Surf Film Festival to return to Torquay

Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore is featured in Natural High. Photos: SUPPLIED

To kick off the New Year, the community will have the opportunity to feast their eyes on some of the top latest surfing films as the Bells Beach Surf Film Festival returns to Torquay.

The 12th running of the annual festival, which began yesterday (Thursday, January 5), will showcase films from Australia and around the world, including Stacey Peralta’s new feature film The Ying and Yang of Gerry Lopez, Jack Coleman’s Natural High with eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore, and many more.

Festival director John Foss said he was “excited” for the 2023 program and the return of the event after its two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Several local films will be showcased on Friday night.

Local surfer Adam Robertson in action during one of the films.

“We are stoked to be back at the Australian National Surfing Museum and to be screening some amazing surf films,” he said

“Friday night [Friday, January 6] is locals’ night with a bunch of amazing films made by local filmmakers surfing along the Surf Coast and down the Great Ocean Road.

“On closing night [Saturday January 7], we head to Africa with African Territory, which explores surf in the most remote parts of Africa.

“This is a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s best surf films on a big screen in Torquay.

“Summer is back and so are surf films!”