Bass Coast Surf Film Festival @ Berninneit

Bass Coast Surf Film Festival presents a surf film double bill with Corners Of The Earth Kamchatka and Bigger Than Me, produced and directed by former Phillip Island local, Claire Gormam.

Showcasing sweeping scenery and giant waves on the big screen with surround sound in the beautiful new cinema at Berninneit.

Corners of the Earth Kamchatka [M] 1hr 29mins

Follow filmmakers Spencer Frost and Guy Williment and surfer Letty Mortenson and Fraser Dovell as they journey to Kamchatka in the far east of Russia in search of new waves along the frozen, unexplored coastline. Bordered  by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk with more than 150 volcanoes (29 active) the Kamchatka Peninsula in Far Eastern Russia is as remote as it is unique.

After two years of planning the trip was almost over before it began. An hour before boarding their flight to Moscow, Russia invaded Ukraine.

At a time when the world was seeing the worst of human nature, these guys flew behind the iron curtian and found, to their suprise the best of it. Mi-8 helicopters, skidoos, frozen campsites, and frozen bank accounts, this surf trip quickly became far more than anyone could imagine.

The movie aims to portray all the ups and downs that come with surfing during the winter in an inhospitable part of the world. Over the course of their trip, Dovell and his crew come to discover that, despite what you might see on Instagram, surf trips to the Arctic ain't all pretty mountain ranges and perfectly reeling points.

Bigger Than Me [G] 53mins

Bigger Than Me is a female coming-of-age film about the complexity of being a girl and the challenges that drive you as a woman to take on the elemental power of big waves.

Wrenna is a young woman with a fearless dream - a 6’ 2” natural with a body built for the ocean, she wants to be a big wave surfer. But she finds the discipline and sacrifice required to be a professional, extremely challenging. Growing up in New Jersey with hippy parents, her teenage years were spent caring for her younger siblings and schooling herself in the local library. At 19, Wrenna makes her pilgrimage to Hawaii's North Shore risking it all on big waves.

She is confronted by the pressures of carving out a professional sporting life as a woman and without a sponsor she works two jobs to support her dream. Filming over ten years, from Oahu’s iconic big wave, Waimea Bay to the cold waters of Mavericks to the ultimate big wave of Peahi (Jaws), we travel with Wrenna through the seasons, the highs and the lows of facing your fears - to find out how much bigger you can be.

The project was a decade long process that initially started in 2010 when Claire contacted Wrenna through a mutual surf friend, with an idea to follow and film an emerging female big-wave surfer. The initial plan was to film for about a year and then finish the production. However, Delgado said, “life happened and years passed.” Although the production wasn’t yet complete, the pair developed a friendship and both started their own families.

“As my life unfolded, Claire kept collecting little bits and moments of the ride,” Delgado said. “The budget was zero. Everything we did, we did out of dedication to the film.”- Wrenna

Delgado and Gorman stuck to it and eventually finished the film in 2020.

Directed by former Phillip island local, Claire Gorman who began her career in filmmaking working alongside renowned international wildlife cinematographer, David Parer, on Phillip Island for the series, 'Penguin Island'. At the age of 22 she directed, shot and co-edited her feature documentary, 'First Love' which follows three talented local teens on their journey to making a career out of surfing, alongside some of the best names in women's surfing, including seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore.

More information

Tickets to events at Berninneit can be pre-purchased online and in person at the Bass Coast Shire Council Customer and Visitor Service, open daily at Berninneit, see hours here. Available tickets can also be purchased prior to screenings and performances. Doors open 30 minutes prior to cinema sessions and 60 minutes prior to live performances. We strongly recommend that you pre-purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

Accessible seating is available.

Please check our FAQ page for more information on ticketing, refund policies, and contact details.

Berninneit is located at 91-97 Thompson Ave, Cowes and operated for the community by Bass Coast Shire Council.