Hawaii Surf 54

A film festival

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The ultimate accolade for any burgeoning surf videographer is to have their film seen not only by their friends but also by the whole local surfing community. From Santa Barbara to Biarritz, New Jersey to Chiba Japan, it doesn't matter where you are; we all enjoy seeing local surf movies. But leave it to the Australians to come up with a novel and grassroots idea that does this and more. In the city of Sydney, Australia a call went out last year from a group of interested production people and surfers to find the best amateur video possible and let the rest of us enjoy it via an organized film festival. Enter the Snap Off the Lip Video competition.
Photo courtesy of Firelight Productions and Live Bait Events

Firelight Productions, Live Bait, and Viacorp brought Snap Off The Lip to us in 2004. It featured local surf videos by unknown filmmakers that had to be shot in and around Sydney's beaches and breaks. Each entry could be no more than 5 minutes in length. Once the word was out the entries started pouring in. Suddenly anyone with any home footage of those epic days from the past few years could try his or her hand at splicing the footage together, grabbing some of Snap's freely shared music download, and try to claim the top prize. Last years eleven finalists were chosen and then screened as part of the Live Bait Festival at Bondi Pavilion on 30th January 2004. It was a rousing success with a packed house of screaming surfers and their friends hooting the big screen as incredible waves and surfing were showcased for all to see.

All the proceeds from the event went to the Surfrider Foundation Australia.

Macario De Souza was the winner in 2004 and just proclaimed winner in 2005. His 2004 entry was the film "Ours" that featured a story about a very rarely ridden surf spot called Kurnell. And because of this he is already finding work thru his winning the event. He is even putting on his own short surf film festival.

We asked him about what it means to have won this competition?
Photo courtesy of Firelight Productions and Live Bait Events
Photo courtesy of Firelight Productions and Live Bait Events

"Having won this competition," said Macario recently, "means a lot to me. I spend a lot of my time working on projects like this, sacrificing late nights and weekends to ensure I've created the best possible movie I can and to see all the hours and effort I put in pay off is unreal. Having won it for a second year in a row also makes it a special one, its good to know people out there like my stuff!"

Had it inspired him to go on to bigger and better things?

"It has definitely inspired me to 'fry bigger fish' for sure!" De Souza was quoted.

"I want to eventually be working full time in the industry and I feel by having won this comp, I may be recognized as a director/editor. I want to get into music videos, documentaries and eventually feature films and believe I have the necessary skills, just need the experience."
Photo courtesy of Firelight Productions and Live Bait Events
Photo courtesy of Firelight Productions and Live Bait Events

The next logical question to post to the two-time winner was how have you been treated by his mates after being declared the winner?

"My mates treat me no different. I have the biggest bunch of write-off mates and among us are several accomplished athletes like Kobes (Abberton), Marky (Mathews), Reni Maitua (plays footy for bulldogs) just to name a few. Where we are from, no matter what your status, the boys will always bring you back down to earth and make sure any symptoms of a big head is immediately destroyed. Its unreal, keeps your feet on the ground but at the same time, they will be the first to support and encourage you to do well! We had a big team on the night of the finals at Bondi; I think the roars from the boys may have assisted in my crowd response' criteria, ha ha!"

The winner's equipment and editing tools included.

"I shoot on a Sony DV 3-chip (PDX-10P)" he said, "and use Final Cut Pro on my Mac G4 for my editing. Any special effects and stuff, I'll turn to After Effects for and other equipment and necessities includes a lot of patience, surf breaks, and guaranteed square-eyes."