SLO Film Fest’s “Make Waves” makes its return

Cal Poly Surf Rider returned last Friday with their annual “Make Waves Film Festival.” The event raised money for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and featured films by Cal Poly students.

The Surf Rider Foundation is a national organization created “to protect and enjoy the world’s oceans, beaches and waves,” according to the Surf Rider Instagram. The film festival always falls on the last day of Earth Week on the Cal Poly campus. 

“There’s a big sustainability community here, so it’s an awesome place for all of the sustainable community members to come together,” biology sophomore and Surf Rider member Kelsey Byrne said. 

This year, all proceeds raised from the festival supported the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, whose purpose is to preserve the marine and cultural resources along 156 miles of the Central California Coastline, between the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 

The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, ECOSLO, Real Food Collaboration, Morro Bay National Estuary Program, Rox Bead Box and Green Campus had booths at the event to inform and educate attendees about their organizations. Baked goods and succulents planted in DIY pots were sold at the festival by club members. 

Seven films were shown at the festival, some written by students and some professionally made:

“Chumash Heritage Marine Sanctuary: Road to 30 Postcard” by the Center for Western Priorities

“Reflections” by the Surf Rider Media Team

“Alice In Borneo’s Wonderland” by David McGuire 

“Washed Ashore” by Ley Heimgartner and Cameron Nielsen

“The Luffa Farm” by journalism sophomore Sam Kohn

“Good Night” by Olivia Theaker

“Unnar” by Chris Burkhard

All attendees then voted on their favorite films to win a compostable Igloo cooler of sustainable goodies. “The Luffa Farm” came in second place with “Unnar” taking home first.