Free Outdoor Film Screening to be held at OUTRIGGER Ka’anapali Beach Resort
MAUI, HAWAI’I (November 7, 2024) – Riding the waves of resiliency, OUTRIGGER Ka’anapali Beach Resort is showing the award-winning, Maui-made documentary film “Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool,” followed by a Q&A session with the cast and director…
Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter and Inflatable Film are hosting a FREE screening of the award-winning documentary, “Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool” (40 mins, filmed in Lahaina) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 6 p.m. An audience question/answer session will follow immediately with Uncle Bully (surf and life coach) and Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday, the producers and directors. After selling out both Hawai’i International Film Festival screenings at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center last year in October, this will be the second time the film has played in West Maui.
“We have so much respect and admiration for the Surfrider Foundation and the important work they do on Maui and around the country. We also believe OUTRIGGER Ka’anapali Beach Resort is the perfect outdoor venue to screen this film with our local community and resort guests. The film allows us to keep Maui – and Lahaina – on people’s hearts and minds for the long recovery ahead,” says Leah Warshawski, producer/director from Inflatable Film.
“Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool”, from Inflatable Film, is about local Maui surf instructor Bull Kotter and his mentorship of underserved youth during the pandemic. This powerful story about one person’s quest to shape a hopeful future for the next generation is one of the last stories filmed in Lahaina before the August 8, 2023, wildfires. Leah Warshawski, Producer/Director and Todd Soliday, Director/Editor (based on Maui) began filming Robert “Bully” Kotter’s work with local children who lived in Lahaina encampments and his free surf lessons during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The fires destroyed Bully’s home and business, left several of the film’s crew and cast homeless, and threatened many of the encampments where the children lived. After the fires, Leah and Todd picked up their cameras once again to share the ongoing story of resilience.
“We are honored to host the screening of ‘Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool’ at the OUTRIGGER Ka’anapali Beach Resort,” says Meghan Lee, Director of Sales and Marketing at OUTRIGGER Ka’anapali Beach Resort. “This story beautifully showcases Bully’s resilience, kindness and generosity, aligning with OUTRIGGER’s core values. It emphasizes the vital role we all play in inspiring the next generation and reminds us that together, we can create positive change.”
This film received acclaim at the HIFF presented by Halekulani (2023) winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary, and has won five other awards in festivals across the country. This month, “Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool” qualified for an Academy Award in the documentary shorts category.
“The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people. The Maui Chapter is lucky to have Inflatable Film as our neighbor and partner, with a public screening of “Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool.” This film is a testament to the resiliency of the people of Maui and the healing power of the ocean,” says Maureen Brock, Chair of Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter.
For locals looking to book a staycation at OUTRIGGER Ka’anapali Beach Resort, OUTRIGGER’s Kama’aina Special is exclusive for Hawai’i residents to rediscover Maui’s beauty at a discounted price. Booking rates can be found HERE.
EVENT TIMING
- Event will begin at 5:30 p.m with music and informational tables set up
- Film screening will begin at 6 p.m.
- Director and cast Q/A will begin around 7 p.m.
- Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs or alternate seating to maximize comfort during the under the stars experience
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