The Endless Summer + Dana Point Film Festival has announced dates and premiere screenings for its second annual cinematic celebration of marine life, surfing and people’s relationships with the seas.
The four-day festival hosted by Endless Summer Events will take place from May 2-5 and will showcase more than 40 hours of ocean-inspired documentary films with focuses on conservation, exploration, education, ocean adventure and surfing. The festival, which will be hosted at several locations around Dana Point, will also feature community events, musical performances, enlightening discussions, free and ticketed screenings and other cultural happenings.
The Dana Point Film Festival will host the Dana Point premieres of three of the most anticipated surfing and marine life feature films and shorts: Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool, The Impossible Wave and SEND KELP!
Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool depicts the power one person has to shape a more hopeful future for those behind them. The short film gets up-close with Uncle Bully’s unique approach to reaching young minds with the power of being present. The film also documents the Lahaina community on Maui before and after the disastrous wildfires. This will be shown on May 3 at the Dana Point Sailing Center at 5 p.m. and on May 4 at the Dana Point Women’s Club at 3 p.m.
The Impossible Wave documents Fernando Aguerre’s 27-year quest to get surfing into the Olympics, where it made its debut in the 2020 Tokyo Games. This 40-minute feature will be shown on May 4 at the Dana Point Sailing Center at 5 p.m.
SEND KELP! is a 90-minute feature of breathtaking underwater cinematography detailing the hopes and ambitions of a “seaweed nerd” and a cast of quirky and compelling characters looking to save the world by starting a kelp farm. This film will be shown on May 4 at 5 p.m. at the Dana Point Women’s Club.
The festival will also feature several free screenings at Salt Creek Beach Park, including Dana and Bruce Brown’s Step into Liquid on May 4 and the animated Disney film Moana on May 5. A new surf film release to-be-announced will screen on opening night May 3.
The free screenings will be accompanied by live music on the beach with Common Sense playing on May 4 ahead of Step into Liquid and Kawika Kahiapo, Kevin “Nappy” Napoleon and Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue playing ahead of Moana.
The full slate of feature films and shorts to be showcased at the festival can be found at danapointfilm.com. Individual tickets to the non-Salt Creek screenings are $15 per person with discounts for children, students, educators, first responders and military.
The Dana Point Film Festival will kick off with a VIP Opening Night Party on May 2 at Station Craft Brewery, where ticket buyers can meet some of the filmmakers while enjoying food and drinks.
There are several VIP packages available for patrons to support their oceanic passions and enhance their experience. There are single-day $70 passes for Salt Creek VIP tickets or a $150 bundle for all three days of Salt Creek events. Attendees can also purchase a Patron Pass, which includes unlimited screenings at the Dana Point Film Festival and all three Salt Creek VIP events for $225.
For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, go to danapointfilm.com.
For filmmakers who wish to submit their films to the Dana Point Film Festival, go to filmfreeway.com/DanaPointFilmFestival.