Female Surf Talent Makes Waves
The She Surfs Film Tour returns to Australian screens this October and November with a key focus on the disparity between women and men in the surf world. After consistently producing world-class female surfing talent for years, Australia still lacks more of a female focused film festival to truly celebrate this culture. The ‘She Surfs Film Tour’ brings a fresh new approach to sharing surf stories and changing the status quo.
Seeing the dramatic increase of female interest in surfing during the Pandemic (a staggering 60 percent of all new surfers were female according to the Australian Sports Commission), the disparity between women in the water and female surfers in films, Festival Founder, Jemima Robinson was prompted to launch the first She Surfs Film Tour in November 2021. Now back for a second session with all new films, the 2022 She Surfs Film Tour is poised to share the stories of wave riding women and shine the spotlight on the talented female surfers and female filmmakers sharing their stories.
“This year we are stoked for the level of talent displayed by both filmmakers and surfers within the films, it is a true celebration of all the hard work and sheer skill these women possess.”
“Watching talented wave riding women like Paige Alms, Izzi Gomez, and Australia’s own Lucy Small, Tru and Jesse Starling, Vittoria Farmer and Josie Prendergast is a real treat and an inspiring display of creativity, skill and unity. With surf films historically being so male dominated, it is refreshing to see female surfers sharing their skills and stories on the big screen - ready to inspire a new wave of female surfers,” remarks Robinson on the display of talent featured in this year's line up.
But it’s not all sunshine and barrels, the She Surfs Film Tour is proud to be sharing Lucy Small’s campaign in achieving gender equality throughout sport in Australia. Small was catapulted to the role of accidental activist in 2021 when she highlighted the disparity in prize money for her winning surfing performance versus the male competitors. The story of her journey since her sudden rise to activism is shared in the film, Below Surface.
“Below Surface started as a student project and it has grown into a critical part of our campaign for gender equality in sport. I commend She Surf’s Film Tour for working to showcase important stories and thank the all female team behind ‘Below Surface’”, says Surfer and Activist, Lucy Small.
The She Surfs Film Tour aims to inspire all through amazing stories of skill, courage and determination. Watch as breathtaking cinematography invites you on a journey of self discovery as Sunny Coast girl, Vittoria Farmer explores the Irish ocean during winter, or follow the plight of female surfers in Sri Lanka as they forge to find their place amongst the waves, or as Paige Alms, Izzi Gomez and Wrenna Delgado brave 30-foot waves on Hawaii’s North Shore, or connect with relatable sisters Tru and Jesse Starling as they compete in competitions along the Tweed Coast of Australia alongside their loyal canine companion, Bill the Bulldog.
Offering something for all ages and genders, the tour kicks off on the 19th October in Perth, and makes its way around the country to finish off in Byron Bay on the 24th November. Tickets can be found at https://shesurfsfilmtour.com.au/
Gather the crew and share the stoke with fellow salt sisters at this year’s She Surf’s Film Tour.