UK Surf Cinema, a brand-new national touring showcase, is launching this November – with £1 from every ticket sold to be donated to The Wave Project.

UK Surf Cinema is launching this November to bring together surfers, ocean lovers and filmmakers for a season of story-driven surf films on the big screen.

Born out of Bristol Surf Cinema, the project has grown into a national tour with events in 16 surf hubs, from St Andrews to St Ives. Each screening will feature a carefully curated programme of films that place heart and purpose at their core – not only celebrating the act of surfing but the culture, people and environments that make it meaningful.

The first edition of the tour presents three powerful and diverse films:

• Salt (Alice Ward, 12 mins): An intimate exploration of filmmaker Alice Ward’s life with Cystic Fibrosis, and how salt, sea and surfing have shaped her story.
• Finding San Nicolas (Martin Dorey & John Cutts, 29 mins): A nostalgic return to a 1968 surf trip, told through original Super 8 footage and present-day reflection.
• Riptide (Kristian Kane & Lewis Carter, 53 mins): Following Welsh surfer Mark “Jock” Jones, whose life was reshaped by a cancer diagnosis, this inspiring film captures the resilience of surfing and community.

Image: Salt

At the heart of UK Surf Cinema is a commitment to sustaining and celebrating the UK’s surf and creative communities:

• Fair support for filmmakers – every film screened is properly licensed, with a fee paid per screening.
• Building for the future – the tour is aiming to establish a fund to support new projects, mentoring and networking opportunities amongst creatives.
• Giving back  – £1 from every ticket is donated to The Wave Project, UK Surf Cinema‘s charity partner, helping us to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing across the UK through Surf Therapy.

From Cornwall to Scotland, the tour offers audiences a rare chance to gather, connect and experience surf cinema as it was meant to be seen – on the big screen, in community.

The tour has been founded by Theo Cockrean, a professional camera operator/assistant working across film and TV, and a passionate surfer. UK Surf Cinema brings together both of these worlds – a love of storytelling through the lens and a deep connection to the sea – into a platform designed to celebrate surf films and the communities behind them.

‘With the right support, UK Surf Cinema can become a cornerstone for sustaining and celebrating the UK surf filmmaking community.’ – Theo Cockrean, Founder

UK Surf Cinema is supported by Wavelength Surf Magazine, one of the most established voices in British surf culture. Wavelength‘s early belief in the project has helped turn Bristol’s grassroots screenings into a platform with national reach. Together, UK Surf Cinema and Wavelength share a vision: to support, celebrate, and grow the creative heartbeat of UK surf culture.

The UK Surf Cinema Tour runs from 3rd November to 3rd December 2025. Tickets are on sale now here.