Lava Girl Surf, New York’s first-of-its kind women’s surf workshop, is proud to present the 9th Annual Women’s Surf Film Festival lineup of events. The film festival will cover five days of free events throughout Rockaway Beach, Queens September 5th-10th Venues include: Rockaway Beach Surf Club and The Rockaway Hotel. The Women’s Surf Film Festival celebrates women in filmmaking, art, and photography within the surf community.

The event lineup for this year’s Women’s Surf Film Festival includes:

Monday, September 5th at 5pm: When I Get Free, a photography exhibit by Hawaiian surf and lifestyle photographer Christa Funk, who has been featured in numerous top surf magazines. The artist will be present at the opening reception at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club and the art will be for sale during the festival week.

Monday, September 5th at 5pm: The 2nd Annual Single Fin Charity Group Art Show, features one-of-a-kind paintings on a single surfboard fin from twenty renowned artists, including Sydney Perkins, Julia Messinger, Taylor Cox, Robin Lanei, Rachel Dejohn, and surfer / filmmaker Danielle Black Lyons. Each fin will be part of a silent online auction that runs live during the week of the film festival that will support non-profit A Walk on Water. Bidding begins Monday at 5pm through Saturday at 10 pm.

Wednesday, September 7th at 6pm: Surfing in a Crowded Lineup; panel discussion at The Rockaway Hotel. Author and former magazine executive Diane Cardwell moderates a panel discussion on safely navigating a crowded lineup: taking a deep dive into surfer etiquette. Guest speakers include: photographer Christa Funk, pro surfer Will Skudin, surfer champion Jeff Anthony, surf coach Skudin, surf coach Dion Mattison, and surf mentor Farmata Dia with Laru Beya.

Thursday, September 8th 6pm: Q&A with our filmmakers & guests from this year’s festival & a pop-up market with sponsors and local artists. The event will include a Q&A session with filmmakers featured at this year’s festival. The free event starts at The Rockaway Beach Surf Club.  In addition to the session, a variety of local artists, and sponsors will be present for a pop-up market. Filmmakers slated to attend include Australian Resident Lauren Hill, Director of PHYSICS OF NOSERIDING and author of She Surf: The Rise of Female Surfing, whose copies of her book are available to buy. Also in attendance will include: Hawaiian surfer Crystal Thornburg-Homcy featured in PHYSICS OF NOSERIDING, Hanna Walsh, Director of MOTHERS, PURPOSE & THE FUTURE, Laurel Senick, Director of WAXSHOE WAHINES, Beth O’Rourke, Director of LET’S GO SURFING, J’aime Morrison, Director of UPWELL, and Sophia Knox, Director of DALE.

Friday, September 9th at 7pm: WSFF Screenings Night 1: The opening ceremony and first night of films will be held  at The Rockaway Hotel. The night will include a special performance by Olivia Willhite, the singer/surfer featured in LET’S GO SURFING. The night includes the US premiere screening of feature film FEMME OCEAN, as well as New York premiere screenings and in-person appearance from the Directors for the shorts PHYSICS OF NOSERIDING, and UPWELL. This is a free event.

Saturday September 10th at 9 am: Billabong Girls Get Out There. Give surfing a try or improve your skills with a surf coach and participate in a beach clean up with RISE. The morning surf session will be hosted with SKUDIN SURF SCHOOL, for all ages and levels. The surf session will be held at Beach 67th St, Rockaway Beach, keep your eyes peeled for the sign up link 8/22.

Saturday, September, 10th at 1:30 pm: Complimentary Yoga Session. Align your mind, body and soul at The Rockaway Hotel. Yogi and life-long surfer Cait Lawson will lead this yoga session for attendees followed by a light drink mixer. Class starts at 2pm, arrive ahead and please bring a mat.

ffffSaturday, September, 10th at 7 pm: WSFF Screenings Night 2. The closing ceremony and second night of screenings will be held at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club. The festival concludes with New York premiere screening for the feature film BIGGER THAN ME and short film WAXSHOE WAHINES, with an in-person appearance from the director. The night will include the US premiere for the short OTHER LAND. The night will include another performance by Olivia Willhite, the singer/surfer featured in LET’S GO SURFING.

Festival sponsors include Billabong, Fat Tire, Fruit Smash Hard Seltzer, JuneShine, Vuori Clothing, Haku Vodka, Hornitos Tequila, ZenWTR, Vacation Inc, Kopari Beauty, Aloha Collection, Blenders Eyewear, Skudin Surf School, The Inertia, The Salty Club, Whalebone, Swell Season Radio, Rockaway Beach Surf Club & The Rockaway Hotel.

Go to our website to register, follow us on instagram or sign up for the newsletter for updates.