NJ TRNST Film Premier

This weekend I had the honor of being apart of a local film premier and exhibition at the Crabs Claw in Lavallette, NJ. A film shot and directed by Sean Santiago had the entire New Jersey surf community present and celebrating our shared passions. A screening of “NJ Trnst”, the film by Sean Santiago featured all of New Jersey’s most talented male surfers, and some friends from up and down the east coast [1]. 

The best part about this premier, was the integration of local artists into the event. Sean hand picked some artists to hang up their work on the walls of the Crabs Claw to showcase and put up for sale. There was photography by myself, Ryan Mack, Russ Roe, and Anthony Hediger. Maureen Mac displayed her surfboard art, and Seth Conboy framed some of his designs and drawings. It was incredible to put together all of these local surf inspired artists, and at the same time see the largely different persepctive they all have on surfing. Ryan’s photos were the classic in water barrel shots of all of the local pros, my photos were custom framed large prints of some of my favorite black and whites and moody images, while Russ Roe had strictly film prints of all behind the scenes and surf lifestyle. 

The film was also narrated by Sean Santiago showing all angles of NJ surfing, and the people that have shaped it [2]. From volunteer work with disabled children learning to surf, the shapers that are making home grown boards, and the surfers that take on the biggest and coldest winter waves. The film and art brought people in from all over the state. It was a night of celebrating and coming together as one niche community. 

1. Jetty Life. (2019, February 25) Santi presents nj trnst. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://jettylife.com/blogs/sea/santi-presents-nj-trnst

2. Santi Creative Group. (2019, February 28) Who we are. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from  https://www.santicreativegroup.com/who-we-are