The HONOLULU SURF FILM FESTIVAL is delivering! Get your tickets now…HERE

When a global pandemic decimated the tourism industry across the Hawaiian Islands it meant no travel, no tourists, and no surf lessons.

Surf instructor Bull “Bully” Kotter suddenly found his small business pushed to the brink.

So, he turned to his community, Lahaina, not for help or a handout, but to give back.

From surf culture to ocean respect to kindness, Uncle Bully is translating etiquette in the lineup into etiquette in life.

This is a film about the power of one person to shape a more hopeful future for the next generation.

Directed by Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday. 2023. Hawaiʻi.

A Q+A with the directors and cast will follow the screening.

Preceded by
Ministry of Surf
An intimate look inside the healing power of water and surfing on autistic children and the surfers who offer “one perfect day” to kids worldwide for free. Featuring Izzy Paskowitz.
Directed by Collins Reagan. 2023. USA. 9 min.

Honolulu Surf Film Festival 2024

July 11 – August 4, 2024

HoMA’s annual celebration of surf culture and filmmaking is back with a primo selection of shorts and features from Hawai‘i and around the world.

The festival kicks off with an opening reception and screening of The Shape of Things: The Dick Brewer Story on Thursday, July 11 with special guests. Throughout the month, see films that look back at the history of surfing alongside ones that look to its future. The festival closes out on August 4 with a special afternoon screening of Bud Browne’s Locked In followed by a talk story panel of intergenerational surfing luminaries.

After each screening we invite you to vote for your favorite features and shorts for our Audience Choice awards. A Jury Award will also be awarded. All winners will be announced after the festival.

Major support from