AWESOME FINAL NIGHT FOR SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2010 | July 27th, 2010 | read more and leave a comment.. | 1 comment

“Clap clap clap, yioeeeew, pffiiieeeew, wooohooooow, clap clap, yeeeeaaaah!” It’s sound of the end of the 4 day ride thru well selected independent surf movies, music and photography. Ombak Bali 2010 is over guys! And it ended last Saturday beyond well. The busiest night of all. Surfably speaking “like totally like awesome and stuff”! Everyone came out to gather for a night of two strong independent surf documentaries, great performances and of course, mister Jimmy Beam. We spotted satisfied smiles on the faces of the Ombak Bali team.

Talking about spotted… the crew of Surfing The Nations -the ones from the opening documentary ‘Gum for my Boat’- are in Bali now for a tour and came out to enjoy the night at Ombak Bali as well. Surfers giving back! (What they do is awesome, check out surfingthenations.com when you got time).

A little word on the movies of the eve. First up, the impressive documentary God Went surfing with the Devil by Alexander Klein. A story on a [Read more →]

LIVE LOVE OMBAK BALI LIFE! WE LIKE DAY 3 @ SURF FILMFESTIVAL | July 24th, 2010 | read more and leave a comment..

An artsy night in Bali it was! Another success on day 3 of the International surf film festival on Kuta Beach. This day was definitely the most independent and edgy one. No mainstream stuff going on here. This was one to be sharp on! And it was goooood.

The evening kicked off by beats of New Yorker DJ Solomon. Followed up by the first documentary: ‘Hanging Five’ by Chris Cutri. The filmmaker documents five surfers who make art. An inside look on their lives. We enjoyed almost an hour full of surf and art culture in the USA. Jolinde from Ombak Bali told us they we’re a bit nervous how the public would react on this movie, “Because it’s not an easy or mainstream movie”, she said. Luckily the crowd received the doc great!

After the movie, singer/songwriter Max (the singer of the band Pandora) threw in his Italian swagger for a relaxing break. More people started to walk in for the next movie. –Blink- and the steps we’re full again! Next up was the Asian Premiere of ‘Idiosyncrasies’. Well, as [Read more →]

OMBAK BALI IS ON! WE LIKE REPORT ++ DAY 2 | July 23rd, 2010 | read more and leave a comment.. | 2 comments

Another day in Ombak Bali paradise… day 2 is done!  It was a laid back night. We chilled on the steps of Discovery Mall with a stash of Roti Boys., lurking on a New Zealand smoothie. The night showcased two headlining movies: Seven Ways (Pete Matthews, Ripcurl) and Keep Surfing by Bjorn Richie Lob from Germany. Both directors were present to step on stage after the movie to receive a well-deserved clap clap clap.

We chatted shortly to director Bjorn, who flew in from Germany for his Asian premiere. “Wie gehts bro!” His face spoke relieve that his movie finally finished. It took him ten years to get it on screen. After five years he finally got funds and then it took him another five years to finalize the documentary. “I’m very happy to be here in Bali, I will stay for four weeks and enjoy surfing!”, said the blond curly guy. His movie Keep Surfing is a story on surf culture at the Eisbach river in Munich in Germany. It shows some interesting personalities who live the city life of surf. Bjorn says: “Even though it took me ten years to finish this film. I think that is what makes this movie special. I was able to follow the characters over the years. Giving this movie a certain depth.” What we notices is how this surf culture is not containing any prettiness, but unshaved, raw looking fellows giving no damn about rules or law and do everything to find happiness on the river waves. “Cool shirts”, we said, “we like!”. “Yeah, after the movie finished, Rhythm also hooked [Read more →]

OPENING NIGHT OMBAK BALI WAS *HICCUP*… AWESOME! | July 21st, 2010 | read more and leave a comment..

It is a wrap. O no! It’s a burrito! Ok, sorry guys, this is what happens when we write a report on tipsy fingers. But it can only mean one thing: we had a damn good night out! Our friends and us attended the opening night of the 3^rd edition of the one and only Ombak Bali Surf Film festival. We congrat the Ombak Bali team with a great kick off night at Kuta Beach. We made some snaps for yall to see, scrrrowl down!

The steps in front of discovery mall were full with excited surf cinema lovers and here and there some lost Bintangshirt tourists. All surf world invites [Read more →]

OMBAK BALI SURF FILMFESTIVAL 2010 HITS THE ISLAND! | July 16th, 2010 | read more and leave a comment..

One time a year not only the waves, but also we-like is getting allllll pumped up! The International Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival is hitting the island again on 21 till 24 July. This Wednesday 21^st, Kuta will transform into surf cinema walhalla for the third time. For everyone who has a thing for waves and waving palmtrees or Jim Beam, to enjoy 4 days of independent surf films and documentaries, music and art. Ombak Bali seems to be taken their event next level fresh forward this year. With all film screenings open to the public (as in: freeeeeeeee!) and set up outside on Kuta Reef Beach, in front of Discovery Mall. Dj’s and bands are booked, a surf photography expo is well displayed, Bintangs are cold and producers and pro beachbums are invited. Only one thing left to say… get your ass out here. Woopwoop!

The range of films of this edition festival is looking tempting and exciting (all info and trailers on www.ombakbali.com). The bright blue water, the creative fonts, the dreamy music… it’s gonna be a inspiring week. The festival will be kicked off 21 July at 7pm with Asian premieres of Gum for My Boat [surfing in Bangladesh] and Fiberglass and Megapixels.

So islandboys and girls, fill up your motorbikes with enough petrol to drive off to Kuta the upcoming days. We are not gonna miss a sangle thang! Hang out for life. Out of this world for 4 days. For those not in Bali (aaaahhhh sniff), we will note the highlights in a daily festival report “we-like Ombak Bali 2010”.

By the way: the Ombak Bali programme magazine can be picked up at surf shops, surf schools, Black Dog, the Balconey, Magic Wave office, Discovery Mall, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel and many restaurants around Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and the Bukit.

All info on: www.ombakbali.com