Well, well, well! Can you believe it’s already the seventh installment of the Wavescape Surf film Festival?

It feels like yesterday that I was a grom, chilling out on Battery Beach in eThekwini, catching the odd on-beach screening of Zulu Surf Riders. I didn’t know why they were showing movies on the beach, I just went with it.

And it was freaking awesome.

Imagine all the best things about a drive in movie – minus the car exhaust fumes, and add golden sunshine, the ocean, friendship, and certifiably fine films.

The Wavecape Surf Festival has rolled around to Cape Town , as have I, and it is with great pleasure that I furnish you with the details of said festival. But first, a little something for your eyes.

Click the pic for larger version

Yes, that’ll be on the festival screens at some point (to find out exactly which point, download the festival schedule at the bottom of the post).

Alright, here’s what you have to know.

The festival begins with the Wavescape Surfboard Art Exhibition from December 1 to 7 at Depasco Cafe in Gardens. Twelve surfboards decorated by artists will go on auction on December 8. They’re worth a visual perv, even if you’re absolutely broke. If you do feel like putting a little cash on the table, you’ll be happy to know that proceeds go to ocean charities, including the NSRI and Shark Spotters, with a special board decorated by township kids to be auctioned on behalf of the Ticket to Ride Foundation’s surfing development programme.

The film section of the festival begins with the open-air free screening of Scratching the Surface on Clifton Fourth Beach on Friday December 10 after the sun goes down. The film includes cutting edge camera technology in use by pioneering surf filmmakers (and that’s not just jargon – it really does look very sick, my bru). I must most heartily recommend the Clifton screening, and not only because all of the screenings there are free. Thousands of like-minded people gather on the beach with picnics from early in the evening to enjoy “a long, languid summer evening”.

Sounds pretty ideal, hey? Indoor films will be screened at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay (R30 per ticket) from December 12 to 15 and at the Labia Theatre on Orange (R30 per ticket) from December 16 to 19. Moreover, Quiksilver will be roaming the crowd, spreading good vibes with random prize giveaways, which include three Sector 9 surfboards, a surfboard, a wodge of meal vouchers from Kauai and surf lesson vouchers from Learn 2 Surf.

If you feel like you need any burning questions answered, call the infoline on 079 0260 669 or visit www.wavescape.co.za.

Download the full screening list and schedule here.