Natural Playground

2022 • USA • 51 min • Ian Planchon and Lynn Melling

Michigan Premiere

Freshwater is a documentary that dives into the cold waters of Lake Superior along Minnesota’s North Shore. It contains 10% of Earth’s freshwater, yet this massive force of nature remains largely unexplored. One group of people, however, is intimately aware of its power. From the surfers who catch its waves to the scientists who study its depths, learn why Lake Superior is a precious resource that should never be taken for granted.

2024 • USA • 4 min • Mike King

Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Staff Pick

‘In Waves’ gives us a glimpse into the joy that has cultivated a culture of Great Lakes connection. In 2004, visionary Beryl Skrocki founded Sleeping Bear Surf with a dream of sharing the potential for freshwater play. Now, 20 years later, her legacy lives on.

2023 • USA • 10 min • Hannah Walsh

Family Friendly, World Premiere

The ocean is for everyone, but often surf lineups can often be rife with gender disparities. A diverse group of teen girls in North County, San Diego are redefining that, showing that there’s a place in the lineup for everyone. Through Changing Tides Foundation’s Women’s Outreach Mentorship Program (WOMP), these girls form a relationship with the ocean for the first time through surfing. As they develop their newfound confidence in and out of the water, the bonds of sisterhood, friendship and community begin to shift the Southern California surf scene on a foundational level.⁠