WILMINGTON — The 15th annual Surfalorus Film Festival, presented by Cucalorus Film Foundation, returns to Wilmington Aug. 7–9, bringing three days of inspiring surf films to Wrightsville Beach and Jengo’s Playhouse.
This year, Surfalorus is partnering with the Wahine Classic, one of the East Coast’s premier all-female surfing competitions that began in 2013, to celebrate the region’s vibrant surf community. Festival organizers have also announced the full lineup, with festival passes and individual tickets on sale now.
The festival opens Friday, Aug. 7, with a free outdoor screening of the Wahine Shorts Block at 8 p.m. at Surf City Surf Shop in Wrightsville Beach, timed to celebrate the kickoff of the Wahine Classic. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy seven short surf films under the stars as the festival gets underway.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, Surfalorus heads to Jengo’s Playhouse for a screening of “Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC” at 8 p.m. The documentary explores Jack Johnson’s journey from filming friends surfing on Oahu’s North Shore to becoming a popular musician of hits like “Banana Pancakes” and “Upside Down.”
Before topping the charts, Johnson was an accomplished surfer and filmmaker whose influential surf films “Thicker Than Water” and “The September Sessions” helped redefine modern surf culture. Featuring rare archival footage and present-day reflections, “SURFILMUSIC” reveals how surfing, friendship, travel, and creativity shaped both Johnson’s films and the songs that launched his music career.
The festival concludes Sunday, Aug. 9, with two films: “Kingdom of the Evening” directed by Surfalorus alum Clint Davis, and “Fun Island” from Wilmington filmmaker and former Outer Banks resident Jason Andre.
“Kingdom of Evening” follows renowned surfer Kepa Acero as he returns to Morocco 15 years after a life-changing surf trip to reunite with his longtime friend Yassine, now known as Snoopy Style. Together with filmmaker Ayoub Abouizza, they search for the empty lineups, freedom, and sense of wonder they once found — only to discover that both Morocco and their own lives have transformed in unexpected ways.
“Fun Island” is a lighthearted film following international surf trip during the COVID era takes when it takes an unexpected turn. Two members of the crew find themselves stranded in quarantine on the aptly named “Fun Island.” Equal parts travelogue and comedy, the film captures the unpredictable highs and lows of chasing waves around the world.
“Surfalorus has always been about celebrating the culture, creativity, and community that surround the ocean,” Zach Hanner, director of Surfalorus Film Festival, said in a press release. “We’re stoked to partner with the Wahine Classic as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. Together, we’re highlighting the incredible people, stories, and traditions that make North Carolina’s surf community so special. We’re excited to be back in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington and we hope to have a huge turnout of surf movie fans.”
Individual tickets are $10, and festival passes are just $15, giving audiences access to all three days of programming. Tickets, passes, and the complete festival schedule are available now at surfalorus.eventive.org.
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