TIM Bonython has remained a driving force in the world of surfing for almost three decades.
He is widely regarded not only as one of the best surf film-makers in Australia, but also in the world.
His list of credits is extensive and Bonython continues to work tirelessly having first become involved in the surfing film trade in 1978 when his first trip to Hawaii took him to the North Shore of Oahu.
From there he shot various contests and general surfing, showing the footage in pubs and clubs with a Super 8 projector and amplifier, narrating as they screened.
These days Bonython presents his films on a much larger scale.
Bonython is back this summer with the Australian Surf Movie Festival which will appear at Newcastle Panthers on Friday night.
Event director Bonython has organised 30 screenings which will present the premiere of new documentary Horrorscopes - The Cape of Storms and a film looking at the history of Australian surfing titled That's Surfing. Other films include Bonython's latest creation May Dayz: Blackwater 2 The Story Continues and snippets of Josh Williams's new film, Burn. Band Tokenview will also perform.
His involvement in the Australian Surf Movie Festival adds to an impressive career. Bonython enjoyed his first success in 1981 when he shot the Bells Beach Rip Curl contest where Simon Anderson introduced the three-finned thruster, and won .
It was a time when there were no surf videos and Bonython instead screened his films in bars and surf clubs.
His productions took off in the '90s and highlights included Gripping Stuff Volume 1 and 2, Deep Throat, and RAW 1 and 2. Bonython launched his most successful movie, Biggest Wednesday, in 1998 and went on to tour the film, showing it on the big screen at Midnight Oil concerts.
In early 2003 he created the Australian Surf Movie Festival, a national surf movie festival showing a collection of great surf films.
Advance tickets to the Australian Surf Movie Festival cost $15 at the club or $20 at the door on the night.
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