Blab Entertainment
Cape Town Hosts Save the Waves Film Festival, Showcasing Global Surf Conservation Shorts
On 23 September, Cape Town’s historic Labia Cinema will transform into a hub for surf enthusiasts and environmental advocates as it opens the Save the Waves Film Festival. The evening‑long showcase, produced by Protect the West Coast (PTWC) and the Save the Waves Coalition (STW), will screen a series of short documentaries that highlight the cultural and ecological significance of surf zones worldwide.
PTWC, a California‑based nonprofit, blends surf culture with environmental stewardship. Its mission is to defend surf breaks and adjacent ecosystems from unchecked development and the impacts of climate change. The organization’s work has earned it a reputation as a leading voice in surf‑related conservation.
The Save the Waves Coalition is a global nonprofit that partners with local communities, governments, and other conservation groups to protect surf habitats around the world. By collaborating with PTWC on the festival, the two groups aim to underscore the intertwined nature of surf culture and ecological preservation.
The program will feature eight short documentaries from diverse locations: In Between Tides by Miguel Blanco, ECAT by Josh Hamilton, Granny Grommets by Leah Rustomjee, HAAGUA by Marc Antony Chavez and Octavio Aceves Coutiño, Peace of Mind by Jannik Carl Schlüter, Surfing São Miguel, Azores by Laurens Ismael Vendrig Castillo, and Pertama: The Life of Rio Waida, which profiles Indonesian surfer Rio Waida. The films cover surf and water sports, travel, adventure, conservation, and climate issues.
Labia Cinema, located on 50 Kloof Street in Cape Town’s Gardens district, is South Africa’s oldest independent art cinema. Time Out has named it one of the world’s greatest cinemas, and it continues to host independent and documentary film events. The choice of Labia reinforces the festival’s commitment to socially relevant cinema in a historic setting.
A range of sponsors backs the event, including Finisterre, Oneill Europe, Oneill USA, Rivian, Fuel TV, Surfer Magazine, and Mountains Wave. These partners provide financial support and promotional help, helping to cover production costs and ensuring that all proceeds are directed to PTWC and STW.
The festival’s proceeds will fund ongoing conservation projects, community outreach, and the development of the Save the Waves App, a platform that encourages coastal stewardship. Attendees will also have the chance to win PTWC and STW merchandise, adding an extra incentive for both local and international audiences.
Tickets are available through Quicket, the event’s official sales platform. The single‑evening festival will begin in the afternoon and conclude in the early evening, opening its doors to the public and attracting surf enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and film lovers alike.
In short, the Save the Waves Film Festival in Cape Town brings together short documentary cinema, surf culture, and environmental activism. By showcasing films from around the globe and raising funds for PTWC and STW, the festival highlights the global importance of protecting surf ecosystems and promotes community engagement in conservation efforts.
PTWC, a California‑based nonprofit, blends surf culture with environmental stewardship. Its mission is to defend surf breaks and adjacent ecosystems from unchecked development and the impacts of climate change. The organization’s work has earned it a reputation as a leading voice in surf‑related conservation.
The Save the Waves Coalition is a global nonprofit that partners with local communities, governments, and other conservation groups to protect surf habitats around the world. By collaborating with PTWC on the festival, the two groups aim to underscore the intertwined nature of surf culture and ecological preservation.
The program will feature eight short documentaries from diverse locations: In Between Tides by Miguel Blanco, ECAT by Josh Hamilton, Granny Grommets by Leah Rustomjee, HAAGUA by Marc Antony Chavez and Octavio Aceves Coutiño, Peace of Mind by Jannik Carl Schlüter, Surfing São Miguel, Azores by Laurens Ismael Vendrig Castillo, and Pertama: The Life of Rio Waida, which profiles Indonesian surfer Rio Waida. The films cover surf and water sports, travel, adventure, conservation, and climate issues.
Labia Cinema, located on 50 Kloof Street in Cape Town’s Gardens district, is South Africa’s oldest independent art cinema. Time Out has named it one of the world’s greatest cinemas, and it continues to host independent and documentary film events. The choice of Labia reinforces the festival’s commitment to socially relevant cinema in a historic setting.
A range of sponsors backs the event, including Finisterre, Oneill Europe, Oneill USA, Rivian, Fuel TV, Surfer Magazine, and Mountains Wave. These partners provide financial support and promotional help, helping to cover production costs and ensuring that all proceeds are directed to PTWC and STW.
The festival’s proceeds will fund ongoing conservation projects, community outreach, and the development of the Save the Waves App, a platform that encourages coastal stewardship. Attendees will also have the chance to win PTWC and STW merchandise, adding an extra incentive for both local and international audiences.
Tickets are available through Quicket, the event’s official sales platform. The single‑evening festival will begin in the afternoon and conclude in the early evening, opening its doors to the public and attracting surf enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and film lovers alike.
In short, the Save the Waves Film Festival in Cape Town brings together short documentary cinema, surf culture, and environmental activism. By showcasing films from around the globe and raising funds for PTWC and STW, the festival highlights the global importance of protecting surf ecosystems and promotes community engagement in conservation efforts.
