FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2012 – New York, NY – The New York Surf Film Festival (NYSFF) presented by Barbados is pleased to join surf film festivals around the world in the collaborative launch of the Global Surf Film Festival Collective (GSFFC) at gsffc.org, a streamlined one stop submission process to worldwide surf film festivals.  The New York Surf Film Festival along with San Diego Surf Film Festival, Portuguese Surf Film Festival, Wavescape Surf Film Festival, SAL – Surf At Lisbon Film Festival, British Surf Film Festival, Yallingup Surfilm Festival, Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival, X-Life Film Festival, Fesitvalma, Bondi Beach Surf Film Festival, Sao Paolo Surf Film Festival, Berlin Surf Film Festival & Puerto Rico Surf Film Festival have formed this association of film festivals to share films and ideas in an effort to unify the global surf film festival community for both filmmakers and fans.

“Filmmakers spend too much time, funds, and resources shipping off DVD’s around the world to each individual festival – we wanted to help ease this financial and logistical burden,” said Morgan Rae Berk, Founder of NYSFF.   “Surf film festivals around the world have been sharing information and resources behind the scenes for a while now and this is a natural evolution in the digital age to ensure films are considered for as many festival screenings as possible around the world.”

Filmmakers can head to gsffc.org, fill out a simple electronic submission form, and securely upload films and other supporting documents to GSFFC’s private viewing site accessible to the associated festival curators.  Each festival maintains its’ own unique program and independently chooses their film lineup.  Acceptance to one festival does not necessarily imply acceptance to all.  Individual festivals will reach out to filmmakers direct to secure films for their lineup. Festival’s submission close dates are year round.  Kindly check individual festival websites for important dates, deadlines, rules, guidelines and general information for each festival.  The GSFFC is proud to include the following international surf film festivals:

NYSFF | NEW YORK SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.newyorksurffilmfestival.com

Contact: info@nysurffilm.com

Festival Dates: September 2012

Submission Close Date: June 30

SDSFF | SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.sandiegosurffilmfestival.com

Festival Dates: May 11 – 13

Submission Close Date: March 31

PSFF | PORTUGUESE SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.portuguesesurffilmfestival.com

Festival Dates: July 6 – 7

Submission Close Date: May 31

WAVESCAPES SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.wavescape.co.za

Contact: ross@wavescape.co.za

Festival Dates: DURBAN July 24 – 30, CAPE TOWN Dec 5 – 18

Submission Close Date: DURBAN April 15, CAPE TOWN July 1

SAL | SURF AT LISBON FILM FEST

Website: www.surfatlisbonfilmfest.com

Festival Dates: June 14 – 16

Submission Close Date: May 15

BSFF | BRITISH SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.britishsurffilmfestival.com

Festival Dates: TBD 2012

Submission Close Date: TBD 2012

YSF | YALLINGUP SURFILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.yallingupsurfilm.com.au

Festival Dates: January 2013

Submission Close Date: TBD

OBISFF | OMBAK BALI INTERNATIONAL SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.ombakbali.com

Contact: keikobeatie@gmail.com

Festival Dates:  July 26 – 28, 2012

Submission Close Date: May 31

VBLFF | Virginia Beach Life Film Festival

Website: www.xlifefilmfest.com

Contact: keikobeatie@gmail.com

Festival Dates: August 23 – 26, 2012

Submission Close Date: July 1

FESTIVALMA

Website: www.almasurf.com

Contact: keikobeatie@gmail.com

Festival Dates: July 4 – 8, 2012

Submission Close Date: March 1

BBSFF | BONDI BEACH SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: coming soon

Festival Dates: February 2013

Submission Close Date: December 2012

SPSFF | SAO PAULO SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: www.spsurffilm.com.br

Festival Dates:  April 2013

Submission Close Date: January 2013

BSFF | BERLIN SURF FILM FESTIVAL

Website: coming soon

Festival Dates:  2013

Submission Close Date: 2013

PRSFFF | PUERTO RICO SURF FILM FEST

Website: coming soon

Festival Dates: coming soon

Submission Close Date: coming soon

The New York Surf Film Festival is excited to celebrate our 5^th anniversary in September 2012.  Further information about the New York Surf Film Festival is available at www.NYSurfFilm.com,  info@nysurffilm.com, or by regular mail to New York Surf Film Festival LLC 242 President St #3R Brooklyn, NY 11231.

