“A powerful piece of work.” Sir Jonathon Porritt
Media & Awards
Awards, reviews, press coverage
Awards for The Big Sea include:
BEST FILM: LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL 2024
BEST ACTIVISM FILM: SHEFFIELD ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL 2026
DIRECTOR AWARD: IOFF SAN FRANCISCO 2025
GRAND JURY PRIZE: SSFF MILAN 2025
BEST FEATURE FILM: NOOSA INTERNATIONAL SURF ILM FESTIVAL 2025
OCEAN CONSERVATION AWARD: CINEMAR FILM FESTIVAL KEIL 2025
COUP DE COEUR: BREST SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2025
ENVIRONMENT AWARD: PORTUGUESE SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2025
BEST FEATURE OCEAN: WILD OCEANS FILM FESTIVAL 2025
BEST SURF FILM: WILD OCEANS FILM FESTIVAL 2025
BEST FILM: JERSEY SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2024
BEST CAMPAIGN: SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE AWARDS
BEST SOUNDTRACK: LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL 2024
SISTER CITY AWARD: CINEMAR KEIL 2025
FINALIST: MELBOURNE DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2025
FINALIST: SANTIAGO WILD FILM FESTIVAL 2025
plus
OFFICIAL SELECTION: NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION: KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2024
OFFICIAL SELECTION: NORTH SEA FILM FESTIVAL 2026 (OUT OF COMPETITION)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: CORNWALL FILM FESTIVAL 2025 (OUT OF COMPETITION)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: PARIS SURF SKATE FILM FESTIVAL 2025 (OUT OF COMPETITION)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: HAVEN SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2025 (OUT OF COMPETITION)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: FLOTSAM FILM FESTIVAL 2025 (OUT OF COMPETITION)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: SALT WATER FESTIVAL 2025 (OUT OF COMPETITION)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: HONOLOLU INTERNATIONAL SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION: BILBAO SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION: BELLS BEACH SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2026
From a preview screening at UNGA Goals during NY Climate Week to sold out premieres, here’s what they’re saying about The Big Sea:
“One of the most important outdoor films of all times which exposes how deadly environmental racism and the petrochemical industry collides with surfing.” Keme Nzerem BAFTA nominated journalist, Channel 4 News presenter
“The film that changed an industry.” Ian Stewart, Xcel Wetsuits
“A hugely important documentary linking toxic chemicals to the products that we use to play in the sea… a real opportunity to drive change within the industry, leading the charge on phasing out Neoprene.” Pete Lewis, Surfers Against Sewage
“A powerful piece of work.” Sir Jonathon Porritt, Environmentalist, Activist, Former Director Friends of the Earth
“Exposing the devastating environmental impact of Neoprene, this is more than a film, it’s a call to action.” Oliver Wallien, Founder Wallien
“A very powerful and important documentary with robust investigative journalism and research. This exposé could be very important in shifting the industry towards alternatives.” Steve Scott, Kendal Mountain Festival Director
“Trenchant piece of cinematic advocacy… For its courageous and vital vole as our culture’s conscience, it is peerless.” SSFF Milan
“The most important surf film of my lifetime.” Tim Baker, journalist and award winning surf writer.
“…beautifully made and outstandingly delivered – this is quite simply one of the most refreshingly crafted documentaries I’ve seen in a long time… a challenge to anyone, not least the brands, to make a change.” Will Rose, Led By Donkeys
“The most focussed 70 minutes of environmental and social campaigning by surfers ever.” Chris Hines MBE, Surfers Against Sewage Co-Founder
“An extraordinary piece of work exploring environmental racism with the power to reframe the conversation and drive real, tangible change. If you think this film is just about wetsuits and surfing, you’re missing the point.” Matt Barr, Looking Sideways
“So powerful. So well told. So poetic. The engine-message-activism that drives the film is so important, but it’s also very beautiful, with stellar, arresting cinematography.” Jamie Brisick, Award winning filmmaker and writer
“Life or death journalism the like of which surfing has seldom seen.” Mike Lay, Editor Wavelength Magazine