The She Surfs Film Tour is set to make waves in Noosa on Thursday 17 November, along with local surfer Vittoria Farmer, who will be flying home from the UK to showcase her Other Land film.
Seeing the dramatic increase of female interest in surfing during the pandemic, and the disparity between women in the water and female surfers in films, festival founder, Jemima Robinson was prompted to launch the first She Surfs Film Tour in November 2021.
Now back for a second session with all new films, the 2022 She Surfs Film Tour is poised to share the stories of wave riding women and shine the spotlight on the talented female surfers and female filmmakers sharing their stories.
“This year we are stoked for the level of talent displayed by both filmmakers and surfers within the films, it is a true celebration of all the hard work and sheer skill these women possess,“ Jemima said.
“Watching talented wave riding women like Paige Alms, Izzi Gomez, and Australia’s own Lucy Small, Tru and Jesse Starling, Vittoria Farmer and Josie Prendergast is a real treat and an inspiring display of creativity, skill and unity.
“With surf films historically being so male dominated, it is refreshing to see female surfers sharing their skills and stories on the big screen – ready to inspire a new wave of female surfers.“
Noosa Heads surfer Vittoria Farmer is certainly an inspiration to young women in and out of the water, stepping out of her comfort zone in 2021 to live and work in Cornwall UK, as a professional lifeguard.
“I was just curious mostly,“ Vittoria said of her decision to swap sunny Noosa for the county on England’s rugged southwestern tip.
“I’ve always enjoyed travelling. I just wanted to come over here and challenge myself.“
Her skills have been put to good use, even scoring herself an invitation to join the Duke of Kent at St Jame’s Palace to receive a Bronze Medal for Gallantry in May this year.
Vittoria was awarded for her skill and bravery in saving a man’s life at Mawgan Porth Beach in Cornwall in the summer of 2021.
“It’s been amazing. I love it over here. I’ve slid into a pretty nice lifestyle. I just love the culture,“ she said.
While taking a break from saving lives, Vittoria went on a journey of self discovery, exploring the Irish ocean during winter.
Audiences at the She Surfs Film Tour will get a glimpse of this journey, with breathtaking cinematography by filmmaker Alice Ward.
“I met Alice through a mutual friend in Ireland,“ Vittoria said.
“I wanted to work on a project over the winter. Alice and I met up for a coffee one day and bounced ideas back and fourth and within an hour we were shooting in the water. It was a pretty organic and rapid friendship that happened, and we just spent the next three months documenting the film.
“Alice had a real creative and artistic spin on it. She pushed me out of my comfort zone, in the best way possible. It’s been a super special process.“
Vittoria is keen to share the stoke with fellow salt sisters at this year’s She Surf’s Film Tour in Noosa.
“I just booked a flight yesterday to come over for the film festival, so I’m excited,“ she said.
“I don’t think there’s been anything like this film tour in the town of Noosa before. I think it’s going to be a really special night, highlighting the importance of female surfing. It’s going to be a great evening and everyone should come down to check it out.“
But it’s not all sunshine and barrels. The She Surfs Film Tour is proud to be sharing Lucy Small’s campaign in achieving gender equality throughout sport in Australia.
Small was catapulted to the role of accidental activist in 2021 when she highlighted the disparity in prize money for her winning surfing performance versus the male competitors.
“It’s great that the point was raised on such a big platform,“ Vittoria said, in support of Lucy.
“It was a really good way to voice such an important topic. I think there’s been lots of really good things that have come from that since.“
The story of Lucy’s journey since her sudden rise to activism is shared in the film, Below Surface.
“Below Surface started as a student project and it has grown into a critical part of our campaign for gender equality in sport,“ Lucy said.
“I commend She Surf’s Film Tour for working to showcase important stories and thank the all female team behind Below Surface.”
The She Surfs Film Tour aims to inspire all through amazing stories of skill, courage and determination.
Follow the plight of female surfers in Sri Lanka as they forge to find their place among the waves, or as Paige Alms, Izzi Gomez and Wrenna Delgado brave 30-foot waves on Hawaii’s North Shore, or connect with relatable sisters Tru and Jesse Starling as they compete in competitions along the Tweed Coast in Australia alongside their loyal canine companion, Bill the Bulldog.
Offering something for all ages and genders, the tour kicked off on 19 October in Perth, and makes its way around the country to finish off in Byron Bay on 24 November.
The tour will reach Noosa on Thursday 17 November, showing at The J Theatre from 7pm – 9:30pm.
Tickets can be found at shesurfsfilmtour.com.au
