VANS presents
HAVEN SURF FILM FEST 2025
HAVEN SURF FILM FEST 2025
12h00 - 19h00
The Haven Surf Film Fest returns for its 4th edition on Sunday, May 11th, at the renowned Zuiderpershuis in Antwerp. Join us for a day of surf films, music, Q&As, food, drinks, an exhibition featuring work from surf photographers, a live surf podcast and a live surfboard shaping. This year, we celebrate female surfing and the French surf scene.
Our special guests are French surfer/artist/designer/festival organizer Margaux Arramon-Tucoo and her sister Aimée Arramon-Tucoo and Amaya Gomis as our special guests. All Co-founders of the forward-thinking Queen Classic Surf Festival.
We’re also excited to welcome Demi Taylor, Lewis Arnold, and Chris Nelson — the team behind The Big Sea, a powerful and urgent documentary that uncovers the lethal cost of neoprene production. Join them for a Q&A following the Benelux premiere of the film, hosted by biologist Nelson Coomans.
Director Horace Martins
Featuring: Selim Barkat
MERRY KALIYUGA
Stuck in Morocco with Selim Barkat for 3 months, young Belgian Director Horace Martins gives birth to his first and probably (according to him) last surf film. Merry Kaliyuga is a surf film, inspired by the hinduist story of the Kali Yuga, in which Kalkin (an incarnation of the god Vishnu) appears to end a period of sin and darkness to usher in a new age.The aim of this film was to use surfing as a medium to explore the striking duality between modernism and tradition in Morocco.
A story about wave exploration in Madagascar starring @kepaacero @natxogonzalez1 and @_miguelblanco_ directed by @jonbakio. A film that tells the story of the pioneers who explored Madagascar with Blair Rogers @mada_surf_tours and their work with local people and women’s surfing. All this told between uncrowded beautiful waves.
Surfing is killing it. This $10 billion global industry – built on a clean, green dream – has never been more popular. But surfing has a dirty secret, and people are dying. From filmmakers Lewis Arnold and Chris Nelson, The Big Sea is the award-winning documentary exposing surfing’s hidden links to Cancer Alley and the devastating impact of the wetsuit world’s toxic addition to Neoprene. Through the lens of surfing and unwrapping issues of social justice, environmental racism, greenwashing, corporate responsibility and more, this life and death tale of two seemingly unconnected communities explores the power we have as individuals to effect change. The screening of the movie will be followed by a Q&A with the creators.
"The film that changed an industry." Ian Stewart, CMO Xcel Wetsuits
“So powerful. So well told. So poetic. The engine-message-activism that drives the film is so important, but it's also very beautiful, with stellar, arresting cinematography.” Jamie Brisick, Award winning filmmaker
“The most focussed 70 minutes of environmental and social campaigning by surfers ever.” Chris Hines MBE, Surfers Against Sewage Co-Founder
In a small village in Liberia, a West African country scarred by 20 years of civil war, local surfers are striving to change their destiny and that of their village through the creation of a surf club. Five years after the documentary "Water Get No Enemy", surfer and filmmaker Arthur Bourbon returns to Liberia to reconnect with his friends and document the evolution of surfing in the village.
Directed by Yentl Touboul, this 42-minute visual portrait follows Adrien Toyon through the eyes of friends and influential board shapers. Supported by Vans and Sun Bun and filmed over two years across Reunion Island, Australia, the Basque Country, and Western Ireland, the film captures Adrien’s journey into alternative surfboard designs.
Some Like It Classic - 16mm surf film documentary about long boarding and its hotdogging origin narrated by Robert "Wingnut" Weaver Some Like It Classic is an independent feature surf film entirely shot in beautiful 16 mm colour film over 7 years, documenting long boarding and the beginning of Hotdogging through some of the most influential surfboard evolution designs and some surfing pioneers history. Filmed in Southern California, Hawaii, Mexico and France, this film is also a journey showing some fun, stylish, effortless and smooth surfing as well as some timeless surf culture. A tribute to the 1965 surf film "Some Like It Wet”
Every Friday morning, the Granny Grommets meet at Middleton Beach to catch a wave, turning the tide on what becomes expected of us as we age. The Granny Grommets, a nearly 90 strong group of women, come from all walks of life and with all the life experiences that an older person brings with them, to bodyboard at Middleton beach in Albany in Western Australia. United by their love of the ocean, the group serves as much more than simply a weekly exercise class, for some it’s an escape from caring responsibilities and others a place to feel a sense of identity. This film ultimately reflects on the healing and transformative power community and friendship provide for us later in life.
We’re thrilled to welcome French surfers Margaux Arramon-Tucoo, her sister Aimée Arramon-Tucoo and Amaya Gomis as our special guests. All founders of the forward-thinking Queen Classic Surf Festival, (@queenclassicsurfestival) which supports underrepresented voices in surfing — including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of color.
