the smiling bag

Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer is one of the first and most influential surf movies of all time. The film documents American surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August as they travel the world during California’s winter (which, back in 1965 was off-season for surfing) in search of the perfect wave and ultimately, an endless summer.

In a time where there are fences around everything, and we are denied the instinct of self‐preservation, it is difficult to find a place free from rules and restrictions, but not yet impossible. Surf movies come and go, a million waves in exotic locations and surfers flown in for three‐day shoots on perfect swells, but the spirit of adventure never dies. What began as a three‐month trip to a collection of surf breaks off the beaten track turned into a two‐year odyssey of exploration, injury, companionship and 4,000km of two‐wheeled, single‐finned escape from the real‐world burdens of modern life. Harrison Roach and Zye Norris pack their bags, a diverse quiver of boards, two bikes and a 50‐dollar tent into a 1970s Land Rover and embark on an epic quest from the southern reaches of Bali, through the Indonesian archipelago to Northern Sumatra’s isolated Lagundri Bay.

Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, and others take a trip to the coast of Sumatra, where they find themselves surfing beautiful waves, and lose the urgency they have come to live with being professionals. September Sessions documents this trip with interviews and 16mm footage of life on a once in a lifetime surftrip.

Featuring twenty short surf films from twenty international directors.

Three elite surfers travel to eight remote destinations searching for pristine waves and an escape from the stress of competition as they balance their careers with a desire to rediscover the joy of surfing free from contest scores. From pastime to mainstream sport, the film charts a fresh take on surfing’s present.

Winner of the 2005 Maui Film Festival's Best Short Film Documentary, this eye-popping video captures big-wave surfing at its most insane. Made by the folks who brought you Step in Liquid and Riding Giants, the film features tow-in trailblazers Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, Darrick Doerner and others taking on Peahi, Maui's enormous swells during the winters of '04 and '05. Fueling the action is a hot soundtrack courtesy of Pearl Jam, U2 and Beck.

The famous Teahupoo wave, nicknamed "the perfect wave", was bigger than ever in 2019. In August 2019, mountains of water dropped on the coral reef like bombs. Towed by jet skis, local surfers tried and succeeded what seemed impossible. Bravery and dauntless! Commented by seasoned Tahitians like Kévin Bourez, Matahi Drollet, Kauli Vaast or Ariihoe Tefaafana who share this unique experience, their fear and pride to have faced heights never seen before. The Polynesians have proven that they are the best, that the Teahupoo wave is "made for them". Unforgettable images, interviews and testimonies… It has become an unmissable event for riders and those who love the beauty of the Pacific Islands. No need to be interested in surfing to appreciate spectacular performances. This is a pure wave of pleasure for the eyes. A wave of emotion with these “aito” (heroes in Tahitian) of surfing, who share a part of the Polynesian culture.

It is a remarkable story of personal endeavour following professional surfer, Laura Enever who leaves a comfortable place on the WSL Championship Tour to explore the unpredictable world of big-wave surfing.

THE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM is the story of a cultural revolution fueled by the human desire to live in the moment and do what makes you feel the most alive. We discover how an electrifying new world came about through pure energy and imagination and the infinite possibilities of self-expression available to anyone willing to drop in. This documentary, written and directed by Jon Long (IMAX® Extreme), is a visceral, visual experience told through the eyes some of the brightest pioneers, legends, visionaries and champions of surfing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, mountain biking and more.