Coast Film Festival Brings Days Of Adventure To Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—Get ready for adventure and life-changing stories because the Coast Film Festival is back for its third go-around. Screenings galore, Q&As with filmmakers, and all the surrounding hoopla take place November 10-14 at the Festival of Arts Grounds.

There will be three screening zones: one indoors at the Forum Theater, a classic venue complete with a red-velvet curtain that seats 230. Outdoors will be the covered Green Theater with 450 seats and the smaller Storyteller's Lounge for a more relaxed setting.

Daytime shows include short film blocks and feature films at the Forum Theater. Evening Filmmaker Showcases "Mountains & Snow," "Get Outside," and "Oceans & Surf Culture" offer multiple films and Q&As. Sunday's "Legends of Laguna" with filmmakers and pro athletes will undoubtedly sell out.

Joining Pat Parnell in hosting duties this year is Ariel Tweto, who was featured in last year's Greg MacGillivray film "Into America's Wild." The Unalakleet, Alaska native came down to Laguna for the festival in 2020 and stayed. Ariel is taking over CFF21 social media accounts to keep us all in on the fun.

Opening night at Hobie Surf Shop in Laguna Beach promises new tales around the making of a classic with "Birth of the Endless Summer."

Ideally, you get a VIP all-festival pass to see every short and feature and even partake in some sunrise yoga or a hike.

If you must narrow down your choices somehow, select all-day general admission or VIP passes. All-day means 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Here's the full schedule.

Saturday's "Oceans & Surf Culture" showcase includes two don't-miss documentaries hosted by Pat Parnell, which will more than likely sell out.

"Girls Can't Surf" at 5 p.m. disproves its title with a stellar cast of 1980s pros: Jodie Cooper, Pam Burridge, Pauline Menzcer, Frieda Zamba, Wendy Botha, Lisa Andersen, Layne Beachley. Directed by Christopher Nelius and written by Nelius and Julie-Anne De Ruvo, the Australian film promises "A wild ride of rebellion, smashing the patriarchy and cut-throat adventure."

The West Coast premiere of "Waterman, the story of Duke Kahanamoku" follows.

It's not just the movies but all the surrounding fun that genuinely makes it festive.

• An art exhibit with the theme of mountains and ocean curated by Charles Adler. Meet the artists and learn the stories behind the art
• Silent disco with DJ's
• Exhibitor area to connect with sponsors and partners
• Raffle to support nonprofit organizations each evening
• Fun zone for kids
• Multiple bars
• Food trucks, small plate meals from Terra, and a snack bar

Your admission tickets not only get you the adventure each film provides, but a portion goes to these nonprofits:

• Laguna Canyon Foundation
• Surfrider OC
• Protect Our Winters
• Stoked.org
• 1% For The Planet
• Coast Film emerging filmmaker scholarship

You can always select an individual event and go to that screening.

If you can't make the in-person film fest, invest in a virtual pass, which gets you more than 50 films viewable on an Apple or Android device after Coast Film Fest closes. The virtual festival's schedule is curated by theme, and runs from November 16th at 5 p.m. through November 28th at noon.

However you participate, it's going to be great. Let us know what you're looking forward to most of all.