The Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival (SBSFF) returns for its fifth year, taking over the historic Lobero Theatre on September 26 and 27. Founded in 2019 to honor Southern California’s surfing history, celebrate surf culture, and raise awareness and funds for ocean conservation, the annual festival centers around films about iconic surfers, defining moments, and individuals who’ve left a mark on the world of surfing. Along the way, this celebratory community event has become a must-attend weekend for surfers, spectators, and ocean enthusiasts alike.
Friday night kicks off with a lineup that spans generations, starting with Making Waves: The Lakey Peterson Story, a short by Morgan Maassen about the Santa Barbara surf star. Next up is the world premiere of Hunter Martinez’s 17@20, capturing a massive swell that recently hit Ventura, plus a newly restored version of the Campbell Brothers’ 1976 classic Before the Flight — the film that introduced the groundbreaking Bonzer three-fin surfboard.
One of SBSFF’s most anticipated moments is the Friday presentation of the Legendary Award to this year’s winner: Matt Moore. A Carpinteria native, Moore started surfing at 8 years old, began shaping boards in high school, and went on to found Rincon Designs, his iconic line of custom boards. Decades later, Moore’s legacy of craftsmanship and enduring passion for the sport continue to inspire California surf culture…