Save The Waves Film Festival Rocks San Francisco

November 16, 2009 by NCS
Filed under Local, News & Events

On Friday night, San Francisco’s surfer and environmentalist communities came together for a very special event at the Victoria
Theatre: the first annual Save The Waves Film Festival, merging film, art, music, surf and environment together into a seamless blend of stoked fun and heartfelt love for the oceans.

Featuring the infamous Plastic Wave (barreled by plastic), the SF premiere of “Lost Prophets” and Captain Paul Watson presenting “The Cove”, as early as 6pm a line snaked around the block past the immigrants, pimps and traffic on Mission Street. Area hipsters in skinny jeans and fixed-gear bikes were greeted by a completely sold- out Victoria Theatre, environmental activists drank plenty of beer and “Save The Waves” shone hard in bright marquee lights high above 16th Street.

But even the hipsters couldn’t stay away. Everyone attending was extremely happy with smiles all around, and the organic beer, local wine and Hawaiian-made vodka didn’t hurt either. Art sparked from ocean activism and watery environmental issues was created exclusively for the evening by local San Francisco surfer-artist Travis Weller and his gorgeous prints sparkled on the theatre lobby walls.

Captain Paul Watson arrived with his Sea Shepherd crew in tow, all semi-famous from their TV successes on Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars” and most recently “South Park.” Captain Paul minced no words when presenting “The Cove” and its dolphin conservationist message to the cheering crowd: “what we are doing to our oceans is insane and will destroy civilization if we don’t change our ways. If you’re eating fish you are part of the problem.” Local character was also celebrated in “Devil’s Teeth” – an emotional & chilling short film by Roger Teich & Ron Elliot about diving with great white sharks at the Farallon Islands.

Local surf rockers The Eldorados played two sets of surf-drenched hard rocking classics for the packed theatre and the roof was nearly blown off. Save The Waves Coalition ended the night with an amazing raffle of great prizes. A late-night Q&A with Paul Watson and Charles Hambleton, star of “The Cove”, sent everyone off with a healthy dose of introspection on the unhealthy reality of our oceans and marine life.

This was another amazing local San Francisco event produced by Save The Waves Coalition. It looks like Save The Waves Film Festival is here to stay!

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Some attendees volunteered their comments after the event:

“One of the best events in San Francisco this year that I’ve been to. No doubt.” – Michelle McCarron.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for hosting such a fabulous film festival! Having Captain Paul Watson there in person made such an impact. The vibe of the evening was relaxed, fun, party with your friends, yet the message was a shot to the heart. I can’t wait to get more involved and for future events. Kudos to all who made it happen.” – Cassie Marrone.