Oceanside hosts world’s only touring surf, environmental film festival this weekend

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Oceanside will host a stop on the Save The Waves Film Festival tour, the world’s only international touring festival dedicated to surf and environmental storytelling.

Currently on a global tour with stops in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Costa Rica, Canada, Australia, El Salvador and North America, the festival showcases inspiring films that celebrate the ocean and advocate for the worldwide protection of ecosystems.

One of the California screenings will take place Saturday at Dear Tomorrow, a historic home turned community art house in Oceanside.

It will feature a lineup of films, including this year’s feature film, Riding the Sardine Run by Now Now Media, which tells the story of a group of surfers chasing waves along a remote stretch of South African coastline during the annual sardine run. 

In addition to outdoor films, attendees will find experiential art, flash tattoos, food and drinks. Plus, the house will be filled with a gallery of work from twelve ocean-inspired artists. 

Tickets are available at deartmrw.com for $15, with proceeds benefiting surf ecosystem conservation projects around the globe. The event is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

"We're so excited to host the Save The Waves Film Festival at Dear Tomorrow, because our space has always been about expression, gathering and community," Dear Tomorrow, told FOX 5/KUSI. "This festival brings all of that together–powerful films, artists, food and conversation–centered on something we deeply care about: our ocean. Oceanside is the perfect stop for this tour, and we can't wait to share the night with everyone who comes through our doors."

The tour is organized by Save The Waves Coalition, a nonprofit working in coalition with diverse organizations dedicated to protecting surf ecosystems. This is more than just a movie night–it’s a celebration of the ocean and those fighting to protect it.