Festival to open numerous films with screening of Father Joe’s Villages’ animated short film

San Diego CA— At the sixth annual San Diego Surf Film Festival this weekend in La Jolla, an animated film about the journey to overcome homelessness will join the lineup of international surf films. Father Joe’s Villages’ Shine is a three-minute film that tells a story of hope intended to shift public perceptions of homelessness and inspire action.
“On land and in the water, surfers care about making our community the best it can be,” says Festival Director Pierce Kavanagh. “The Surf Film Festival is screening Shine to show that we’re all responsible for making San Diego better, from keeping our ocean healthy to caring for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
The four-day San Diego Surf Film Festival at Misfit Pictures will screen 25 international surf films, honor local surf legends and, on the last day, take to the beach to collect trash from a Cardiff Reef. Shine serves as an additional way for attendees to get involved in making San Diego a brighter place for everyone.
In partnership with San Diego integrated marketing agency i.d.e.a. and Golden Globe-nominated animation studio Reel FX, Father Joe’s Villages’ film showcases the brilliance and potential that is within everyone regardless of their circumstances.
The animated film takes place in a world of minerals and gems. It portrays Nicoal, a lump of coal ignored by the others and left alone in the cold and rain. Just when all hope seems lost, compassionate neighbors from Father Joe’s Villages welcome and embrace Nicoal compressing her with their respect and kindness. With this support from Father Joe’s Villages, Nicoal transforms into her true self – a brilliant diamond.
“The film will bring a new kind of attention to San Diego’s homelessness crisis, helping people to see the issue of homelessness in a new light,” says President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages Deacon Jim Vargas. “It takes a community of compassion to solve this crisis. We’re grateful to the San Diego Surf Film Festival for helping us spread that message.”
The sixth annual San Diego Surf Film Festival runs May 10-13 at Misfit Gallery, located at 565 Pearl Street, Suite 100 in La Jolla. Tickets range from $10 for one night to $125 for the Nautilus Pass that includes full festival access. The event is expected to sell out, so don’t wait to purchase your tickets here.
Festival-goers can catch Father Joe’s Villages’ Shine film on Friday, May 12 in the 7 – 9 p.m. film block and Saturday, May 13 during both the 5:45 – 7 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. blocks.
To organize a Shine film viewing with your community group, please contact victoria.williams@neighbor.org. To view the film, click here. To make a donation and help people find the potential within, click here.