Deadlines can be stressful but a fantastic event awaited myself and CLOUD 9 film Director, Nicolas Dazet, if we managed to complete the new Quiksilver Kelly Slater film in time for the San Sebastian Surf Film Festibal.

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We worked every hour of the day and night in the weeks leading up to the festival and there were some tense moments as we edited to the required 52 minutes, inserted graphics, spell-checked, had music rights approved, sent the script off to be subtitled and locked 4-times world champion, Mark Richards, in the sound studio with us to narrate the film from beginning to end.  There were times when we doubted we would have the film ready but we buoyed up each other’s spirits and thanks to a fantastic team effort, as the planned world premiere drew near, all I had left to write was the credits and ‘THE END’!

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San Sebastian is a wonderful city and the locals really know how to have a good time.  The Festibal, run by the hugely energetic, Sancho and his crew, is held in the Teatro Principal in the centre of the old town, which has a regal, antique decor and a real buzz when the crowd filter in from the nearby bars.  I was there on Thursday night for a screening of my Irish film ‘Waveriders’ so I had two excuses to dress up in two of the most gorgeous silk dresses in the Quiksilver Women collection.  When you have films, technicalities and guests to think about, it really helps to have dresses that you can throw on without too much effort and feel instantly relaxed and ready to stand on the stage and present the film in Spanish!

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The World Premiere of CLOUD 9 was a real success.  Daz and I both gave a speech and we were joined by Basque local Quiksilver surfer, Aritz Aranburu, whom the crowd obviously adored.  The film follows Kelly behind the scenes as he aims for his ninth world title, while the likes of Tony Hawk, Dane Reynolds and Jeff Hakman give their views on the world’s best surfer.  Kelly could not be with us on the night but he was with us in spirit as the audience gazed in awe at some amazing action footage.  Many commented how they felt they had grown to know Kelly during the film.  The soundtrack includes Quiksilver sponsored young musician, Ben Howard, who wrote the track ‘Cloud 9′ especially for the film and I could hear some of the crowd humming as we left after the final credits rolled.

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With the job done, we could finally relax and enjoy the local pintxos and a glass (or 2) of Rioja.  Thanks to the Festibal and to everyone, friends, family, Gabe, Marta, Peyo and all who came to support our night.

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Muchas gracias, me encanta Donostia!

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Look out for screening times of CLOUD 9, which will now be released around Europe.  Times and venues are on the main Quiksilver site.