an emotional tale of commerce over what we value most.

Sharks: Stewards of the Reef  - Polynesia   
Writer: David McGuire  Director: Holiday Johnson  
Few of us have the fortune to swim with sharks. Diving the remote reefs of Polynesia, we
experienced the grace and beauty of shark. Like the ancient Polynesians, we learned to
respect, not fear sharks, and we learned the importance of sharks to the ocean ecosystem.
We know they must be protected.
"Sharks: Stewards of the reef," examines threats to sharks, their importance ecologically and
how we can protect these important ocean predators

South Wind on Hilton Beach - Israel
Writer: Karin Kalner
The story begins with Dr. Dorian Peskovich, a Jewish American surfing champion from
Hawaii who, surfing on the waves of Zionism, introduced the first surfboards to the Frishman
Beach gang in Israel. This band of guys were the mythological lifeguards of the sixties, who
went on to become the first surfers and together with their children, transformed surfing into
an escape from the Israeli reality. They found their freedom in the waves and sea.
The film documents their metamorphosis from outsiders fighting for their right to surf until
their peak at the European championship. They captured the adoration of youngsters, set
the tone in fashion  and music  and were the cultural icons of the late eighties.
Like the waves themselves, these surfers rose and fall. It is also a film about the Israeli
character and the need to escape it.

Heart of a Soul Surfer - Hawaii
Producer and Director - Becky Baumgartner
A simple teenager from a small island community becomes a beacon of hope after a 14 foot
shark takes her arm. This film digs deep into the heart of strong young woman to get back
on her surfboard just a few weeks later, and win the 2005 NSSA National Surf
Championships. She finds her purpose in life to inspire others through her faith in God.

Favela Surf Dreams - Rio de Janeiro
Dean Hammer 6 minutes
A notorious slum in Brazil is turning out some superb young wave riders.

Joy Ride - Hawaii & Mainland
7 minutes
Surfing was invented more than 500 years ago by the Hawaiians, but only members of the  
royalty  were allowed to stand up on longboards. Commoners used much shorter Papio
Boards, and rode on their bellies. It is the same today, and this film documents  the
fascinating history and sociology of bodyboarding with historical photos, interviews, and
recent HD footage that goes deep into the barrel, with radical maneuvers, and aerial
gymnastics including Leila Alli getting barreled at the Pipe, and Mike Steward at  giant Jaws.

The Dangerous Archipelago - Sea Kayaking French Polynesia -Jon Bowermaster
The Tuamotus are a 1000 mile stretch of coral reef known for it's Black Pearls and sharks.
A 5 week exploration of the health of the reefs and the lives of the people who live and
depend on these most-remote atolls to discover that a way of life, both culturally and
environmentally, is at great risk here in paradise.

Drawing Lines - Mainland
Josh Bolton
Follows 2 surfers along the entire east coast during hurricane season.

Hawaiian Showers - Hawaii

Be Cool to The Turtles by Da Honus - Hawaii
Eric Rosenfeld, Jules Nathan

Encounter - Hawaii
B. Stude




Down the Barrel - Tahiti and Hawaii
Steven B. Lawrence, Mike Prickett Water D.P.
Documentary on surfing featuring Slater, Machado, Parko and Kalani Robb.
Winning Student Film - "Be Cool to Turtles by da Honu's" -
a comedy music video done in gangsta rap starring the UH Student Video and Filmmakers Association in turtle
costumes railing against injustices done to sea turtles. (“Trying to ride on my back, I think you’re trippin, fool, go
take yourself to Sea World and try and play with Shamu!”).

South Shore's Brunda Stude gives us a glimpse of the dolphins at Polihale in her short film "Encounter."

“Joy Ride” details the history of the short “Papio” Boards invented 500 years ago by the Hawaiians. Only
members of the royalty were allowed to stand up on longboards, commoners used the Papio boards and rode
on their bellies. It is the same today, and this film documents  the fascinating history and sociology of
bodyboarding with historical photos, interviews, and  recent HD footage that goes deep into the barrel, with
radical maneuvers, and aerial gymnastics of Leila Alli getting barreled at the Pipe, and Mike Steward at giant
Jaws. 6 min.

