Update!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BIG WEDNESDAY 30th ANNIVERSARY SCREENING AT THE 2008 NY SURF FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY JETBLUE AIRWAYSNew York, NY [August 6, 2008] - The 2008 New York Surf Film Festival presented by JetBlue Airways is pleased to announce a special 30th Anniversary screening of BIG WEDNESDAY (1978) at Tribeca Cinemas. Warner Brothers' California surf classic, directed by John Milius (Apocalypse Now, Conan the Barbarian) and co-written with Denny Aaberg, is loosely based off their own experiences at Malibu and a short story Aaberg had published in Surfer Magazine entitled 'No Pants Mance.'
The film follows three friends, the straight-laced and responsible Jack Barlowe (William Katt), party maestro and hot surfer Matt Johnson (Jan Michael Vincent) and the up-for-anything Leroy 'the Masochist' (Gary Busey), as they transition from adolescents to adults and how their relationships change with surfing, as well as with each other. The film takes place over the course of twelve years (1961-1974) and set to the backdrop of classic 60's Malibu point surf, trips to Baja, beer-infused parties, the Vietnam War, introduction of psychedelic drugs and the shortboard revolution. The characters, informed by bad politics and equipment change, eventually drift apart; Jack goes to Vietnam, Leroy goes to Hawaii and Matt gets married. Even their surfboard shaper and mentor Bear has gotten married and moved inland. However, the trio reunites for the films climax, the great 'Swell of 74,' that cleanses everything that came before it and defines what they've become.
The cult classic’s gorgeously filmed surf sequences are credited to legendary cameramen Dan Merkel, George Greenough (Inner Most Limits of Pure Fun, Echoes), George MacGillivray (Five Summer Stories) and pioneer surf film maker Bud Browne (Hawaiian Surfing Movies, Cavalcade of Surf).
The NYSFF 2008 submission deadline is now closed. Official Festival Selections and ticket sales will be announced Mid-August.
About the New York Surf Film FestivalThe New York Surf Film Festival [NYSFF] will be held September 26-28, 2008 at Tribeca Cinemas in Lower Manhattan. The event consists of three days of independent short and feature films, cult classics, and world premieres from established surf filmmakers. The official Website of NYSFF,
www.NYSurfFilm.com will bring the festival experience to the surf community through the streaming of trailers, current news, photos and box office information.
NYSFF is the premier showcase for international independent surf film. The mission of NYSFF is to provide filmmakers who are exploring the diversity of surfing an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience. NYSFF'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. NYSFF is a Don't Drop In Production, founded by Adam Cannizzaro, Tyler Breuer, Michael Machemer, and Morgan Berk in 2008.
NYSFF is looking for volunteers. If you would like to get involved or join our mailing list for updates & ticket information, please email
info@nysurffilm.com.
About the 2008 Festival Sponsors
NYSFF welcomes the support of our 2008 Presenting Sponsor, JetBlue Airways. JetBlue Airways jets daily between New York JFK and Puerto Plata on its Airbus A320. New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft “BetaBlue,” a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit
www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 53 cities with 600 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit
www.jetblue.com.
NYSFF is pleased to announce our Supporting Sponsor: HopStop.com, providing door-to-door directions to city residents and tourists via public transportation systems in major U.S. cities. HopStop was named one of TIME magazine’s 50 Coolest Websites of 2006 and was recently named Travel + Leisure's Top 25 Travel Websites of 2007. For subway directions from your location to NYSFF at Tribeca Cinemas click here
NYSFF appreciates the support from our VIP Sponsors: Kevin Dann & Partners, & No11.
NYSFF Mates of the Festival: Board Sports Management, Mollusk Surf Shop, Sundown Surf Shop, NewYorkSurf.com, Surfersvillage.com, NYNJSurf.com, NYBodyboarding.com, & Dukestorm.com.