The San Diego Surf Film Festival (SDFF) will soon host its much-anticipated list of films for 2013. The films, chosen by a six-member screening panel, will represent a wide variety of cultures and surf destinations on nearly every continent. SDSFF organizers have expanded the number of films to be shown from 35 to 42. Fourteen features and 28 short films will be shown during the festival from May 8-12, which will be held at Bird’s Surf Shed in Pacific Beach, a world-famous restored quonset hut filled with an impressive collection of historically significant surfboards and artifacts. “This year, we received over 75 submissions from around the globe, which raised the bar quite high for filmmakers,” said Pierce Kavanagh, who, along with his wife, Petra, created the San Diego Surf Film Festival. “Pure and simple, a lot of really good films did not make it in the festival, and I applaud all the filmmakers’ efforts.” In its second year, the SDSFF has become one of the largest and most celebrated festivals of its kind around the globe. Living up to its instant success and international reputation, organizers said the SDSFF promises to give 2013 attendees access to stellar international surf cinema and full immersion into the iconic surf culture. Besides killer waves and breathtaking scenery, some of the films also incorporate a social responsibility theme. Other films blend the beauty and excitement of surfing with an inside, personal look at the people behind the wave or on the board. “We are stoked and proud of the films that we selected,” said Kavanagh, also an independent filmmaker who runs San Diego-based misfit pictures. “We will bring people into different surf cultures from around the world, and not only entertain them, but also give them an education and insight on how other people live. For example, some of the films highlight the importance of being socially responsible, such as sustainability and giving back to the communities where they surf. There is a shift happening in the surf film world and I think the industry should follow that.” For more information on the San Diego Surf Film Festival, visit sandiegosurffilmfestival.-com. Bird’s Surf Shed is located at 1091 W Morena Blvd. For more information on the San Diego Surf Film Festival and the full list of showings,visit sandiegosurffilmfestival.com/