"Heart of a Soul Surfer" - Becky Baumgartner captures the uplifting story of young Bethany Hamilton's recovery
from a shark attack. This film digs deep into the heart of strong young woman to get back on her surfboard just
a few weeks later, and win the 2005 NSSA National Surf Championships. She finds her purpose in life to inspire
others through her faith in God. 31 min


“Hawaiian Showers is a beautiful underwater 5 minute film on the delicate interaction between marine species to
clean and care for each other. Bryce and Jen Groak are Big Island residents, who fondly remember Kauai.

Contemporary environmental issues include Kauai film maker Teresa Tico who takes us on an expedition to
Antartica where the whales, seabirds, seals, and penguins reigned over the icy cold environment untouched by
war, industry, and man. Exploring the glaciers and research stations with noted scientists, we learn that the
effects of global warming are just the tip of the iceberg, when she returns to Oahu and learns what a one meter
sea level
rise will do to the islands.
Her love of Hawaii is mirrored in the ice of Antartica, as she raises our awareness and challenges us to become  
ambassadors of Antartica and watchdogs of policy and planning. 35 min.


“A Fish Tale” - 14 min.
What lurks below Western Australia’s Rottnest Island ? tropical fish, whales, other marine animals, and a lot of
oil.  As the race for new oil deposits gathers momentum, voices from the deep cry out to be heard.  But they can’
t be heard through the sound waves generated by exploration, greed, and the effects of oil on the environment.  
This community of experts on the marine environment  reminds us that it isn’t just the bad driving of oil tankers
that causes oil spills; your driving did.

For the Adrenalin junkies North shore filmmaker Will Winneguth’s World Premier of “ In Rhythm,” is a feast of
surf footage from Kauai, Oahu, and Indo carved up local heros Andy, Bruce, Dustin, Reef, Steph, Robert,
James, and Billy. The Hanalei Bay monsters alone are what the rest of the surf world can only dream about.   25
min.

"Dangerous Archipelago" -  Sea kayaking the atolls in French Polynesia brings us black pearls, white - tip reef
sharks, and a culture on the brink of extinction. 27 min

Sharks: Stewards of the Reef  - (Waimea or Storybook Theater)
Few of us have the fortune to swim with sharks. Diving the remote reefs of Polynesia, we experienced the grace
and beauty of shark. Like the ancient Polynesians, we learned to respect, not fear sharks, and we learned the
importance of sharks to the ocean ecosystem. We know they must be protected."Sharks: Stewards of the reef,"
examines threats to sharks, their importance ecologically and how we can protect these important ocean
predators

South Wind on Hilton Beach - Israel (will not play till later)
The story begins with Dr. Dorian Peskovich, a Jewish American surfing champion from Hawaii who, surfing on
the waves of Zionism, introduced the first surfboards to the Frishman Beach gang in Israel. This band of guys
were the mythological lifeguards of the sixties, who went on to become the first surfers and together with their
children, transformed surfing into an escape from the Israeli reality. They found their freedom in the waves and
sea.
The film documents their metamorphosis from outsiders fighting for their right to surf until their peak at the
European championship. They captured the adoration of youngsters, set  the tone in fashion  and music  and
were the cultural icons of the late eighties.Like the waves themselves, these surfers rose and fall. It is also a film
about the Israeli character and the need to escape it.

Favela Surf Dreams - Rio de Janeiro (Storybook theater only)
A notorious slum in Brazil is turning out some superb young wave riders.


"Surfing Thru" is an honest, funny , and inspiring documentary about 3 women who continue to surf through
their treatment for cancer.  (later)

We are holding one spot open for one of our young film makers who is in the Hospital right now. Brady Cushway
of Wainiha is a prolific young film maker who had his big screen premier last year.


Bring beach chairs and blankets. $5.00 adults, $2.00 kids under 12
Surfrider Volunteers get in free * Join Surfrider now and get in free * members bring your card for goodies * www.
hawaiioceanfilmfestival.org
for more info