Banner photo above: Festival winner "Farraige cháite" by Gary McCall
The Irish Surf Film Festival wasn't just an event— it was a celebration of community, the ocean and an unending wave of storytelling magic.
When and where:
The Irish Surf Film Festival was an epic two day affair that took place in the Pálás
Cinema in Galway on November 23rd/24th 2024.
Hosted by Tom Gillespie, with the "wave of the year" judge being none other than big wave rider Nathan Florence, the event presented several categories, including Best Short Film, Wave of the Year, and Best Photograph. The festival was a rip-roaring success celebrating the art of surf culture on the island of Ireland, and left little doubt as to why the main room tickets sold out within 1 minute flat.
The surf films showcased an incredible breadth of storytelling, portraying the interconnectedness between the Irish surf community and the Atlantic Ocean.
The surf films were diverse, sharing stories of perseverance, resilience and human spirit, with the directors not just pointing their cameras at the ocean, but weaving tales of inspiration and challenge, unveiling a web of wonder in honour of the Atlantic coast. From panel discussions exploring sustainability, to pulse-pounding Mullaghmore action sequences, to honest show pieces wrapped in vulnerability, the festival reflected the boundless variety of talent in the Irish surf scene.
The films are windows into the lives of those shaped by the sea, each with its own unique rhythm, story and personality.
Highlights from the Lineup:
-
"Salt" by Alice Ward
This film was the overall winner of "Best Short Film" and standout feature of the festival. Alice's film tells an intimate story about discovery and survival, diving into the life of the director herself, and her family's discovery of her diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, weaving the theme that "Salt" has played throughout the director's entire life. It’s visually captivating, combining hundreds of hand printed cyanotypes into beautiful animation with compelling cinematography, stirring narration and honest interviews. Salt is both powerful yet intimate, with an emotional depth that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Follow Alice on Instagram or check out her Website. -
"Farraige cháite"
Farraige cháite is the Irish word for the bit of the wave that lifts or sprays off the top when the wave breaks and was the theme for this year's photo competition. It's the particles of ocean breath that mist into the air, and was perfectly captured by this years winner of the "Best Photograph" Gary McCall's celebration at Riley's. Gary is a renowned photographer, capturing pinnacle moments like this, and those darn right terrifying swells that dare to crash onto the Irish coastline. Gary's photo is the feature image in this article's banner, and for more information on Gary and his photography, check out Gary's Instagram and Website. -
Wave of the Year
The Wave of the Year was spread across six different divisions, including over and under eighteens, for both men and women categories. Ryan Watts was the men's paddle winner with a jaw-dropping performance on a massive bomb at Mullaghmore, showing not only skill but incredible courage, whilst the equally as inspiring women's champion Ruby Knox charged into the lineup with style, grace and determination. In the under-eighteens category Darragh Gilmartin took the top spot place with his first ever wave at Mully, and Sadie Shallo stole the spotlight proving just why she's 2 x Irish National Champion. For tow, Gearóid Mcdaid sent is absolutely massive taking first in the tow category, and in bodyboading, Yann Mestelan lived up to his reputation as the "Yannimal" taking the top spot in the boog's.
-
"Squish" Magazine Launch
As if that all wasn't enough, the festival announced a new surfing magazine dedicated to capturing the spirit, stories, and community of Irish surfing. According to the writers, the cold and squish are part of what make Irish surfing special, whether you're chasing barrels at Bundoran, soaking up the magic of Mullaghmore, or just dreaming of your next paddle out, Squish is here to celebrate everything that makes Irish surf culture unique. If you're keen to get your hands on a copy, follow this link.
A special shout out to the gals!
We wouldn't be the Salty Sea Sister's if we didn't give a special shout out to the women making waves across the festival. The surf world is a much bolder and better place thanks to incredible women like these from all across the country redefining the sport, from Ruby Knox, taking women's wave of the year, to Alice Ward whose storytelling through surf not only inspires but uplifts the voices of women in the water everywhere. Megan Gayda brings us right into the heart of the swell capturing the beautiful giants at Mullaghmore, Sadie Shallo's speed and strengh inspires the next generation of female surfer's to charge into new territory, and Emily Ryan's powerful story telling of "Nios Mo" dances between the brutality and beauty of surfing. Mia Mullarkey applied her extensive experience in directing towards appearing as one of the judges in the short film catgeorgy, and a very special thanks to Eimear O'Sullivan who's creativity and determination contributed to bringing this event to life. Here’s to all the women paddling out, speaking up, and standing tall, making the future of surfing brighter, bolder, and more inclusive than ever.
Image by Alice Ward
Image of Alice Ward by Rose Ward
Image of Ruby Knox
Image of Emily Ryan
Image of Megan Gayda
Image of Sadie Shalloo
Directors You’ll Want to Follow:
The Irish Surf Film Festival brought together an extraordinary lineup of films over two days, with director's, cinematographer's, and photographer's transforming fleeting moments on the water into timeless art.
Day One
Alice Ward graced the festival with not one but two standout films. "Rhythms" and "Salt" exploring the harmonious dance between surfers and the ocean. Kyle Buthman’s "The Snug" took us into the wild corners of body boarding, while Oliver Hegarty’s "The Space Between" delivered a film that was equal parts adrenaline and cinematic art. Matthieu Glemarec’s "Yannimal" and Kiernan Murphy’s "Codarsnacht" both brought daring originality, that blended humour, individuality, and the raw power of the sea. Meanwhile, Emily Ryan’s "Níos Mó" (More) reminded us of the endless possibilities surfing opens up when met with sheer determination and grit, both in and out of the water.
Day Two
On a more global note, Maddie Meddings and Lucy Small’s "YAMA" delivered a deeply human narrative about surfing’s intersection with social justice, while Ben Judkins’ "The Cigarette Surfboard" made waves with its innovative and thought-provoking exploration of sustainability. Luke Pilbeam’s "Lucuma" and Jalessa Vincent & Luka Raubenheimer’s "JUJU: The Surf Musical" added artistic flair to the lineup, blending imaginative storytelling with visuals, whilst Yentl Touboul’s "North Stars" captured poignant moments through travels around the surfing world. James Kates’ "Horse" offered a poetic ode to the untamed power of the sea, while Keith Malloy’s "Let Me Live" closed the lineup with a heartfelt, soulful dive into the relationship between life, freedom, and the waves we ride.
Judging panel lead by Nathan Florence
Image of Megan Gayda & the men's over eighteen "Wave of the Year" winner Ryan Watts
Conclusion:
The Irish Surf Film Festival wasn't just about watching movies, it was about bringing together a likeminded community to showcase their collective love and appreciation for the ocean. It was a testament to the sea and the courage of the surfers, cinematographers and photographers who are pushing the boundaries and dedicating their time, money and lives to the Irish surf community and culture. The Irish waters are cold, the weather is temperamental, and the Atlantic can be both friend and foe, yet it’s this very wildness that makes surfing in Ireland so profound. Paddling out into these frigid waters, and braving the ferociousness of the Atlantic swell, Irish surfers are rewarded with untamed beauty and a unique camaraderie that binds this community together in a way no other surf culture does. It's not defined by glossy perfection but by grit and gratitude, and is a testament to all those who seek the raw beauty of the untamed world.
Image of Festival Organisers Tom Gillespie, Éimear O'Sullivan, & João Tudella
