Coast Film Festival

2021 COAST FILM FESTIVAL We're excited to announce the Third Annual Coast Film Festival will be in-person November 10-14, 2021 in Laguna Beach, CA and online November 16-28 with consideration to current and potential COVID-19 protocols, guidelines and limitations. The multi-day event is a showcase of independent films and Q& A's about people, places and cultures from the mountains to the sea and the places in between. The films and discussions and the venues they are seen in form an experience that entertains, educates and inspires guests with greater awareness and positive change through the power of film and conversation. A gathering where the land meets the sea. Screenings and Q&A's with filmmakers, athletes and activists are organized around themes and important topics ranging from inspiration and stoke, land, ocean and waterway conservation, mental health, social equality in the outdoors, climate change, ocean plastics and more. A little bit of our history: This will be our third event. Since the first event, we have been blown away by the acceptance from the community and creators and realize we were on to something that was unique and added value to Laguna Beach. Last year during the pandemic we were proud to be one of just a few festivals nationwide to produce an in-person event. We took precautions with limited group sizes and outdoor venues and were able to screen 60 documentary films by both recognized and rising star filmmakers from around the world. Schedules included evening filmmaker showcases and short film blocks each day. Program topics ranged from protect to enjoy, our public lands, our oceans, snow and mountains, oceans and beach culture. Q&A's included over 30 filmmakers and story tellers like Greg MacGillivray, Dana Brown, Chris Burkard, Dana Frankoff and pro athletes Greg Long, Elaina Hight, Jeff Johnson and industry icon Troy Lee and Surfrider's Executive Director Chad Nelson and many more, sharing behind the scenes stories and views on important topics. An online experience was streamed to ticket holders for 10 days through Thanksgiving weekend allowing people to watch from home and expanded our community globally. Furthermore, it's important that we support the independent filmmakers and the outdoor spaces we love. We donated 5% of proceeds to select local and national non-profits committed to environmental and social change including 1% For The Planet, Surfrider Foundation, Protect Our Winters, Wings for Life, Laguna Canyon Foundation. We started an annual award for Environmental Filmmaker of the year which includes a $3,000 prize and a mentorship with IMAX filmmaker Greg MacGillivray in addition to a $1,250 Emerging filmmaker scholarship for a Laguna Beach High School senior. As a community event, we encourage filmmakers and people in the films to come to Laguna Beach and experience the event. There are opportunities to be on panels and network with filmmakers, athletes, industry decision makers and the local community. Thank you, we look forward to seeing your submission and considering your film for this year's event. For questions, comments or ideas please contact Event founder and Director Ben Warner Benw@coastfilmfestival.com.