We are really excited to partner with GoPro and to launch of the first ever ISFF + GoPro Filmmaker Challenge 2013.

The Challenge consists in creating a short film (three to eight minutes in length) on any subject related to skateboarding, exclusively shot and edited with the GoPro HERO3 Black Edition.

The ISFF committee handpicked a panel of ten filmmakers from around the world, including past ISFF winners and world-class skate videographers to compete in the Challenge.

The ten participating filmmakers are: Craig R. Stecyk III (USA), James Holman (New Zealand), Russell Houghten (USA), Philip Evans (Ireland), Takahiro Morita (Japan), Sebastien Abes (France), Ryan Dearth (USA), Josh Stewart (USA), Elard Robles (Peru) and Dan Wolfe (USA).

A panel of judges from the Academy of Skateboard Filmmakers, along with a few invited guest judges, will select the winner based on originality, execution, editing, and complete usage of the GoPro HERO3 Black Edition. Three winners will be recognized and awarded at the ISFF Awards Ceremony in November in Los Angeles. Winners will receive a cash prize of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 for first, second and third place, respectively.

All films will be hosted exclusively here, on the International Skateboard Film Festival Website as well as the GoPro Network (http://gopro.com/news/).

THE FILMMAKERS ARE:

Craig R. Stecyk III

From his early work documenting the rise of the Z-Boys to his latest contribution in Bone Brigade: An Autobiography  or a Nike Skateboarding ad campaign without overlooking is very own short movie Fin, Craig is, without a doubt an historian, photographer, artist and writer.

Residence: Santa Monica, California

Philip Evans

Phil discovered skateboarding in his small Irish town and developed an inexplicable compulsion to produce a near-endless stream of skateboarding videos and images. Format Perspective (2011), filmed completely in Super 8, showcased the insight and different approaches used by these six european photographers.

Residence: Bray, Ireland

James Holman 

James’ latest film, Altered Focus: Burma won the ISFF Best independent & Emerging award in 2011. The plot was «easy»: to follow three young film makers and skateboarders as they travel through Burma. In a recent email, James teased the ISFF Staff with «I have a banging plan». We can only expect the best.

Residence: Queenstown, New Zealand

Sebastien Abes 

Sebastien describes himself as a «motion designer» from Biarritz, France. Feedback to the Future, one of his latest productions, was nominated for the 2012 edition of the Festival. In this 4 min. short movie he goes through a short time travel venture, recollecting souvenirs of his history as a filmer/filmmaker.

Residence: Biarritz, France

Dan Wolfe

Dan grew up in Westchester, PA  then moved to Philadelphia,PA in 1995, filmed the extraordinary Eastern Exposure 3. He then got a job offer from Element Skateboards but didn’t like Orange County so he moved to San Francisco. Ended up working for Deluxe where he has been working with (except for a short stint at Ipath) since. You just can’t go wrong with that.

Residence: San Francisco, California

Russell Houghten

Incredible technician, Russell masters light, camera shutter, and filters like no other. Check out “Filter”, his part in “cinematographer” and the last Dylan Rieder commercial for Gravis. Filter, starring Dylan Rieder and Sammy Winter, recently won for Best Photography at ISFF 2012.

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Ryan Dearth

Currently based in Skate City, USA, Ryan is one of those quiet connoisseurs of good skateboarding. Relatively new to the game, he has an irreproachable technique and a sense for completion that is always pleasing. He has just finished DVS Does Detroit… Sounds like a promise in itself.

Residence: Long Beach, California

Takahiro Morita 

Skate journalist for the past 13 years and part of the original Tokyo «Z-Boys», Takahiro is the visionary behind the underground cult film, Overground Broadcasting (2008). He excels at integrating the Japanese and the western skateboard culture into a special blend opened to the world.

Residence: Nakano, Japan

Josh Stewart

As soon as Josh’s name is dropped, the first image that comes to mind is Static, then Static II and Static III…  Adio’s One Step Beyond too. And if you have watch these masterpieces of skateboarding videography, you probably still have some chills remembering the crisp images and incredible angles.

Residence: New York, New York

Elard Robles

Skateboarder since the late 80s, Elard started his own production company working on skateboard and non-skateboard audiovisual projects in Lima, Peru. His sense of editing as well as his eye for details and his knack for original scenarios unveil the true magic of South America that shall speak with a couple Hero3 cameras in his hands.

Residence: Lima, Peru

About GoPro

GoPro makes the world’s most versatile cameras, enabling people to capture immersive and engaging footage of themselves during their favorite activities. GoPro’s HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used collectively by more consumers, professional athletes, and video production professionals than any other camera in the world. Based in San Mateo, California, GoPro’s products are available in more than 30,000 stores in over 100 countries worldwide and direct via GoPro.com.

GOPRO®, HERO®, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Woodman Labs, Inc. in the United States and other countries.  All other company, product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their rightful owners.

This Ain’t California is a celebration of the lust for life, a contemporary documentary trip into the world of roller boarding in the German Democratic Republic. A coming-of-age tale of three teenagers and their passionate love for a sport on the crumbling tarmac of the streets in the German Democratic Republic, which was considered very ill-fitting. The punk fairy tale is a story of the subversive powers of fun in that part of Germany, which had lost touch with its citizens. The film follows its three heroes from their childhood in the seventies through their teenage rebellion in the eighties, ending in the last summer of their life in the German Democratic Republic in 1989, when their life changed forever, and follows them to 2011.

ISFF is proud to announce partnership with Samuel Goldwyn Films for a special pre-opening screening of Waiting For Lightning at the Laemmle Theater in Santa Monica with an exceptional Q&A with Danny Way.

Tickets will be available at the Laemmle box office.