For updates on the 2012 NYSFF, fans can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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New York Surf Film Festival The New York Surf Film Festival is the premier showcase for international independent surf film. The mission of the New York Surf Film Festival is to provide filmmakers who are exploring the diversity of surfing an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience. As surf culture becomes more popular, the notion of what it means to be a surfer expands. The New York Surf Film Festival’s aim is to build upon and shape the idea of what a surf movie is, while fostering the growth of this global community in NYC.

The New York Surf Film Competition is open to independently produced feature-length and short films in the surf genre. In order to be considered for the Festival’s Film Competition for U.S and International films, submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2007.  The running time for features must be greater than 30 minutes. Films under 30 minutes in length are eligible for participation in the Short Film Program.  Submissions are open thru June 1, 2012.

The NYSFF is proud to welcome back Barbados Tourism Authority as our 2012 Presenting Sponsor – The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.  Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is an ideal stage for world-class events and in collaboration with American Express Publishing Corporation, Barbados has hosted its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival in November 2010.  The country has also hosted numerous athletic championships, including the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010.

Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Jet Blue and American Airlines, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.  Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

Surfing Magazine is the Official Media Partner of the 2012 NYSFF.

For New York Surf Film Festival Inquiries:

Morgan Rae Berk

347.987.4273

morgan@nysurffilm.com

For Global Surf Film Festival Inquiries

info@gsffc.org

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The Global Surf Film Festival Collective was formed to help surf filmmakers submit to multiple worldwide surf film festivals at once without the hassle of sending DVD’s around the globe. Click here to submit your film to all of the above festivals at once.

Once the form is submitted, you will be emailed directions to securely upload your film and other supporting documents to our private viewing site which is only accessible to the festival programmers.

Each festival has its own unique program and independently chooses their  film lineup.  Acceptance to one festival does not necessarily imply acceptance to all.  Individual festival progammers will reach out to filmmakers direct to secure films for their lineup.

Festival’s submission close dates are year round.  Kindly check individual festival websites for important dates, deadlines and general  information for each festival.

Feel free to email @ info@gsffc.org with any questions!

New York Surf Film Festival and Barbados pledge $1 per online viewer of Manufacturing Stoke to No Impact Project

February 3, 2012 – New York, NY – The New York Surf Film Festival (NYSFF) presented by Barbados is pleased to announce our fourth charitable digital screening room today with a special screening from the NYSFF 2011 Official Selection Archive, Manufacturing Stoke by Pierce Michael Kavanagh.   In honor of No Impact Project’s 100,000 program enrollments to date, Barbados Tourism Authority and the NYSFF are pledging $1 per view of the film to No Impact Project, up to 1,000 views.

“Surfing is all about the relationship between a person and environment. It is wonderful that Manufacturing Stoke helps to spread that understanding of relationship to people around the world through its support of the No Impact Project this month,” said Colin Beavan, Founder of No Impact Project.   “Thanks to NYSFF’s help, we will help countless people realize what surfers already know: that a happy humanity depends on a happy planet. We are so grateful.”

The New York Surf Film Festival digital screening room is proud to continue its year-long support of partner non-for-profit organizations through this series of online film screenings.   Campbell Rudder, Vice President of Marketing USA, Barbados Tourism Authority stated, “We at the BTA very much value our partnership with the NYSFF and are proud to support the No Impact Project and their commitment to the environment. As our country is an island of limestone, formed by the collision of Atlantic crystal and Caribbean plates, the Barbadian people especially understand the importance of conserving the environment and habitat. Our unique location provides serene Caribbean waters and an Atlantic coastline, making us the ideal spot for world-class surfing competitions, such as our Barbados Independence Surf Festival in November. We are eager to continue to promote this niche sport and showcase our destination in collaboration with such a well-respected film festival.”