Margaux (@margause) is a key figure in the French surf community — not only for her graceful longboarding style, but also for her work as an artist and activist. She’ll be presenting a selection of short films and will join the other Queens for a live Q&A moderated by Belgian actress and founder of The Fieldwork, Kim Hertogs.
Amaya Gomis / @amaya_gomis
Aimeé Arramon-Tucoo / @aimee_arramon
Margaux Arramon-Tucoo / @margause
We’re also excited to welcome Demi Taylor, Lewis Arnold, and Chris Nelson — the team behind The Big Sea, a powerful and urgent documentary that uncovers the lethal cost of neoprene production. Join them for a Q&A following the Benelux premiere of the film, hosted by biologist Nelson Coomans.
The Big Sea
Director: Lewis Arnold / @lasurfpics
Writer & Producer: Chris Nelson / @approachinglines
Producer: Demi Taylor / @imaybesurfing / @londonsurffilmfest
For the art show at the Haven Surf Film Fest we focus on some players of the French scene (and a shaper from Antwerp!)
YENTL TABOUL
We’re proud to feature the work of filmmaker and photographer Yentl Touboul - @yentlt at this year’s Haven Surf Film Festival. Raised in Guadeloupe, and now based in Hossegor, Yentl has become a distinctive voice in contemporary surf culture. His work captures the in-between moments — quiet, raw, and deeply atmospheric.
At the festival, we’ll be screening his film North Stars — a beautifully shot road trip with Adrien Toyon. Alongside the screening, a selection of his surf photography will be on view and for sale at the art show. Yentl is a contributor to Wasted Talent and has worked with brands like Vans, Globe, Nike SB, and Satisfy Running, always bringing his own cinematic approach to every frame. A visual journey through modern surf culture
AURELIEN BACQUET
Aurélien Bacquet is a photographer based between Paris and Bretagne. He’s also the co-founder of Barbès Surfclub — a collective of friends who organize surf-inspired events in Paris and document the odd realities of being a landlocked surfer.
Despite the name, it’s not a traditional surf club — more like a playful excuse to skip work and chase waves, often making same-day runs from Paris to the Vendée coast and back.
@barbessurfclub
@aurelienbacquet
ROMAIN JUCHEREAU
We also feature the work of filmmaker and photographer Romain Juchereau. Based in La Rochelle, France, Romain has been documenting surf culture through analog formats like 35mm, Polaroid, and Super 16mm since his teens. His work is rooted in authenticity — capturing the timeless beauty of surfing and the people who shape it. We’ll be screening his film Keep It Classic, a visual tribute to longboarding culture and the craftsmanship behind it. With its warm, analog textures and calm pacing, the film invites you into a slower, more soulful rhythm of surf life.
A selection of Romain’s photographs will also be on view during the festival, offering a closer look at his eye for light, detail, and timeless moments.
Classic surfing, classic style!
Antwerp based shaper Steve Grossen will not only shape a board during the film fest, he will also expose some hand shaped surfboards at the expo.
“Explore the Off-Screen Highlights: live shaping, live pod-cast, DJ sets, good food, and more throughout the day.
DJ SETS
Nicolas (Nowadays Magazine) - @nowadays_mag
Frederik Schnieders - @frederikschnieders
Nasty Ride
LIVE PODCAST
We’re excited to announce that @surfersearpodcast podcast is going live at the Film Fest! Join hosts @jodeferm and @thomas_vancampenhout for what’s arguably the most intriguing, absurd, and entertaining podcast in the Benelux.
We’re not entirely sure what they’ve got up their sleeves — but expect guest interviews, unexpected moments, and maybe even an appearance from the King himself (rumour has it).
If you know the show, you know what’s coming. If not, now’s the time to find out.
Show starts at 14:30 sharp — don’t miss it.
Surfer’s Ear Podcast - @surfersearpodcast
LIVE SHAPING
Experience the magic of surfboard making up close.
Onda by Fibershape (@ondabyfibershape) presents a live shaping session by Antwerp based Steve Grossen of Wabi Sabi Surfboards— blending craftsmanship & design.
THE FIELDWORK BY KIM HERTOGS
@thefieldwork
Kim Hertogs is a Belgian actress and the founder of The Fieldwork, a platform that empowers women through movement, surf, skate, and sisterhood. What began as a personal quest for deeper connection has grown into a thriving community of women stepping out of their comfort zones — from holistic surf trips in Morocco and Portugal to adult skate lessons across Belgium.
Kim will join us at the Haven Surf Film Fest with a booth for anyone curious about The Fieldwork, and she’ll also host a special Q&A panel with Margaux Arramon-Tucoo, Aimée Arramon-Tucoo, and Amaya Gomis, the inspiring women behind the Queen Classic Surf Festival (@queenclassicsurfestival).
FOOD
Burgers by Plump Burgers - @plump.burger
Waffels by Chef Thierry St Dic from Vans
PRACTICAL INFO
Sunday 11 May - 12h00 > 19h00
Zuiderpershuis
Waalsekaai 14
2000 Antwerpen
www.zuiderpershuis.be
Detailed timings will be communicated soon