Local surf filmmakers show their work at the Beach Shorts Film Fest
Surfers are gearing to pack the Hermosa Beach Playhouse this Saturday for the 9th annual Beach Shorts Film Fest, a unique event showcasing six to eight minute “shorts” made by amateur filmmakers documenting nearly every aspect of the local surf scene.
“We have submissions from filmmakers ranging from ages 13 to 65 years old,” said event creator and director Barry Hatchett. “We have shorts filmed from San Diego to Santa Cruz and all the spots in between as well as Spain and Mainland Mexico.”
Local photographer James Granoff will start festivities with slide show featuring his latest work. A staple in the festival each year, South Bay documentarian MartyCam will be showing two films from his archives. Footage by Tom Kampas from “Hurricane Marie,” last summer’s once-in-a-decade swell, is highly anticipated.
“Since the film fest submissions are by just everyday surfers, the audience is in tune with seeing their peers on the big screen, heightening the overall experience of the show,” said Hatchett. “Every year the filmmakers raise the bar.”
Besides the action in the theater, in the lobby local artists Carla Bates and Joe Vickers will have prints on display.  Women’s boardshorts from from Lilikai Board as well as surf attire “Fish at Sea” will be showcasing their latest threads. Always a presence at the local events, the South Bay Boardriders Clubs will be present, spreading the word on their club, which since its founding five years ago has mentored many of the up-and-coming local surfers who will be in some of the shorts. And don’t forget the raffle: audience members have a chance to win goodies. The creme-de-la-creme raffle is the chance to win a brand new “Surfboards by Davenport” longboard.
“It is a win-win for both the artists, groups and Beach Shorts Film Fest,” Hatchett said. “At the end of the night each year,  I am exhausted and excited for next year.  You can’t wipe the smile of my face.”