For updates about future online screenings and the 2012 NYSFF, fans can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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About Manufacturing Stoke Manufacturing Stoke is an introspective look into the surfing culture’s struggle to be beneficial unto itself, a tapestry of both influential and eclectic members of the surfing community that are constantly striving for positive change amid one of surfing’s greatest paradox: no other sport is as intrinsically linked to nature, surfers are indeed directly connected to the earth’s pulse and yet a majority of the materials used are environmentally toxic. Directed by Pierce Michael Kavanagh, a Misfit Pictures Film www.manufacturingstoke.com

About No Impact Project The No Impact Project is an international, environmental nonprofit, committed to educating and engaging people in a lifestyle which is better for both them and the planet. Surfers are no strangers to this simple, joyful lifestyle—a lifestyle which doesn’t have to be left on the beach.  This low-consumption, low-waste life can follow us into every aspect of our lives and make us healthier and happier while shrinking our carbon footprint. The No Impact Challenge is about aspiration for a fuller life, not deprivation. Try it for yourself by checking out www.noimpactproject.org

About Barbados Tourism Authority The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.  Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is an ideal stage for world-class events and in collaboration with American Express Publishing Corporation, Barbados has hosted its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival in November 2010.  The country has also hosted numerous athletic championships, including the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010.

Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Jet Blue and American Airlines, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.  Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

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New York Surf Film Festival The New York Surf Film Festival is the premier showcase for international independent surf film. The mission of the New York Surf Film Festival is to provide filmmakers who are exploring the diversity of surfing an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience. As surf culture becomes more popular, the notion of what it means to be a surfer expands. The New York Surf Film Festival’s aim is to build upon and shape the idea of what a surf movie is, while fostering the growth of this global community in NYC.

The New York Surf Film Competition is open to independently produced feature-length and short films in the surf genre. In order to be considered for the Festival’s Film Competition for U.S and International films, submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2007.  The running time for features must be greater than 30 minutes. Films under 30 minutes in length are eligible for participation in the Short Film Program.  Submissions are open thru June 1, 2012.

The New York Surf Film Festival is excited to celebrate our 5^th anniversary in September 2012.  Further information about the New York Surf Film Festival is available at www.NYSurfFilm.com,  info@nysurffilm.com, or by regular mail to New York Surf Film Festival LLC 242 President St #3R Brooklyn, NY 11231.

For Inquiries Contact:

Morgan Rae Berk

347.987.4273

morgan@nysurffilm.com

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This month we’ve chosen the NO IMPACT PROJECT as the beneficiary to our digital screening of MANUFACTURING STOKE both conveying the message of the importance of being aware of your environmental impact on our planet.

As we grow this initiative, we will be adding an additional layer to aid in providing a sound future for those that choose the surf film-making craft as their career path – a fund that grants participating filmmakers dollars to invest towards their next film project.

The NYSFF welcomes filmmakers and sponsors to join us in raising dollars for the surf community and its related charitable organizations. Please inquire with us if you would like more information on getting involved.

and in the meantime – enjoy the film.

~Morgan Rae Berk, Founder New York Surf Film Festival

Screening February 2012

Thank you to our generous partners that have joined us to support our community

The NYSFF digital screening room has proudly raised dollars and awareness for:

Leif Engstrom

and filmmakers

Calvin Knowlton and Etan Blatt

Tickets on sale here.

November 30, 2011

9:45PM

NiteHawk Cinema

136 Metropolitan Avenue

Williamsburg Brooklyn

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Featuring twenty short surf films from twenty international directors, legendary surf filmmaker Taylor Steele’s Innersection project is unlike anything else in the sport today. Surfer created. Audience selected. Ocean inspired. This year’s film brings together unique sections from around the world, including freesurfing legends like Pipe Master Jamie O’Brien and South American champ Gabriel Villaran, underground dazzlers like Maui’s Albee Layer and New York’s Leif Engstrom, and outsider icons like Santa Cruz’s Josh Mulcoy, Canadian Pete Devries and Maui’s Hank Gaskell. Last year’s $100,000 winner Matt Meola is also back to defend his title, and the rest of year’s qualifiers are coming on strong with new music, new clips and a whole new approach. Join the action at www.innersection.tv